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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/21644-8.txt b/21644-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bbbf265 --- /dev/null +++ b/21644-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9073 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Every Man for Himself, by Hopkins Moorhouse + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Every Man for Himself + + +Author: Hopkins Moorhouse + + + +Release Date: May 30, 2007 [eBook #21644] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF*** + + +E-text prepared by Al Haines + + + +EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF + +by + +HOPKINS MOORHOUSE + +Author of "Deep Furrows" + + + + + + + +Toronto +The Musson Book Company Limited + +Copyright, Canada, 1920 +by Hopkins Moorehouse + +The Musson Book Co., Limited +Publishers . . . Toronto + + + + +To My Mother + + + + + +FOREWORD + + +Although prefaces are not the fashion in these accelerated times, some +word of warning is due those who had the patience to read "Deep +Furrows." It seems but fair to point out that whereas "Deep Furrows" +was historical and its "characters" actual people taking prominent part +in current events, the present pages are purely fictitious and the +characters therein not even composite portraits of living personages. + +Similarly the story events are pure invention and as fittingly might +have been staged in any other of the nine provinces. The author humbly +craves indulgence if he has in any way exceeded the license allowed him +in spinning the incidents necessary for a novel of this type while +seeking verisimilitude in settings with which he is familiar. + +--H. M. + +Winnipeg, February, 1920. + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER + + I FOG + II BLIND MAN'S BUFF + III "NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS" + IV THE LISTENING STENOGRAPHER + V THE TAN SATCHEL + VI AGAIN THE TAN SATCHEL + VII CROSS CURRENTS + VIII ABOARD THE PRIVATE CAR, "OBASKA" + IX CONSPIRING EVENTS + X THE STENOGRAPHER STILL LISTENING + XI GROWING ANXIETY + XII KENDRICK MAKES A TOUCHDOWN + XIII AND CONVERTS A GOAL + XIV WHAT HAPPENED ON THE WINNIPEG EXPRESS + XV RAPPROCHEMENT + XVI THE TAN SATCHEL ONCE MORE + XVII DISTURBING NEWS + XVIII MCCORQUODALE EXPLAINS + XIX FURTHER STRANGE PROCEEDINGS + XX A MAN OF MONEY + XXI DOUBLE TROUBLE + XXII LOWERING CLOUDS + XXIII THE FIGHT + XXIV THE RACE BEGINS + XXV EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF + XXVI NIP AND TUCK + XXVII CLOSE QUARTERS + XXVIII SOUVENIRS + + + + +Every Man For Himself + + +CHAPTER I + +FOG + +Except for the lone policeman who paused beneath the arc light at the +Front Street intersection to make an entry in his patrol book, Bay +Street was deserted. The fog which had come crawling in from the lake +had filled the lower streets and was feeling its way steadily through +the sleeping city, blurring the street lights. Its clammy touch +darkened the stone facades of tall, silent buildings and left tiny wet +beads on iron railing and grill work. Down towards the waterfront a +yard-engine coughed and clanked about in the mist somewhere, noisily +kicking together a string of box-cars, while at regular intervals the +fog-horn over at the Eastern Gap bellowed mournfully into the night. + +After tucking away his book and rebuttoning his tunic the policeman +lingered on the corner for a moment in the manner of one who has +nothing to do and no place to go. He was preparing to saunter on when +footfalls began to echo in the emptiness of the street and presently +the figure of a young man grew out of the gray vapor--a young man who +was swinging down towards the docks with the easy stride of an athlete. +As he came within the restricted range of the arc light it was to be +seen that his panama hat was tilted to the back of his head and that he +was holding a silk handkerchief to one eye as if a cinder had blown +into it. + +"Good-night, Officer," he nodded as he passed without halting his +stride. "Some fog, eh?" + +"'Mornin', sir," returned the dim sentinel of the Law with a respectful +salute as he grinned recognition. "Faith, an' 't is, sir." + +High up in the City Hall tower at the head of the street Big Ben boomed +two ponderous notes which flung eerily across the city. + +Already the young man had faded into the thickening fog. He was in no +mood to talk to inquisitive policemen, no matter how friendly or +lonesome. It was his own business entirely if concealed beneath the +silk handkerchief was the most elaborate black eye which had come into +his possession since Varsity won the rugby championship some months +before. If his face ached and his knuckles smarted where the skin had +been knocked off, that was his own business also. And when the +judgment of calmer moments has convinced a respectable young gentleman +of spirit that there is nobody but himself to blame for what has +happened he is inclined to solitary communion while taking the measure +of his self-dissatisfaction. + +It was indeed the end of a very imperfect day for Mr. Philip Kendrick. +As he descended the stairs to the Canoe Club his thoughts were +troubled. At that hour there was nobody about, but he let himself in +with a special key which he carried for such contingencies. He found +the suitcase undisturbed where he had left it and soon had his canoe in +the water. A moment later he was driving into the thick wall of fog +with strong, practiced strokes, heading straight across the bay for +Centre Island. + +The fog gave him little concern. This land-locked Toronto Bay he knew +like a well-marked passage in a favorite book and at two o'clock in the +morning it was not necessary to nose along cautiously, listening for +the approach of water craft. Away to the right the lights of the +amusement park on Hanlan's Point had gone out long ago, before the fog +settled down like a wet blanket. The ferries had stopped running for +the night. Even the "belt line boat," _Lulu_,--last hope of bibulous +or belated Islanders--was back in her slip, funnel cold, lights out. +The whole deserted waterfront lay wrapped in the shroud of the fog, +lulled by the lap of water against pilings and the faint creakings of +small craft at their moorings. + +As the solitary canoe poked out for the open bay these minor sounds +fell behind and were replaced by the steady purl of water under the +bow. It filled with pleasing monotone the interludes between the +fussing of the yard-engine back on the railway trackage and the +blatancy of the foghorn at the Eastern Gap, every half minute bawling +its warning into the open lake beyond. + +There was nobody over at the big summer residence on Centre Island +except Mrs. Parlby, the housekeeper, and her husband who acted as +gardener. The place belonged to Kendrick's uncle, the Honorable Milton +Waring, and it was usual for them to open the big house about the end +of May. This year, however, his aunt and uncle had chosen to spend the +summer at Sparrow Lake and for the past week they had been up at a +rented cottage in the woods, leaving Phil behind in charge of the +Island residence. + +In response to a wire from his uncle, requesting him to join them at +once and bring along certain articles which had been overlooked, he had +packed his suitcase and paddled across to the city in the morning, +intending to take the train for Sparrow Lake. A chance meeting with an +old classmate, however, had resulted in a sudden decision to delay his +departure for another twenty-four hours in favor of a good time with +Billy Thorpe. + +As if in punishment, things had seemed to go wrong with him all day. +In the afternoon the Rochester baseball team had knocked three Toronto +pitchers out of the box, a blow-up which had cost the loyal Mr. +Kendrick twenty-five dollars and a loss of reputation as an authority +on International League standings. Then in the evening, in the crowd +out at The Beach, somebody had taken hold of his silk ribbon fob and +gently removed the gold watch which his aunt had given him on his +birthday. Later still--! + +It was the left eye, so swollen now that it was closed to a mere slit. +There was no optical delusion about its nomenclature and in diameter +and chromatic depth it was at the head of its class; in fact, it gave +promise of being by daylight in a class by itself. It was the sort of +decoration which could be relied upon implicitly to fire the +imagination of misguided acquaintances through several merry weeks of +green and yellow recuperation. And withal it cast a reflection upon +the fistic prowess of young Mr. Kendrick which was entirely unjust, it +being the product of what is known as a "lucky punch"--for the other +fellow. + +No, it was not in the result of the fight that dissatisfaction lay, but +in the cause. McCorquodale's remarks about the Honorable Milton Waring +had been addressed to McCorquodale's two companions; there had been no +intent to insult the Honorable Milton Waring's nephew who sat at the +next table in the restaurant, none of the three worthies being aware +that they were within earshot of a hypersensitive member of the +honorable gentleman's family. That being so, it had been distinctly +foolish for the aforesaid nephew to walk over to the other table and +demand an apology. He should have finished his coffee and cigarette +and strolled out. Or, if he had deemed it imperative to participate in +the political discussion, why in the mischief hadn't he just stepped +across, proffered his cigarette-case and made a joke of the situation? + +Of a truth the expression upon this fellow McCorquodale's homely, +good-humored face when Kendrick revealed his identity had been +sufficiently quizzical. He had grinned widely as he waved the +indignant young man to a seat at the table and even then the situation +would have adjusted itself had it been left to the principals. But +McCorquodale's companions were a pair of flashily dressed young +"sports" who, thinking they saw a chance for some fun at Kendrick's +expense, had proceeded to tread upon Mr. McCorquodale's professional +pride--McCorquodale, one time known to ringside patrons as "Iron Man" +McCorquodale, one time near middle-weight champion. + +"Y'see, it's this way," the ex-pugilist had explained earnestly. "I +aint said nothin' about y'r uncle as aint public anyways. It's in the +papers off an' on, see? An' now another election's comin' down the +pike, y'll have to be gittin' used to all kinds o' spiels. Fac's is +fac's, kid, an' when I says the Hon. Milt aint no sweet-scented +geranium but's out fer all the simoleons he can pick off the little old +Mazuma Tree,--why, I on'y says what I reads an' hears, believe me. You +bein' his nephew aint changin' public opinion none. See?" + +Kendrick's anger at this brazenness had prevented him from thinking +clearly. He was getting "touchy" about his uncle's political record of +late and had had occasion to defend it with some heat during certain +discussions among friends; there had been several newspaper attacks +which he had resented greatly also. His uncle's reputation as a public +man he had been Quixotic enough to take to heart as a personal matter +of family honor and, as everyone knows, family honor is a thing to +uphold. He had demanded that McCorquodale retract his statement. +McCorquodale had refused flatly to do so. + +One of the two grinning "sports" knew a place where they could settle +it undisturbed--just around the corner in the basement of a pool-room. +It had been a brisk little mix-up while it lasted; but it had not taken +the ex-pugilist long to discover that he was facing the best amateur +boxer Varsity had produced in a number of years and right in the middle +of it he had put on his coat deliberately, to the overwhelming +disappointment of his two friends. + +"Nix, you guys!" he had grunted, breathing heavily. "I knows when I'm +up against it. Y'see, I got a date with a Jane to-morra an' I aint +hankerin' to lose me way with no mussed map. Not on y'r tintype!" + +Whereupon the "Iron Man" had proceeded to demonstrate his malleability +by assuring Mr. Kendrick that he was ready to agree that the sun rose +in the south and made a daily trip straight north to escape the heat, +if Mr. Kendrick said so. His anxiety to make friends had been +positively funny; but there had been a sincerity in his handshake that +somehow had seemed to rob the apology of its satisfaction. And when +McCorquodale had proffered a broken cigar Kendrick had accepted it with +an uneasy feeling that he had made somewhat of a fool of himself; for +Phil was no prig and he found that McCorquodale was a pretty good sort +with a certain whimsicality that was not to be denied. + +He rested his paddle for a moment and floated in the dark, listening. +As soon as he got home he would go to the refrigerator for a piece of +raw beefsteak for his swollen eye. Darn that eye anyway! He would +have to hibernate up in the woods till it became more presentable. Far +behind him in the mist somewhere the yard-engine was still coughing; +across the water came a subdued squeal of protesting flanges, followed +by the distant bang of shunted box-cars. He listened for any sound of +the harbor patrol boat; but even had he bothered to show a light it +would have been obliterated in the fog, which was the worst Kendrick +ever had experienced. A raw beefsteak poultice-- He fancied the +fog-horn was a little louder; he would need to keep more to the left or +he would find himself hitting Mug's Landing, west of Island Park, or +wind up away over at the Point somewhere. + +He resumed his paddling. This matter of his uncle-- Was it possible +that in pursuit of political ambitions his uncle was forgetting the +principles for which he professed to stand as a public man? Was it +just possible that this fellow, McCorquodale, knew what he was talking +about? Wasn't it men of that stamp who became the tools for corrupt +practices--the boodlers, the heelers who did the actual +ballot-stuffing, the personating at the polls, the bribing? Did +McCorquodale know of what he spoke? + +The thought brought with it a sense of disloyalty to his uncle; but the +young man forced himself to face the idea seriously. He was beginning +to realize that there were many things about which he was woefully +ignorant--practical things entirely outside academic curriculums. For +twenty-two years he had eaten his meals regularly and lived a life +uncolored by any event more significant than his recent graduation from +'Varsity with honors. That he had captained the football team to +victory the fall before was nothing extraordinary; many another fellow +with equally broad shoulders and an equally well balanced head upon +them had done the same thing before him. Financial worries had never +intruded upon his good times, while social standing was something which +he had come to accept as a matter of course. Only of late had he begun +to analyze things for himself and it had been something of a shock to +discover that a college education was just a beginning--that beyond the +campus of his alma mater spread a workaday world which scoffed at dead +languages and went in for a living wage, which turned from isoceles +triangles and algebraic conundrums to solve the essential problems of +food and clothing and shingled roofs. It was a new viewpoint which +planted doubts where what he had supposed to be certainties had been +wont to blossom. + +The Honorable Milton Waring's very position as a cabinet minister in +the government of the day always had seemed to carry its own +credentials. As a youth Phil had thrilled with pride on occasions of +public demonstration in his uncle's honor and there had been times of +speech-making when the Honorable Milton's eloquence had swayed his +audience to unrestrained applause. To the unsophisticated eyes of +youth a shiny silk hat, a long-tailed frock coat, a gold-headed cane, a +diamond ring and a prominent place upon the platform had been +indicative of the top rungs of Fame and Success and Honor among men. +The goings and comings of Society's votaries, the bright lights of the +big Waring residence in Rosedale, the orchestras and bands and public +processions and cheering and flags and bunting--these things had +contributed to the awe with which Phil had regarded the Honorable +Milton Waring in the days of boyhood impressions. The mere fact that +his uncle received the acclamations of the people and held high public +office by their gift had seemed to invest the Honorable Milton with all +the attributes of an honorable gentleman of distinction. + +Such early impressions are tenacious of place. Yet with maturer years +had come certain doubts that thrust their shadows across moments of +serious thought. Phil Kendrick had begun to think for himself and his +study of political history had awakened him to the knowledge that there +was a very "practical" side to politics as they existed throughout the +country just then--that successful politicians too often were men who +regarded the whole thing as a game wherein the end justified the means, +the end being to carry elections. Was his uncle of this ilk? It had +been hinted. There were those who said that the Honorable Milton +Waring knew much about assembling political machinery around election +time and oiling it for a smooth run. And such rumors aroused thoughts +which Phil had been very loath to entertain. + +After all, though, did he really know his uncle? Between them there +had never been any very close bond of sympathy--such, for instance, as +always had existed between Phil and his aunt. His uncle's share in the +growing lad's up-bringing had been of the superficial sort--a pat on +the back, a "run along now, my boy; I'm busy." Always it had been Aunt +Dolly to whom he had taken his childish difficulties for sympathetic +adjustment. It had been that way from the first when the sudden loss +of both father and mother had thrown him upon Aunt Dolly's care. His +own mother could not have meant more to him and Kendrick's smile was +very gentle as he thought of his aunt. First and last, her +happiness---- + +Ah, but was she happy? That was the question. She pretended to be, of +course; but how much of it was mere pretence? Beneath her smiles Phil +had sensed of late a vague unrest, disappointment--he hardly knew what +to call it, so illusive it was. She had laughed at him fondly and +called him "a foolish boy" when he had ventured to ask her if anything +was wrong. After that she had been careful that he did not surprise +any look upon her face but one of cheerfulness. + +The possibility that in some way his uncle was the source of that +subtle change in Aunt Dolly had disturbed Phil's peace of mind not a +little. In his presence she had been the same gentle, smiling, +thoughtful Aunt Dolly that she had always been; but once or twice he +had read fleeting anxiety in the glance with which she had followed her +husband's departure from the room. Her love for the Honorable Milton +was unqualified, Phil knew. It was, in fact, the directing force of +Aunt Dolly's whole life. It had enabled her to overcome her innate +dislike for the everlasting round of social trivialities and assume her +place as a society leader with a brilliance and tact which had earned +the commendation of even her exacting husband. What was going wrong in +the Waring household? Or was it all imagination and Aunt Dolly's look +of concern sum-totalled by the weather in relation to a change to +lighter flannels? + +Certainly when it came to considering his uncle's political record +there was always the Rives case to fall back upon, to cast a halo about +the Honorable Milton's head. The Rives case had provided a sensational +aftermath to a strenuous election campaign which had resulted in the +complete overthrow of the former government. The "Honorable" +Harrington Rives with his large head and bushy shock of black curls had +been a picturesque figure on the rostrums of the country districts. He +took a good photo--and knew it! It was displayed in every conceivable +pose in the newspapers and fought the weather on the side of many a +livery barn long after the "Grand Rally" with its crop of +cheer-strained throats was a thing of the past. His ability as a stump +speaker and his hail-fellow-well-met-and-how's-the-baby way of mixing +with the crowd had popularized him to the bamboozlement of his +admirers. So that in election forecasts his seat in the Legislature +always had headed the list at party headquarters, while in the +opposition camp it had been chalked up as "election conceded." + +But as is the law of it, there cometh a day when the evil a man doeth +findeth him out. Whispers had stolen abroad in the land and the rumors +had drawn men together in scattered groups. Rivulets of resentment had +run together in widening pools of public opinion till the mysterious +forces which slowly arouse the "Great Common People" had broken loose +suddenly in one of those periodic reform waves which sweep everything +before them. And into the arena with shining sword drawn had stepped a +brilliant lawyer named Waring to pick up the gauge of battle against +Rives and his corrupt associates, with Rives himself as his individual +opponent. + +The fight in Rives' constituency had gone to bitter lengths. The +government forces had poured money into the campaign and under the +practiced hand of Harrington Rives the "Machine" had gone to indiscreet +lengths to defeat Waring. Bribery and corruption, which for a long +time had characterized the administration's political organization, had +become more open and Rives' opponent quietly had gathered the +irrefutable evidence which ended in the arrest of Rives and several of +his henchmen on the eve of the election. The exposure had been so +complete and far-reaching--actual misappropriation of public funds in +Rives' case--that the reform forces had made a clean sweep amid great +public rejoicing. + +It would require a short memory indeed to forget all this, thought +Kendrick. Remembrance of the Rives case, which he had taken the +trouble once to look up in the old newspaper files, never failed to +re-establish his faith in his uncle and it was with a sweep of +irritation now that he dug in his paddle--and veered sharply to the +left as the rustle of reeds against the canoe warned him that he was +close inshore somewhere. Mechanically he tried to peer through the +dark. This ought to be the sandbar to the left of the Island Park +ferry landing if he had not gone out of his reckoning. He waited for +the fog-horn that presently bellowed loudly off to the left. If this +were the sandbar he would have to skirt it east to the cut that ran in +beside the Yacht Club. + +A moment's paddling convinced him that he had guessed correctly. +Something scraped alongside--a yacht, moored in the channel. He turned +to the right and presently was gratified to find himself in quieter +water. A moment later he was safely within the inner channel that +followed the park embankment and led east past private boathouses. + +From the canal short streets here cut south across the island to the +lakefront, where many fine residences of the wealthy faced open water. +The steady rhythm of the waves against the breakwater reached him in +sharp contrast to the brooding stillness of the channel water. + +Kendrick was almost home now. The Waring boathouse was within a +stonesthrow. He edged the canoe forward gently, close to the bank, +feeling his way toward the familiar landing. + +And there was not one thing to prepare him for what immediately +followed. A voice which seemed to be almost at his elbow spoke to him +out of the darkness in low hurried tones--a woman's voice! At the same +time he felt the bow of the canoe pulled in against the bank. Before +he could recover sufficiently from his surprise to speak she had +stepped aboard and he could hear her adjusting a cushion beneath her +knees. Then came her tense whispered warning: + +"Stick right here and don't talk. We haven't time to get away, but +they can't see us. Sh! Here they come!" + + + + +CHAPTER II + +BLIND MAN'S BUFF + +With difficulty Phil Kendrick restrained a desire to laugh outright. +The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed +his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it +a further development held him silent. With senses sharpened he +listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, +his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of +Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of +valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with +the Honorable Milton Waring. + +A key was being fitted into the padlock of the Waring boathouse. The +planking creaked as the strangers tip-toed inside. There appeared to +be several of them. A sloshing of water as they boarded the big +launch, then the first fitful rustlings of the engine as it was turned +over. Soon its loud staccatto rose above the wail of the foghorn. + +Had the house been robbed? Phil dismissed this idea at once. No +valuables likely to invite burglary were kept at the Island residence, +even had Stinson's long and faithful service not placed him beyond +suspicion. Probably the valet had slipped away on a little holiday and +had been entertaining a few of his friends. With paddle shoved into +the mud to hold the canoe steady against the embankment so that it +would not capsize in the wash of the launch, Kendrick decided to sit +still and await developments. + +The launch passed presently, so close to them that he held his breath. +One of the occupants was talking in low tones. Somebody laughed and +said: "That's a good one, Nickleby." A third voice spoke in gruff +admonition: "Shut up, you fellows! No names, please." After +that--silence, except for the slow chug of the engine and the purl of +water, diminishing. They were gone. + +A breath of evident relief came from the unknown passenger in the canoe. + +"Pretty close, that," she whispered. "I guess we can go now, but it +would be better not to talk till we get out on the bay." + +Without a word Kendrick shoved off with his paddle and turned the nose +of the canoe for the Yacht Club channel. The launch had gone straight +down the main canal to the ferry pier before heading out into the bay +and all sound of it presently was lost. He strained his eyes to catch +a glimpse of his mysterious companion, forgetting for the moment that +even had it been broad daylight the fog would have concealed her. + +He tried to decide what was the best thing to do. What sort of a game +was this that he had stumbled upon? What was this woman doing over at +the Island at 2.30 a.m. in weather like this? Who was she? Why was +she spying upon Stinson's little party, if that was what she had been +up to? It was a situation with which any young man of zest and +imagination might find interest in dallying. How should he begin? + +"Pass me a paddle, Joe. It's all right to talk now." She gave a +little laugh of satisfaction and he noted that her voice was contralto +and well modulated. "This has been the best night's work yet. Did you +think I was never coming?" + +Kendrick cleared his throat. + +"Excuse me, madam, but there appears to be some mistake." He could +hear her startled gasp. "It is evident that you have got into the +wrong canoe in the dark. I am neither Joseph nor any of his brethren; +so he must be waiting for you still. Do you want me to turn back?" + +"Wh-why,--who are you?" she managed to gasp in an alarmed voice. + +"The same to you, madam, and many of them," laughed Kendrick easily. +"There's no occasion to feel frightened as I have just had a meal. +Anyone is liable to lose the way in a fog like this and I will count it +a privilege to help you locate Joe. He must be somewhere about if he +was waiting for you." + +"Who are you?" she repeated more evenly. + +"The owner of this canoe which you have commandeered so successfully. +Please pardon me for pointing out that it is your lead, madam. I would +be glad to have you begin by telling me who was in that launch? Why +all the excitement? Where do you want to go now?" + +"You are inquisitive enough to be a detective. Are you?" + +"In that case would I need to ask where we were going?" countered +Kendrick. "I believe you said this had been the best haul yet. Whose +house was it this time?" + +She remained silent. When she spoke again Kendrick fancied a nervous +note in her voice. + +"Will you please explain how you happened to be waiting for me at that +particular spot?" + +"Bless your heart, madam, I wasn't waiting for you! I happen to live +nearby and was getting ready to step ashore when you grabbed my canoe +and ordered me to keep quiet. I did so. Here we are." + +"Your discretion was commendable," she approved. "It certainly is most +extraordinary. I don't see where on earth--I guess my escort has taken +French leave." She tried to laugh carelessly, but she could not hide +the fact that she was greatly disturbed. "Will you paddle me across to +the city?" + +"And leave poor Joe out in the cold gray fog? Don't you think it would +be better to turn back and give a holler or two?" + +"Never mind him. He has gone home already very likely. I will pay you +one dollar to paddle me over. Is that satisfactory?" + +"It all depends. Supposing I refuse?" + +"Then I would have to ask you to step into the water and swim to shore +while I do my own paddling and keep down expenses." + +"Presupposing, of course, that you own the canoe." + +"It is too bad it is so dark," she retorted impatiently, "or you would +know that a revolver is pointed straight at you this very moment." + +Kendrick laughed in pure enjoyment of the situation. + +"My dear young lady,"--he had decided that she was young and he +wondered if she were pretty--"you force me to the conclusion that +either you are bluffing outrageously or you are a desperate character! +Please don't be frightened. I'm neither Steve Brodie, the Bridge +Jumper, nor the famous Jack Dalton, and in this age of safety razors +Bluebeards are _extra muros_. This isn't the opening spasm of some +blood-and-thunder novel, you know. We're right here on Toronto Bay +where one can get into trouble for not showing a light after dark. +Will you oblige me by unhooking the lamp at the bow there and passing +it back to me so that I can light up. I promise then to start earning +that dollar without further delay." + +He heard her fumbling with it. There was a splash in the water, a +little cry of well feigned dismay. + +"Oh, how careless of me! It--slipped out of my hand." + +Phil grinned cheerfully as he began to dip his paddle, interest +quickened. It was a neat sidestepping of his inconsiderate attempt to +scrutinize her. She had taken the first trick. + +"You do yourself an injustice, madam. Are you usually so careful when +you are careless?" + +"You have not told me your name yet," she reminded him, apparently more +at ease now that she knew he intended to paddle her across the bay. + +"My name? It's an Indian name--Watha--Hy. A. Watha, at your service, +and I am very fond of canoeing. What's yours?" + +"You need hardly ask that, Mr. Hiawatha, when you knew my sister, +Minnie, so well," she laughed. "I am _Mary_ Ha-ha!" + +"You don't say!" chuckled Kendrick in appreciation. "The original +little Merry Ha-Ha, eh?--Little Laughing-Gas!" + +"If you are Hiawatha, why are you using a paddle?" she pursued. "I +always understood from the Poet that all you had to do was to guide +your canoe with your thoughts." + +"Not when they're travelling in a circle. But this looks more like +'Blind Man's Buff' than 'Ring-Around-A-Rosy,' don't you think? Or are +you trying to play 'Tag' with me? Well, you're 'It' anyway," he said, +dropping all hint of banter in his tone. "I'd advise you to meet a few +straight questions with straight answers. First, who is this Joe +person you were expecting to do the canoeing for you?" + +"My husband." + +"And the people in the launch?" + +"How should I know who they were? By what right do you ask me that?" +she demanded. + +"The circumstances are somewhat unusual, madam, you must admit," +Kendrick reminded her sharply. "Do you wish me to play safe by handing +you over to the police?" + +"Police? My Good Gracious me! What crime have I committed?" + +"That would be a matter for official enquiry. It may be that you and +your husband are in the habit of wandering about the Island in a thick +fog at two o'clock in the morning--picking daisies for the sick kiddies +over at the Children's Home, I presume--but, to be perfectly frank with +you, I doubt it. Besides, there is the little matter of the launch." + +"Why are you so interested in that launch?" + +"Because I happen to be the nephew of my uncle who happens to own it +and to have left it in my charge during his absence," said Kendrick +deliberately. "I'm laying the cards face up, madam. The launch is the +property of Honorable Milton Waring, of whom you may have heard. +Undoubtedly it has been stolen." + +He was not prepared for the laughter with which his unknown passenger +greeted this bold announcement. He knew she was trying to smother her +mirth, but it finally broke all bounds. A very musical laugh it was, +very pleasant to hear. + +"Oh, please forgive me," she gasped finally. "It is very rude of me, I +know; but--you said you were the Honorable Milt's nephew--" Again she +laughed in spite of herself. + +"You know my uncle?" he asked eagerly. + +"I read the papers," she said evasively. "Everybody knows a public +man." + +"I'm laying the cards face up, madam," repeated Kendrick solemnly. "My +name is Kendrick--Philip Kendrick. I was on my way home when +you--well, shanghaied me. Won't you meet me half way by equal +frankness, so that we may avoid--well, any unpleasantness?" + +"You mean--?" She had stopped laughing. + +"That unless you answer legitimate questions I shall be forced to hand +you over to the police." + +"I warn you that you would regret it," she said quietly. + +"Very much," agreed Kendrick readily. "I would be sorry to cause you +any inconvenience; but surely you see how impossible it is for me to +avoid being inquisitive under the circumstances. Are you going to be +frank with me or not?" + +She did not answer him immediately and he smiled to himself as he +paddled in silence. For, if the truth must be told, Mr. Philip +Kendrick was enjoying himself immensely. He had only the sound of her +voice from which to draw deductions; but the cultured tones of it and +the lilt of her low laughter bespoke an education and refinement with +which he failed to reconcile the idea that she was a lady burglar. +Yet---- + +He stopped paddling to listen intently. Several times now he had +thought he heard a sound off in the darkness behind him. It came +again--a slight hollow sound, as of a paddle scraping against a canoe. +They were being followed. Had the girl heard it, too? He waited for +the wail of the fog-horn to die away--and found her speaking. + +"--frank with you, Mr. Kendrick," she was saying. "The circumstances +are less extraordinary than they appear to you. My--husband and I were +at a party at a friend's house on the Island. We paddled over in a +canoe and Joe went ahead of me to locate it. In the dark I must have +missed the spot where he was waiting for me and when you came along so +silently and so close to the bank I naturally thought it was Joe. +Ridiculously simple, you see." + +"You have forgotten the launch," prompted Kendrick severely. + +"I know nothing about the launch," she denied with resentment. "When I +heard those people coming I thought it was some of the guests from the +party who had said they would race us home. Will you please paddle on, +Mr. Kendrick. It is damp and chilly in this fog and I am naturally in +a hurry to get home." + +He laughed with skepticism, but plied his paddle again. He was not as +concerned about the launch as he pretended, of course; at the worst it +probably meant that Stinson had been entertaining some of his friends +on the sly. He had no intention of handing his mysterious passenger to +the police. But was he to let her laugh at him and disappear +unchallenged into the fog out of which she had come? + +Phil Kendrick's experience with the opposite sex was very limited, he +had to confess. He had been too completely absorbed in athletics to +afford girls more than passing attention. Those of his social +set--those he had met--had failed to impress him. One or two of them +were attractive enough in a general way, he realized; some were amusing +to him and some very very tedious. It was a new experience to find +himself actually interested in a girl--or rather, her voice! He wished +he could get a look at her till he remembered the poor showing he would +make with his blackened eye. Then he was thankful for the darkness. + +Phil planned to land her at the Queen City Yacht Club at the foot of +York St., or at the Canoe Club; either would provide an easy landing. +They must be well across the bay now; but it was hard to say just where +they would come in. Ordinarily he could have steered by the +illuminated dial of the City Hall clock and the spire of St. James'; +but the fog obliterated all landmarks. + +They were both very damp from exposure to the mist, but it is doubtful +if either of them was aware of it. He made several further attempts to +discover her identity without avail; at every turn she evaded him +skillfully and it was beginning to look as if she would step ashore and +vanish into the fog without leaving behind her a single clue for him to +follow. This illusiveness was an added spur to his desire to know this +girl. He did not believe that she was a married woman at all. It was +a conclusion which seemed to be justified by her elaborate precautions +to make him think otherwise. Because of some foolish notion of the +conventions she intended to go as she had come, taking advantage of the +fog to write down the night's adventure in a book which must be closed +to him for all time and forgotten. + +Deliberately Phil held back the canoe. They were within a few strokes +of the landing now. + +"Listen to me very carefully," he began. "I am going to ask you for +the last time to tell me your name or the name of some friend whom I +can get to introduce me to you properly. Isn't that fair? I have told +you the truth about myself and will hand you my card to prove it. You +must play equally fair with me or----" + +"Or what?" she demanded haughtily as he hesitated. + +"Or--well, take the consequences," he finished lamely. + +"Which are--? Be explicit, Mr. Kendrick." + +"Well, I might turn around and paddle you back to the Island and leave +you there, for one thing. The circumstances are not such as entitle +you to the consideration I have shown you. For all I know, you may be +an ordinary crook. Think it over, madam. Is there any reason why I +should not call you 'kiddo' and help myself to a kiss? Is there?" + +"Yes--the fact that Philip Kendrick is a gentleman. I dare you to +prove it otherwise!" + +"It is kind of you. If you are so sure of it, why won't you give me a +chance? Come on, be a sport. I will promise anything you wish to meet +you legitimately, and I really would regret it very much if I +thought----" + +"I have told you already that it is impossible," she interrupted +coldly. "I always understood it was a woman's prerogative to choose +her acquaintances. I am grateful for your services tonight, of course; +but beyond that---- The fact is, I do not care to know you, Mr. +Kendrick. Please put me ashore and say good-bye." + +A cold fire of resentment burned in Kendrick's eyes as he drove the +canoe to the landing with a few skillful strokes. Why had he been so +foolish as to tell her his real name? Why didn't she want to know him? +Without a word he caught the canoe in one hand and stepped out. He +felt along the gunwale to the bow and fastened the painter to an iron +ring in the planking, then handed her out safely. He retained his +grasp of her hand. + +"A moment ago you dared me to kiss you," he said gravely. "I am not in +the habit of taking dares from anybody." + +"Let go my hand at once, sir. You know very well you cannot so far +forget yourself as to take such a liberty. I dare you to prove +yourself no gentleman." + +"I warn you----!" + +"I dare you!" + +"Very well! On your own head be it, then! The boatman is worthy of +his hire," he paraphrased and laughingly he seized her in his arms and +kissed her. + +The next instant he received a resounding slap in the face. It had +young muscles and indignation behind it and it found him unprepared. +He started back automatically, tripped, lost his balance and fell into +the water. + +"Oh, you--you miserable--_fresh Aleck_!" came her mortified cry. + +She lingered only long enough to make sure that he could swim. As he +drew himself out of the water the sound of her running feet died out on +the pier. + +With chattering teeth Kendrick cast loose, seized his paddle and drove +it deep into the water. Ye gods, what a fool! Very angry at himself, +he set out across the bay once more, guided by the derisive bawling of +the fog-horn at the Eastern Gap. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +"NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS" + +At no time had it been Phil Kendrick's habit to entertain an inflated +opinion of his own importance. On occasion he had ridden around the +gridiron on the shoulders of idolatrous students; but his modesty had +been one of the factors underlying his popularity. Despising conceit +in others, he was too prone, perhaps, to take himself to task for those +little mistakes which every young man is liable to make from time to +time. + +It is safe to say, however, that never in all his life had he arraigned +himself upon the carpet of his own condemnation so severely as now +while paddling across the bay for the second time within the hour. If +the McCorquodale incident earlier in the evening had lowered his +opinion of his own judgment he was now ready to concede that he had no +judgment whatsoever. It was of little use to tell himself that it +served her right, or that she had dared him deliberately to do what he +had done. That did not alter the fact that if he ever met her +again--it was not likely that he would, of course, but if he +did,--somewhere, sometime--he had erected a barrier to her good will +which would preclude all hope of her friendship. His status in her +sight was that of a "miserable fresh Aleck!" + +Thus, as a relief to his feelings and in part to keep warm by exertion, +did Phil come home through the fog at headlong pace in a high state of +discontent, a veritable bear with a sore head. As he lifted the canoe +to its place in the boathouse something pricked his finger, and by the +light of a match he found a dollar bill pinned to one of the canoe +cushions with a tiny brooch. His hire!--the only reward he had had any +right to expect! The sight of these souvenirs did not tend to restore +his peace of mind, and there was little mirth in the short laugh which +he bestowed upon them as he thrust them into his pocket; yet it is +interesting that he looked upon them as souvenirs, even while deciding +to dismiss the whole matter permanently from his thoughts. + +The launch was not back yet, he noted. Well, Stinson could go to the +devil with it for all he cared! He slammed the boathouse door and +strode up the side-street, this mood carrying as far as the picket +gate. His hand was on the latch before he realized that the library +windows were blurring through the fog with light. + +Had the servants all gone crazy to-night? He went around to the front +of the house, and with his face between the slats of the verandah +railing, peered through the French windows. Muttering astonishment, he +climbed over the railing, fitted his latch-key noiselessly and swung +open the double glass doors that gave direct entrance to the room. The +slight sound of his entry passed unnoticed by the Honorable Milton +Waring, who continued to lean over his desk completely absorbed in a +litter of papers. + +But for the heavy odor of stale cigar smoke it would have been easy to +suppose that the fog without had crept into the library. The air was +blue. Phil's glance swept the disordered room. Three empty whisky +glasses stood on the library table. The butts of cigars and +innumerable cork-tipped cigarettes lay smothered in gray ashes that +spilled untidily in sundry ash-trays. There was a char of burned paper +in the open grate where a few coals still glowed redly. The desk was +covered with packets of folded papers, held together by rubber bands, +and loose sheets upon which much figuring had been done with the blue +pencil which his uncle favored. A stock certificate or two peeped from +a closed account book. + +Phil looked again at the bowed figure, struck by a laxity of manner +that was foreign to the Honorable Milton Waring. His thick iron-gray +hair, usually so carefully brushed, was rumpled on end where his +fingers had plowed and held his head while he figured with the other +hand. He had removed his collar and tossed it aside impatiently; it +lay on the floor behind the chair, leaving the tie still hanging +loosely around the neck, the end of it twisted over one shoulder. The +door in front of which the intruder stood was outside the older man's +line of vision; but Phil could see a flushed cheek, and there was an +air of dejection in his uncle's attitude quite out of keeping with +customary poise. + +The subject of these observations reached abruptly for the decanter on +the desk and poured himself a stiff drink of Scotch whisky. The neck +tinkled a little tattoo against the glass. He swallowed the liquor +neat and shook his head in a spasmodic grimace. The sigh with which he +settled back in his chair was one of utter weariness. + +Phil gave a slight cough to announce his presence. + +"Pardon me, Uncle Milt, if I'm intruding, but I didn't know you were in +town---- Why, what's wrong?" he ended quickly; for his uncle had +sprung from his chair and was clinging to the edge of the desk for +support while he stared as if he were gazing at an apparition. + +In truth, quite aside from his quiet entry, the young man's appearance +was startling enough. His facial disfigurement achieved a bizarre +effect which the condition of his clothes served to heighten. The once +jaunty panama hat hung shapelessly about his ears and from beneath it a +plaster of blond hair slanted across his forehead rakishly. His collar +was a soggy mess, from which depended a dark red string in sorry +travesty of a flowing tie. His shirt was soiled with mud, his coat and +trousers full of wrinkles. + +"For heaven's sake, boy! What's happened? Train wreck?" He dropped +back into his chair, eyeing his nephew in amazement. "Why aren't you +at Sparrow Lake with your aunt? Get my wire? Eh? They told me you +left this morning----" His voice was hoarse and it trailed away as if +the situation embarrassed him and he was not quite sure how to handle +it. He stared uncertainly, drumming nervously with his fingers. + +Phil nodded as he sat down in the nearest chair and stared back. The +surprise of finding his uncle there was overridden by the new discovery +of his evident diffidence, his flushed face, a lack of that +self-contained bearing which always had marked him as a man of large +affairs. It was his uncle's strict rule, he recalled, never to take a +second drink; it was an axiom of the Honorable Milton's that the second +drink drew the cork on indiscretion and eventual inebriety. That +something had happened which must have disturbed him greatly to make +him break this rule was a deduction as simple as the evidence that he +had broken it. + +"What about you, Uncle Milt?" suggested Kendrick after a brief +explanation of his change of plans--a recital which carefully avoided +mention of McCorquodale or the mysterious woman of the fog. "If I had +known that Aunt Dolly was going to be alone I wouldn't have let Thorpe +persuade me to stay over a day." + +"I was called in unexpectedly--important business----" He pushed +uneasily at the papers on the desk. "Have a cigar, Philip?" He passed +the humidor as he spoke, then scratched a match and held it to his +nephew's selection with careful courtesy. He shook his head in smiling +disapproval of the swollen eye. "Bad business, young man! Bad +business! A fine flower of folly you have there, eh? Don't grow 'm +like that at the Ladies' Aid meeting at the First Baptist Church, do +they?" He settled back in his chair, chortling. + +Phil smiled as he tossed aside his hat. + +"Blame it on the fog, Uncle Milt. I was foolish enough to trip over +something in the dark and take a header down the Canoe Club stairs into +the water," he explained mendaciously. "Me for the woods to-morrow +without fail. I guess I got off easy at that, for you can't see your +hand in front of your face out on the bay to-night. Stinson almost ran +me down with the launch--missed me by a couple of feet and that's all." + +"Stinson? Stinson, d'you say? Don't mean _our_ Stinson--in--_our_ +launch? Not our Stinson in our very own launch, Phil'p? You s'prise +me greatly. In the dark like that---- How do you know?" he challenged. + +Kendrick smiled at the transparency of this attempt. + +"I recognized his voice for one thing. Stinson was speeding the +parting guests--the three who drank out of the glasses yonder. Pshaw, +you know as well as I do that you sent me that wire to clear the way +for this little affair to-night, and you're wishing right now that I +was at the bottom of the lake! But it's all right, Uncle Milt." + +His uncle did not laugh. Instead he eyed the younger man from beneath +heavy brows that met in a scowl. + +"Sherlock Holmes, eh? When'd you start emulating Sherlock Holmes?" he +growled. "Been a meeting here--yes--business. What of it?" + +"Nothing at all, if you say so. Only don't make the mistake of +thinking I'm still a mere kid, Uncle Milt. I'd hate to think there was +any other reason why you have never admitted me to your confidence. +Did it ever occur to you that perhaps I might--well, sort of dig in and +help you in some way? You and Aunt Dolly have been mighty good to me +and I kind of feel---- Well, you know what I mean," he finished +diffidently. + +The Honorable Milton Waring's brows unbent. His gaze wandered +automatically to the pile of papers on the desk and for a moment he was +silent. + +"There is nothing you can do, Phil---- Phill_up_,----to help," he said +at last, shaking his head slowly, while the tired lines deepened about +his eyes. "I----thanks all same." + +Kendrick hunched his chair nearer and laid a hand on the other's knee. + +"You're in trouble of some kind," he said earnestly. "Please don't try +to deny it, Uncle Milt. I promised Billy Thorpe I'd join him next week +on a fishing trip, but that's all off if I can be of any use to you. +That special course in engineering next fall--that's all off, too, if +you need me. It's my duty to help and it's your duty to let me. We +both owe it to Aunt Dolly, don't we?" + +A look of apprehension sprang into the tired eyes. He waved his hand +swiftly towards the empty glasses. + +"Your aunt--she must know nothing of--all this. I warn you now, +Phil'p,--not a word. No use causing her needless worry. Her social +duties, understand,---- These business affairs----" His voice trailed +again and he looked anxiously for his nephew's acquiescence. + +"That goes as a matter of course," nodded Kendrick. "So far as I am +concerned, this little chat with you has never taken place and there's +been nobody here except the servants--so far as I am concerned. But is +there any danger of anybody---- What would be the object of anybody +spying on this particular little seance----?" He paused at the quick +consternation which the suggestion aroused. + +"What do you mean, Philip?" demanded the Honorable Milton sharply. He +sat up more alertly. "Why do you ask such a foolish question? Are you +talking at random or----?" + +"Very much at random," assured Kendrick hastily. "I was just +wondering. Because---- Well, it would be the only way anybody who +happened to be interested would find out about your meeting, wouldn't +it? I don't intend to talk about it, as I said before. I thought +perhaps if it had anything to do with the political situation, for +instance,--detectives, you know--around election time. I don't pretend +to know very much about these things, of course." + +"You are fortunate," grunted the Honorable Milton, dryly. "Seems to me +you are allowing your imagination to run away with you, young man. +Advise you to curb it." + +Phil took a long pull at his cigar and studied his uncle keenly as he +blew the smoke into the air. + +"Do you want to know how I really got this beauty spot--this 'flower of +folly' as you called it?" he asked unexpectedly. "I had a little +argument with a fellow to-night who insisted that you were--he +retracted it, of course--were a political grafter!" + +The smile with which the Honorable Milton Waring had welcomed the +promised change of subject faded slowly. He wagged his head in reproof. + +"Very foolish of you, Philip--to take any notice of that sort of thing. +Let 'em talk!" Yet he looked at this nephew of his with a new +interest. "Grafter, eh? Didn't believe it, eh?" + +"Anyone who looks up your political record, Uncle Milt, must respect +you," said Phil seriously. "These newspapers that are so fond of +handing out roasts seem to overlook the fact that you were the man +mainly responsible for kicking out Rives and his crowd and cleaning up +the whole rotten administration. It makes me mad. And some of them +have got the nerve to hint that the present Government----" + +"Don't let's get into any political discussion, Philip," interrupted +his uncle, holding up his hand in protest. "Please. I'm too tired for +that. I'm sick of it, d'you hear? Politics! Politics! The same +miserable tactics of misrepresentation! The same petty motives that +have bedeviled public life for the past---- Damn them!" + +He heaved himself abruptly from his chair and began to pace the room +restlessly while Kendrick watched him, surprised by the unexpected +vehemence of the outburst. After a turn or two he stopped directly in +front of his nephew, and in his eyes was a strange look. + +"There are many things, my boy, which you cannot be expected to +understand without a lot of explanation," he said more quietly. "I +cannot go into any of these things now. If you ever accept a public +office in later life try to look upon it as a sacred trust to be +fulfilled according to the dictates of conscience. Then you will begin +to understand what is meant by 'burden of effort' and 'the heat of the +day.' I want you to believe that even one man against a pack of wolves +can put up at least some kind of a fight, even though he knows that +sooner or later he is doomed to go down. I have tried conscientiously +to do what I thought was my duty. Do you believe that?" + +"Certainly," nodded Kendrick without hesitation. + +"Thank you, Philip. No matter what happens I want you to continue to +believe that." + +"Look here, Uncle Milt, if anybody is trying to put anything over on +you, why not let me in on the scrap?" urged Phil eagerly. "I meant +what I said a moment ago. What is it? What's the matter? Finances? +Let me help. I'll write you a cheque for what I have in the bank and +we can raise something on my Parkview property----" + +The Honorable Milton tossed his head in a chuckle of amusement. + +"How much have you got?" he smiled. + +"About two thousand in the bank, another couple of thousand in +negotiable securities--oh, about ten thousand, roughly, including the +real-estate. We could sell that. I'll look after it first thing after +breakfast." + +"Ten thousand dollars is neither here nor there, Philip," said his +uncle, shaking his head slowly. "I could raise such a sum by the mere +request. Perhaps if it were five times the amount---- Just the same I +am grateful for your offer, my boy." + +"Fifty thousand dollars!" murmured Phil. "It's a lot of money when you +haven't got it." + +The Honorable Milton glanced at the clock on the mantel and gave an +exclamation. + +"It's time you and I were in bed. I hear Stinson just coming in. +Everything's all right. I'm going to turn in now." + +At the foot of the stairs he paused to lay a hand on his nephew's +shoulder and there was unwonted gentleness in his manner. + +"Good-night, Philip. And thank you for the--the 'flower of folly,'" he +said awkwardly. + +For a moment Kendrick stood watching the Honorable Milton Waring as he +mounted the stairs slowly, a heavy hand upon the banister rail. The +gray head was bowed. There was an air of dejection in the whole figure +as of one who tastes the bitterness of defeat. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE LISTENING STENOGRAPHER + +When Phil opened his eyes on the morning sunshine--both eyes--he was +gratified to note a slight improvement in the blackened orb. Before +retiring he had sent the newly returned Stinson around to the front of +the house to bring in the suitcase left by the verandah and had +instructed the valet to bring a piece of raw beefsteak to his room. +Nevertheless, as he studied his appearance in the mirror with some +anxiety he was glad that he was going to Sparrow Lake and thence to +North Bay as fast as he could get there. Thorpe would soon tire of +making witty remarks, and the fish would not care whether he had a +black eye or not. + +As he dressed leisurely Kendrick's mind reverted soberly to the events +of the past twenty-four hours. Reviewing in detail the interview with +his uncle, there grew out of his confusion of thought an odd sense of +disquiet. Close questioning of Stinson had yielded the information +which his uncle had not seen fit to volunteer in regard to last night's +clandestine visitors at the Island residence--Nickleby, President of +the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company; Alderson, of the Alderson +Construction Company; Blatchford Ferguson, the lawyer. If, as the +Honorable Milton had intimated, it had been a business meeting merely, +they must be planning a raid on the stock market to account for all the +secrecy with which the meeting had been shrouded. His uncle, Phil +knew, had invested heavily in mining stocks, and J. Cuthbert Nickleby +was the man who had been most closely associated with him in these +private investments, while for some time now Ferguson had been favored +with Waring's legal patronage in such deals as had come to Kendrick's +notice. As for Alderson, he was a comparative stranger to Phil--a +contractor who had risen rapidly during the real-estate boom, and who +very reasonably might be taking a flyer on the market. + +It must be something of this sort, and in the face of his uncle's +evident desire for him to mind his own business Phil was inclined to +let it go at that. It was scarcely to be expected that his uncle would +break the custom of years in a sudden burst of confidence just because +his nephew happened to surprise him in one of his difficult situations. +His life was full of such difficult situations, no doubt,--had been for +years--and the Honorable Milton was accustomed to relying upon himself +to surmount them as he saw fit. + +Far from feeling any resentment of his uncle's refusal of his boyish +offer of assistance, therefore, Phil now regarded the offer itself as +somewhat ridiculous from his uncle's standpoint. To one of such large +connections ten thousand dollars was the same as a hundred-dollar bill +to the average man. Yet his uncle had thanked him for his good +intentions and tactfully had made him feel that the appreciation was +sincere. At no time had the two been in closer sympathy than during +this unexpected interview. His uncle was not given to sentiment. +Perhaps the liquor---- + +Phil paused in the act of lacing his boot to frown out the window. The +Honorable Milton Waring undoubtedly was greatly worried about +something--financial affairs maybe. Or was that only one side of it, +incidental to something not so simple of adjustment? The searching +look, the solemnity of the words which had followed that sudden +outburst against political conditions of the day, that reference to one +man fighting a pack of wolves--what about that? No matter what +happened he wanted his nephew to continue believing that he had tried +to do his duty. + +No matter what happened! It was this remark, more than any other, +which fostered Kendrick's disquietude. Something was liable to happen, +then?--something calling for a blind exercise of faith in his uncle; +something which on the surface might seem to question his--his what? +Integrity? Political honor? Social standing? Or was it merely an +emphasis of speech with no special significance? Phil shifted uneasily +on the chair as he thought of his aunt's position if some catastrophe +befell his uncle. If any trouble of that kind were likely to develop, +surely his uncle would have told him. Well, there was no use in +getting himself all worked up over nothing. + +He began to whistle softly as he rummaged among his ties. Then his +thoughts switched to the girl with whom he had talked in the fog. If +he had only known then what he knew now! She had been spying upon the +Waring residence, upon this secret meeting with the Honorable Milton. +That much seemed certain. But why was she interested in what had +transpired? Who was she? And what had transpired? It was lack of +this information which made it difficult to analyze the situation +intelligently. + +Had he done right in withholding from his uncle the fact of his unusual +encounter with this girl? He imagined the laugh with which the +Honorable Milton would be likely to greet relation of the incident. If +it were true that there was no use in sending a boy on a man's errand, +what about a woman on a spying expedition in a thick fog at two o'clock +in the morning? Perhaps her story of the party at a friend's house was +true, after all. Perhaps she and this "Joe" were a pair of sneak +thieves----! + +But he _knew_ she wasn't, just as he knew that she was a girl of +education and refinement. A tantalizing thing to meet a disembodied +voice like that, a low laugh, a mystery! The lady might have a face +like a dried prune! (Only he knew that she hadn't!) Voices were not +to be relied upon. Take that "hello-girl," for instance; she had had +the softest lilting voice over the wire, then when he got a look at her +she hadn't been a day under forty-five and her face----! Certainly it +hadn't been the fairest that e'er the sun shone on! (Only in this case +he knew it must be different!) He was a hopeless fool if ever there +was one! The best thing he could do was to forget the whole affair and +with this sensible decision he reached into his pocket for the +souvenirs, and spent some time in re-examining the little hand-painted +shirt-waist pin with which she had fastened his pay to the canoe +cushion! + +Phil breakfasted alone. Although the sun had climbed high enough to +dispel the fog his uncle still slept the heavy sleep of utter +exhaustion. Without disturbing him, therefore, Kendrick had Stinson +run the launch over to the city half an hour later. As a concession to +the possibility of there being a serious side to the espionage of the +girl and her accomplice, he had decided to advise his uncle's lawyer of +the adventure; Ferguson then could assume responsibility for the +consequences, using his own judgment as to its significance. Also Phil +intended to have a chat with President Wade, of the Canadian Lake +Shores Railway, if he happened to be in the city; Ben Wade was an old +boyhood friend of the Warings and Phil knew that he could talk to him +freely without fear of his confidences being abused. + +At the docks almost the first person Kendrick encountered was Chic +White. Chic was the more or less renowned sporting editor of the +_Morning _Recorder__ and he had a most abominable habit of going +through the motions of spitting every little while as he talked, more a +matter of nervous habit than saliva. He spat dryly three times as he +stared at the approaching Kendrick and greeted the erstwhile captain of +the 'Varsity rugby champions with a grin that bared two rows of teeth. + +"Ye gods! What a fall was there, my countrymen! Wow! Who slipped you +the haymaker, Ken?" + +"Stick to the quotation, Chic," laughed Phil good-naturedly, barely +pausing in his stride. "Got it in the fog last night--Canoe Club +stairs in the dark. I had a pretty bad fall." + +"So did Humpty-Dumpty!" Mr. White's grin widened, and with a +deliberate wink and a final spit he waved his hand and walked off, +laughing loudly. + +The owner of the black eye went his way, face set in abnormally +forbidding lines. People smiled as they passed him on the street. He +would have given a ten-dollar bill to have met the redoubtable Mr. +McCorquodale around the next corner. He thought of buying one of those +pink shields; it would not hide it all, but it might help. He tried +tying his handkerchief over his eye as a bandage, but felt so foolish +that he tore it off and laughed at himself. + +The office of Blatchford Ferguson, barrister, etc., in the Broker's +Bank Building, was laid out along somewhat unconventional lines. Of +course the public entrance from the corridor gave admission to an outer +office where two or three stenographers operated their typewriters +under the eye of a law student, while just inside the railing of the +entranceway sat a pompadoured office boy who occupied himself variously +with an old-fashioned letter-press alongside the vault, with sharpening +lead-pencils, chewing gum and guarding the gate in the railing. But +the partitions which enclosed this general office were built solid from +floor to ceiling and the only sign of an inner presence was a door +directly behind the youthful sentry, the ground glass of which bore the +single word, "Secretary," in neat gold and black lettering. + +The Secretary's office had a private entrance from the public corridor +of the building and an inside door, lettered "Loans and Investments." +On through this office was still another door, inscribed "Insurance +Department," while beyond this second sanctum was a third door which +led into the _sanctum sanctorum_ with its unexpected exit upon a narrow +back hallway and a dusty flight of stairs by which it was possible +without undue publicity to reach the street or, rather, the back lane +where carters made deliveries. + +At times this carefully planned office arrangement was found to be +highly convenient, no less by the confidential Mr. Ferguson than by +certain of his clients. For although Blatchford Ferguson, barrister, +etc., really could--and did--go barristering about the courts quite +legitimately, he also carried on a substantial business in et ceteras. +Thus, he could talk to an insurance prospect in a private office +provided with insurance files and hung with insurance company +calendars; or he could talk to a possible investor in a private office +which had just the right financial atmosphere to foster confidence. +Buying, selling, borrowing, lending, advising--nothing that could be +"farmed out" on a split commission was beneath the notice of Blatch +Ferguson, who would have negotiated a deal for a carload of Russian +whiskers could he have found a responsible master barber to make the +contract with a mattress factory which had the price! + +As he shook hands with Conway, the young student who presided over the +outer office, Kendrick was conscious that the office boy and the +stenographers behind him were enjoying the mild sensation which his +black eye inspired. Even Conway was grinning like an idiotic cat from +Cheshire. The two had known each other, somewhat casually, at the +university. + +"I bumped into the parallel bars during a game of volley ball at the +gym the other night," he explained gravely. "Is Ferguson in?" + +Conway told him to walk right through. Miss Williams would take in his +card. Thus it came about that Phil, unescorted, passed through the +gate in the railing and on through the door to the secretary's office. +As he closed this door behind him he paused for a moment in some +uncertainty at finding the secretary's office deserted. Her hat and +coat were hanging in place, however, and a half finished letter was in +her typewriter; so he ventured through to the open doorway beyond, +thinking she might have stepped into the adjoining office. + +She had. She had gone right through it and through the second office +of the suite also. The young lady was visible through the vista of +open doorways and she was so absorbed in her own activities that she +was quite oblivious of his presence. For she was kneeling with her ear +to the keyhole of the farthest door of all, the one which led into the +_sanctum sanctorum_ of her employer, and there was no doubt whatever +that she was listening with all her might. + +Not a little astonished, Kendrick watched her. Then at his slight +cough the girl straightened quickly and stared at him with widened +eyes. In answer to his beckoning finger she came towards him slowly, +her color mounting swiftly. When she had shut the last door behind her +she faced him with an air of defiance. + +Kendrick gazed at her in speechless admiration of the picture she made +as she stood there, symmetrical figure gracefully erect, her head held +high with its elaborate coiffure of brown hair, her dark blue eyes +flashing resentment. The creamy column of her well shaped neck, the +firm chin, the almost classic perfection of her features, the rich red +of her cheeks--wherever did Ferguson go for his secretaries? She was +plainly dressed in some dark material with white collar and cuffs; but +the sensible office dress served only to heighten the pleasing effect. +There was only one jarring note--the fact that she was chewing gum, +chewing it rapidly as if to relieve nervous tension. + +"Well! Hope you'll know me next time you see me! Get it off your +chest please! Whatcha goin' to do about it?" + +Kendrick smiled slowly at the incongruity of the speech, even while +thankful that her voice at least was not in harsh discord with her +appearance, but well modulated. + +"I beg your pardon," he apologized, realizing all at once that he had +been guilty of staring somewhat longer than was warranted even by the +unusual circumstances. "I am very short-sighted and there are times +when I cannot distinguish objects at a greater distance than a very few +feet. This morning my eyes are exceptionally bad." + +She glanced at him quickly as if searching for indications of mockery +which were lacking in the courteous tones of his voice. + +"If you will be good enough to take in my card----?" he suggested, +extending it. + +She hesitated, then laid down her notebook and accepted the card +without speaking. Ferguson coming to meet him at the door with +extended hand, stopped short and stared. + +"It's a peach, Phil! I must admit it's a peach!" + +"A Lombard plum, you mean, Blatch. How'd I get it? Why, you see,--I +had the misfortune to step on a wayward banana skin---- Oh, well, if +you really must know, I tried to help an old lady pick up some bundles +she'd dropped and she hit me with her umbrella, thinking I was going to +grab them and run." + +"Come right in. Come right in," chuckled Ferguson. "Here, have a +cigar?" + +"Thanks, but I'm only staying a jiff. Got to make another call and +it's nearly noon now. Would you mind if I leave the door open? The +smoke's pretty thick." + +"Hit you with an umbrella, eh?" chortled the lawyer with jovial +skepticism as he tilted back in his swivel chair. "Deduction: It had a +knob on the end of it! Sentence: Thirty days in the woods!" and Mr. +Ferguson stroked his nose while he permitted his shoulders to shake in +appreciation of his own pleasantry. Mr. Ferguson's nose was fleshy and +its color was red. + +"On my way there now--going fishing down the French River with an old +schoolmate," grinned Phil. "Say, there was a meeting over at my +uncle's on the Island last night, Blatch," he added briskly. "I +believe you were there. Will you tell me what took place?" + +Ferguson sat up. He ran his fingers over his head in a habitual +gesture which long since had worn a bald streak along the top. He +leaned back again in his chair, the tips of his fingers pressed +together, and for a moment scowled thoughtfully at the wall. + +"You're getting into deep water, boy," he warned at last slowly. "I +don't know where the mischief you got that information; but I'll have +to refer you to the Chief himself for your answer. Why, what do you +want to know for?" + +"Oh, nothing in particular, except--it was very foggy, you remember?--a +pretty good night for concealment, if anybody happened to be interested +in spying on you people over there. You know more about that than I +do." + +Mr. Ferguson played a good game of poker; he prided himself upon his +self-control. But the seriousness of his manner indicated that he was +startled. + +"Just what do you mean by that, Phil? You've come here to tell me +something. What is it?" + +So Kendrick told him, omitting nothing except the fact that the girl +had dared him to kiss her, and that when he had done so he had gone in +for an involuntary swim. + +"And you let that woman go home alone at that hour of the morning? You +are neglectful both of your opportunities and your etiquette!" but +although the lawyer's tone was light he was very serious as he pursed +his lips and scowled. + +"Don't go blaming me, Blatch. As soon as I helped her ashore she ran +off and the fog was so thick you couldn't see anybody within a couple +of feet of you. I tried my best to find out who she was; but she +ducked. Besides, how was I to know the thing mattered? I didn't know +Uncle Milt was in town even--not at the time." + +"I didn't say it mattered, Phil," said Ferguson hastily. He laughed at +the idea. "Whatever put it into your head to think this--er--lady was +spying on a--an ordinary business meeting? Supposing she was--why, +what earthly good would it do her?" + +"Search me, Blatch. Thought I'd better tell you about it anyway." + +"Quite right, of course. Hm--just so. She got away without leaving a +single clue, eh? Not that it matters in the least, but---- You did +right in reporting it. Thanks." + +"Would you mind telling me if you had anybody in the office here with +you just before I came in? Or were you using the telephone?" + +"Why," hesitated Ferguson in some surprise, "I was called on the 'phone +by an old newspaper acquaintance--yes. Perhaps you know him--Hughey +Podmore? He got a job recently as President Wade's private +secretary--Canadian Lake Shores Railway. We used to work on the same +paper long ago. Why?" + +"Oh, nothing--just my idle curiosity. Say, there's something you can +do for me, like a good fellow, before I go. Give me a knock-down to +the lady outside, will you? Didn't know you owned a peach orchard, +Blatch? Who is she?" + +Ferguson chuckled as he pressed a button. + +"Name's Margaret Williams. My regular stenographer was taken sick +suddenly the other day and she sent around this friend of hers to +substitute. She's a dandy good worker, too. But you're too late, my +boy. She's leaving soon to marry a fellow at Buffalo--er--Miss +Williams, allow me to present Mr. Philip Kendrick." + +Her bow was very formal and as, at her employer's request, she escorted +him to the private exit at her own end of the office, her manner was +equally cold. + +"I hope you bear me no ill will, Miss Williams," smiled Phil. "I +assure you I have done nothing to merit it." + +"That is for me to judge," she retorted calmly. "Please go. I do not +care to know you, Mr. Kendrick." + +Phil turned quickly. It was the second time within twelve hours that a +girl had told him that--in those very words, with that same disdainful +tone. Why, if he were to shut his eyes he felt sure he could imagine +it to be the very voice inflection used by his Fog Lady when delivering +the same sentence of exile. Again he found himself guilty of staring. + +"Have you ever seen a real, honest-to-goodness amulet, Miss Williams?" +he asked eagerly, reaching into his pocket. "I'd like to show you mine +before I go, if I may." He slowly unfolded the dollar bill and held +out the hand-painted blouse pin, watching her closely. + +"What a pretty pin!" she said in a flat, disinterested voice. She +looked at it perfunctorily. "I know a man who used to carry a potato +to chase rheumatism away. It was planted by a one-eyed, left-handed +negro, born on the thirteenth of the month. I've heard of an elk's +tooth for pleurisy and a rabbit's foot for evil spirits; but a pin like +that? It will lead you into danger instead of away from it." + +"Not when it is pinned to a canoe cushion by a beautiful girl at the +hour of three o'clock in the morning in a dense fog," declared Kendrick +significantly. + +"That is very silly," said the haughty Miss Williams with a bored air +as she handed it back to him and turned towards her typewriter. +"Good-day, Mr. Kendrick. I really must get on with my work." + +It was with an unreasonable feeling of disappointment that he bowed +himself out. She had not blinked an eyelash! Who was the idiot who +first started looking for needles in haystacks anyway? A fool's quest! +Mumma! but wasn't he _de trop_ with the ladies? Well, he would buy +cigars with the dollar and make a present of the pin to Mrs. Parlby, +his uncle's estimable housekeeper. + +But he did neither of these things. Instead, he was to continue the +folly of keeping both souvenirs and the equal folly of looking at them +from time to time--to see if they were safe. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE TAN SATCHEL + +Ordinarily Hugh Podmore, secretary to the President of the Canadian +Lake Shores Railway, took a keen interest in his work. If anything, he +applied himself more industriously during the many absences of his +chief than when President Wade was there to observe and commend, a zeal +which might or might not have been a tribute to his conscientiousness. +But to-day Mr. Podmore, although dressed with that care which +habitually imparted to his well proportioned figure something of the +beau brummel,--to-day he was not quite his customary polite self. +Things irritated him which ordinarily he would not have noticed, and +the morning had dragged for him in quite an unusual way. He had spent +much time gazing absently out of the office window at the traffic in +the street below, with many futile glances at his watch. + +The first shop whistle that led the noonday medley found him pulling +down the lid of his roll-top desk and he was reaching for his raincoat +when his stenographer entered to inform him that there was a gentleman +outside who would not take "No" for an answer. In no very gracious +mood he snatched the card from the girl's hand; but the name meant +nothing to him and he flung aside his gloves in resentment of the +interruption. + +"Show'm in," he growled, unlocking the desk and shoving back the lid +with a bang. + +The big young man who entered in answer to the summons enquired for the +President. Everybody who came into that anteroom began the same way +and Podmore tilted back in his chair and appraised the other coldly, +noting two things particularly--the young man's athletic build and the +very marked discoloration of his left eye. Another job hunter! + +"State your business, please." + +"You will excuse me," said Kendrick, "but the matter is entirely +personal between Mr. Wade and myself. Is he in?" + +It was a little thing to arouse Podmore's ire. Ordinarily Hugh Podmore +was an excellent secretary; but the caller's refusal to state his +business or produce his credentials for inspection angered him. He was +used to this extreme anxiety of visitors to see the Chief in person; it +was a characteristic of the job-hunting crowd. + +"The President's out of town," he said irritably. "Besides, he +wouldn't see you until you had told me your business anyway. What do +you think he keeps a secretary for?" + +"To be civil to the public," said Kendrick evenly. "When do you expect +him back?" and there was a directness in his look which Podmore found +unexpectedly disconcerting. + +"Hard to say. He's on the go continually. If your business is +important----" + +"It is important." + +"Then, if you'll give me particulars----," suggested Podmore, reaching +for his memorandum pad. + +"Be good enough to answer my question, please. When will Mr. Wade be +in his office?" + +"Sorry, but it's impossible to say, Mr."--he glanced at the card +deliberately--"Kendrick. If you are looking for a job----" + +"I want to see Mr. Wade personally and as soon as possible," repeated +Kendrick, keeping his temper with difficulty. "When will he be +available?" + +"He's gone on a trip--to the Hot Springs," snapped Podmore. "Come back +in a month or six weeks and perhaps you can see him then. Good day, +sir." + +For a few minutes after the big young man had bowed himself out with +mock humility, Mr. Podmore stood fingering the card and frowning at the +window. It was an engraved card, his fingers told him. He did not +like feeling that he had made a mistake in any way; but that is +precisely how he did feel. Yet he was sure he had never met this young +man before, in spite of a certain familiarity of face that haunted him. +Not being a regular reader of the sporting pages, he was at a loss to +account for this, as he prided himself on his memory for faces. + +With a shrug in dismissal of the inconsequential, Mr. Podmore went to +lunch. He had comfortable quarters at the Queen's Hotel, just a block +from the Union Station, and after a light lunch in the big dining-room +he idled about the rambling old rotunda for an hour or more, smoking +many cigarettes and attempting to read a magazine. The solicitous +anxiety of his waiter during luncheon had earned that surprised +individual a rebuke and cost him the usual tip; the friendly advances +of a hotel guest, which ordinarily would have been met by equal +geniality, finally sent Podmore up in the old-fashioned elevator to his +room, where he locked the door and began pacing restlessly back and +forth. Not until a sixth glance at his watch indicated the approach of +2 o'clock did his unusual fidgetiness begin to disappear; but when at +last he walked briskly out of the hotel Mr. Podmore, to all intents, +had regained his normal self-possession. + +He went straight to the down-town offices of the Alderson Construction +Company, arriving punctual to the minute of his appointment. Both +Nickleby and Alderson were already there. + +"Well, we're all here, Alderson. Are you waiting for somebody to open +with prayer?" complained J. Cuthbert Nickleby with an impatient glance +at his watch after the greetings were over. "I don't see why the devil +you needed me here at all, Pod. Why all the ceremony?" The President +of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company was a thin, sallow man +with a thin, tight line of a mouth. The cynicism of his expression was +chronic. + +"Because you'd be the first to holler if anything went wrong," retorted +Podmore, eyeing him pointedly as he tilted his hat to the back of his +head and proceeded calmly to skin the glove from his left hand. "We're +all in this together, J. C., and that's why I insisted on you being +here--to see that everything is according to Hoyle." + +"Aint getting cold feet already are you?" + +An easy laugh was Mr. Podmore's only rejoinder to this insult. They +both watched Alderson, who had swung open the door of the safe and was +reaching into its depths. The contractor was stout and florid, and his +face was flushed as he rose jerkingly from his knee and tossed a +package of crisp bank notes to the table. + +"Well, there 'tis, just as it come from the Inter-provincial this +mornin'," he remarked, and picked up his cigar from the edge of the +safe. + +"Look at the way he tosses it around, would you!" chuckled Podmore. +"You could buy a bunch of peanuts with that package, Frank,--a million +bags at a nickle the bag." This was a hit at Alderson's fondness for +munching peanuts, and Alderson's tenor laugh led the trio. Podmore +picked up the package and riffled the bills carelessly. "Counted it, +J. C.?" + +"Fifty thousand," nodded Nickleby. + +"That satchel come, Alderson? Thanks." Podmore held it up--an +ordinary cheap satchel of medium size, tan in color, imitation leather +and imitation brass catches. "I bought this, J. C., so that we'd have +one that hadn't been tampered with and that couldn't be identified as +belonging to any of us, you understand. All right, Frank, seal her up." + +Alderson placed the package of bills in a large, strong blue linen +envelope which he had ready to hand, and carefully gummed down the +flap. Under the amused eye of Nickleby he proceeded to hold a stick of +gray sealing-wax in the flame of a match and to daub this additional +precaution upon the flap. The envelope was then placed in the new tan +satchel, the catches snapped and the satchel locked by Podmore, who +thereupon walked over to the President of the Interprovincial Loan & +Savings Company and handed him the key. + +"That stays in your pocket till you get to Blatch Ferguson's office, +Nickleby. You hand it to Ferguson personally," and again Podmore eyed +the banker keenly. "Let him do the opening himself. All you're there +for is to see that he actually gets this money, and that ends the +transaction so far as we're concerned." He winked, and both the +gentlemen laughed as if much humor underlay the remark. + +"I will now proceed to put on our little private identification mark," +continued Podmore with an air of having thought of everything, and he +made a triangular scratch on one end of the satchel with his +pocket-knife. + +"Good Lord, Pod!" exclaimed the financier with a laugh. "Is it +necessary to have all this fuss over this thing?" + +"Take all the chances you like when you're by your lonesome, old man; +but you don't do it when I'm with you," said Mr. Hugh Podmore, +smilingly unperturbed by ridicule. "It's the fellow who overlooks +these very things that sometimes gets stung. It isn't at all likely, +I'll admit, that the simple delivery of this money a distance of a few +blocks requires all this 'fuss,' as you call it; but why take chances +just to save a little trouble? Pays to play safe every time, J. C. +What about that detective, Alderson?" + +"Oh, that feller's on the job. Here, you can see'm standin' out there +on the corner, waitin' fer our man to show up." Podmore followed +Alderson to the window. "Naw, over there to the right--beside the +post. Must be a good half hour since his office phoned he was leavin'. +Say, he's lookin' up here. I'll give 'm the high sign now." + +"Well, I guess everything's O.K., then. Call in your messenger and get +a move on. I'm due at the depot soon to meet the Chief." Podmore +dropped into a chair and lighted a cigarette with a look of +satisfaction on his face. + +Alderson leaned over and pressed a button. The young man who responded +was James Stiles, bookkeeper and general office clerk. As he stood in +the doorway, respectful enquiry in his whole attitude, pen in hand, +linen office jacket sagging at the pockets, forearms encased in black +sateen sleeve-protectors and a daub of ink on his fingers, there was +little to distinguish him from hundreds of his type to be seen in +modern offices. He had rather a pleasant face, Podmore thought, a +little dull perhaps in its ingenuousness. He was not much more than a +boy. + +"Jimmy," instructed Alderson briskly, "drop whatever you're at and take +this satchel over to Mr. Ferguson's office in the Brokers' Bank +Building. It's got some mighty important legal papers inside an' I +want you to be sure an' hand it personally to Mr. Ferguson himself. I +told him I'd send 'em over right after lunch; so you don't need to say +nothin'--just hand it to Mr. Ferguson, y'understand. Blatchford +Ferguson, the lawyer,--you know where his office is." + +"Yes, sir. Want me to ask for a receipt?" + +"Uh? No, never mind a receipt. It'll be all right." + +The young bookkeeper picked up the satchel, nodding respectfully to the +President of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company as he quietly +closed the door behind him. He had been formerly employed at the +Interprovincial; in fact, it was to Nickleby's personal recommendation +that he owed his present position with the construction company. + +The departure of Stiles with the satchel, of whose precious contents he +had been kept in ignorance, was a signal for the separation of the trio +in Alderson's office. With a wave of the hand Podmore hurried off +towards the Union Station, and presently J. Cuthbert Nickleby made his +way more leisurely to his waiting automobile. + +On the corner opposite the building in which the Alderson Construction +Company had its down-town offices the man from the Brady Detective +Agency was lighting a fresh cigar. He sauntered around the corner, +then quickened his pace to get closer to the briskly walking young man +with the tan satchel. He continued to follow the bookkeeper at a +convenient distance. + +It was the season when those who have the misfortune to be confined to +indoor tasks chafe most in the leash--a beautiful May day of blue sky +and sunshine and balmy air that called insistently to open places of +green grass and the luxury of idleness and vagrant dreaming. Young +Jimmy Stiles felt the call and he skipped along with carefree enjoyment +of his brief respite. He laughed gaily at a pair of dogs who seemed +inclined to question each other's veracity and sent them scampering +with a whoop, swinging the satchel around his head. He pulled down his +vest, felt his tie and winked boldly as he passed a pretty girl. He +broke into a whistle presently, practising the latest rag-time air with +an earnestness which found no ennui in repetition of tune, and it was +while thus absorbed that he went by the Jessup Grill. He was well +beyond the entrance before he realized that his name was being called +and that somebody had darted out from the doorway to overtake him. + +"Oh, there, Jimmy! Won't you say good-bye to me?" + +"Why, hello, Mr. Clayton," grinned Stiles as he took the extended hand. +"Goin' away?" + +"Holidays can't last forever, Jimmy. I'm leaving for home this +afternoon--just getting ready to go to the depot when I saw you. Come +on in and join me in a glass of beer for good luck." + +"Nothin' doin'! 'The lips that touch liquor shall never touch mine'," +recited Stiles, rolling his eyes in exaggerated piety. "No, honest, I +can't," he protested as the other pulled on his arm. "I'm on an +important message for the boss an' I got to hustle right back to the +office." + +"Aw, come on. It won't take a minute. I'm in a hustle myself to catch +the train; but I want to give you a message for----" Robert Clayton +hesitated, coughed in slight embarrassment, and looked helpless. +"----for somebody you know up at the church," he pleaded. + +Jimmy Stiles nodded in grinning comprehension. + +"Well, you know how to pick 'em, Mr. Clayton. I'll say that for you. +Anne's a mighty swell girl." + +"I've never met a finer one," said Mr. Clayton, looking serious. + +"Oh, this town's full of 'em," cried Jimmy generously. "Say, they got +a long lemonade they don't make bad in here--sliced orange and a cherry +on top. I'll go you one. I guess it won't take a jiff." + +"Good!" cried Clayton, leading the way without more ado into the Jessup. + +He picked up his raincoat which he had left on a chair near the door, +flung over his travelling bag, and carried both with him through the +swing doors into the buffet. Here they found a vacant table and +Clayton beckoned a waiter and set his grip and coat on the floor +between the two chairs. Stiles dropped the tan satchel alongside the +raincoat and grinned across at Clayton with evident pleasure. This was +the right way for gentlemen to bid each other farewell, and he helped +himself from the other's proffered cigarette case with the air of doing +this sort of thing every day. Neither of them appeared to pay any +attention to the man who entered behind them, sat down at the table +next the wall and ordered a glass of beer; patrons were coming and +going and the man was just an ordinary citizen entitled to quench his +thirst if he so desired. + +The two young fellows chatted and laughed over their refreshments for +perhaps five or ten minutes. It was Clayton who finally glanced at his +watch and jumped to his feet. He picked up raincoat and grip and shook +hands. Stiles picked up the tan satchel and out on the street they +shook hands once more. Clayton boarded a street-car, and with a final +wave of good-will Jimmy Stiles continued on his way. + +At a convenient distance the private detective followed. He walked +into the Brokers' Bank Building just as the bookkeeper pushed the +elevator bell. They went up in the same elevator to the fifth floor, +where they both got out. The detective, sauntering down the corridor, +observed Stiles enter the office of Blatchford Ferguson, Barrister, +Notary Public, etc. + +With a grunt he turned on his heel and descended to the street, where +he lighted another stogey and returned the way he had come. Arriving +finally at the offices of the Alderson Construction Company, he was +admitted at once to Alderson's presence and reported that the tan +satchel had been delivered at its destination without mishap. + +As he finished speaking the telephone rang and Alderson lifted down the +receiver with a nod of dismissal. The detective's hand was on the +doorknob when he turned quickly, viewing with alarm the sudden +bewilderment and blank consternation which had crept into the +contractor's heavy face as he listened to the agitated voice of J. +Cuthbert Nickleby. + +"Brady's man? Yes, he's here now--Sure, I'll hold him--No, not back +yet--Sure. Sure I will--Eh? Say, Mr. Nickleby, fer the love o' Mike, +what's wrong?--WHA-AT!" + +Alderson wildly jiggled the hook of the telephone instrument, but +Nickleby had rung off. He stared across at the anxious representative +of the Brady Detective Agency, his thick loose lower lip hanging in +dismay. For the moment he was bereft of speech. + +"What's the matter?" + +"Uh? Matter?" echoed Alderson vacuously. Then he pounded the desk +with his fat fist while his face grew red. "_Matter!_" he shouted. +"You're a heluva detective, you are! That's what's the matter. The +mon--I mean--the papers--in the satchel, you fathead!--stolen right +under your nose!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +AGAIN THE TAN SATCHEL + +Swearing fervently, Alderson grabbed the telephone and called for +Podmore at the Queen's Hotel. A few stuttering words of explanation +and the 'phone went dead once more as Podmore banged up the receiver at +his end. + +Nickleby arrived first. He strode in through the outer office, leaving +a trail of awed employes in his wake. Alderson, who had rushed forward +to meet him, fell back a step as the banker entered the private office +and banged the door behind him with a force which nearly broke the +glass in the partition. He carried in his hand the tan satchel and +forthwith slammed it down upon the desk and took to pacing back and +forth in speechless wrath. His face was ghastly, his eyes blazing, his +mouth drawn down in an ugly sneer as he turned at last upon the +dumfounded detective. + +"You--you blithering idiot!" + +"Easy, brother. Keep your shirt on, see!" advised the Brady operative +with justifiable resentment. "There aint nothin' been taken out o' +that there grip while I was watchin' it, that's a cinch. Say, 'bo, +what was in it, anyways?" + +Alderson caught Nickleby's eye and shook his head in warning. Nickleby +stepped across the room, opened the satchel and flung out upon the +table a package of blank brown wrapping paper, cut to the size of +bank-notes and fastened together with rubber bands. He pointed his +finger at it contemptuously. + +"Instead of the legal papers which were in that satchel when it left +this office, there's what we found when Ferguson and I opened it. Now, +explain that, will you? No, wait! 'Phone your chief to come over here +himself at once; I think he'd better hear what you have to say. What's +your name?" + +"McCorquodale. An' I takes no lip from nobody, see!" + +While the man was at the telephone Jimmy Stiles knocked on the door to +report that he had delivered the satchel safely to its destination. It +was an amazed youth who was yanked unceremoniously into the room by the +coat-collar while the irate Nickleby blazed forth anew. He took hold +of the bookkeeper's shoulders and was shaking the frightened young man +in speechless fury when Podmore came in. + +"Here, here, leave him alone!" he commanded sharply as he stepped +between them. "What crazy nonsense is this, J. C.?" + +No fuss or fury about Hugh Podmore in time of stress. It was Podmore's +way to turn calm and cold and calculating in proportion to the extent +to which any given crisis disturbed him. The news which had reached +him over the 'phone from the incoherent Alderson had been grave enough; +but he was much the coolest of the three most vitally concerned in this +mysterious miscarriage of carefully laid plans. The first thing he did +was to have Alderson clear the outer office of stenographers and junior +clerks. He suggested that Alderson dismiss them for the afternoon, and +began at once to question the bookkeeper and the detective who had +followed him. The two recitals agreed in every particular. + +Podmore at once despatched the detective to the Union Station in +Nickleby's car to find Clayton at all costs and arrest him if he would +not come otherwise. + +"Tell us all you know about this man, Jimmy. Take your time," advised +Podmore kindly. "No occasion to get scared stiff." + +Stiles said he had not known Clayton very long--just a few days, in +fact. He had met him for the first time last Sunday at All Saints' +Mission, where Jimmy was an usher. On Monday night there had been a +social gathering of the younger members of the church in the Sunday +School and Clayton had attended that and seemed to enjoy himself. He +had made friends with everybody quickly and seemed to fit in so readily +that he had been accepted without question by everybody, from the +pastor down. He was an American who had come north to visit relatives +and was on his way back to Philadelphia. He expected to return +shortly, he had told Stiles, and might decide to locate here +permanently. He was in the hardware business, somewhere near +Philadelphia. + +"All right, Jimmy, that will do. Now, better wait outside till your +friend arrives. It all seems straight enough so far as you're +concerned," and Podmore closed the door on him with a smile of +encouragement; for young Stiles looked as if he needed encouragement. +"You've scared the wits out of him, J. C. That won't get us anywhere," +he reproved when the three were alone. + +"I don't trust anybody----" + +"Wait," commanded Podmore with upraised hand. He stepped over to the +table quickly and closely scrutinized the tan satchel. Finally he drew +attention to the triangular mark which he had scratched on one end with +his pocket-knife. "It's the satchel O.K. Now, who opened it?" + +"Ferguson. I gave him the key, as you suggested, and he opened it in +front of me. And so help me, that stuff there was all that was in it. +The money was gone. I tell you I never felt so much like a fool----" +Nickleby broke off with an oath, still smarting under the jibes which +the caustic Mr. Ferguson had levelled at him, and beneath which the +President of the Interprovincial had writhed in humiliation. "Somebody +took that money out on the way over, Podmore." + +"N--ot necessarily, J. C.," said Podmore judicially. "Wait, now. +Think, man. Were you there when Stiles----?" + +"Of course I was." + +"----when Stiles handed the satchel to Ferguson? Did you see him do +it?" + +"Why,--no, not exactly. I was out in the general office when the kid +took it in to Ferguson. What are you driving at?" + +"Talking to anybody out there?" + +"Yes. I ran into McAllister, of the _Recorder_, and I was so surprised +at seeing the editor of that yellow sheet there--well, he got quizzing +me about one or two matters." + +"How long after Stiles left you before you joined Ferguson?" + +"Oh--five minutes, maybe. Why, what's all that got to do with it?" He +regarded the look of triumph upon Podmore's face with some astonishment. + +"It's as clear as daylight to me, J. C. In that five minutes almost +anything might have happened. Many of the world's great events have +happened in less than that. Hasn't it occurred to you that the package +of money might be removed from the satchel and the paper substituted in +Ferguson's office? The lock might have been sprung, you know." + +Nickleby stared, his beady eyes narrowed in a frown of thought. Then +he slapped the table with his open palm. + +"By----!" he ejaculated. + +"I'm inclined to fancy the whole thing is a cleverly arranged scare +which those fellows have chosen to throw into us in order to protect +themselves," went on Mr. Podmore, nodding with satisfaction at his own +logic. "You can understand that, surely. If I am guessing correctly, +they have succeeded in providing a fine denial of the fact that there +ever was such a thing as our contribution to the Campaign Fund." + +"I told you!" cried Alderson excitedly. "The Hon. Milt said he +wouldn't have anything to do with it. He said we'd contribute at our +own risk, didn't he?" + +Nickleby rounded on him. + +"Shut up, you jackass!" he ordered angrily. + +Podmore's eyebrows arched a trifle at this admission. Already he had +surmised something of the kind. The Honorable Milt was nobody's fool, +he knew. For the matter of that, neither was Hughey Podmore. + +"They'll be expecting us to keep our mouths shut and let things take +their course," he continued, choosing to ignore the interruption. "The +money's not lost, Alderson. They'll keep on swearing up and down that +they haven't got it, of course; but that's just the coy way in which +these things are handled. It's my opinion that the sacrifice of that +million bags of peanuts up the elephant's trunk will ensure a good +performance when the circus starts." + +"I believe you've struck it, Pod," nodded Nickleby slowly. + +"I'm sure of it," agreed Mr. Podmore, allowing himself a little laugh +of satisfaction. "Hadn't Frank better write Brady a cheque and get rid +of him? He's probably waiting outside, and we don't want him nosing +into anything." + +This seemed to meet with the approval of the others, and when the check +was ready the head of the Brady Detective Agency was called in and +handed a cigar, the cheque and some plausible explanations which +enabled him to return to his office with no hard feelings. Detective +Brady never found it an inconvenience to receive money. + +The air had cleared wonderfully by the time Detective McCorquodale +arrived with Robert Clayton in tow--so much so that both anxious +gentlemen were somewhat surprised at the smiles which greeted them. If +anything further were needed to convince Nickleby that he had been too +hasty in his conclusions, this frank, clean-cut young American supplied +it, and as the brief interview progressed the President of the +Interprovincial approached as near to geniality as his naturally +suspicious and cynical nature ever ventured. The detective had found +Clayton just preparing to descend the stairs to his train; but he had +come readily enough when the circumstances were explained to him. + +"I do hope none of you gentlemen suspect my young friend here in +connection with this inexplicable matter," were his first words as he +stood with a hand on Stiles' shoulder. He spoke earnestly, his grave +eyes searching their faces, one after another. "I haven't known Jimmy +very long, of course; but I know honesty when I see it and I'd stake my +life that he has had no hand in this--this strange disappearance which +I understand has upset you all. May I ask just what the contents of +this satchel were? Was it a sum of money or----?" + +"No, no, it's all right, Mr. Clayton," volunteered Nickleby rather +hurriedly,"--just some legal documents which can be duplicated; the +puzzle is why anybody should take them. The delay in connection with +some business matters which their loss will entail is the only thing +that concerned us; but we find that it is not as bad as we thought, and +we regret very much causing you this inconvenience." + +Robert Clayton made a gesture of deprecation. + +"That's the last consideration, gentlemen," he smiled. "For my own +satisfaction, I would like to state candidly a little about myself. +Under the circumstances it is your right to know." + +What he had to say merely substantiated what Jimmy Stiles had told them +already. He was returning from a visit to his uncle on a Western +Ontario farm, and had remained over in the city for a few days on his +way home. While out for a Sunday morning constitutional he had been +attracted to All Saints' Mission by its resemblance to the little +church he attended at home. There he had been welcomed so cordially by +Jimmy Stiles and others that it had been a great pleasure to him. + +He described in detail his meeting with Jimmy, and their harmless chat +in the Jessup Grill. He produced his travelling bag and insisted on +opening it for inspection despite the fact that there was no +possibility of confusing its travel-worn leather with the tan satchel. +It contained merely the usual travel accessories, a magazine and a box +of cigars. The latter Clayton insisted upon passing around. He then +produced his business card and chatted for a moment with Alderson about +conditions in the building trade in Pennsylvania, asking many questions +about prospects in hardware lines in Ontario. + +So that when at last he took his departure, laughing away apologies, he +left behind him a most favorable impression. Detective McCorquodale +departed next with a real cigar between his teeth and a feeling of +satisfaction in the recognition that he was no longer a "blithering +idiot." Stiles was told to "knock off for the day and go fishin'," and +accepted Podmore's five-dollar bill only when it was forced on him. + +When the trio were alone once more Alderson produced a bottle and three +glasses. + +"To the Campaign Fund," he laughed, holding his glass aloft. + +"And the future of the Government," added J. Cuthbert Nickleby. + +"And of ourselves," said Podmore reverently. + +It was thus that they parted for the second time that afternoon. + +Mr. Hugh Podmore went directly to his hotel. Not until he was safe in +his own room did he permit any unusual elation to show in his manner. +Once he had locked the door, however, and pulled down the +window-blinds, he threw himself upon the bed and indulged in a toss of +unrestrained mirth. Still very much amused, he felt in his pocket for +the key of the old walnut wardrobe with which his room was furnished, +unlocked it and lifted out a tan satchel. + +Assuredly. In all fairness to himself he had to admit that it had been +about as neat a piece of work as he had ever known. For a first +attempt it had been carried through with credit, cleverly planned and +as cleverly executed. Everything had gone like a clock. Robert +Clayton, alias "Tuxedo Bob," had performed his end of it with +commendable finish, and Podmore felt that he had made no mistake in +hiring him to come on from Chicago. Fifty thousand dollars! It wasn't +a bad afternoon's work--not at all bad! + +Setting the satchel upon the table, Mr. Podmore sank into the easy +chair and lighted a cigarette with a slow smile of satisfaction. The +smile lingered as he ran over the whole thing. Neat was not the word; +artistic was better. Clayton had "happened" in at All Saints' Mission +quite opportunely. Quite. It was proof of his ability that in three +days he had established himself so firmly in the friendship of young +Stiles. Poor, scared, white-faced kid! + +And the duplicate satchels? An old trick, of course; but in simplicity +lay success. Podmore had purchased those two identical +imitation-leather satchels some days ago. In one he had placed the +package of brown paper, cut to banknote size and held by rubber bands, +and in a certain position on the outside of the satchel he had +scratched a triangular identification mark with his pocket-knife; the +other tan satchel he had delivered to the Alderson Construction +Company's office. There it had received the currency in Alderson's +elaborately sealed linen envelope, and there in front of the others +Podmore had marked it ostentatiously for identification--the same +triangular mark in the same position on the outside of the satchel. + +When the bookkeeper went into the Jessup Grill Clayton had the +duplicate satchel which contained the worthless brown wrapping +paper--had it hidden under his raincoat. When Stiles had dropped the +other satchel close alongside the raincoat on the floor he had played +right into Clayton's hand, that being the very position for which +Clayton was manoeuvring; an unobtrusive kick of the foot flopped the +raincoat over the satchel which contained the money, so that Clayton +had picked it up quite simply, leaving the duplicate satchel for Stiles. + +Clayton had made straight for the Union Station, first stopping at the +hotel where Podmore had hurried from the construction company's office +and was waiting to receive the money satchel. At the hotel Clayton had +picked up his own personal travelling bag and had gone over to the +depot to wait for the Brady detective to find him in due course. + +Podmore had not opened the precious satchel, the 'phone having rung +with Alderson's hurry-up message just as he had reached his room. +Chucking the tan satchel inside the wardrobe, he had gone back to +Alderson's office immediately to engineer the covering up and to quiet +the troubled waters. + +It was not every day that such a golden opportunity of acquiring fifty +thousand dollars presented itself. It was rarely that it could be done +without the risk of discovery. But Mr. Hugh Podmore had recognized in +this very secret contribution for election purposes a sum of money +which was outlawed for the time being, which for obvious reasons dare +not be claimed publicly by either side in the secret transaction. +Ergo, it was any man's money who could lay hands on it. Ergo, it +belonged to Mr. Hughey Podmore! + +The beauty of it was that the idea of Ferguson removing the contents to +provide a denial of the whole contribution was so patently the clever +thing to do, that it was a wonder Ferguson had not thought of it +himself when there was such need of secrecy. Nickleby had accepted the +suggestion at once as the solution of the mystery. + +Ferguson was stupid. Even Nickleby--admirable as was his +smoothness--had fallen right into the clever trap prepared for him. If +Nickleby did discover the truth, Podmore could give him the laugh. Let +Friend Nickleby just start something and he'd find himself in several +varieties of hot soup before he knew it. For did not Little Hughey +know all about the crooked deal by which the worthy J. Cuthbert had +ousted old Nat Lawson from the presidency of the Interprovincial Loan & +Savings Company? He did! You bet he did! Let Nickleby interfere with +these pickings of Little Hughey and he would be shown a thing or two +that would cost him a lot more than a measly fifty thousand! + +That had been a delicate touch--making Nickleby carry the key to the +satchel across to Ferguson's office. The key to satchel number two, it +was! Nickleby had been on hand throughout. Oh, they had nothing on +Hughey Podmore in this thing, absolutely noth----! + +Podmore's cigarette teetered on his lower lip. With a sudden lunge he +grabbed for the tan satchel on the table. He went to the window and +threw up the shade. Slowly he turned the satchel around, examining it +minutely, his amazement growing. It was undoubtedly the same satchel +exactly, so far as he could see,--except for one little disparity. +There was no sign of the identification mark, no scratched triangle on +either end! + +Thoroughly mystified, Podmore fished out the tiny key that belonged to +satchel number one. It would not fit! + +With an oath he seized a hairbrush, smashed both lock and brush, +slipped the catches and yanked open the satchel. Inside lay a roll of +old newspapers, tied at the ends with dirty white string! + +That was--ALL! + +Hughey Podmore wiped his forehead with his handkerchief. For once he +was completely non-plussed. He sank back into the chair and lighted +another cigarette with a hand that shook ridiculously. For a very long +time he sat there, smoking cigarettes and staring blankly at the wall, +lighting each fresh one with the butt of its predecessor, end on end. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +CROSS CURRENTS + +The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the +management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a +complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles. For +while he was frequently spoken of as "Old Nat," it was a familiarity +fostered by long and friendly associations rather than declining years. +Why a man in his prime and at the apex of his usefulness should drop +out of harness so suddenly when he appeared to be in the best of +health, was something of a mystery. Not a few missed his genial +companionship, and were frank enough to say so on those rare occasions +when Nat Lawson now put in an appearance at the Club. For a while +rumors were rife, but gradually these subsided as his absence became a +custom. + +It was to that very end that the founder of the Interprovincial Loan & +Savings Company made his retirement so literal. There were times when +the inquisitiveness of his friends was hard to combat, when the +temptation to give expression to the hidden springs of indignation that +had been born within him was almost irresistible. So, acting upon his +better judgment, he gradually relegated himself to the background of +affairs till his tall, distinguished-looking figure was no longer a +familiar sight in public places. But if his white hair, his carefully +trimmed Van Dyke beard and wide moustache no longer singled him out in +gatherings of his former associates his carriage lost none of its +alertness, his glance none of its customary fearlessness. Nathaniel +Lawson was biding his time. + +Like so many successful men who have risen to places of wealth and +influence, Lawson had begun as a poor boy, struggling upward over +untold difficulties by pluck and determination. In his case, however, +the rewards of the struggle had been swept from his reach at the very +pinnacle of achievement by what appeared to be an exceptionally bold +piece of financial buccaneering. He belonged to the older generation +which had grown up accustomed to seeing business carried on by +individuals or on a partnership basis; joint stock companies, combines +and holding companies had been a development of his later days. It had +taken him a lifetime to build up his financial business from very small +beginnings, until it had become the big organization now known as the +Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company. And because it was his nature +to be generous and kindly "Old Nat" had fallen victim to misplaced +confidence. + +In those early years of struggle conservative methods and plain honesty +had been not the least of his assets. It was upon these sound +principles that he had relied throughout. The small deposits of the +working classes, more or less ignored by his early competitors, had +given him his start; even now the strength of the Interprovincial lay +in its popularity among workmen and farmers, while its aggregate of +small savings accounts was tremendous. The people trusted the +Interprovincial because they had seen it grow and knew that it was +administered honestly. "Catch 'Old Nat' having anything to do with the +tricks of high finance!" said they, confidently, and many were the +stories which went the rounds of how the "old-fashioned" financier had +allowed sentiment to "interfere" with business. And the business had +grown apace. + +Because of this ingrained sentimental streak in his make-up and because +of this inherent honesty he had created some enemies. There were those +who looked hungrily in the direction of the Interprovincial and +imagined what could be accomplished in a very big way in several +different directions if only the man in control of the stock were--say, +a little more modern. If it were not for the close tab which that +energetic young secretary kept upon things, Lawson would have run the +concern into the ditch long ago, whispered the ambitious ones. The +young and energetic secretary, J. C. Nickleby, may have been the first +to whisper it--very confidentially, of course. For it would ill become +so promising a young financier as J. Cuthbert Nickleby to be guilty of +ingratitude, and there had been one raw wet night in the spring of a +year long past when Nathaniel Lawson had rescued a miserable travesty +of a man from the gutter--a night that Nickleby, once his benefactor +had set him firmly upon his feet with a new lease of life, no doubt had +schooled himself to forget for all time. + +At any rate there had come an annual meeting at which Nat Lawson found +himself in a quandary. It followed on the heels of a rumor that it was +the desire of certain shareholders to inject some "new blood," and +thereby new life, into the loan company--that it would be a good thing, +in short, for the "revered old Chief" to retire to a pedestal where he +could sit as inanimate as a bronze bust upon the official label, +"Honorary President," while a younger man took upon his shoulders the +burden of the expanded business, and so forth. + +The campaign against him had been of a most insidious character and +Lawson had pretended with dignity to ignore it, even while his +resentment grew to the proportions of great indignation. And all the +time he was worried because he could not find a certain +power-of-attorney which authorized him to vote a large block of stock +belonging to a personal friend who had invested heavily in Lawson's +company--Bradford, the arctic explorer, who had gone into the +hinterland on a Government expedition, and who was not expected to get +into communication with civilization again for about two years. +Bradford had left everything in connection with his investment in his +friend Lawson's hands. While the status of this stock on the books of +the Interprovincial was unquestioned, the power-of-attorney had been +given to Lawson personally and had not been placed officially in the +hands of the secretary with instructions. + +Herein lay the quandary. For when at the annual meeting in question +Nat Lawson had tried to vote the stock in the usual way, he was asked +for the power-of-attorney by some of the new shareholders and could not +produce it. Proxies which Nickleby had manipulated then were thrown on +the scale and when the meeting was over, the Interprovincial had a new +president by the name of J. Cuthbert Nickleby. In making the +announcement, the newspapers had quite a story about "Old Nat" and his +career; they printed in full the account which was handed to them +regarding the presentation of a gold-headed cane, suitably engraved, +and an illuminated address which marked the esteem in which the +directors held the retiring president and founder. + +Convinced though he was that the power-of-attorney had been stolen +deliberately and that the whole thing was a cunning frame-up to get him +out of the way in order that certain transactions of which he never +would have approved might go through--although convinced that this was +the truth of the matter, Nat Lawson had no evidence to prove a case +against Nickleby or any of his associates. It would have been a +dangerous procedure to give publicity to his suspicions, or to attempt +legal action without definite proof of his charges, as this could +result only in destroying public confidence in the institution itself +without in the least altering the situation. At the worst, the reign +of the Nickleby faction could be but temporary, as the situation would +adjust itself with the return of the explorer who owned the stock. But +it was exceedingly humiliating, and there was always the possibility +that those now in control of the Interprovincial meanwhile would +undermine the whole financial fabric by loose policies of +administration, or even by questionable practices. + +These apprehensions were shared by the only two friends whom Nat Lawson +had admitted fully to his confidence--President Benjamin Wade, of the +Canadian Lake Shores Railway, and McAllister, the keen-eyed editor of +the _Recorder_, which of all the city newspapers was the most +consistently independent in politics. Wade was an old friend of long +standing, himself holder of a small block of stock in the +Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company, and it was to him that Lawson +had turned for advice in his extremity. Immediately Wade had called +into counsel the chief of his railroad's very competent detective +staff, Bob Cranston, and thereupon began a series of quiet +investigations with the object of obtaining the necessary evidence to +depose the Nickleby faction from control of Interprovincial affairs. + +Although equally anxious to help, McAllister had no part in Wade's +plans; he preferred to work along special lines of his own. He and +Wade differed in their theories of the situation, and much to Nat +Lawson's amusement they had argued with some heat the first night that +they happened to meet at the Lawson home; so that the two were somewhat +in friendly rivalry, each anxious to prove that he was right, and each +determined to play a lone hand. + +It may have been his interest in the case that led McAllister to call +so frequently of late at the old-fashioned brick house that stood back +from the street, surrounded by spacious grounds and a wealth of +carefully tended shrubbery, in the older residential section of the +city. No doubt it was this that made him stop for a smoke with the +former president of the Interprovincial about three evenings a week on +the way to his office in the brightly-lighted _Recorder_ building, +where hummed activity during the hours that others slept, in order that +the public might have a morning newspaper to prop against the +sugar-bowl while it breakfasted. + +Even so, it is necessary to add that Nathaniel Lawson had a beautiful +and accomplished daughter whose name was Cristobel. It is necessary to +record further that being a young woman of spirit, Miss Cristy Lawson +had insisted upon taking up newspaper work as a profession when the +need of adding to the family resources presented itself. For most of +the Lawson capital had gone into the loan company and her father's +philanthropic tendencies in the heyday of his earnings had made greater +inroads upon his personal fortune than he had realized at the time. +Her father's objections to the plan had been overruled finally when +McAllister had offered Miss Lawson a position on the _Recorder's_ day +staff as "Society Editor," and it was not long before her interest in +the work and her natural aptitude for it rejuvenated the Society Page +into one of the best features the paper boasted. + +Not content with this success, Miss Lawson became ambitious to try her +journalistic wings in other directions; but her desire for more +important assignments than the reporting of afternoon teas brought down +the paternal foot--flat! No daughter of Nathaniel Lawson was going to +be allowed to roam the city at all hours. "No night work," her father +had insisted. Nevertheless, the young woman continued to hope that +this edict would be removed eventually, and she never lost an +opportunity of coaxing if she happened to be at home when McAllister +was present; but there came a night finally when Nat Lawson grew +impatient at her persistence and kindly but firmly put a final period +to the topic. + +She arrived home from a recital at the Conservatory of Music just in +time to serve the refreshments and to listen breathlessly to the +conclusion of the evening's animated discussion. Both Wade and +McAllister were there and it was evident that they had been "at it +again." From the quiet elation in the editor's eye and the +corresponding amusement of her father, she judged that McAllister +temporarily was having the better of the argument. + +"Mac, I don't care a hoot what you've found out!" declared Ben Wade. +"You can sit there and talk till this time to-morrow night, but you'll +never convince me that the Honorable Milt isn't as straight as the best +man who ever went into politics." + +"Ah, just so--who ever went into politics," drawled McAllister with a +provoking grin. + +"Who ever did his duty in public life and became the victim of +hidebound newspapers!" retorted Wade. "Milt Waring and I grew up in +the same town together--went to the same school, played both hookey and +hockey together. Why, I know him inside and out and I tell you he's as +straight as a string." + +"Your simile is unfortunate, Ben. The straightest string can be tied +in knots." + +"I see by this morning's papers that Rives has been released from the +penitentiary," interposed their host. "Good conduct has got him out +three years ahead of time. His sentence was fifteen, wasn't it?" + +Wade nodded, but was not to be turned from his tilt with McAllister. + +"What have you found out that makes you so cocky to-night?" he +challenged the editor with interest. + +"You'll read all about it in the _Recorder_ when the time comes. You +laughed at me the other night when I warned you that politics was mixed +up in this Interprovincial manoeuvring. Watch me prove it. I'll send +you a marked copy of the paper." + +"Bluff! Listen to him, Nat!" + +"I'm not in the habit of bluffing, Wade." McAllister's jaw was set as +he patted the edge of the table for emphasis. "I'm responsible to the +public and I tell you both right now that as sure as you're born---- +Ah, good-evening, Miss Lawson," he finished, rising to his feet with a +smile. + +McAllister busied himself, clearing a space on the table for the tray +she was carrying, and from beneath his shaggy brows the railroad +president's shrewd eyes carried a glint of amusement at the evident +relief with which the editor welcomed the interruption. A moment more +and McAllister might have committed himself to a rash statement. + +"And how goes the battle, Cristy? Who won the latest bun fight?" +smiled Wade by way of making conversation. "Have you persuaded your +father----?" + +"Indeed I have not," interrupted Cristy with an exaggerated pout. She +looked directly at Ben Wade and frowned, as if the subject were one +about which she would rather not be teased even by an old family friend +of long and intimate standing. "It is too mean for anything! If, as +Mr. McAllister has been good enough to intimate, I am capable of big +successes in newspaper work, is it right to hold me back from the +necessary experience? To hear Daddy talk you'd think I was a little +child----" + +"Cristy!" reproved Nat Lawson quietly. + +"But I ask you, Mr. Wade, is it fair----?" + +"Your father knows best, my child. He probably has good reasons----" + +"I do not approve of you working on the night staff. I must ask you +not to refer to this matter again. We will not discuss it now, please." + +"Allow me to give you another cup of cocoa, Mr. McAllister?" + +"Thank you, but I must be getting along," said McAllister, glancing +hurriedly at his watch. "I have stayed later than I intended, thanks +to the side-tracking of yon railroad president." + +"I'll run you down to the office in the car for that," laughed Wade, +also rising. "I'm going out of town for a couple of weeks, Nat; but +the next time I see you I expect to have some news that will interest +you. And I'll give it to you in advance of publication." He slapped +McAllister on the shoulder and they bade their host and hostess a +jovial adieu. + +But once Wade's limousine was speeding down the street the magnate fell +strangely silent. He passed a cigar to McAllister and lighted one for +himself. For fully five minutes he did not speak a word. He listened +in a preoccupied way to the editor's opinion of the new city parks +by-law and to that gentleman's surprise interrupted him finally by a +statement entirely irrelevant. + +"Cristy Lawson is a remarkably clever young woman," he said, gazing +thoughtfully at a little electric light in the roof of the car. + +"For once I can agree with you entirely," nodded McAllister, flashing a +quick glance at the other's upturned face. + +"I don't blame her for getting sick and tired of writing your pink-tea +items. Why don't you give her a chance at bigger game?" + +"You heard what her father said?" + +"I did. I want to make sure that you did too." + +"What do you mean?" + +"Whatever you like," snapped Wade. "There are some jobs that even a +clever woman has no business attempting, that's all." + +"Why talk in riddles, Ben? What's on your mind?" + +"This wonderful graft exposure which you are planning to spring on an +unsuspecting public." He rounded on McAllister and looked at him +gravely. "How much of it have you told Nat?" + +"I have said nothing about it to anybody," replied the editor, plainly +puzzled. "Why?" + +"My advice is to keep right on saying nothing about it. The less you +say the less you'll have to take back." + +"We'll see about that in due course," chuckled McAllister. "Do I look +like a fool?" + +"Appearances are often deceptive. I once knew a fellow who got so +slick at gumshoeing that he sneaked up on his own shadow and made a +fool of himself." + +"Got married at high noon, perhaps?" + +"Mac, seriously, I want you to promise me that you won't spring +anything without giving me twenty-four hours' notice. It's an unusual +request, I know; but I ask it in your own interests." There was no +mistaking the earnestness with which he spoke, and McAllister stared at +him. + +"You--have some inside information to justify it?" + +"Yes. I cannot tell you the details just now. I warn you that if your +paper attempts the so-called exposure which you have in mind without my +co-operation you'll regret it bitterly. I can help you and will be +glad to; but only on condition that you warn me when you are ready. Do +you promise?" + +The limousine had stopped opposite the Recorder building and McAllister +alighted slowly. Then he reached in through the open door and shook +hands. + +"All right, Ben. You're the doctor," he decided. + +"Good. You can count on me, then. As a starter I can promise that the +photos of the Alderson Construction Company's missing campaign-fund +contribution will be delivered to you personally to-morrow night. I'll +look you up when I get back in a week's time, Mac. Good-night." + +McAllister remained standing at the curb till Wade's car swung out of +sight around the corner. Then he struck the pavement with his cane, +for it irritated him to be so completely surprised. Wade knew! How +much did he know? And how in under the sun----? + +"Pyed!" he grunted. "Devil take the man!" + +He turned slowly and entered the building to his night's work. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +ABOARD THE PRIVATE CAR, "OBASKA" + +For many years self-repression had stood high in the estimation of +Hughey Podmore as a thing worth cultivating. He had first learned the +value of it in many a clandestine game of poker, which he had +condescended to play of a Saturday afternoon in a corner of the +deserted composing-room. In those days of his early newspaper +experience the ink-daubed denizens of the "ad-alley" had paid with +hard-earned wages for many a fancy vest and expensive cravat which the +paper's star reporter had worn with such aplomb. And when he had +adventured afield into wider pastures more in harmony with his talents, +where the cards were not soiled nor the air pungent with printers' ink +and benzine, he had taken with him a tendency to quiet tones of speech +and quietness of movement. + +Being a believer in rubber-heels and a cool head, therefore, the +secretary to the President of the Canadian Lake Shores Railway went +about his duties with his customary assurance. After the first +excitement of his startling discovery had passed there was nothing in +his manner to indicate the fires which burned within. To one who knew +him well, perhaps, it might have seemed that for the two weeks which +followed the mysterious disappearance of the tan satchel he was even a +little quieter than usual, a little more restrained in his talk, and a +little more alert in movement. Beyond this he gave no indication of +the keen disappointment and mortification that possessed him. + +It had been the biggest stake for which he had yet played. He had +stacked the cards with particular care till, so he had thought, all +element of risk had been eliminated. But for this his natural caution +would have deterred him from the attempt. What he had completely +overlooked was the possibility that some one else might decide this was +any man's money who was clever enough to acquire it. Figure as he +might--and he had spent hours in deep thought--even his keen mind had +been unable to solve the situation to his satisfaction. Somebody had +stepped in and walked off with this money in front of his nose in spite +of the most elaborate precautions. Who had done this, and how? It had +been done so cleverly that not a single clue was left for Podmore to +work on--once he had proved beyond question that Clayton had not +double-crossed him. Clayton had taken the first train for Chicago; but +not before Podmore had third-degreed him into abject fear. No, Clayton +had had no hand in it; that was certain, and with that once +established, the identity of the arch-thief remained a mystery which +baffled investigation--especially when the situation called for the +utmost circumspection. + +It was a problem which Podmore was forced to solve without consulting +anyone. He could not go boldly to his supposed partners with his +discovery; for thereby he would reveal to Nickleby and Alderson his own +attempt at double dealing. That he had to be very careful what he did, +Mr. Hughey Podmore realized,--very careful indeed. For this mix-up +held many possibilities for personal misfortune. In fact, the +situation suddenly had become fraught with positive danger. There were +moments, therefore, when the cautious Mr. Podmore felt qualms which +though not born of a troubled conscience, were nonetheless +disagreeable. Conscience in the case of Hughey Podmore, if it had ever +existed, had been a stunted affair which because of malnutrition long +since had given up the ghost. Its place had been pre-empted by +Argus-eyed regard for all matters affecting the preservation of Mr. +Podmore's precious epidermis--the safety of his own skin. And Hughey +Podmore was well aware that a large contribution to campaign funds by a +construction company would be a matter of immediate suspicion among +opponents of the Government if it became known. Such things had got +people into trouble before this. It had been one of the things which +had landed the famous Honorable Harrington Rives in jail--and others +who were involved. + +Hughey Podmore knew all about that strenuous period of political chaos. +Twelve years ago he had been an eager-eyed young reporter with a large +appreciation of newspaper sensations. His skill at ferreting into +hidden recesses by unscrupulous methods had made him a valuable man for +a paper which was willing to ignore certain time-honored traditions of +the press. Under editorial stimulus Hughey had blossomed forth among +the flowers of the journalistic profession as a yellow chrysanthemum. +"Mum" became the word wherever Hughey showed himself! His reputation +finally had ostracised him into other fields of endeavor. + +Those had been the days! If only he and Rives had been working +together! If he had been managing Rives' campaigns there would have +been no crude mistakes to land the "people's idol" behind the bars, +Waring or no Waring. He would have seen that every dainty dish was +properly cooked before it was set before the King, its inner rawness +safely covered, done up brown. By all means let there be lemon +filling, but smothered in a beaten white purity that would pass the +public censor! Under his management there would have been no tangible +evidence to show that favored contractors, bidding upon public works, +had been secretly advised that their tenders were too low, and +instructed as to the amounts to which it was safe for them to raise +their new tenders; there would have been no evidence of election +contributions from these favored contractors for the amounts thus +squeezed out of the public treasury. + +With such an example of folly to warn him, it was no wonder that the +Honorable Milton Waring had told Nickleby and Alderson he would have +nothing to do with their proposed campaign fund contribution. Nickleby +must have a pretty strong connection even to dare such an approach; +evidently he had felt pretty sure of himself to go ahead with the plan +on his own initiative. + +Nickleby believed that Ferguson had the money now. What would he say +if he knew the facts--that the money was really in the hands of some +person unknown, some person perhaps who was interested in gathering +evidence that would upset the present Government? There was only one +thing for Mr. Podmore to do, now that his own pet scheme had failed, +and that was to keep quiet as to his own ambitions and stick to the +three-handed game which he was supposed to be playing with Nickleby and +his henchman, Alderson; for Nickleby was worth tying to. + +Thus ran the reflections of Hughey Podmore as he lounged comfortably in +a leather chair aboard the private car, "Obaska," and idly watched the +endless flow of the Algoma wilderness pass the windows monotonously. +The car had taken an inspection party west to the head of the lakes, +but a wire from the Vice-President was sending the President back to +headquarters unexpectedly. Besides President Wade, Podmore and Taylor, +the steward, the only person on board was Bob Cranston. Cranston was +chief of the railroad's Special Service Department. Taylor was busy in +his kitchen, preparing dinner. Cranston and the President had the +brass-railed observation platform at the rear of the car to themselves +and were deep in earnest conversation; they had shut the door at their +backs and the sound of their voices was lost in the roar of the wheels. + +Hughey Podmore smiled cynically as he watched them. There was nothing +in President Wade's fine strong profile to indicate the trend of talk. +Both, in fact, were men who seldom allowed what they were thinking to +reflect in their facial expressions too readily. Nevertheless, the +perspicacious Mr. Podmore could surmise the subject of conversation, or +at any rate give a guess which was close enough to satisfy his own +curiosity. + +He amused himself by running over the list of possible topics. Wade +was a big man in financial circles, a man of rugged and plain-spoken +dealings who commanded the confidence of every associate and was +respected even by his enemies. There were many matters of moment which +he might have discussed with bankers or lawyers or statesmen, but which +he would hardly attempt with a bull-necked bonehead like Cranston. +Government railway bond issues, franchises and stock-quotations were +beyond that cheap stiff's depth. Probably Cranston was holding forth +in regard to some petty theft which his crew of spotters had +discovered, some ticket-scalping conductor---- + +Or there was old Nat Lawson's case in which Wade was interested; it was +a topic that was often uppermost in the railway President's mind, as +Podmore knew, and Hughey smiled inscrutably at the smoke curling from +his cigarette. Old Nat, the founder and former president of the +Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company--the honest old fool whom +Nickleby had succeeded in overcoming by a trick, and whose shoes J. +Cuthbert was now wearing! It would take more than the friendship of a +Benjamin Wade, powerful though that was, to salvage Old Nat. That +nanny-whiskered old galoot was sunk in too many fathoms of water ever +to wade ashore. (He smiled at his poor pun.) The missing +power-of-attorney that had scuttled the Lawson supporters would +continue missing for all time to come. Mr. J. Cuthbert Nickleby, the +then genial secretary, had seen to that once for all; in fact, it had +been a charred fragment of the document which Mr. Hugh Podmore had used +as a card of introduction when he had had his first long and very +interesting session with Friend Nickleby. + +Some class to Nickleby all right. Here were methods which Mr. Podmore +could understand and admire. It was because the minds of Messrs. +Podmore and Nickleby ran in the same grooves that he had been able to +unearth enough of Nickleby's very private plans to persuade that +"rising young financier" that it was better to set another plate at the +head table than to have the dishes smashed and Lucullus waylaid before +he could reach the banquetting-hall. + +So Mr. Podmore had hung up his hat, accepted a cigar and joined the +inner ring, soon proving himself a congenial spirit and an able +counsellor. And inasmuch as President Wade, of the Canadian Lake +Shores Railroad, was seeking about that time for a private secretary +with a newspaper training; inasmuch as it was known to J. Cuthbert +Nickleby that the said President Wade hoped to restore Old Nat Lawson +to his former place in the business world by acquiring control of the +Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company--inasmuch did it seem desirable +in the interests of Messrs. Nickleby and Podmore that Mr. Podmore +should apply for the vacant secretaryship. Podmore had got the +position, thereby enabling Nickleby to keep a finger upon the pulse of +his opposition. + +Wade was shrewd, clever, a big man; he knew many things, did Benjamin +Wade, railway magnate. But, reflected Hughey, there were many things +also which he did not know, and there was a disagreeable twist in the +corner of Podmore's mouth as he lounged and smoked. His revered chief +did not know, for instance, that his very competent secretary had spent +the better part of an afternoon alone in the private car "Obaska," +listening to the click of the tumblers in the little secret wall safe +which the President had had built in behind a sliding panel--listening +so intelligently that the said very competent secretary had come away +with the combination. + +Podmore's further enjoyment of retrospection was cut short by a sudden +gesture which rivetted his attention upon the two men on the rear +platform. Cranston had turned suddenly and was peering in at him; +almost automatically Podmore's eyes dropped quickly to the open +magazine on his knee. There was a certain hint of caution on the +railroad detective's face that did not escape the astute secretary. +The latter's vigilance was rewarded presently by seeing Cranston reach +into an inside pocket, pull out a bulky blue envelope and quickly pass +it across to the President. The latter as quickly stowed it out of +sight in an inner pocket of his tweed coat and himself cast a hasty +glance over his shoulder to see if he had been observed. But again Mr. +Podmore's gaze dropped in time and when he raised his eyes casually +from his magazine it was to note an expression of satisfaction upon the +faces of both gentlemen. They got up and came inside, laughing rather +loudly. + +"That there steak and onions Taylor's cookin' is sure goin' to hit the +spot," cried Cranston, sniffing with relish. "Eh, Hughey?" He dropped +into the chair alongside the secretary with a familiar slap on the +latter's knee, and thrust his legs out in the sprawling abandon of a +comfortable stretch. + +Unfortunately he did this just as President Wade, having turned to toss +away the end of his cigar, took a step forward with a hand thrust into +an inside pocket of his coat, evidently intending to put away in the +safe the envelope which Cranston had given him. The result of +Cranston's sudden movement and Wade's awkward position was that the +President tripped, lost his balance and would have measured full length +on the car floor if Cranston had not caught him. In his effort to save +himself the blue envelope was jerked out of his pocket and fell +directly at Podmore's feet. + +"Oh, I beg your pardon, sir!" apologized Cranston hurriedly. + +"That's all right, Bob," laughed Wade good naturedly. "Thanks, +Hughey," as his secretary handed him the envelope. "Why, what's the +matter?" + +Podmore's face had gone suddenly white and he was trembling visibly. + +"Aint you feelin' well, Hughey?" enquired Cranston with concern. He +rang quickly for highballs. + +"It's all right,--thanks," stammered Podmore hastily. "I--I guess it's +just a little faintness due to the fact that I ate practically no +lunch--I'm all right now." + +Nevertheless when Taylor arrived with the decanter Podmore poured +himself an extra stiff drink. He had need of it. For a second time he +had lost his poise, and it was only with the greatest difficulty that +he prevented any further manifestation of the fact during the meal and +the evening which followed. For unless he was very much mistaken--and +he felt sure that he was not--that envelope he had picked up and handed +to the President was the identical blue linen envelope that had been +stolen with the tan satchel so mysteriously two weeks ago! The size of +it, the feel of it, the daubs of gray sealing-wax--Oh, there was no +mistaking it! + +How in thunderation had it come into Cranston's hands?--Cranston, of +all men! Had Cranston pulled off the stunt? Had Podmore been doing +him an injustice? He studied the chief of the Special Service +Department with a new and wide-awake interest. If Cranston had +purloined this packet it was under orders--Wade's, of course. Then +that suspicion which had kept recurring every time he had tried to +think out the mystery of the disappearance was correct. It was a +political move! The opponents of the Government were lining up for the +approaching election with open charges of mal-feasance, graft,--the +same old game! Wade, he knew, had had friction with the present +administration over certain legislation; that was sufficient motive for +him taking a hand, although it was hardly likely that a man of Wade's +standing would allow himself to become involved in such back-alley +tactics--unless--Nickleby--the Interprovincial----! + +Podmore's thoughts were not running as clearly as usual. They kept +pocketing themselves provokingly in blind alleys that led nowhere, or +scattering in mazes that led everywhere. There was such a wide field +of speculation open, once he began to consider things from the +political angle, that it was difficult to reach any very definite +conclusion. He was not now so concerned as to the why or the how of +what had happened; the cold analysis of motives and methods was dwarfed +by the one big fact that here on board the private car and within easy +reach was that blessed envelope, containing fifty thousand dollars of +any man's money. For it did not look as if it had been tampered with; +the seals were still unbroken. Right here, within a few yards of where +he sat, was that little old bunch of greenbacks that he had planned so +earnestly to take unto his bosom and that had cost him so many +heartburnings this past two weeks. Talk about luck! Talk about +Opportunity knocking once on somebody's door! Why, the Old Dame was +chopping down his door with an axe! + +With his mind in such a chaos of confused emotions Hughey found it +difficult to keep up his end of the conversation and he was not sorry +when the others showed a tendency to turn in early. Once the lights +were dimmed he could hardly wait the reasonable length of time which +must elapse before the other three occupants were asleep, so eager was +he to make his investigations. But at last the snores of Cranston and +the steward and the steady breathing of President Wade satisfied him +that the way was clear. + +Quietly he slipped from his berth. He had not undressed, except to +remove his boots and coat, and in two minutes he had the envelope in +his hands. He slipped noiselessly down the aisle to the steward's +kitchen, switched on a light and examined the prize leisurely. He felt +it carefully, hefted it in one hand, then with the aid of a thin-bladed +paring-knife he succeeded in loosening a corner of the flap +sufficiently to allow of a peek at the contents without disturbing the +seals. His involuntary exclamation of satisfaction when he verified +the contents as a package of greenbacks was drowned fortunately in the +hum of the train. It was the missing campaign fund contribution beyond +a doubt. + +Back down the dimly lighted aisle with its swaying green curtains, past +the sleepers he slipped noiselessly to the writing desk where he +carefully regummed the corner of the flap, leaving no trace of his +inspection. Then he sank into a leather chair and lit a cigarette with +a cheerful grin on his face. + +The Fates certainly were kindness itself. He had it--50,000 bucks! He +actually had it in his pocket! It was enough to give Mr. Podmore a +fine start on his own account somewhere far away. Nickleby and +Alderson? They could go and take a jump in the lake! He had his. It +was a good time to drop out of this game anyway. The political +situation did not look any too good. Well, he would befriend the +Honorable Milt and Ferguson and Nickleby and Alderson by removing this +little piece of election evidence from the reach of their opponents. +That was a service which was cheap at the price. + +Yes, it was time to say a final farewell while the farewelling was +good. He hunted up a time-table. They must be somewhere in the +vicinity of Indian Creek by now. Where would the west-bound limited be +at that hour? He glanced at his watch, then flattened his nose against +the window, until his eyes became accustomed to the starlight and he +could watch the dim panorama of spruce trees and lonely little lakes +sliding by in ceaseless procession. Presently he recognized a +flag-station. His guess at Indian Creek as their whereabouts had not +been far astray. + +He made his plans quickly. He would drop off, walk to the nearest +station and catch No. 1, westbound, at midnight. That would take him +into the Missinaibi country by daylight, and he could afford to run the +risk of discovery until then. He would leave the train there somewhere +and would find no difficulty in obtaining an outfit and an Indian +guide. They would hit southwest for Lake Superior, and once there he +could find his way across to the Michigan side by night and so away. + +Podmore laced his boots rapidly and went through his grip for one or +two articles he thought he might need. He stole back to the kitchen +and put some crackers and cheese in his pockets; it was all he could +find that was not under lock and key. Then with the precious envelope +buttoned tightly inside his coat he picked his way cautiously to the +rear of the swaying car, closed the door carefully behind him and +climbed over the brass rail. + +For a moment he hung there, hesitating. Then he let go his hold and +disappeared. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +CONSPIRING EVENTS + +The President's private car pulled into Wardlow at the tail of No. 2, +the east-bound express, at 3.10 a.m., and was there side-tracked upon +instructions from Detective Robert Cranston. As soon as No. 2 had got +away behind a fresh engine on the long jump to the next divisional +point, Cranston, fully dressed, descended from the car and went across +to the despatcher's office. Half an hour later he returned to the car, +undressed and crawled back into his berth with a grunt of satisfaction. + +The President greeted him at breakfast with a smile and Cranston +responded with the grin of a man who has made predictions which have +come true. + +"Well, Bob, your fish bit, I see." + +"Sure did, sir. He took bait, hook an' sinker at 23.20 an' I'll have +him reeled in by to-morrow morning." + +"Not so sure about that, Bob," said Wade skeptically. "Fish sometimes +get clean away, remember. What have you done?" + +"Wired his description to every section foreman on the division with +instructions to notify me here and hold him prisoner till we come. +Fifty dollars reward. We crossed No. 1 half an hour after Hughey +jumped. Johnston has special instructions to watch out for him, and +there isn't a sharper conductor in the service. He'd figure to grab +the west-bound, if everything went well. If he didn't succeed, we'll +nab him sure somewhere up the line during the day." + +"Unless he's taken to the woods. Podmore's not fool enough to stick to +the track, Bob," objected Wade. + +"Excuse me, sir, but that's exactly what he's got to do in these here +parts. A train's the on'y hope he's got of gettin' quick to where he +can get an outfit. On'y a damn fool 'd try to make the lake immediate. +I aint sayin' as he mightn't lay low for a while, but he can't stick +that out long." + +"Well, I'll be gone all day with Foster up the Lone Hollow spur. Back +by dark. That's all the time I can give you, Bob. If you haven't a +lead before No. 2 gets here, I'm afraid I can't wait." He got up from +the table. + +"That's all right, Mr. Wade. But I'll have a message to show you when +you get back this evening," said Cranston confidently. + +Nevertheless the only message which he was able to show the President +on his return was a wire from Johnston that there was no trace of +Podmore among his passengers, and that everybody who had boarded last +night's westbound train on the Wardlow division was accounted for. It +was with considerable secret disappointment that the Chief of the +Special Service Department of the C.L.S. made arrangements for the +President's car to continue eastward with No. 2, while he remained +behind at Wardlow; for thereby Cranston was losing a splendid +opportunity to demonstrate his ability at cross-questioning in the +presence of the magnate. He was only human. + +Cranston, however, had been taught by experience that time is never up +till the last moment. Although his belongings were packed, he left his +suitcase aboard the car and long after he had said good-bye to Wade, +long after the President was in his berth for the night, the detective +sat doggedly on in the despatcher's office, smoking his pipe. His +patience was rewarded about an hour before No. 2 was due. + +The message was from Thorlakson and came over the wire from the night +operator at Indian Creek. The Icelander was holding Podmore at +Thorlakson Siding as instructed. Cranston already had made +arrangements for a special engine to run them back up the line, and +having issued definite instructions he went back to the private car and +unpacked his pyjamas. + +One of those methodical individuals who are born every now and then +with the gift of interpreting railway schedules would have had no great +difficulty in locating "Thorlakson" in the main-line timetable of the +Canadian Lake Shores Railway. It takes the form of a little +dagger-mark which, pursued into the fine print of the "Explanatory," +yields the information that "Thorlakson" is a flag-station. + +Magnus Thorlakson himself, Icelander, must be credited with being one +of the oldest and most conscientious section foremen on the division. +He, his men, his wife, his children and everything that was his abode +in a log shanty on a rise of ground close to the track. The rest of +the place consisted of a long siding, a short wooden platform, a tall +new standard enclosed water-tank and a little whitewashed shed where +the handcar and tools were stored. A creek here slipped out of the +woods to find fault with a stone culvert ere it flowed beneath the +track and resought silence among the encircling spruce trees. + +It was a lonesome, insignificant place with nothing to indicate its +selection as a bobbin for threads of destiny. The sun was just coming +into the sky above the low-lying hills to the east when the President's +special steamed into the siding. From the group, clustered about the +tool-shed and awaiting its arrival, a broad-shouldered young man in the +flannel shirt and legging boots of a railway engineer separated himself +and hurried forward. He waved his hand as he recognized Wade's sturdy +figure and laughed to hear the magnate's hearty greeting of surprise, +his profane enquiry as to what in Gehenna Philip Kendrick was doing +away up here in the woods. + +The mere sound of that big vibrant bass voice, the mere vitality of the +magnate's presence was stimulating. Here was a two-fisted, +hard-headed, straight-spoken man's man who had fought his way to the +top by refusing pointblank to stay at the bottom. As Phil stood +renewing acquaintance he realized more fully why his aunt had always +had such supreme confidence in this old friend of her girlhood. + +"I've been working for the C.L.S. for nearly two weeks now," he +explained. "I'm chainman with the Rutland party, out from North Bay on +a topographical survey. We're taking a new mileage and mapping the +right-of-way. Our van's on the second siding above here." + +This unexpected "vacation" had come about quite simply. On arrival in +North Bay to go fishing with Billy Thorpe he had found that wide-awake +young architect so immersed in an important contract that temporary +postponement of their plans was imperative. As if provided specially +to meet the situation along had come Rutland's urgent wire to +headquarters for a new chainman, one of his men having taken sick +suddenly. Phil had jumped at the opportunity for a taste of practical +survey work, and with Thorpe's assistance the matter had been arranged +readily and he had left the same night to join the Rutland party out +the line. + +The battered old freight caboose in which the young engineers lived was +moved ahead from siding to siding by passing freight trains as Rutland +advised the Chief Despatcher of the work's progress. Scarcely a day +had passed that had not strung a few interesting beads of incident to +brighten the necklace of its routine monotonies--the squealing, kicking +baby rabbit which Anderson, the head chainman, had captured; the wild +duck which they had cornered in a thicket and which Bayley, the marker, +had insisted upon decorating with his white paint before he would let +it go; the occasional mess of speckled trout for which they angled; the +fresh baked pies and cakes they were sometimes able to buy from a +section-man's wife; the bear tracks and the bodies of wild animals +lured to death by the glare of the powerful headlights on the fast +trains at night; the excitement at the great ballast pit where the +gangs at work were running an unpopular cook out of camp; the very old +Indian who had stared at the dragging chain and muttered "Heap big +snake," and the very young Englishman who had gone crazy from fly-bites +and whom the sawmill gang had strapped to a rough litter in preparation +for rushing him to the North Bay hospital by the first train they could +flag. In spite of the mosquitoes, black flies and midges, which at +this season of the year were a decided affliction in the country +through which they were working, Kendrick had enjoyed the new +experience. Twenty miles average daily working distance, frequently +with an extra ten-mile walk back to the car, already had rounded the +erstwhile captain of the Varsity rugby champions into tackling +condition. + +In spite of the fact that he had been up all night, therefore, his eyes +were bright with the mirror glisten which is the gift of long hours in +the open air. The black eye which had attracted unwelcome attention at +first no longer contributed to the amusement of the inquisitive, the +obtrusion of its remaining jaundice being overcome by the new coat of +tan that encroached upon it. + +His presence at Thorlakson Phil accounted for very briefly, saying +merely that he had come back there to look for a lost pocketbook, +containing his railway pass. But it had not been the pass or the loose +change that had troubled him so greatly; it had been--well, darn it, he +didn't want to lose them like that anyway!--a dollar bill, wrapped +carefully around a lady's shirtwaist pin! It was his own business +entirely. Luckily Thorlakson had picked it up and was able to restore +the pocketbook with its contents intact. + +As it had turned out Kendrick's evening hike back down the track to +Thorlakson had been a lucky thing for Podmore too. Within a mile of +the siding Phil had come upon him, sitting beside the track in despair +of reaching human aid before he collapsed completely. He had been +badly hurt in his fall from the train, and aside from these injuries +his hands were swollen and covered with dirt and blood, his torn +clothes encrusted with dried mud, collar and tie gone and his shirt +ripped open in front, revealing neck and chest smeared with blood where +the blackflies had bitten him severely. + +"He had spent part of the night and the whole day in the woods and was +half out of his head, poor devil!" said Phil. "I managed to get him +down here and with the help of Mrs. Thorlakson's homemade liniment I +fixed him up as well as I could. He insisted on me staying with him +all night--till you arrived, in fact." + +"Expected us, eh?" grunted Wade. + +"Oh, sure. News of the--er--accident travelled up and down the line +pretty swiftly. A track-walker passed the word to us early yesterday +morning just as we were starting out from the caboose for the day's +work. So I had Thorlakson get a message off to you; he stuck it in a +split stick and the engineer of a passing freight caught it O.K. and +took it up the line to the operator at Indian Creek." + +As Kendrick finished speaking they both turned to watch Cranston +approaching slowly, supporting Podmore. The secretary's condition had +improved greatly under Phil's ministrations and the food which Mrs. +Thorlakson had prepared for him. But it was apparent that he was still +suffering from shock and beneath the bandage about his head the black +and blue evidence of the contusion was visible. His sprained arm was +bandaged also and he limped badly and leaned heavily upon the detective. + +"Hello there, Hughey," greeted Wade. "Wrecked from engine to caboose, +eh? What a whack on the head! Might've killed you. How'd you come to +fall off?" + +Podmore smiled weakly. He gazed for a moment at Kendrick as if trying +to collect his thoughts. Then he explained that he had been troubled +with insomnia and got up to smoke a cigarette. He had been fool enough +to perch up on the brass rail at the rear of the private car, thinking +the fresh air might make him sleepy. The train had been hitting up a +fast pace on a down grade and as they swung a curve he had lost his +balance and pitched clean down a long fill among the rocks of a creek +bottom. The fall had knocked him senseless. When finally he had +recovered consciousness he had been too ill to move for a long time. +Then the hot sun had driven him to crawl painfully into the woods where +he had lain helpless most of the day, with just enough strength to get +water from the creek. When he began to feel a little better toward +nightfall he had gone back to the track and started for help. Just as +he was ready to give up Kendrick had found him. + +Cranston and the President exchanged glances, but Wade merely nodded +when Podmore requested to be allowed to crawl into his berth because he +was feeling "swimmy in the head." Cranston and the steward helped him +aboard and proceeded to put him to bed. + +"From that little shake of the head that Cranston just passed you, Mr. +Wade, I gather that he failed to find any trace of the envelope that's +missing," said Kendrick quietly. He smiled at the abruptness with +which the President of the C.L.S. took hold of his arm and walked him +away from the car. + +"Let's go over there and see Thorlakson a minute," he said loudly. +"Now, shoot," he added in a lower voice. "What do you know about this +thing, Phil?" + +"He's been trying to fill me up with the smoothest line of bunk I ever +listened to. According to him you're the sworn political enemy of +Uncle Milt and have had a finger in the theft--theft, mind you!--of +important secret state documents which would have been the cause of a +financial panic if they had remained in your possession much longer, to +say nothing of undermining public confidence in the present +administration." + +"Great Busted Reputations! Did he tell you that?" + +"While I was bandaging him. He said he was the reporter who located +the evidence that had convicted Rives and elected my uncle, and that he +was acting now as an agent of the government to recover the +confidential reports that had been stolen from the chairman of the +Waterways Commission." + +"Trying to unload the envelope on you, eh?" + +"Yes. He asked me to post it for him--addressed it himself to his +address in Toronto." + +"What did you do?" + +"Posted it, of course--in a hollow stump over there near the tank with +a slab of fungus on top for a lid!" + +Ben Wade laughed aloud. + +"Know what's in the thing?" he demanded abruptly. + +"These stolen Government documents?" + +"Fifty thousand dollars, you mean!" + +"The son-of-a-gun!" muttered Kendrick, looking startled. + +"But he doesn't happen to know that the bills are bogus--stage money, +sandwiched between a couple of genuine bills of small denomination," +chuckled Wade. He stopped short and stood in front of Kendrick with +one hand on the younger man's shoulder. "Phil," he said seriously, +"you've stumbled in on a little game that is being played out with +stacked cards. We'll talk about it after breakfast. We'll be running +up as far as Indian Creek to use the Y in the old ballast pit. You're +coming along. We can stop at Rutland's caboose long enough for you to +pick up your nightie and your safety razor." + +"I don't think I understand, Mr. Wade," said Phil, puzzled. + +"Not supposed to," retorted Wade. "Fact is, you're fired! You can't +work for Rutland another minute----" + +"Why, what----?" + +"Because you're hired! I've got to have a secretary, haven't I? +There's interesting work ahead, boy, and I need you. Don't ask +questions. Breakfast first. I can't talk without a cigar and I never +smoke before breakfast." + +"Shall I run over to the stump and get the envelope?" asked Kendrick +when he had recovered from his first surprise. + +"Not by a jugful! Podmore thinks you're playing his game, doesn't he? +Always draw to the aces, Phil. Leave the envelope where it is. Hello, +Thorlakson. Hello, boys. Good work last night. I want to thank you +all. Mr. Kendrick here has just been telling me how well you did your +duty. He wants you to have that fifty dollar reward--all of it." + +As he spoke he took from his pocket a roll of greenbacks and peeled off +five ten-dollar bills which he handed to the foreman with a twinkle of +the eye. It was what they had been waiting for with a vast interest. +And while Svenson, the big Swede, and the two Norwegians snatched off +their caps and grinned, Thorlakson endeavored to convey their entire +satisfaction. + +"Yaow, Meester Vade, sir, it is wery suffeecient," he assured in his +best English as he shook hands with profound respect. When he turned +to Kendrick there was added his evident admiration of the young man's +generosity. + +Smoke was curling up from the kitchen end of the private car and the +welcome aroma of coffee announced that Taylor had breakfast ready. +They climbed aboard forthwith, but the special remained sidetracked to +pass a fast freight. It thundered by before they finished the meal and +by the time Kendrick found himself on the observation platform at the +rear of the car the special was on its way. + +Wade carefully shut the door behind them. Podmore had fallen into a +sound slumber while Cranston was busy at the writing-desk, and it was +with a lively interest that Phil settled himself to listen to whatever +confidences Ben Wade might see fit to impart. For some time, however, +the President of the C.L.S. smoked in silence, his shaggy eyebrows +puckered in a frown and his gaze fastened thoughtfully upon the +serrated skyline of the spruce tops that ran rearward unceasingly. + +"We've come across two or three places like that on this division the +past two weeks," said Phil to break the silence. He nodded towards the +disused station building that was receding down the track, its boarded +windows and broken platform eloquent of desolation. "I've wondered why +a perfectly good station like that should be built in the first place +if it was to be abandoned later on without even a day telegraph +operator?" + +"Eh? Oh, there used to be some lumbering around here when we first +opened up. Also the road's required to put up a station every so-many +miles without regard to the surrounding country--just a fool charter +obligation, that's all; sometimes we use an old box-car----" Wade +carefully picked away the band of his cigar. "Phil, I'm going to ask +you to undertake a somewhat unusual commission for me with no very +definite idea of what it may lead you into. There may be even some +danger attached to it. It is my duty to mention this possibility, +although I know you'll consider that not at all when I tell you that +the results may have some bearing upon the welfare of--your uncle; +indirectly, perhaps your aunt. + +"Let me give you a few facts. If you've cut your eye teeth you know +that just as man does not live by bread alone so elections in this fair +land are not won nowadays by mass meetings and fine speeches, but by +hard cold cash and organization. Things have come to such a pass that +it is largely a matter of machinery. The side with the biggest machine +and the most oil--and gas--is pretty sure of passing the grandstand in +the lead. The oil is most important, and long before the race it is +gathered into a large tank called the 'Party Campaign Fund,' by +henchmen who call upon various friendly corporate institutions. You +follow me?" + +"Right at your heels," smiled Kendrick. + +"Well then, one of these substantial little contributions not long +since while on its devious way to the Place of Burnt Offerings was +ambushed by somebody with a hankering for the fleshpots of Egypt--fifty +thousand dollars cold, stolen as slick as a whistle. I happen to be +one of the very few, outside of the principals in the transaction, who +know anything about it; for campaign fund contributions are among those +things which men of discretion do not discuss from the housetops. I'm +not going to say just now how this information reached me; but it is +necessary for you to know that the Interprovincial Loan & Savings +Company is vitally interested in the recovery of this money, or at +least in the identity of the thief. And when we speak of the +Interprovincial in these halcyon days we speak of J. Cuthbert Nickleby, +its astute president. A thing like this could never have happened if +Nat Lawson had been in the saddle. + +"Mention of Nickleby brings me to Podmore, who is nothing more than a +tool of Nickleby's. I knew when I hired Podmore as my secretary that I +was hiring a spy. I knew his record. You see, they were aware of the +fact that I was interesting myself on behalf of my friend, Lawson. +Podmore hadn't been with me two days before the beggar had the +combination of the safe aboard this car. He's a smooth one. But I +figured to learn as much from him as he got from me. Before we get to +Toronto I'll give you the inside history of that Lawson situation; for +it's mixed up with the rest of it. + +"But let me get back to this stolen money. It was done up in an +envelope just like this one which Podmore stole from the car the other +night; fact is, they're duplicates. It was a little experiment which +Cranston and I decided to try out to get Podmore where we wanted him. +We're going to have an interesting session with him after a bit on the +off chance of securing some information. I haven't a great deal of +confidence in third-degree methods; but I'm letting Cranston have a +fling at it on the chance that Podmore will drop a stitch. He's yellow +enough for anything. + +"Now, here's where you come in, Phil. Podmore thinks you intend to +help him out and that is exactly what I want you to pretend to do. +We'll stage a little drama and we'll have you on the carpet along with +him. You'll deny all knowledge of the envelope. I'll fire you. +You'll get mad and come back at me with red-hot talk for doubting your +word and so on. We're going to let Podmore go when we get to the city. +You'll go with him. The chance to sic you onto him is too good to +miss. So we'll turn you loose together; it will be up to you then to +mix in where you see fit. Is that all clear? + +"All right. What I want you to do is to keep an eye on him. Find out +what his next move is. He told you he was the reporter who had located +the evidence that convicted Rives. Did he tell you how he got hold of +it?--how he double-crossed Rives by low-down trickery? He doesn't know +how to be loyal to anybody. I'll be surprised if he doesn't repeat on +Nickleby. + +"Then there are some things I want to find out about Nickleby and his +associates. I want you to move carefully, Phil. I had one of +Cranston's best men on the job until recently; but his usefulness was +ended by unexpected developments. I'm working to put Nat Lawson back +at the head of the loan company; Nickleby is an interloper and he's +playing ducks and drakes with the concern. Tell you about it later. +Are you agreeable to act as my secretary in these matters and to carry +out instructions--blindfolded, so to speak?" + +Kendrick had listened intently to this recital. Now he deliberately +lighted his pipe before replying, and when he did it was to ask a blunt +question. + +"Does Uncle Milt figure in this?" and he noted the shadow that crossed +the magnate's face. + +"I wish I really knew that, Phil," said Wade seriously. "Time will +tell. I'm banking on your uncle to stay square to the finish; but +there's nothing to be gained by shutting one's eyes to the fact that +many a good man has found the political game as it's being played these +days too many for him. There are those who are inclined to doubt all +politicians, your uncle included. I don't set myself up as any +high-minded reformer; if you're sitting in on a game at all, you've got +to play it according to the rules that are handed you--or quit." + +Phil smoked in silence. He was thinking of that strange interview with +his uncle the night of the fog; but he gave no voice to his thoughts. + +"Your aunt has some of her private funds invested in the +Interprovincial Loan and that's one of the reasons I want you with me, +Phil." Wade turned and laid a hand on Kendrick's knee while he looked +the young man quietly in the eye. "There are stronger considerations +than the money side of it, though. All I can say is that the happiness +of your aunt is as dear to me as it is to you, or as it would be to +anyone who had learned to respect and admire her as we have. That +happiness has got to be guarded, Phil, even at the sacrifice +of--everything else." + +His gaze wandered away again to where the twin rails converged, and for +a moment the rhythmic beat of the wheels over the joints held sway. +Rather surprised, Phil stole a glance at the virile face that was +turned so steadfastly away and recalled an item of gossip he had once +overheard somewhere--that Mrs. Waring was the real reason Benjamin Wade +was still a bachelor. He wondered if there could be any truth in that +idle rumor. + +"I'm sorry that I can't be more explicit. Did you ever try to piece +out a puzzle, Phil? That's what I'm up against now. I'll tell you all +about it--as soon as I know myself. There are men in this world who +stop at nothing----" + +Phil turned abruptly, a startled look in his eyes; but the other did +not finish the sentence. + +"Harrington Rives is out of jail--" he began. + +"A case in point, if you like," nodded Wade. "But don't let's talk to +no purpose. We'll be passing Rutland's car in a minute. Do we stop +for your things?" + +"You hired me back there at Thorlakson's," Kendrick reminded. + +In this simple fashion were events conspiring. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE STENOGRAPHER STILL LISTENING + +The visitors who came and went occasionally up the back stairs at +Blatchford Ferguson's office were a motley lot. Silk hats and +expensive overcoats sometimes hung on the hooks in the corner. Again, +ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; +for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in +the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of +one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime. + +The big leather chair, so placed that it faced the light and left the +lawyer in partial shadow behind his desk, had held many a strange and +anxious caller in its day. Great men, men of national importance, had +sat in that deep old leather chair; but with fine passivity it yielded +the same comforts to men who only thought they were important. + +Just now it was occupied by Mr. Hugh Podmore--within an hour of that +worthy's arrival in the city. At three p.m. his new-found friend, +Philip Kendrick, had agreed to call upon Ferguson to corroborate the +story which Mr. Podmore had just finished telling and to which his +auditor had listened with great intentness, that being the only +indication of surprise which the practiced Mr. Ferguson permitted +himself to exhibit. + +"You always were pretty cock-sure of yourself, Poddy, even back in the +days when we both worked on the old _Tribune_," commented Ferguson with +a smirk of amusement. "But this proposition of yours is the +deckle-edged limit and no mistake. If you were anybody else I'd have a +lot of fun--kicking you downstairs!" + +"Old stuff, Fergey!" grinned Podmore, unperturbed. "You don't need to +pull that for my benefit. Talk brass tacks. Kendrick will be here in +ten minutes with all the proof you want that I'm handing it to you +straight and that that campaign-fund wad of Nickleby's is where I can +lay hands on it. Do I pass it to you or must I hand it over to Charlie +Cady? Guess the Opposition'll know what to do with it. I'm asking you +this: What's it worth to the Government to win the next election? +That's the little old answer I want." + +"Would a couple of million satisfy you? How'll you have it?--in fives +and tens?" and Mr. Ferguson gravely stroked his fleshy red nose. + +"Be serious, Fergey," protested Podmore. "You can see for yourself +that I came near getting killed, lining this thing up." + +"I could not be more serious if you really had got killed, Poddy," and +again he stroked the emblem of his _entrez_ to the social functions of +John Barleycorn. "I'm afraid your mind is warping in the sunshine of +your own cleverness, Poddy. This fool notion of yours--coming to me +about this money Nickleby's lost--if anybody had told me that once that +long green was in your possession you'd come away back here----" + +"What do you take me for, Ferguson?--a thief?" glared Podmore angrily. + +"Opportunist is not so harsh a word," soothed the lawyer, thoroughly +enjoying the baiting. He frowned with an abrupt change of manner. +"You want brass tacks, do you? Here they are, then. That money is +none of my business, none of the Government's business. Understand +that clearly. You say it was a campaign-fund contribution. How do I +know it was? It never reached us. It's Nickleby's money and its loss +is his funeral. Go and report to him and try to understand the meaning +of the word 'loyalty.' Our party doesn't care a tinker's dam who has +had, now has, or will have that envelope. And if you want to get +thrown out by the scruff of the neck just try going to headquarters +with your crazy proposition." + +"You--surely you don't mean that, Fergey, old man?" said Podmore, +searching the other's face with misgiving. + +"Every word of it. And here's something else, Podmore, that I won't +charge you for. If you're wise you'll take a straight tip and get out +of this office as fast as you know how--out of town--clean out of the +country! You don't seem to keep as well posted on the latest news as +you used to. Have you read that?" + +Ferguson had opened a drawer as he spoke and tossed out a newspaper, so +folded that an item encircled by red ink was uppermost. Podmore slowly +picked up the paper. As his glance travelled quickly through the +marked item his face paled--what part of it was not black and blue. + +"Oh, Rives, eh? I--No, I didn't know he was out of the pen." He tried +hard to keep his voice steady, but did not succeed very well. + +"He's been out over two weeks now," nodded Ferguson, making no effort +to conceal his contempt. "And he hasn't forgotten that a fresh +newspaper reporter by the name of Podmore played him a dirty trick +twelve years ago. He's sworn to get you for that." + +"How--how do you know this?" asked Podmore hoarsely. + +"'Itchy' McGuire called to see me day before yesterday. He's met +Rives. If I were you I'd hunt me up a nice little island somewhere in +the Tropics where you can live with the rest of the monkeys; they might +elect you to Parliament or crown you king or something. Rives is one +bad actor and he's sore--good and sore." + +Podmore's attempted laugh had no mirth in it. He reached for his hat, +and as he said a hasty good-bye he did not look at all well. For +several minutes after he had closed the rear door Blatchford Ferguson +leaned back in his chair, chuckling. + +Now, while this remarkable interview was taking place in the inner +sanctum Phil Kendrick was again shaking hands with Conway in the outer +office. A moment later he went on through to the secretary's office, +speculating on just what he should say to the self-contained Miss +Williams. But, as before, he found her office deserted. To his +amazement when he glanced through the inner doorway he saw her for the +second time on one knee in front of the keyhole of Ferguson's private +office. + +She came towards him swiftly, closing the doors behind her as she had +done on the occasion of his first visit. She was very angry; that much +was apparent. + +"I'll admit, Miss Williams, that it is often extremely difficult to +break off a bad habit----" + +"Mr. Ferguson is busy," she snapped. + +"I would judge as much," said Kendrick dryly. "He is expecting me. If +you will just hand him my card please,--Thank you." + +He was surprised at the look of disdain with which she took his card. +Surely this girl whom he had caught twice in the act of eavesdropping +upon her employer ought to be grateful for his silence, his toleration +of such an utter misdemeanor! Instead, her whole attitude was one of +dislike. She made no attempt to conceal it. It might do her good to +get a sharp rebuke from Ferguson, and he was of two minds whether or +not to speak to the lawyer about her. Then he remembered that she was +only substituting and that dismissal would not mean much to her. There +was the chance that it was just her woman's curiosity to know what was +going on. Women were often like that, he had heard. + +"Mr. Ferguson will see you now. Tell him anything you like." She eyed +him coolly. + +Phil gave her a cheerful smile as he passed on into the private office. +Podmore had just gone. + +"I had no trouble in getting a line on him for you, Phil. He came in +right after you 'phoned and has been here ever since. Now, what the +devil's the meaning of all this? What are you up to?" + +"Tell me just what he said to you, Blatch," said Kendrick, refusing a +cigar and filling his pipe. + +"He said he gave you the envelope to mail and that you hid it for him +in a hollow stump near the water-tank at Thorlakson Siding when Wade +came after it. He said that Wade and Cranston gave both of you the +third degree and that you lit into Wade and gave him one awful calling +down for not accepting your word that you hadn't seen any envelope and +knew nothing about it. He said it made Wade so mad that he not only +fired Podmore but told you also that you couldn't work for the C.L.S. +another minute, so it was no use you rejoining this survey party you +were with. It's a swell kettle of fish you've got into, Phil. What's +your uncle going to say to all this?" + +"Nothing. Unless you tell him he won't know I've bumped into this mix. +He's got enough worries of his own without bothering about me." + +"But Phil,----" + +"Listen, Blatch. I know what was in that envelope and where it came +from. I want to know where Uncle Milt stands in connection with this +campaign-fund money, and I want to know what Podmore is trying to do. +What did he want?" + +"Podmore isn't as clever as he thinks he is," Ferguson laughed. "He +actually came here to see if he could work out a little graft +proposition by threatening to expose a deal which he imagines has taken +place between the Alderson Construction Company and your uncle. His +mind works that way. He thinks everybody is as crooked as himself and +that all governments are like the late Rives administration. Well, he +knows different now." + +"Then no such deal is involved?" + +"Good heavens, Phil! Surely you didn't think that? Neither your uncle +nor the Party cares a hang about this money of Nickleby's or +Alderson's, or whoever owns it. We're not interested in what becomes +of it. There's been no deal of any kind." + +"That's all I want to know, Blatch," said Kendrick, rising. "It's just +one of those things a fellow bumps into now and then, and if Uncle Milt +needed my help at all I wanted to know it, that's all. I know he's +absolutely on the square, of course." + +"Absolutely," assured Ferguson earnestly. "Your uncle is one of the +hardest working, most conscientious and high principled public men of +the day, Phil, and perhaps I have had greater opportunity of knowing +that than most. No man can hold high public office, seemingly, without +paying the penalty of prominence--petty jealousy, envy, deliberate +misrepresentation, even underhand attacks upon his character. A +certain class of political aspirant seems to look on that sort of thing +as part of the game, and you don't want to believe all you see in some +newspapers around election time. That's the way it's been. But false +accusation never yet downed an honest man, Phil. Remember that." + +As Kendrick noted the expression on the lawyer's face he thought to +himself that in spite of the marks of dissipation which marred it, +there was a finer side to Blatch Ferguson's character which few would +suspect. + +"Please say nothing about my connection with Podmore, Blatch. It was +an unavoidable unpleasantness which is now over. Some day soon when I +have more time I'll drop in and give you all the details." + +Miss Margaret Williams was nowhere about, he noted, as he took his +departure. + +Kendrick caught the next ferry across the bay to the Island and walked +in on his uncle's housekeeper. He found that once more he had the big +summer residence to himself, that his uncle had taken a flying trip to +New York. That meant that his aunt would be alone in the summer +cottage at Sparrow Lake, except for the servants, and he decided +suddenly to run up and see her that very evening. After glancing +through a slight accumulation of mail he changed to outing flannels and +hied to the boathouse for an hour's run in the launch--out through the +Eastern Gap into the open lake, where he could cut away across miles of +blue water that danced invitingly in the golden sunshine on and on to +the horizon's clear rim. All alone out there with the wash of the +water, the steady undertone of the engine throbbing in his ears and the +cool breeze blowing through his hair, he could sort out his thoughts. + +They were inclined to tangle. He had yet to plan how he would proceed +to obtain the information which Ben Wade wanted in regard to J. C. +Nickleby. The railroad executive had traced certain consignments of +cheap whisky which had been run through to construction camps in the +northern part of the province and had his own suspicions as to the +source from which the bootleggers were obtaining funds. If the luck +which had attended Phil's first efforts to learn what Podmore was +planning held good, it ought not to be difficult; but there would be no +Blatch Ferguson to help him out in a task which would call for the +utmost circumspection. + +Podmore could be dismissed as of the brood of Esau, willing to sell to +the highest bidder anybody's birthright upon which he could lay hands. +Ferguson's confident assurance that the stolen campaign fund +contribution,--if that was what it had been intended to be,--implicated +the Government in no way, could be accepted without question. Had it +been otherwise, Ferguson would have been galvanized to action of some +sort. At any rate, the sudden disappearance of the money before it +reached its destination eliminated it so far as the Government was +concerned. + +This much was clear to Kendrick. Beyond wondering greatly how such a +substantial sum as fifty thousand dollars could drop from sight +mysteriously without creating general excitement, he dismissed the +matter as outside his immediate concern. If the actual money had been +in Wade's possession, as Podmore had been led to believe, Phil would +have been more perplexed about it; even Wade's evident inside knowledge +of the transaction was sufficiently mystifying. That probably was part +of the "puzzle" which would be divulged in due course. Kendrick knew +that in the modern business world with its constant clashes between +powerful financial interests there were many undercurrents which a +young man fresh from college could not hope to gauge. He was content, +therefore, to accept Wade's superior judgment without question, to +follow instructions faithfully, secure in the knowledge that Benjamin +Wade was a man of the highest integrity. + +The railroad president had gone on to Montreal and beyond delivery of a +letter to Nathaniel Lawson and the obtaining of an answer to it, his +final instructions to his new secretary had been simple. + +"If you can get Nat Lawson to tell you his story, Phil, you'll spend +one interesting evening," he had suggested. "Good business for you to +know all about the Interprovincial. Use your own judgment and good +luck to you." + +There was no hurry about calling on Lawson; it could wait till he got +back from this rush visit to Sparrow Lake. But what about this girl in +Ferguson's office? What a pippin! Phil was unable to decide whether +she had been listening at the keyhole because she had gone there for +that very purpose or whether he had surprised her merely taking +advantage of accidental opportunity to satisfy her curiosity. She +interested him greatly--probably because she was so pretty and had +rebuffed him so unmistakably. + +He amused himself by absurd speculations about her. If she did have a +definite object in spying on Ferguson, the solitaire diamond on her +engagement finger might be a bluff; her cheap manner, so out of keeping +with refinement of feature and dress,--that might be faked likewise. +If she were one of these female detectives you read about, who had +hired her? Was she in the pay of Nickleby? If she were, it was +Kendrick's duty to keep an eye on her, wasn't it? And she was a tonic +for any eye! + +Phil laughed at himself as he put the wheel over and swung back towards +home. He was becoming an utter fool! Darn girls, anyway! This was +the second one on whom he had wasted thought--one probably a thief and +the other a gum-chewing stenographer who was going to marry somebody in +Buffalo! And that, too, after each had told him quite plainly that if +he would just remove himself entirely from their ken they could go on +living happily! Just because he had happened to meet these two girls +under exceptional circumstances was no justification for placing them +on pedestals. King Solomon had the right idea. Poof! the seven seas +were full of fish! + +With which swaggering philosophy did this strong-minded young man sweep +all womenkind from his thoughts--all but Aunt Dolly, who had no equal +anywhere in the world. He had left himself just enough time to get to +the station without undue haste. Sparrow Lake was a popular summer +resort for those who wished to forget the noise of the city and enjoy +the quiet surroundings of forest and lake, where good fishing was to be +had in combination with fresh cream daily and vegetables in season. +The cottage the Warings had rented for the season was on one of the +islands, and two hours later Phil was rowing eagerly over from the +station landing. He let out a whoop like a wild Indian to announce his +arrival and his aunt came running down to meet him, her gentle face +alight with pleasure and surprise. He swept her up off her feet and +kissed her till her cheeks were wild-rose pink, very becoming with her +fluffy aureole of snow-white hair. + +Arm in arm they went towards the cottage, talking and laughing. The +two were very near to each other and he had a lot of interesting things +to tell her. He knew she would be delighted to learn of his new +position as Ben Wade's private secretary and she was; but he was +careful to keep from her any details of recent happenings that would be +liable to cause her anxiety. The conversation arranged its own +itinerary over such a wide range of topics that it was late that +evening before they had "talked themselves to a standstill," as he put +it. + +Phil did not feel sleepy. Instead of retiring at once he lingered on +the screened balcony just off his room and lighted a final pipe of +tobacco. Back came the two mysterious young women to trouble his +thoughts and he did not dismiss them. The night was in harmony with +mystery; also there was a rising moon, hung low, golden like a lamp, +its dull glow lighting only the outer water spaces. + +In that lake and forest country Nature seemed to brood in a deep hush +which but gathered accentuation from the raucous bass of the bullfrogs +and occasional weird night sounds of birds and animals in the depths of +the woods. The deep quiet was oppressive after the city's multitude of +noises. Earlier in the evening while he talked with his aunt he had +remarked upon the great distinctness with which the _putt-putt_ of a +motorboat somewhere on the lake had carried. Now when a whip-poor-will +flew to a nearby tree its rapid-fire call flung wide insistently: +_Whip_'rweel, _whip_'rweel, _whip_'rweel, _whip_'rweel, _whip_'rweel, +_whip_'rweel. . . . + +"Go to it, old boy;" murmured Phil with some amusement, his thoughts +recalled at last to his surroundings. + +As if insulted, the bird ceased abruptly and flew away. A dead stick +snapped at the edge of the clearing. It sounded like the report of a +small pistol and as Kendrick smiled at the start the sound gave him he +was sub-consciously aware that the bellowings of the frogs had stopped. +His glance in the direction of the sound was purely automatic, but his +attention was rivetted instantly by a movement among the trees at a +point where they thinned out against a silvering background of the lake. + +There was no mistake about it. The slinking figure of a man was +visible against the water. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +GROWING ANXIETY + +For some moments Kendrick watched him as he moved cautiously from one +vantage point to another, not a little surprised to discover that the +intruder was spying upon the cottage. Some belated camper, probably. + +But there was no harm in making sure. Phil crept noiselessly off the +balcony and slipped quietly downstairs and out the back way. It was +his idea to come upon the man from behind and demand what he wanted; +but a careless step revealed his approach and sent the fellow running +at top speed through the bush to the edge of the lake, where he jumped +into a small launch which he must have paddled inshore very quietly. +No such caution marked his actions now, however. He started his engine +and went _putt-putting_ madly out across the lake. + +Thoroughly aroused, Kendrick ran to the little landing where the launch +rented for the season was moored. He leaped for the engine, a moment +later had swung clear and was off in full chase. + +As he nursed the engine to top speed it soon became apparent that his +was much the superior boat. Added to this he had the advantage of a +complete knowledge of the inlets and topography of Sparrow Lake. He +knew for instance, that the long neck of heavily wooded peninsula which +jutted out for some distance in the immediate vicinity was bisected by +a narrow channel of deep black water where a motor boat could negotiate +a passage without difficulty. + +Kendrick headed straight for the half concealed entrance to this +channel. The stranger had gone tearing off to round the point. The +result of the channel manoeuvre was that Phil came out into open water +directly in the path of the fleeing launch just as it had rounded the +point. + +At once the intruder shut off his engine, put a foot on the gunwale and +took a header into the lake, swimming vigorously for the shore close +by. This was confession of an intense anxiety to escape and for the +moment it did look as if his chances of getting away were excellent; +the unexpectedness of the action made it necessary for Phil to make a +wide parabola to bring his boat equally close inshore and to check its +speed. Without a moment's hesitation, however, Kendrick also shut off +his engine and dove overboard as he swept by. A strong swimmer, he was +soon climbing ashore. + +By this time the man he was after had started away, _swish-wish_ +through the underbrush; but he was only a few rods in the lead, and one +of thickset build was no match for Kendrick in a footrace. As Phil +overhauled him he turned suddenly and fiercely grappled with his +pursuer. + +This again was something at which Kendrick was proficient and he threw +the man easily enough with a half-nelson. They were wrestling it out +in an open space in the bushes where the light was not quite so dim, +and at last Phil had the hold for which he had been playing. + +"I can break your arm--quite easily," he panted in sharp warning. "Are +you ready to behave if I let you up?" + +Upon receiving a strangled grunt of affirmation he released his +antagonist. + +"Gee! 'bo, aint there nothin' y' aint good at? That's second +time--y've got my nanny fer fair!" + +At sound of a familiar voice Phil opened his waterproof match-safe and +struck a light. He found himself gazing with some amazement into the +grinning homely face of "Iron Man" McCorquodale, the ex-pugilist with +whom he had exchanged sparring compliments the night of the fog. + +"McCorquodale! How'd you get here?" + +"On the too-too," responded the Iron Man, rapidly recovering both +breath and good humor. + +"Don't get fresh, McCorquodale. What were you doing just now, sneaking +around our cottage over there?" + +"Dry up, kid, on that 'sneak' stuff. I ain't answerin' a damn thing, +see,--not till we gets over to where I'm campin'. An' if that aint +suitin' you, y'knows what y'can do, don't youse?" + +"You seemed keen enough to get away." + +"I had m'reasons," grunted McCorquodale. "I ast you to dry up, didn't +I?" + +"I'd sooner dry off," smiled Phil, pulling at his wet trousers. +"Where's this camp of yours?" + +"Over that way," said McCorquodale, pointing. "We'd better get them +boats first, 'fore they drifts too far away." + +They found them floating close together, down near the point, and +McCorquodale undertook to swim out and bring them in. It was a tribute +to him that he was permitted without demur to have such a golden +opportunity of escaping and a tribute to Kendrick's judgment that he +took no advantage of it. + +He had pitched his small tent back from the lake about a quarter of a +mile in a gully, where it was hidden completely by thick undergrowth. +A spring bubbled not far away and the music of the tiny creek that +trickled from it through a bed of water-cress provided a pleasing +lullaby. His visitor nodded approval of the snug arrangements. +Apparently McCorquodale was an old hand at this sort of thing. + +"Seem to have prepared for quite a stay," remarked Phil, turning from +inspection of the "kitchen," which had been built into the embankment +and which, with its sheet-iron stove-top and all, afforded culinary +facilities of a practical kind. "I suppose you have your refrigerator +sunk beside the spring, eh?" + +"Got a tin box there--yep," confirmed McCorquodale as he fed the fire +he had started in front of the tent. "I've been here goin' on two +weeks an' I figger to make m'self comfortable when I goes fishin'." + +"Fish much at night?" inquired Kendrick suspiciously. + +"Yep. Night's best time to catch my kind o' fish," grinned his host. +"You come on over here to the fire an' get dried an' if y'll promise to +keep it to y'rself, I'll put you wise." + +So while Kendrick sat on the opposite side of the fire McCorquodale +volunteered the information that he was a detective--in short, that he +was attached to the Special Service Department of the Canadian Lake +Shores Railway. + +"You'll be interested in that, then," said Phil as he selected an +envelope from the papers which he had spread out to dry by the fire. + +"Sort o' related, you an' me,--by employment," grinned McCorquodale as +he passed back the credentials. "I knowed already you was Wade's new +secretary. Got a letter from the Chief himself 's mornin', so +advisin'. Fine man to work for, Wade is. He never overlooks nothin' +an' I guess he figgered you'n me might meet up here, seein's it's my +special job just now to watch your aunt's cottage." + +Since Kendrick had seen him last the "Iron Man" had grown a little +moustache, a weird affair of reddish bristles which a scar on his lip +compelled to lean mostly in one direction with a windswept appearance. +It looked like an old toothbrush which has had desperate adventures in +an overpacked travelling bag. This hirsute anomaly Mr. McCorquodale +now stroked complacently, enjoying the effect of his surprising speech. + +"The reason I beats it just now," he went on, "is 'cause I thought +'twas Long Jawr, the butler, as was after me. I gotta keep incog with +the servants, see. If I'd 'a' knowed it was you as was chasin' +me--that's different, see." + +Kendrick's questions came in a fusillade. He was more than surprised; +he was vaguely alarmed. Wade had said nothing about having placed one +of the C.L.S. detectives at Sparrow Lake and the knowledge that such a +course had been deemed advisable was disturbing. Why was it necessary +to watch the Waring cottage at this peaceful summer resort? The thing +was ridiculous. + +The detective was ready enough to answer to the best of his ability, +but it was soon evident that his own information was limited. Cranston +had called him in off another job to tell him that the "Old Man" wanted +him for some personal work, and therefore he was excused from +officially reporting for an indefinite period. Mr. Wade merely had +told him to go and take a holiday at Sparrow Lake--camp out and fish; +incidentally, to keep an eye on the cottage which the Warings occupied. +He was to report instantly to the president personally if he noted any +suspicious characters hanging around and to trail the stranger or +strangers without fail. He knew nothing of the reasons for these +instructions. He wished all his assignments were "as big a cinch" as +this one. + +Phil knew that McCorquodale was not concocting a yarn and his face +showed his anxiety. He questioned the detective so closely that that +worthy was moved to protest. + +"Hot tamalies! Y'r auntie aint goin' to get croaked n'r nothin' like +that, kid! Not with me here, lookin' after her. What's eatin' +y'anyways? Everythin's ridin' along Jake, see. An' speakin' of +eatin', s'pose we has a bite. I can give you toast, tea an' a Welsh +rabbit or hot dogs, dill pickles----" + +Phil smiled at his host's efforts to reassure him. Certainly there was +something so quizzically human about the whimsical McCorquodale that in +his presence it was difficult to entertain thought of impending +trouble. But as Phil toasted the bread on the end of a stick his mind +was busy beneath the surface of his camaraderie. He was trying to +recall everything Ben Wade had told him that morning they had ridden on +the back platform of the president's private car and the exact way he +had said it; but there was little which could have any possible bearing +upon the need of posting a man at Sparrow Lake. + +"Wade's got you workin' on that Nickleby dope, aint he?" enquired +McCorquodale after the fire was going beneath the kettle to his +satisfaction. "He had me moochin' around on it fer a while, but +they're a pretty smooth bunch, them fellers, an' I had to quit final." + +"How was that?" asked Kendrick with interest. "Did they catch you at +it?" + +"Catch me?" repeated McCorquodale with an injured air. "Not me, kid! +Y'see, I hires out to that Brady Detective Agency that Nickleby does +business with, thinkin' to get right into the middle o' things--walk +right in through the front door an' pick up whatever I wanted. But the +very first job they puts me on gets me in bad with Brady. They ast me +to trail a kid with a tan satchel from the Alderson Construction +Company's office over to a lawyer's office an' I did; then they turns +around an' says somebody's gone an' swiped what was in the satchel an' +blames me for not lookin' after it. But there wasn't nothin' taken out +o' that there satchel for I was right behind it all the way. Somethin' +damn funny 'bout that." + +"What was in it?--in the satchel?" + +"Oh, just some legal papers o' some kind. Say, d'you like y'r tea +pretty black, Mr. Kendrick?" He got out the dishes and took another +look at the kitchen fire. "Wasn't my fault I had to get off that job. +I'd 'a' hooked them fellers up with this here whisky-runnin' gang up +north as sure as shootin' if I'd had a chanst. They're in it +somewheres. But I didn't get a look-in." + +"What makes you think they're in it? Who do you mean? Nickleby?" + +"Nick don't work straight from the shoulder, Mr. Kendrick; but he's got +a long arm with a lot o' elbows in it." McCorquodale shook his head. +thoughtfully and looked serious. "There was a guy named Weiler hangin' +around--I dunno. It's just one o' them hunches a feller gets now 'n' +then." + +"But a financier with the standing Nickleby has----" + +"Excuse me, but y're startin' off with the wrong foot," corrected +McCorquodale. "Nickleby aint no financier; he's a smooth pebble, +that's all. His standin's faked an' behind it he's layin' low or I +misses my best guess. If he aint a crook I never seen one." + +Phil was silent for a moment. Apparently McCorquodale had not been +informed as to the real contents of that tan satchel he had been +assigned to guard. Wade and Cranston were following that line of +investigation under cover for the time being. But it was likely that +the bootlegging operations had no connection whatever with the missing +money and that the evidence Wade wanted was merely an additional net +with which to close in on this man who had usurped control of the +Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company--misuse of trust funds or +something like that. + +"Listen to me, Cork. I've been thinking out a plan for getting to the +bottom of this law-breaking booze business that we've got a line on, +but I need another man to work it out right, and you're elected." + +"Attaboy!" cried McCorquodale enthusiastically. + +"We can't get busy on it till Mr. Wade gets back from Montreal in a few +days. I'm going to find out what lies back of the instructions you got +to come here and watch our cottage, then ask him to let you join me on +the investigation. I'm going back to town to-morrow, and if anything +happens here in the meantime you're to wire me at once. I can rely on +you?" + +"Say, kid, y'lays a bet on a sure thing when y'lays it on y'r Uncle +Dudley. I aint no Little Fatima fer looks; but I knows it, see. Young +McKilligan bent me bugle in a ten-round go wunst; I gets this here +split whistler the time I licked Kay-O Bergey, an' I's born with this +here wheeze in me pipes, an' with that bum layout I aint buttin' into +no cynthia ortchesstra, believe me. But I knows it, see, an' I got a +kick in each mitt an' I aint never renigged on a pal, Mr. Kendrick, an' +I goes to church reg'lar every damn Sunday, see. Y'r auntie'll be +safer'n if she was at home; fer there aint no danger here o' gettin' +knocked down by street-cars 'n' autermobiles. Now, fer Gawd's sake, +c'm on an' eat." + +"All right," laughed Phil. "Toast's just done. An' while we eat +perhaps you won't mind telling me why you think my uncle's a grafter." + +"Aw, nix, nix! Don't go rubbin' it in, kid!" protested Mr. +McCorquodale hastily. "Y'r lamp's quit smokin', aint it? Ferget it. +Them two guys I was with that night was a couple o' bums as was workin' +fer Nickleby on a job an' I was just stringin' 'm along nice when you +comes buttin' in an' rings down the curtain on me, see. I's workin' +fer Brady then. An' when I says the Honorable Milt has white wings +folded acrost his back I says it sincere, believe me. Him 'n' me went +fishin' together in the same punt last week!" + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +KENDRICK MAKES A TOUCHDOWN + +Phil's first impulse in hurrying back to the city had been to deliver +President Wade's letter to Nathaniel Lawson, and with that introduction +to find out how much Nat Lawson knew about his friend's plans. The +possibility that the financier might be able to throw some light upon +Ben Wade's object in placing McCorquodale on guard at Sparrow Lake at +first seemed sufficient justification for broaching the matter. But on +second thoughts, Phil hesitated; if his chief had not seen fit to +mention it to his own secretary who was most vitally concerned, it was +unlikely that he had said anything to Lawson. In that case Wade might +consider that his secretary had been very indiscreet in volunteering +the facts. By the time he was ringing the doorbell at the Lawson home +next evening, he had decided to say nothing about the matter. + +Beneath the gentle courtesy of Old Nat's welcome Kendrick sensed a +strength of character that commanded deference. The young man liked +him at once. The ready pucker of the crowsfeet about those kind eyes +put him quickly at ease, and as they sat on the "back piazza" that +overlooked an old-fashioned flower garden they were chatting like a +pair of old acquaintances. Horticulture was a hobby with Nat Lawson +and Kendrick's intelligent interest in the subject placed them at once +on a friendly footing. It was a little early yet to see the wonderful +garden at its best, his host explained after they had made a tour of +it; he must come and see it in another month or so, or even in a few +weeks, when the pergola would be smothered in roses. + +Among other things contained in Wade's letter, which Phil had just +delivered, it was evident that his new chief had asked Lawson to post +the bearer in regard to Loan Company affairs, particularly to tell all +he knew about J. C. Nickleby; for of his own accord "Old Nat" began to +talk freely of the past. It was soon apparent that he considered +Nickleby an impostor whose motives were not to be computed by a +self-respecting comptometer. + +"Nickleby is a scamp and I might even qualify the statement, sir, by +addition of the word, 'damnable.' There you have my opinion, sum +total, and one of these new adding machines cannot give it to you more +quickly or accurately." The smile with which he said this faded as he +smoked for a moment in silence and a grim look settled in its place. +He stood up abruptly. "Excuse me a moment while I get a photograph +which will serve to illustrate a little story I'm going to tell you." + +When he returned presently he thrust into Phil's hand the photo of a +young man whose expression was boyishly ingenuous. + +"Nothing dishonest in that face, is there?" demanded Nat Lawson. +"That's Jimmy Stiles. He had to quit school to find work to support +his mother when she was taken sick. He came to me and I gave him his +first job. I found him loyal and trustworthy; but he made one little +slip that I want to tell you about." + +It appeared that the boy had been inveigled into a get-rich-quick +investment which had gone the usual way of such things and left him in +a desperate plight; so that he had been tempted to "borrow" a few +dollars from the Interprovincial without permission. This money he +began putting back secretly every week, bit by bit out of his salary. +He had refunded about half of it when Nickleby discovered the small +shortage in the young bookkeeper's accounts. Instead of reporting the +matter, Nickleby, at that time secretary and office manager, told the +boy he would let him off if it did not occur again and made a great +show of befriending young Stiles. + +But Stiles was so systematically reminded of his obligation to Nickleby +that he worried constantly over what he had done--came to such a keen +realization of his fault that one night he could stand it no longer and +went to the Lawson home. With nerves at the breaking point he +confessed his wrong to both Nathaniel Lawson and his daughter. The +boy's contrition had been so sincere that they both forgave him on the +spot, "Old Nat" patting him on the shoulder and assuring him that +nothing more would be said about it. Stiles said nothing to Nickleby +about this secret confession and for a time he recovered his spirits. + +Then came the change in management. Nickleby's first move was to +dismiss one employee after another until almost the only member of the +old staff left was this young fellow, James Stiles, for whom Nickleby +seemed to have taken a strange fancy. The reason was not long in +doubt; for though the indebtedness long since had been wiped off the +slate the new president began to threaten exposure unless Stiles did +exactly as he was told, even when the instructions were contrary to +honest business ethics. + +"That's the kind of man Mr. Nickleby is," concluded Lawson. "Cristy +and I--my daughter, Cristobel, Kendrick,--have tried to give Mrs. +Stiles financial assistance in the past, she being an honest deserving +woman; but of late we have not been able to do so much. For his +mother's sake I hope Jimmy turns out all right. But there are times +when I wonder if it would not have been better for him had he gone +somewhere out of reach of a man who would take advantage of a mere boy +instead of trying to help him to a fresh start." + +With renewed interest Phil studied the photo in his hand before +returning it. The case of Jimmy Stiles did indeed throw a sidelight +upon the character of Nickleby. By adroit questioning he led the +founder of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company to continue +talking of the institution which represented his life's work and in the +welfare of which his whole soul was wrapped. Once started in these +reminiscences of his early struggles and hopes Nathaniel Lawson proved +himself an interesting talker and the hour was well advanced when +Kendrick finally glanced at his watch and, refusing any suggestion of +refreshments, prepared to go. + +"I'll have the answer to Wade's letter ready for you first thing in the +morning," said Lawson as he shook hands heartily. "I've enjoyed the +evening immensely, Kendrick, and I hope I haven't bored you so much +that you won't come again. You'll be welcome any time." + +Phil left the house with the feeling that he had spent not only a very +pleasant evening, but a profitable one. He had acquired a new +appreciation of "Old Nat" Lawson and, as Wade had predicted, a better +understanding of the situation which would help him in his +investigations. So absorbed was he in reviewing what he had learned +that he had walked several blocks before he became conscious of +somebody following him. What was at first merely a suspicion became a +certainty when he deliberately turned several successive corners only +to find the figure still in the rear. + +The discovery was interesting, though entirely ridiculous. Who could +be interested in his movements? He resolved to throw the fellow off +the track and have a closer look at him. It should not be difficult to +do this in that district of tall hedges. He broke abruptly into a run, +dodged around a corner and dropped over behind the nearest hedge. + +The sound of running steps ceased. But the man evidently was +attempting something to which he was unaccustomed; for on reaching the +corner he stopped, bewildered by the sudden disappearance of his +quarry. He stood there foolishly, staring about uncertainly and +grumbling to himself. + +Kendrick peered out from his hiding-place with some amusement at this +discomfiture. The nearest arc light was too far away for a clear look +at the man; but just as Phil was about to jump the hedge and boldly +demand an explanation the other lighted a cigarette and with a shrug of +the shoulders went his way, leaving Kendrick sitting back on his heels, +racking his memory. + +Revealed in the glow of the match the face had seemed familiar. The +young fellow was a full block away, however, before he recalled the +features. It was James Stiles, the young chap Nat Lawson had just been +telling him about and whose photo he had been studying with much +interest an hour or two ago. + +Over the hedge went Kendrick just in time to see Jimmy Stiles disappear +around a corner. He ran rapidly down the street, keeping to the +boulevard turf, and when he reached the corner he waited until his man +was sufficiently in the lead to avoid discovery, then sauntered along +in the same direction just far enough behind to keep the other in +sight. For Phil's curiosity was now justifiably awake and he +determined to find out where young Stiles went, perhaps overhaul him +and ask him to explain himself. + +With the situation thus reversed they progressed for several blocks +without incident. Jimmy Stiles was stepping out with the briskness of +one who knows exactly where he is going and is in a hurry to get there. +He did not alter his stride for perhaps twenty minutes; but as they +swung down towards Allan Gardens his pace became more leisurely, and +opposite the park itself he abruptly halted, looking this way and that +as if expecting to meet somebody here. In further support of this +interpretation he began to stroll slowly back and forth, occasionally +glancing at his watch. + +Kendrick took up a position in the shadows where he could look on +without danger of observation, and waited patiently. Before long a +young woman approached from a sidestreet. Stiles raised his hat and +the two went into the park and sat down on a bench, where they soon +become lost in earnest conversation. + +"'In the Spring a young man's fancy----'" murmured Phil with a nod of +comprehension; but he did not complete the quotation. There was +nothing lover-like in the actions of the pair on the park bench; in +fact, the young woman appeared to be taking Stiles to task about +something. Did the circumstances justify a closer approach with the +object of overhearing the conversation? + +Kendrick still was debating this delicate problem when he saw two men +slinking cautiously behind the bench from the concealment of the park +shrubbery. Before he could shout a warning they had closed in silently +and swiftly upon the unsuspecting occupants. The girl's cry was +smothered by one assailant and Stiles was struggling desperately with +the other. + +It happened so unexpectedly that Kendrick stood for an instant, held by +his amazement. Then without a sound he sped across the street, vaulted +the iron fence and charged into the middle of the excitement with ready +fists. The man who had Stiles down was nearest and Phil paused long +enough to send him reeling with a well-directed blow on the side of the +head. He leaped the overturned bench, and made for the girl's +attacker, who promptly took to his heels. + +Phil chased him for several rods through the shrubbery before he swung +back toward the bench. But in the brief interval both the other fellow +and young Stiles himself had vanished and he found only the young +woman, calmly dusting her skirt. She stood in a finger of light from +the neighboring arc lamp and Kendrick stopped short, getting back his +breath and staring at her in undisguised astonishment. It seemed as if +she was always to find him staring at her--this cold and haughty and +very pretty stenographer from the office of Blatchford Ferguson! + +"Why, Miss Williams!" he exclaimed, and stepped forward quickly. "Are +you hurt at all?" He righted the bench. "Perhaps you had better sit +down," he urged with polite anxiety. + +"It's Mr. Kendrick, aint it? No, I'm all right." Nevertheless she +seated herself, patting nervously at a disarranged strand of hair. "It +was so kind of you----" + +"Nonsense!" interrupted Phil in deprecation. "I was passing along the +street and luckily happened to glance over at the park just as those +fellows attacked you. How many of them were there?--three?" he asked +innocently. "I wasn't sure which of those two who were fighting I +ought to hit," he laughed. + +"It was a case of purse-snatchin'," she said hastily with a shrug of +unconcern. "They--they were fightin' over it." He had hard work to +maintain the proper expression of polite interest under the direct +appraisal of those grave eyes. "The purse set me back on'y fifty-eight +cents at Eaton's at a Friday sale and it had in it on'y some street-car +tickets, a handkerchief, about thirty-five cents change an'--a nickle's +worth of gum. So, you see, it really aint worth botherin' about." She +smiled faintly as she stood up and held out her hand. "Thanks again, +Mr. Kendrick. I must be toddlin' along." + +But Kendrick was not to be dismissed in this arbitrary fashion. He +insisted upon seeing her safely home and as it was so logically the +thing to do, she accepted his escort with what grace she could. +Throughout the short walk, however, her manner toward him was one of +cold formality, and although Phil was by no means an uninteresting +conversationalist on occasion, his best efforts failed to break down +this reserve. + +Several times he deliberately directed the conversation to afford her +the opportunity of referring to the keyhole incidents only to have her +ignore the opening altogether. It was equally apparent that she had no +intention of mentioning Jimmy Stiles, and he was half inclined to +regret the lead he had given her in this connection. Why had she been +so eager to misrepresent the situation? Why had Stiles disappeared so +suddenly? What was the meaning of the attack by these two ruffians? +Was robbery really the motive, or was she lying about that, too? He +had seen no sign of a purse. Why had she and young Stiles met by +appointment at that late hour and in that particular place? It must be +some very secret matter to require a clandestine meeting. And she had +been scolding Jimmy Stiles--no mistake about that. + +Thus ran the undercurrent of his thoughts as he tried to decide whether +he had better shatter that self-contained keep-your-distance attitude +of hers with plain questions. He would have to right-about-face on the +whole situation to do it, and he was not sure that this was wise just +then. One thing was certain, Miss Margaret Williams was worth studying +very carefully and he could not afford to make any mistakes in his +approach. + +She settled his indecision for him somewhat unexpectedly by stopping +abruptly opposite a row of old brick houses with red sandstone fronts. + +"Here's where I live," she said. "'Night, Mr. Kendrick, an' thanks +awfully." + +Phil raised his hat. Before he could say a word she had left him and +running up the steps, disappeared inside the nearest vestibule. + +For a moment only he hesitated, then went far enough in the walk to +make sure of the house number, jotting it down on the back of an +envelope. A large white card in one of the front windows announced +"Board and Rooms." He went away, determined to return next day and +have a chat with the landlady. Perhaps he might even go so far as to +rent a room from her for a time. + +But when Kendrick called next morning in pursuance of this plan he was +surprised to find that no young woman such as he described lived there. +The landlady proved to be an elderly widow who was quite talkative once +she had satisfied herself that the polite, good-looking young man with +the pleasant smile was not an agent seeking to walk away with some of +her hard-earned dollars. Miss Margaret Williams? No, there was nobody +living there by that name. The only stenographer she had among her +boarders at present was a Miss Turner who worked in the office of a +candy factory, not a lawyer's office at all. And sometimes of a +Saturday she brought home a big box of candy for Sunday, knowing that +Mrs. Parker had such a sweet tooth, and she was such an obliging girl, +was Miss Turner, and getting along so well at the office, she was. +Only the other night she had made the remark---- + +Phil got away at last. He was not interested in the fortunes of Miss +Turner or the gossip of Mrs. Parker's boarding-house. He was too +supremely interested in the strange actions of the mysterious Miss +Williams. Darn the girl anyway! She deliberately had run inside the +first boarding-house they had come to, stopping calmly in the vestibule +until he had gone his way, when she probably had come out again and +gone home without an escort. Or perhaps she had met Stiles again. Or +perhaps---- + +"What d'you know about it?" he muttered as he sat down on a boulevard +railing and mopped his forehead in disgust. + +Well, if this girl sought to avoid him she was going the wrong way +about it. You bet he would make it his business now to find out +exactly what was what; also what her friend, Jimmy Stiles, was up to. +People here in Toronto didn't go around following other people and +being set upon in the public parks--not ordinarily. The more he +thought it over the more certain he became that their actions were +linked up somehow with his own investigations. Why not? The girl had +spied upon Podmore, who was in league with Nickleby; she had dealings +with Jimmy Stiles who, according to Nathaniel Lawson, was very much +under Nickleby's thumb. There was enough Nickleby mixed up in it for +all sorts of possibilities. He wondered what Podmore knew about her. + +There was the next move for him to make--go and see Podmore and find +out. He got to his feet at once and started for the nearest street-car +line. He ought to be able to catch Podmore just finishing a late +breakfast at the Queen's. + +"Sorry, sir, but Mr. Podmore checked out last night," the clerk +informed him when at last he reached the hotel. + +"Checked out?" echoed Phil in surprise. "Last night, you say? Did he +leave any message for me?" + +"No, sir." + +"And you don't know where he went, eh?" + +"I'm sorry, sir; but he didn't say. I believe the porter took some +baggage for him over to the Union Station; so he's evidently gone out +of town." + +Kendrick walked off slowly. It was not hard to guess whither the +time-serving Mr. Podmore was bound. He was running true to form and +Phil grinned as he thought of the surprise that lay awaiting in the +hollow stump beside the tank at the Thorlakson siding. It would be +worth something to see the expression on Podmore's face when he opened +that fake envelope of Wade's with its bogus bills. + +Well, he could eliminate Podmore for the present. What now? Had he +better go down to Ferguson's office and boldly demand from the haughty +Miss Williams answers to a few pointed questions, or had he better +locate Stiles first and choke the truth out of him? He glanced at his +watch. Nat Lawson would be expecting him to call for that letter to +Wade and he decided to go there first. After that he would be free to +follow his own investigations in his own way. + +Nathaniel Lawson was at work in the garden, but went into the house at +once for the letter and insisted on Phil going inside for a cigar. + +"Now you sit down in that big chair there, Kendrick. I'm the +celebrated inventor of a new phosphate drink that ought to hit the spot +on a morning like this. Trouble nothing, sir! I was just on the point +of mixing one for myself. Make yourself at home, my boy. I won't be +long." + +Kendrick lounged gratefully in the comfortable leather chair. He had +not realized just how hot it was outside until he found himself thus +ensconced in the cool interior of what his host had called "the den." +A good old scout, Nat Lawson. + +Phil had decided it was best to say nothing of his previous evening's +experiences, but he had asked where young Jimmy Stiles was working now +and learned that the bookkeeper was with the Alderson Construction +Company. It was one of Nickleby's "mushroom" concerns and apparently +Nathaniel Lawson did not have much respect for any side-line enterprise +in which Mr. Nickleby was interested. Phil smiled as he jotted down +the address. Nobody who had heard the Lawson side of the situation +could blame him for that attitude. + +So Stiles worked for the Alderson Construction Company, eh?--the +concern that was mixed up in that campaign fund contribution that had +been stolen. Question: Had Jimmy Stiles been forced by Nickleby +to----? No, that was not tenable because Nickleby would not be trying +to steal from himself. Well, he'd soon get the hang of things when he +went to see Stiles. It was going to be an interesting little pow-wow +with that young man. + +Kendrick idly watched the smoke from his cigar sail towards the long +box of geraniums on the sill of the open window. He whistled to the +canary that swung in a brass cage above the foliage. Then his glance +wandered about the room, over the bookcases, the bric-a-brac on the +mantel, the---- + +He sat up in his chair rather suddenly. He stood up and hastily +crossed the room for a closer look at a large, attractive photo which +hung above the mantel in a silver frame--the photo of a beautiful young +woman in a summer dress. The face was unmistakable. He was gazing at +the photo of the stenographer in Blatch Ferguson's office--the girl who +had listened at the keyhole, who had met Stiles in the park last night +and had been attacked by the two strangers, who had taken so much +trouble to get rid of her escort by the ruse of the boarding-house! +The elaborate coiffure was missing; but those beautiful classic +features were the same. + +He turned as Lawson entered the room, stepping slowly and carefully, +with a tray and two goblets which tinkled with ice. + +"I was just admiring that photo in the silver frame, Mr. Lawson. It is +a remarkably fine piece of photography. The tones are wonderful. +Would you consider it rude if I asked who the young lady is?" + +Nat Lawson slowly deposited the tray and chuckled to himself. +Unconsciously he raised his head proudly. + +"That is my daughter, sir,--my daughter, Cristy. I'm sorry that just +now she is not at home." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +AND CONVERTS A GOAL + +Phil Kendrick sipped his drink with what he flattered himself was a +fine show of unconcern. He even smacked his lips and complimented Mr. +Lawson upon the tang of that phosphate mixture he had invented; for it +was indeed of fine flavor, quite a delightful beverage. + +"I believe you mentioned last night that Miss Lawson had gone in for +some kind of newspaper work--was on the staff of the _Recorder_, if I +remember rightly," said Phil with an air of one who makes conversation +for the sake of politeness. "I know the sporting editor of that paper +and I have heard McAllister spoken of as one of the livest and most +conscientious editors in the country. His staff swears by him. +Is--er--Miss Lawson still with the _Recorder_?" + +She was. And very fond of her work. She had been inclined towards +literary matters almost since she was old enough to read. She wrote +her first verses when she was ten, although if she knew that her dad +was giving that away she would box his ears, and Nathaniel Lawson +laughed to himself reminiscently. + +Two things were plain to Kendrick as he listened with interest to Old +Nat's homily upon the caprices of the eternal feminine--that this +high-spirited motherless girl and her father were very close to each +other and, paradoxically, that he knew nothing of her present +masquerade as a stenographer in Ferguson's office. For masquerade it +evidently was, and Kendrick's mind raced along new channels of +speculation which this realization opened up. + +He was eager to get away and at the risk of discourtesy he emptied his +glass rather hurriedly, refused a second one, refused an invitation to +stay to lunch, and once outside the grounds fled in untoward haste. + +He went up the stairs at the _Recorder_ building two steps at a time +and found himself at last in the little cubbyhole where Chic White sat, +surrounded by walls that were papered with half-tone pictures of +pugilists, baseball and football stars, and other athletic celebrities. +Phil was rather amused to note his own picture in football togs among +the rest. It served to open a desultory conversation which had no +bearing at all upon the object of his visit. It was some minutes +before he finally veered to the subject of women in athletics and from +that to women in newspaper work and from that again to the women +members of the _Recorder's_ staff. In response to his somewhat too +casual enquiry concerning Miss Lawson, Chic sat back and grinned +provokingly. + +"Sure Mike! She's on the staff," he admitted after indulging in that +disgusting habit of his, an extra-dry spit. "She does special +assignments for McAllister. Fact is, she's out of town now on one of +'em." + +He eyed Kendrick shrewdly. + +"Some doll, eh? But you aint got a look-in, Ken. Why say, boy, there +aint a guy on this rag that wouldn't walk up a church aisle with Cris +Lawson any old time she passed the high sign. She's got 'em all +buffaloed. But they say she 'n' the Boss understand each other pretty +well. Anyway she's sportin' a solitaire," and again White grinned and +spat deliberately. + +Phil got out as fast as he could. He was in a strange state of +exhilaration at his discovery which not all the gossip of a hundred +newspaper offices nor all the solitaire diamond rings that ever were +could have dampened just then. + +He hastened now to the office of Blatchford Ferguson over at the +Brokers' Bank Building, buttonholed Conway and informed him that he had +an important message for Miss Williams which he must deliver in person +at once. Only to have Conway shake his head. Miss Williams was not +there any more--had handed in her resignation last night. + +"Rather sudden, wasn't it?" + +"I should say so! We all knew she was here only temporarily, but she +certainly left rather suddenly. Young Roy over there was awfully stuck +on her; he hasn't been fit to live with all day." + +"Do you know where I could catch her now? Did she leave any address?" + +"Why no, she didn't," replied Conway. "I believe she expected to be +married soon to a chap in Buffalo and I rather think that's where she +went." + +Kendrick bit his lip for a moment, considering. Then he asked for the +telephone directory, thought better of it and decided to call at the +office of the Alderson Construction Company unheralded. The young man +who came to the counter was Jimmy Stiles himself, Kendrick surmised; +but he merely asked to see Mr. James Stiles. + +"That's my name," said the bookkeeper, casting a glance of quick +suspicion at the caller. + +"Glad to know you, Mr. Stiles," smiled Kendrick, holding out his hand, +and he passed his card, dropping his voice to a more confidential tone. +"I wonder if you'll do me the honor to take lunch with me in an hour's +time, or if that's not convenient----?" + +"Why? What do you want?" Stiles' face paled slightly, Kendrick +thought. He glanced over his shoulder rather nervously, too, as if +fearful of surveillance. "I--You are a stranger to me, sir. I do not +see why--that is, do not know what----" Plainly he was embarrassed by +the invitation. + +"I want to talk to you on several important matters of considerable +interest to yourself. I have some questions to ask you concerning Miss +Cristy Lawson," said Kendrick directly. + +"Oh, you have? How d'you know I got answers to them?" There was no +question about the pallor of young Stiles now. "She aint nothin' in my +young life an' I don't know 's I got the time." + +"Listen here, Stiles," said Kendrick sharply. "I'd advise you to meet +me as I suggest--in your own interests, let us say. I happen to know a +few things which must be cleared up at once and only you can do it. +Understand? You don't want me to start something and--well, spill the +beans? Do you?" + +"Wh--what--er--beans?" stammered Stiles, plainly frightened. + +"I'm not talking about Boston baked anyway," smiled Phil. "You won't +get hurt if you play fair with me." He frowned. "I guess you know +what I'm referring to. Will you take lunch with me and talk it over +pleasantly or do you want me to go and see--Nickleby? + +"Well, we aint buyin' no more stationery just now, sir. Call again +some time. Perhaps later on we may be needin' somethin'." + +"Oh, very well then," nodded Kendrick easily, at once sensing the +effort of a clerk to overhear the conversation--a man who had sauntered +over to the counter and was making pretense of examining a directory +within earshot of the two. "Our carbon paper is exceptionally fine. +If I call some day about--shall we say twelve-thirty?" + +"Yes, that hour will be O.K., sir," he said aloud. "Thanks. Meet me +at the corner," he added in a whisper. + +So Jimmy Stiles was being watched in that office, thought Phil as he +went down in the elevator. What for? Who by? A couple more questions +to add to his collection. Well, they'd go over to the Island residence +for their lunch where they would be undisturbed. He had telephoned +already to Mrs. Parlby to serve luncheon for two, and dropped into the +National Club to fill in the interval till twelve-thirty. + +Sharp on time Stiles put in an appearance at the appointed place, but +he demurred upon learning where Kendrick was proposing to take him. + +"Gee Whiz! I got to get back to the office inside an hour," he +objected. + +"I'll promise to get you back on time," assured Phil. "The launch is +moored down at the Canoe Club and she can do forty-five under pressure." + +In spite of Kendrick's efforts at conversation on the way over, it was +plain that his guest was ill at ease; but it was not until they were +comfortably seated in the library that he undertook to relieve the +bookkeeper's anxiety to know what was in his mind. + +"I think perhaps your appetite will be improved, Jimmy, if we talk +before we eat," smiled Phil. He offered his cigarette-case. "There is +no reason why you and I should not be good friends." + +Having first satisfied himself that there was no doubt whatever of +young Stiles' loyalty to Nathaniel Lawson, he proceeded to recount +briefly the events which had led up to his discovery of the real +identity of Miss Margaret Williams. The extent of Kendrick's evident +knowledge startled Stiles, if his nervousness was any criterion. + +"Miss Lawson was masquerading in Ferguson's office for some reason. I +caught her listening at the keyhole while Podmore was interviewing +Ferguson day before yesterday. You might begin by explaining why she +should report all this to you, Stiles, and why you tried to follow me +last night after I left Mr. Lawson. I know that Miss Lawson is a +valued member of the _Recorder_ staff. Now, what about it?" + +"She's doin' some special stunt for the paper," Stiles nodded after a +little hesitation. "We've been good friends for quite a while, but +there aint no reason why she should tell me all she knows, is there? +She came to me yesterday an' asked me to keep an eye on your movements +for a bit. She said you were workin' with Podmore an' that you an' him +had swiped some envelope from Mr. Wade, the railroad president, and +hidden it." + +"That's what comes of listening at keyholes. Go on." + +"That's all, Mr. Kendrick. She was kind of worried over you callin' on +her father an' give me Hail Columbia for losin' sight of you last night +after she'd gone to the trouble of pointin' you out to me. But I aint +no dime novel detective!" + +"Why should she be interested in my movements?" + +"Search me!" + +"Why did those two fellows jump on you last night? Don't say they were +after your watch. Tell me the truth." + +"Well, you seen how they was watchin' me at the office to-day, didn't +you? I've been watched like that ever since----" Stiles stopped short +in some confusion. + +"Ever since the theft of the satchel containing fifty thousand +dollars," prompted Kendrick. "I know all about that. It's all right. +Go on." + +But for a moment Stiles was stricken dumb by this cool speech. + +"Who told you about that?" he demanded in a scared tone. "Say, how'd +it be if you told me what's your side in this little gab-fest? Who you +workin' for? Police? Nickleby? Say, you aint crazy enough to think I +had anything to do with the disappearance of that bunch of coin, are +you?" + +"Hardly," smiled Phil. He handed over Benjamin Wade's letter of +introduction, "to whom it may concern." The change which perusal of +these credentials wrought in Jimmy Stiles was at once noticeable. He +relaxed in his chair with a breath of relief and laughed. + +"Why didn't you say in the first place you were Wade's private +secretary?" he protested. "Gee whiz! Now I know where I'm at--if it's +true," he added suspiciously, suddenly sitting erect again. "Miss +Lawson said she heard Podmore tell Ferguson you hid that envelope for +him in a stump up in the bush near some watertank or other after he'd +pinched it from Mr. Wade's private car, and that you two fellows were +friends an' had both got fired by Wade because you wouldn't tell where +the envelope was." + +"It isn't wise to believe everything one hears, Jimmy,--through +key-holes," advised Kendrick. "That's all a bluff. It was Mr. Wade's +idea that by pretending to be friendly toward Podmore I might get a +line on something. We framed up the whole thing on Podmore." + +"But the envelope really was swiped an' hid in the stump, wasn't it?" + +"Yes, I left it there at Mr. Wade's suggestion." + +"With all that money in it?" + +"The bills were bogus--just stage money." + +"What!" cried Stiles in excitement. "Gee-whilikins! Is that right, +Mr. Kendrick?" His mouth opened in what seemed to be fear as well as +astonishment. "But of course it's right. That's what he wanted me to +get that duplicate envelope for. Gosh! why didn't we think of that +last night?" + +He got up and took a turn across the room and back in his agitation. + +"You surely didn't expect--?" began Kendrick in considerable surprise. + +"We haven't known what to expect," interrupted Stiles anxiously. +"Anything--everything!--with fifty thousand dollars of election money +kicking around loose. Why, Miss Lawson's been on the trail of this +campaign fund contribution ever since that night when--that is to +say----" For a second time Jimmy Stiles paused uncertainly. + +Kendrick had a flash of inspiration. He sprang to his feet, reaching +excitedly into his pocket. + +"Has Miss Lawson ever owned a pin like this? Is this her's?" and he +unfolded the dollar bill and held out the blouse pin for inspection. + +"Sure, that's her's. She told me she lost one from her best +hand-painted set in your canoe that night." + +Kendrick sat down in the nearest chair and laughed as if Stiles had +said something which was exceedingly witty. The outburst was so +spontaneous and unaccountable that the bookkeeper stared at him. He +could not know that Phil would laugh with equal abandon just then if +somebody were to inform him that the real reason a hen crosses the road +is to get to the other side. + +"She seems to have taken you pretty well into her confidence, Jimmy. +Perhaps you can tell me who her escort was that night of the fog--a Joe +Somebody." + +"Oh, that was me. I paddled her across the bay that night. We agreed +to call each other by fake names in case anybody heard us talking. +When she got into your canoe by mistake I was only about ten yards +away, but I was scared to move. I knew she could take care of herself." + +Again Phil laughed. But Stiles was growing impatient and his worried +look returned. + +"Say, never mind all that, Mr. Kendrick, please. We've got to do +something about this other thing right away quick. Nickleby's been +havin' Podmore watched an' he had a seance yesterday afternoon with the +fellow that's doing it. There's liable to be others setting out with +the same idea she had----" + +"What do you mean?" demanded Kendrick, seriously. + +"Miss Lawson took the train west last night to get that darn envelope +you hid in the stump in the woods----" + +"Good heavens!" + +"I told her she oughtn't to try it," went on Stiles earnestly. "She's +liable to run into all sorts of trouble. But she wouldn't listen to me +for a minute. She aint scared of anything, Miss Lawson aint, an' she +thinks it's real money she's rescuing all by her lonesome." + +"You don't mean to say she went all _alone_?" asked Phil in dismay. + +"That's just it. She wouldn't have it any other way." + +They gazed at each other with sober faces. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +WHAT HAPPENED ON THE WINNIPEG EXPRESS + +Thirty-six hours later Kendrick, aboard the Winnipeg Express, was +rushing westward through the night. His watch told him that the hour +was near midnight and in the open timetable beside him he was tracing +the train's progress. Outside in the dark the great scenic sweep of +northern wilderness was fleeing behind, mile on mile. He figured that +they were within half an hour's run of the Thorlakson siding. The girl +had many hours the start of him and no doubt he would find her safe and +sound at the section shanty with Mrs. Thorlakson. The fast passenger +train did not stop often in this part of the country; but he had +persuaded the conductor to slow down so that he could jump for it. + +He had taken a compartment in the observation car, but at the moment +was lounging in a corner of the open reading room which at that late +hour presented a vista of empty chairs and discarded magazines in their +leather folders. The porter was nowhere about. One by one the other +passengers had sought their berths, leaving Phil in solitary +possession. He sat staring out the wide window at the racing double of +the lighted coach, deep in thought. + +Ordinarily the thing to have done was to head her off from this +wild-goose chase by reporting the matter to her father or by having her +editor wire her on board train to return at once. But Stiles had +pleaded earnestly that the girl's activities be kept a secret because +there was much at stake which did not appear upon the surface. Miss +Lawson was anxious particularly that her father did not learn of her +present assignment until the task was completed as he would have +worried unnecessarily, perhaps have interfered. + +What that task was Kendrick had been unable to learn. Either the +bookkeeper could not or would not tell him and Phil had been in too +great a hurry to get into action to waste time in futile talk. The +motive which actuated her must be a strong one to drive her into the +hazards of foggy nights, office espionage and actual danger. He could +well credit Stiles' assurance that Miss Lawson was not afraid of +anything; her calmness after the trying experience in the park was +evidence of that. + +But the fact of her foolhardy trip into the Algoma wilderness was the +main issue to meet just now, and with so much secrecy seemingly +desirable Phil had decided that the best thing to do was to go after +her himself, follow her, overtake her, protect her if need be. Her +paper might or might not know where she had gone and why; but he would +say nothing to anybody. If Miss Lawson had some secret, cherished +plans her pluck in attempting to carry them out entitled her to some +consideration, and she would be grateful for his discretion. + +He had need of all the finesse which he could command if he hoped to +win a place in her confidence. He could not afford to throw away a +single card. As the mysterious lady of the fog she had called him a +"fresh Aleck," thanks to his idiotic blundering; but even before that +she had chosen for some reason to exert her woman's prerogative and had +informed him quite plainly that she did not desire his acquaintance. +That ought to have been enough! Then as Miss Margaret Williams she +naturally would visit upon him her resentment at being surprised in her +eavesdropping; the very stigma of the position in which she found +herself before him could be relied upon to add fuel to her dislike, if +it were not already sufficiently ablaze because she was beholden to him +for his silence in regard to the matter. In the role of Ferguson's +stenographer she had told him a second time that she did not wish to +know him. Why, she actually disliked him so much that even after his +timely arrival in the park had placed her under the obligation of +common civility towards him--even after that it had been impossible for +her to endure his forced escort a moment longer than it could be +avoided! + +And finally, there was that solitaire ring on her engagement finger. +It did not matter much whether she were engaged to somebody in Buffalo +or to McAllister, editor-in-chief of the _Recorder_. She could marry +whom she pleased. He wasn't in love with her. That sort of thing was +all rot! It was just that he hated anybody to think ill of him, to +dislike him as much as apparently she did. He wanted to apologize +for--well, for anything she might want him to apologize for. He wanted +her to tell him why she did not wish to number him among her friends. +He wanted to be her friend; that was it--Platonic friendship! She was +the first girl he had ever fancied he might like to go and talk to once +in a while. Just for the pleasure of--well, chumming with her. It +wasn't a good thing for a fellow who had no sister not to have a girl +chum. She was--oh, what a peacherino of a girl she was! + +He smiled wistfully as he conjured a mental picture of her. Once more +he took out the dollar bill, unfolded it and studied the dainty +hand-painted pin and when he restored it carefully to its place in his +pocket-book he breathed deeply and his eyes shone. Which, of course, +is the way of things Platonic! + +What a deuce of a mix everything had been getting into this last little +while back! It was as bad as one of those mystery yarns in the +magazines with something happening on every page! He recalled with a +smile a heated argument which the fellows had got into on one of the +Varsity Areopagus Club nights, when Billy Thorpe had contended that +strange adventures were really occurring daily and nightly under the +multitudinous noses of the modern, work-a-day world. It was impossible +to be a student of history, argued he, without recognizing upon what +slender threads of hazard great issues often had dangled, or a reader +of the newspapers without admitting that mighty queer things were +creeping constantly into the experience of some men. It wasn't +necessary to seek these in the distorted perspectives of the criminal +underworld or the political intrigues of Continental Europe, for +ordinary people were just as liable to have adventures. The trouble +with most folks nowadays was that they had been trotting the +thoroughfares of every-day commonplaces so long they had got dust in +their eyes till they couldn't see the bridle-paths of the Unusual, but +that didn't prove that Romance wasn't doing business at the same old +stand. + +And they all had laughed at Thorpe's bombastic figures of speech and +told him to go and talk to a credulous elevator boy somewhere, and +asked him if he had the girl aboard the lugger yet and Professor +Peabody had wanted to know seriously if he had found any traces of +pre-Shakespearian drama in East Lynne! + +But by the shade of Sheherazade! Thorpe had been right and Phil hadn't +dared to tell him what had happened in the fog. "Bridle paths of the +Unusual" with a vengeance! He'd soon have all the ingredients to write +one of those wild yarns himself! He couldn't ask for a more beautiful +or accomplished heroine than Cristy, or a more interesting place to +start the love story than in a dense fog at three a.m. Then there was +this fifty thousand dollars vanishing so mysteriously and Podmore--with +a little polishing he would work up into a first-class villain; as he +stood he was a joke and it was impossible to imagine him even risking a +punch on the nose to capture the girl. Nickleby might be better for +the real dirty work--or Rives. + +"Sixty Buckets of Blood or The Hobo's Revenge!" Phil smiled to himself. + +In case Wade got back to Toronto before his new secretary's return from +this jaunt Kendrick had enclosed a note with the letter from Nat +Lawson, telling the railroad president where he had gone and why. + +It was well that he had. For rapid events were to intervene and the +first of these happened within the next five minutes. He was slumped +down in his chair, which he had wheeled about so that he could rest his +feet comfortably on the window-sill, and beneath his wandering thoughts +he was only dreamily conscious of cinders clinking in the lamp funnels +and the low monotone of the rushing train. The woman, therefore, had +run past him and had reached the end of the car almost before he was +aware that he was no longer alone. + +He sat up and stared after her. She wore a tight-fitting woolen +sweater with a Paddy green tam to match and clutched a silver-meshed +reticule in one hand. He could not see her face, for she did not turn +around but quickly opened the door and went out onto the brass-railed +platform beneath which the track was flowing back into the darkness. + +In her hasty movements was a certain definiteness of purpose which did +not escape the puzzled Kendrick. Then he saw that she was tugging to +lift the trap in the platform which would uncover the steps on one +side. She had swung this into place and was hanging to the bottom +step, with the evident intention of leaping from the train, before Phil +found his voice. + +"Hey!" he shouted, springing forward. "Don't do that!" + +She gave him one startled look, and before he could reach her, let go +without a word. + +A few seconds elapsed while the dumfounded young man peered into the +black void that had swallowed her. Then he too swung down the steps, +poised his body as far forward towards the engine as possible and with +a quick push backward--jumped. + +For the face which had looked up at him and on which the light had +shone distinctly for an instant was the frightened face of Miss Cristy +Lawson! + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +RAPPROCHEMENT + +The train roared away into the night on its long trail to the West, the +noise of it lessening to a rumble off among the never-ending waste of +trees and rock ridges. Gradually the little night birds recovered from +their fright and their plaintive chorus resumed among the swamp grasses +and underbrush. + +Kendrick had landed luckily and except for the shaking up and a few +bruises he was little the worse for his tumble. Still sitting where he +had plowed up the ballasting, he rubbed his arm tenderly and tried to +penetrate the gloom, his eyes not yet accustomed to the starlight after +the bright interior of the observation car. With his suitcase receding +at the rate of thirty miles an hour this was going to be a fine pickle +as a result of his haste! They were miles from Nowhere, he knew, but +that did not worry him much; he was used to walking--had walked that +very piece of track with the Rutland party not so long ago. However, +there was the girl---- + +He scrambled to his feet, put his hands on either side of his mouth and +shouted. The unexpected loudness of the call startled him a little; it +went echoing around and in the dead solitude of the low-lying hills +seemed to carry for miles. But although he listened intently there was +no answer other than the echo which soon drifted far away and got lost +somewhere. The silence returned like a heavy blanket; even the little +birds listened in fear. + +He called again. Again there was the echo; then the heavy silence. + +"Funny," grumbled Phil. "She's either mighty badly hurt or she's +deliberately hiding on me. Where are you, Miss Wil----Miss Lawson, I +mean?" he shouted. + +"--awson, I mean--mean," mocked the double echo. The bellow flung away +to distant cadences which settled softly into the night mysteries. + +There was dankness in the air and the smell of skunk cabbage from a +short stretch of swamp and brule directly opposite. Through the velvet +gloom the fire-flies trailed. Rocky ridges were scattered around in +the background and high on the right was a huge rounded pile of rock +with a few white-stemmed birches clinging to it for all the world like +thinning gray hairs on an almost-bald head. It was too dark to see the +birches clearly, but the ex-chainman for the Rutland survey party knew +they were there and how they looked; he had seen hundreds of such +growths. Behind the big rock formation probably there was a lake. + +Kendrick snatched up some pebbles and hurled them into the underbrush +in anger at those pesky little birds with their mournful monotony of +note. He knew she could not be far away and started down the track +slowly, scrutinizing the ground on each side. He found her at last, +lying very still among the bog reeds. + +Gently he lifted her out onto the dry sandy ballast, greatly alarmed at +her unconsciousness, and went in search of water. He located a tiny +pool just off the right-of-way and realized for the first time that he +was hatless. Hastily he sat down and removing one of his boots, dipped +it in the water and came hobbling back with it as fast as he could go +in an attempt to reach her before it had leaked out. He was so intent +upon this that he was quite close before he realized that she was +sitting up. She greeted him with an exclamation. + +"Good!" cried Phil with satisfaction. "That's the stuff!" He sat down +on the end of a sleeper embedded in the sand, and peered at her +anxiously; but the light was rather uncertain and he was glad to note +that eastward the tree-tops blackened against a silvering sky. The +arrival of the moon would help a lot. "How badly hurt are you, Miss +Lawson? Do you know that people have got killed, jumping from trains?" +he reproved. + +"Then whatever possessed you to do it?" she retorted. "I am not dense +enough to believe it is just coincidence that you are here. You had no +business to follow me, Mr. Kendrick, and I resent it very much." + +"At least credit me with a sincere desire to be of service to you, Miss +Lawson," said Phil, with a half humorous touch of opprobrium in his +tone. + +"Are you in the habit of changing people's names to suit the dictates +of your own disordered fancy?" she demanded sarcastically. "I should +think you would find that very confusing." + +"I do--sometimes, Miss Williams-Lawson." + +"In these days of neurasthenia it is indeed refreshing to meet one of +such healthy nerve as you appear to possess," she said icily. "Since +you have chosen to play the bell-boy in this large country hotel in +which we find ourselves, I shall assume that I am now in my room and +that you have received your tip. In other words, that will be all, +_garçon_. I shall be able to manage very nicely, thank you. You may +go! I really mean that!" + +"I hope you will not find it too drafty with the window open so wide," +ventured Phil, standing up at once and bowing elaborately. "You will +find water just over the fence there and the passenger trains go by +twice a day with a supply of clean linen. I am sorry that I cannot +turn out the fireflies for you, but it is the strict rule for them to +burn all night. You may find some rather ambitious bugs in the ballast +of the road-bed; they belong to the order _Hemiptera_, and have beaked +or sucking mouths. For downright earnestness of purpose, however, I +would recommend the mosquitoes which will have the number of your room +shortly. If the growling of the bears in the woods disturbs you, all +you have to do is to light a fire in the very open grate." + +"Are you trying to frighten me, Mr. Kendrick?" + +"Sorry I can't ask you to ring if you want anything," Phil pursued with +exaggerated politeness, "but this is a pretty large hotel, as you said, +and I shall be about five miles away--at the Thorlakson siding where +breakfast is served at five-thirty. Good-night, madam." + +"Pardon my presumption for making the suggestion, Mr. Kendrick," she +said sweetly as he bowed a second time and was turning away, "but with +a five-mile walk ahead of you, don't you think it would be advisable +to--put on your other boot?" + +The moon, which had floated free of the tree-tops, was bathing their +faces and for an instant they gazed at each other with ponderous +gravity. Suddenly Phil sat down again and they joined in a peal of +laughter. + +The echo of it was still knocking for admittance among the hills when a +strange wild laugh floated unexpectedly abroad from a point off to the +right. Involuntarily the girl shrank closer to him. + +"For pity's sake!" she gasped. "What was that?" + +"Just a loon on the lake over there--a harmless goose of a thing," and +Phil grinned at her reassuringly as he laced his boot. "But he isn't +as crazy as his laugh. That's just his way of singing 'I Hear You +Calling Me.'" + +"Then give me John McCormack." He smiled as he caught her +surreptitiously opening the silver-meshed reticule and powdering her +nose, but pretended that he had not seen this bit of feminine +incongruity. "My, how still everything is!" she said a moment later in +a subdued voice as she swept a glance around at the silver landscape +and up at the stars, fixed and dim in the infinite leagues of distance. +"It would be possible to go crazy here very quickly, I suppose." + +"You'd soon get used to the quiet; then the racket of the city would +drive you crazy. Say, speaking of wild geese, Miss Lawson, reminds me +that as soon as I learned where you had gone and what for, I followed +you to tell you that this is a wild-goose chase you're on. That +envelope contains a package of stage money. It's just a dummy, +prepared by Mr. Wade to duplicate the one stolen not long ago from the +Alderson Construction Company. Object: to fool that fellow, Podmore. +Before we make any more mistakes, hadn't we better try to understand +each other's position? As a starter I'm going to ask you to read this +letter from the Chief. Wait, I'll scratch a match for you." + +Before this speech was half completed he had Miss Cristy Lawson's +undivided attention. She gazed at him in amazement, and as he shielded +the burning match with glow-reddened fingers her eyes raced eagerly +over the introduction of Mr. Philip Kendrick as the private secretary +of the President of the Canadian Lake Shores Railway with the latter's +full authority to act as his representative. There was no doubting the +authenticity of it. + +To relieve her embarrassment Kendrick hastened to explain in detail. +It was only natural that she should have supposed him to be in league +with Podmore. Had he but known she was on that train he could have +told her everything and have saved her the inconveniences of the +present predicament; but he had supposed her to be already at her +destination. + +She told him how her train had been held up by a freight wreck between +Toronto and North Bay; so that she had missed connections there and had +been forced to wait over for twenty-four hours. + +"Hadn't we better be moving, Miss Lawson?" he suggested. "We'll have +to hoof it to Thorlakson's and it's a good five miles from here. We +can talk as we walk along." + +He took her arm to assist her to her feet, but when she attempted to +stand up she sat down again so suddenly that Kendrick thought she was +going to faint. + +"You are hurt!" he cried in alarm and was down beside her in a trice. + +"Oh, it's nothing--just a turned ankle. It can't be very bad." + +Nevertheless he would not let her stand on it until he had gone back to +the rill to dip in the cold water the sleeve which he tore from his +shirt; with this he bandaged the ankle tightly. As he steadied her to +her feet again he could see that in spite of her attempt to smile the +pain was acute for a moment. She tried the injured foot gingerly and +presently was able to limp without his support. + +"There, you see! It's getting stronger every minute," she laughed. + +"You are a brave girl," he said. + +"You wouldn't say that if you knew how dreadfully frightened I am of +bugs. Are there really any bears in the woods here, Mr. Kendrick?" +She shuddered slightly in spite of herself. + +"Bugbears!" growled Kendrick. "I apologize for that, Miss Lawson. I +should have known better. You're shivering," he cried with concern. + +"Are you cold?" + +"I am a li--ittle chi--illy," she admitted as she put a hand to her +chin to keep her teeth from chattering. + +He grasped her other hand. + +"It's like ice!" he reproached. "Why didn't you tell me? The nights +are cold in these northern latitudes even in summer, and I'm a proper +chump to have allowed you to sit still so long." He clucked his tongue +in self-abasement. "You're chilled right through." + +In spite of her protests he took off his coat, slipped it across her +shoulders and tucked her arms into the sleeves. When he had buttoned +it and turned up the collar he locked arms with her and together they +hopped up the roadbed till they had to stop finally, out of breath with +exertion and laughter. But the exercise was warming and he kept her at +it for another few rods. + +"How's that?" + +"Warm--as toast," she panted. "Oh, what a picture!" + +They had rounded a curve and found themselves unexpectedly opposite a +lake vista that lay steeped in the moonlight. It was from here the +loon had called. There was a chain of little lakes, clustered with +wide openings between. The shores were thickly wooded close down to +the water's edge and the land ran out in long arms that threw inky +shadows in sharp contrast to the panorama of silver water spaces. Out +in the centre was an islet where a great rock, rearing above the +surface, had gathered moss and a few clinging cedars, one of which +stood out in solitary silhouette against the bright sky. The scene was +like some artistic conception in black and white,--high lights and deep +shadows,--and the cold beauty of it held them silent. + +"Isn't that a glorious moon? What a wonderful night it is!" she +breathed. + +"Wonderful!" he agreed, but as he smiled at her he was not referring to +the landscape or the moon. Far be it from him to dispute the wonder of +a night the exigencies of which worked such magic in their +acquaintanceship. He gave her his arm to lean on and they limped off +up the track, each glad of the other's presence in the solitude that +encompassed them. The moon was well up above the rock ridges now, and +its white light was gleaming along the steel rails that stretched +lonesomely away into the miles of spruce and Laurentian outcroppings. + +At her request he began at the beginning and related the happenings of +the past three weeks--at least, he began with his surveying experiences +along this very track. Then he told how he had encountered Podmore and +met the railroad president and about Wade's plan for discovering +certain facts concerning Podmore and Nickleby. He realized how +impossible it was for him to make first mention of what had happened on +that foggy night that he had paddled her across the bay; he was not +supposed to know that she was the girl and the bare thought of +introducing such a dangerous topic filled him with trepidation, so that +he was careful to give it a wide berth. He referred to the pleasant +evening he had spent with her father and the way in which he had found +out that she was both Miss Cristy Lawson and Miss Margaret Williams and +how he had backed Stiles into a corner and questioned him. + +In her turn she told him how she had taken up her newspaper work in the +hope of unearthing, under the guidance of her editor, evidence that +would help to restore her father to his place at the head of the +Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company. McAllister, editor of the +_Recorder_, suspected a political deal in regard to some government +bids and thought that Nickleby and--and some others were mixed up in a +bold attempt at graft. If the _Recorder's_ plans did not miscarry +there would be a sensational exposure one of these days which would +shock the whole country. + +She went on to speak of President Wade, of the Canadian Lake Shores +Railway, in the warmest terms. She had known him all her life as a +close friend of her father and he was a frequent visitor at the Lawson +home. + +She stumbled on a cross-tie and would have fallen but for the strength +of his supporting arm. She winced a little. + +"Here, Miss Lawson, try putting your arm across my back and your hand +on my left shoulder for a while. That's it." + +With a thrill he slipped his arm about her waist, but she smiled up at +him without protest. They made better progress after that. The steel +rails streaked away in the moonlight endlessly before them, endlessly +behind with uncompromising sameness. + +"I suppose I deserve a good scolding for jumping off the train so far +from this Thorlakson place; but the sleeping-car conductor told me the +train would not stop on any account, short of a damaged track, until it +reached--Indian Creek, I think he said it was. My best plan, he said, +was to get off there and ride back to Thorlakson on a handcar. I was +warned not to try any moving-picture stunts; but when I found out we'd +have to slow up on the grade near the siding, I made up my mind to risk +it. So when we slowed up back there, I thought it was the place, and +sneaked to the back platform without being seen by anyone but you." + +Kendrick shook his head at her, marvelling at her nerve and the +foolishness of the whole thing. Not many girls would have dared it. +Lucky for her he had seen her or she might have been in a pretty bad +plight along these lonely reaches of track before any section hands +chanced to find her. He studied her anxiously and decided that it was +best to keep her talking while they trudged along. + +"Will you tell me how you came to be masquerading as Miss Williams?" he +asked. "Or is that something you'd rather not----?" + +"Oh, no," she laughed. "That was Mr. Wade's bright suggestion. You +know, he's been helping me in my work quite a lot. I have had to keep +Daddy in the dark about it for fear he'd put his foot down on the whole +thing; so I made a confidant of Mr. Wade." + +"Then I've got a bone to pick with him," said Phil. "Why in the +dickens didn't he tell me about you being at Ferguson's office when we +were both on the same trail?" + +"It's just like him not to, Mr. Kendrick. Probably he thought your +work and my own would not cross at all and the less either of us knew +about the other the safer it would be. Why, he even refused pointblank +to tell me what he was going to do with that money--the envelope--that +is----" + +He saw that she hesitated as if she had said too much. + +"You mean the fifty thousand dollars, stolen from the Alderson +concern?" asked Phil quickly. "I was going to ask you about that. You +mean that Mr. Wade _really_ has that money? You can trust me, Miss +Lawson. Surely you know that," he urged. "He said he was piecing +together a puzzle of some kind and would tell me all about it soon. +How did he come to have that money?" + +She studied him keenly before she spoke. + +"I gave it to him to take care of," she said slowly. + +"You! And where did you get it?" + +"From Jimmy Stiles." + +"Jim--my Stiles? Great Scott! And where did he get it?" + +"He--stole it." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE TAN SATCHEL ONCE MORE + +She told him about it. He was much cleverer than most people thought, +young Jimmy Stiles, and he was overpoweringly anxious to help the +Lawsons. There was no length to which his loyalty to them would not +carry him. Kendrick nodded, recalling the boy's story as he had heard +it from her father. + +"I had no hesitation in taking Jimmy into my confidence from the +first," said Cristy, "and it has been a big help to have someone +watching Nickleby from the inside. He is a great, little actor, that +boy, and has succeeded in fooling our friend, Nickleby, into the belief +that all he has to do is to snap his fingers and the frightened Jimmy +will perform his bidding without question. Daddy told you about +Stiles' early indiscretion, you said. Well, Jimmy has been pretending +right along that he is afraid of exposure for that, and Nickleby has +felt so sure of him that there have been occasions when he has +permitted Jimmy to see behind the scenes and get a peek at some methods +of doing business that would not stand analysis." + +"Have you tried to get a line on Nickleby's past, Miss Lawson?" asked +Phil with interest. "I understand that he was less than nobody when +your father befriended him, and he may have drifted up here from the +States and have a police record a yard long." + +"We've thought of that. There is nothing in the local police records, +but I believe Mr. Wade is making some quiet investigations in the +States. + +"Well, anyway, to make a long story short, Stiles knew the Alderson +Construction Company was planning to make a substantial contribution to +the Government campaign-fund--J. C. Nickleby, that is; for he really is +the Alderson Construction Company. When Jimmy reported this to me I +thought I saw a good chance to get some sensational illustrations for +the exposure story the _Recorder_ was after if only we could get hold +of the money long enough to photograph it. Jimmy was enthusiastic over +the idea and told me to leave it to him. On thinking it over more +carefully, though, I saw risks attached to the stunt which made it very +unwise, and when I met Jimmy by his own appointment at the Union +Station one night I asked him at once to make no attempt to obtain +possession of the money, even for a short time. + +"But I was too late. He was carrying a suitcase and calmly informed me +that the money was inside. I was badly frightened. If we were caught +with that money in our possession we would be arrested at once as a +pair of ordinary thieves. I had jeopardized my editor's plans that we +had been working out so secretly and regretted the foolishness a +thousand times. Stiles wanted me to take the suitcase then and +there--take it home and do the photographing, then have a messenger +deliver it to Ferguson's office; or, if I preferred to give it back to +him, he'd arrange to get the money to its destination somehow without +anybody being able to trace it. + +"But I was too frightened to decide and it was not long before I felt +that we were being watched. You cannot imagine a more disagreeable +feeling! We strolled around a bit to make sure that we really were +being followed and when we found that the man we suspected was still on +our trail, Jimmy was as badly scared as I was. + +"While we were wondering what we'd better do I suddenly spied President +Wade standing near the door of the big rotunda waiting-room and I had +hard work to keep from calling out. I said good-bye to Jimmy, and +walked over to him with the suitcase, blessing my stars for the good +fortune. His private car was standing down on the track and as soon as +he saw that I was in trouble of some kind he took me down to the car +and I told him the whole story. There was nobody around except +ourselves at the moment and he was not only greatly interested, but +agreed to help me. We lifted out the envelope of money and he placed +this in his safe aboard the car. He would not tell me what he intended +to do with it, except that he promised it should be photographed for me +and that it would be taken care of. He told me to ask no questions, +but just leave everything to him and forget all about it. The less I +knew about it the better, in case I was questioned. + +"He had asked me a short time before if I thought I could obtain a +place as a stenographer or office clerk of some kind in Ferguson's +office for a few weeks and it had been agreed that I would try and, if +I succeeded, I was to sit tight and keep my eyes and ears open. I have +wondered how much of what happened he was half anticipating; he was so +matter-of-fact. He escorted me out to a taxi and I went home while he +sent a porter down to the parcel-room to check the empty suitcase. It +may be there yet for all I know. + +"You see now why I was so worried to learn that an envelope had been +stolen from Mr. Wade's private car by Podmore and hidden up here at +Thorlakson. I naturally jumped to the conclusion that it was the +actual money that had been stolen. I should have known better, because +Mr. Wade had asked me to have Stiles secure for him an envelope from +the construction company's office, similar to the one containing the +money. To tell you the truth, I had forgotten all about this and it +did not occur to me that the envelope in the stump was a decoy. I see +now, though, that Mr. Wade had plans of his own all the time." + +"You're right as to that, Miss Lawson. This game is bigger than we +think," said Kendrick thoughtfully. "One thing we may be sure of, Ben +Wade can be trusted to act wisely. What you've just told me has +interested me tremendously. Will you tell me something more? How +under the sun did Stiles manage to turn the trick--get possession of +that fifty thousand without getting caught?" + +"It was cleverly done," laughed Cristy, "but like most clever things of +that kind, it was as simple as A. B. C. Jimmy laid his plans carefully +and the chief danger to threaten his success was that he would not be +selected as the messenger between his own office and Ferguson's. He +knew that the chances were he would be watched all the way by a +detective; so he planned to make his substitution before leaving the +building in which the Alderson company has its office. + +"He had been keeping a close watch on Podmore for some days, for he did +not trust him and felt sure that he would not hesitate to play false to +Nickleby and Alderson whom he had been cultivating so carefully of +late. Jimmy is shrewd. His patience was rewarded one day by the sight +of Podmore in a leather-goods store around the corner, purchasing two +satchels which were identical in size, shape and color. Stiles had the +clerk lay aside a third satchel which was the mate of the two Podmore +had just bought. When one of the satchels was delivered at the office +from Podmore, Jimmy knew he had guessed right. Just how Podmore was +proposing to change the satchels worried Jimmy quite a bit until he +began to suspect a new arrival in town by the name of Clayton. He +found out that Podmore and this Clayton were meeting in Podmore's room +at different times, but ignoring each other as utter strangers in the +hotel rotunda. Then when Clayton turned up quite casually at All +Saints' Mission--the church Jimmy attends, you know--and began to +ingratiate himself, Stiles thought he saw daylight. It turned out that +he was right, too, in suspecting that Clayton was Podmore's accomplice. + +"It fitted in fine with Jimmy's own plan. When he came out of the +office with that tan satchel, which contained the money, his kid +brother--Bertie--was sitting on the bottom step of the stairway on the +same floor, watching the door. As soon as he saw Jimmy come out, the +kid ran upstairs to the next floor, picked up the satchel Jimmy had +bought and in which he had placed some old newspapers, and took the +elevator down. Jimmy got into the same elevator and they transferred +the satchels going down to the street. So, you see, when Stiles walked +out onto the street he was carrying the satchel that had the old +newspapers inside, while young Bertie just stayed in the elevator, went +up a few floors and calmly walked down the back stairs and so on home +where he chucked satchel, fifty thousand dollars and all, under Jimmy's +bed." + +"By George!" chuckled Kendrick. + +"Jimmy was able to laugh up his sleeve all the way through. I told you +he was clever. Sure enough, he found Clayton lying in wait for him at +the Jessup Grill which Stiles would have to pass. He almost laughed in +that professional con man's face when he was invited inside for a drink +and he proved an easy victim when Clayton switched the satchels on him. +Jimmy saw that Clayton had spotted the detective who was trailing along +and was on his guard. With that danger over, he knew everything was +safe; for Podmore could not afford to do anything else but keep quiet +even after he discovered that with all his slickness somebody had +beaten him out. There wasn't a shred of evidence to implicate Jimmy, +you see." + +"He tells me they're watching him down at the office pretty closely, +though," said Kendrick when she paused for breath. + +"That's to be expected, of course. Those two men who attacked us in +the park were private detectives in Nickleby's pay and they probably +thought Jimmy was passing something on to me and it was time to search +both of us. Nickleby and the others have kept close mouths about the +theft of the election money because they didn't want any investigation +by the regular police. I am inclined to think they planned their +election contribution for a definite purpose and could not afford any +publicity about it." + +"They must be a fine bunch of crooks, that outfit!" remarked Kendrick. + +"The fellow who was watching Jimmy and me at the station that night was +probably acting on his own initiative. It was the same detective who +had made such a bungle of following Jimmy in the afternoon and I guess +it nearly cost him his job. He must have been feeling pretty well +worked up at the way things turned out. If it hadn't been for Mr. +Wade's timely arrival there's no telling what might have happened. +Can--can we--sit down for a little rest?" she gasped. + +Phil glanced at her quickly, apologizing for his thoughtlessness. He +had been so absorbed in her recital that he had forgotten the strain +under which she was laboring with the pain in her foot. They must have +covered a lot of ground while they talked. Five miles to Thorlakson's, +he had told her, but it might just as easily be eight or ten. + +After a short rest they went on. They passed through rock cuttings +where their voices and the sound of their feet flung back hollowly from +the walls. They rounded curves, looking eagerly for some sign of +habitation, only to be met by the same stretch of deserted track +leading off into nebulous gloom. Or perhaps they would see a dim white +speck ahead or the black outlines of a rocky spur where the track +disappeared and they would comfort themselves with the thought that +around that particular curve or beyond that mile-post they would see +buildings. But when they had hobbled down the track and gained the +goal there were always more rocky spurs and more track to hobble over. + +They talked of many things. Phil told her all about McCorquodale. +They discussed politics and the Rives case and newspaper work and +universities and music and the latest books. As the hours crept by +their laughter and talk lessened and the spaces of silence between them +grew longer. The girl was limping badly and leaning more heavily upon +him, and for him the adventure grew more serious in his concern for her +welfare. + +"Aren't we nearly there, Mr. Kendrick?" she asked quietly after a long +period of silence on her part. + +"We must be," he answered cheerfully and held his watch close to his +nose as he scrutinized the dial in the moonlight. "It's nearly four +o'clock. I fancy the moon is a little paler than it was," he added, +craning his neck to look at it riding high above them, "and the sky +back there behind that hill--it looks lighter, too, don't you think? +Daylight can't be far off now, as it comes pretty early up here and +we're bound to reach the Thorlakson shanty soon, Miss Lawson." + +They trudged on again while he told her about Mrs. Thorlakson, the +good-hearted Icelandic woman, and the giant Swede section-hand, +Svenson, who was a friendly sort of elephant. He tried to entertain +her with a humorous account of his surveying experiences, information +about the country and funny stories that he had picked up here and +there. Occasionally they heard small animals scurrying away in the +underbrush on either side as they passed by; but she had ceased to take +notice of such sounds. + +"I might carry you for a while, if you'd let me," he offered at last in +what he hoped was a matter-of-fact tone. But she would not hear of +that. + +Dawn was coming quickly. The night gloom fled off the tops of the +ridges and sought brief respite in the shelter of the water bottoms. +The gray sky warmed to rose tints. New bird notes came twittering from +the bushes on all sides, while frisky cotton-tails scampered ahead of +them on the roadbed. The air seemed to take on a freshness that it had +lacked before, laden with sweet scents of wild grasses, perfume of +spruce and the aromatic smell of the wood mould. A wave of light crept +across the hills, stole round about and it was day. + +They came slowly around a long curve and when the track straightened +out again Phil gave a whoop of satisfaction. + +"Hallelujah! Miss Lawson, there's a light!" He pointed to where a +yellow dot shone steadily, close to the track. + +But the girl did not reply. She swayed a moment, then went limp in his +arms. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +DISTURBING NEWS + +Magnus Thorlakson was in the habit of routing out his men early. The +Roadmaster had made no mistake when he handed the stolid Icelander the +responsibility for nine miles of the Company's line in the middle of +one of the loneliest divisions. In the discharge of his duties there +was no more conscientious section foreman in the employ of the C.L.S. +He timed his slumber by the sun and his waking hours were filled with +the roll of hand-car wheels, the ring of spike-mauls and the tamping +grate of spades. + +On this particular morning the big Swede, Svenson, had polished off his +second plate of fried potatoes and was grinning in anticipation of a +third helping and another couple of fried eggs, when a startled +exclamation from the good woman of the house, and the smash of the +plate which dropped from her fingers to the floor sent her husband's +chair scraping back from the table with some suddenness. Callers whose +clothes stamped them as city people would have been sufficiently +surprising at any time to the inhabitants of that humble dwelling in +the wild country and particularly so at that early hour; but the sight +of a broad-shouldered young man in his shirt-sleeves, carrying a young +woman in his arms up the embankment to their door, was ample +justification even for the breaking of precious porcelain. + +Thorlakson muttered profanity as he stared out the window. The big +Swede looked up with mild enquiry, at the same time reaching for +another slice of bread, while the other two men stopped eating +altogether and gazed expectantly at the door. + +"Good morning, Mrs. Thorlakson," greeted Kendrick. "May we come in?" + +The girl stood beside him, huddled in the coat, her face white and +drawn in the cold light of early morning. The woman bobbed her head in +some uncertainty, then spoke in her own language to her husband who +thrust himself into the doorway and leaned a heavy, flanneled shoulder +against the jamb. + +"Hello, Thorlakson! There's a sprained foot here that requires rest +and attention and we would like some breakfast." + +Then the Icelander recognized him, turned to his wife with quick +commands, waved them inside with eager hospitality, suspicion no longer +mingling with curiosity in his keen, light-colored eyes. + +"_Farthu ut_! Out!" snapped Mrs. Thorlakson, clapping her hands +sharply, and a touseled head withdrew hastily from the door of the +little bedroom off the kitchen. It shut with a rattle. She placed a +chair for the lady close to the fire, blew out the lamp on the table +and after lifting it to its place on the shelf, got a broom and began +to sweep up the fragments of the broken plate. + +The two Norwegians at the table stared unblinkingly. The Swede paused +for an instant at his breakfast, his jaws motionless during the few +seconds required for one long look. At sight of Kendrick his wide +mouth had expanded to a grin of welcome which exposed the food on his +tongue, but as his glance fell upon the young lady and he noted that +she was smiling at him he reddened bashfully to the roots of his pale +hair and, as if to make up for lost time, fell to with augmented +diligence. + +In spite of the painful ankle and the strangeness of her surroundings +Cristy almost laughed aloud at the comical expression on the big +fellow's homely face. She slipped out of Kendrick's coat and shuddered +close to the fire, holding her fingers gratefully over the hot stove. + +Briefly Phil explained what had happened to them, aware that the +recital would not have been very convincing if he had been a complete +stranger to these simple foreigners with their natural tendency to +suspicion. He made no mention of the envelope that had brought him +back to the scene of Podmore's capture just a few days ago. It was +enough to say merely that the young lady accidentally had fallen off +the step of the train and he had jumped off after her. + +But Thorlakson was only anxious to show that he was grateful for the +young man's recent generosity in connection with the fifty dollar +reward. He nodded as he listened. + +"Yaow, that vould be other side Spruce Walley. Yaow. She slow opp +down thar. Wery good, Meester Kendrick. Ve glad to have you stay so +long as you like. Sit down thar. Planty wittles." + +But Mrs. Thorlakson willed otherwise, bustling about as she spoke. + +"My voman--she say vait avile," he explained. "Planty more--nice and +hot." + +Phil thanked him and smiled across at his companion who was cheering up +wonderfully under the benign influence of the stove. + +"Yaow, that vill be tventy-five cents--each vun, tventy-five cents. +Yaow, that vill be suffeecient." + +Having thus dismissed further responsibility in the matter, the foreman +got up from the table and spoke to his men, who followed him outdoors +to the day's work. Svenson lagged behind to gulp the remainder of his +coffee and as his heavy boots clumped noisily across the rough wooden +floor he ventured to look again timidly at the very pretty young lady +who sat beside the stove. Her friendly nod and smile sent him +stumbling clumsily out over the doorstep with reddened face and a huge +grin of ecstatic delight. + +"Delicious!" she laughed softly. + +"Snf! Snf! Well now, you're saying something, Miss Lawson," enthused +Kendrick who had been watching the frying-pan with fascination. "I'm +as hungry as a bear." + +Such an unusual breakfast as that was! Such wonderful home-made bread! +Fried potatoes straight from the stove, piping hot and done brown; +sizzling pork and eggs that were fresh laid by those hens they could +hear clucking outside; buns and molasses; even doughnuts and +good-natured looking wedges of pie with the knife-cuts far apart--a +wonderful meal of the substantial sort favored by those to whom eating +at any hour is a serious business. And they ate it with hunger for +condiment, chatting and laughing in their enjoyment. + +Mrs. Thorlakson beamed. It was the finest compliment they could have +paid her. Afterwards with many duckings of tongue and shakes of the +head she bathed the swollen ankle in cold water, put some liniment on +it and bound it up. She was an adept in such matters. + +During these ministrations Phil strolled down to the water-tank; but, +as he half expected, he found the fungus gone from the top of the +hollow stump and no sign of the envelope inside. Somebody had been +there before them, Podmore probably. He would question Thorlakson +about that later. Not that it mattered greatly. The sagacious Hughey +was due for a severe jolt when he opened the precious envelope to which +he was devoting so much attention. + +On returning to the house he found that Miss Lawson very sensibly had +retired for much needed sleep. He climbed the hill to the woods behind +the log shanty and stretched out luxuriously on a fragrant heap of +spruce boughs with the idea of indulging in pleasant retrospection. + +The sun was well past its zenith when he awoke and his watch told him +that it was nearly three in the afternoon. He rubbed his eyes, knotted +his muscles in a satisfying stretch and leaped to his feet with a +laugh. He found the girl in equally good spirits, the injured foot +encased in a mocassin that belonged to one of the foreman's children. +It was not a bad sprain; the pain and swelling had subsided, but it +would be well to rest it for two or three days, Mrs. Thorlakson had +told her. If they could put up with roughing it, she would be glad for +them to stay as long as they liked. + +"I've promised to show her a new crochet pattern and knit a pair of +pullovers for little Skuli," smiled Cristy. "The poor thing is +lonesome and I've half a mind to make a little visit for a few days. +Do you know, she hasn't seen a white woman to talk to for six months?" + +"You couldn't do a more charitable act, Miss Lawson, and I hope you'll +allow the bell-boy to linger within call. I happen to know that +Wolverine River down there has some fine trout in it and I confess I'd +like awfully to rustle an Indian canoe somewhere and do a little +exploring. Isn't this air simply great?" + +They had wandered to the edge of the embankment and seated themselves +for a sunning. She searched quickly for his expression, but he had +turned and was gazing far up the track, his tanned face alight with +boyish enthusiasm. + +Time never passed so swiftly for Phil Kendrick as it did during the +next two days. In the big roomy birch-bark canoe that Svenson had +built he went fishing and exploring to his heart's content--with Miss +Cristy Lawson. He initiated her into the mysteries of speckled trout +and helped her to land triumphantly a three-pounder. She was +interested in botany and he climbed all sorts of inaccessible places to +pick strange plants for her. On these expeditions they took Mrs. +Thorlakson and the children along; there was room for them all in the +big canoe and with the men absent all day it was possible for them to +make a picnic of it. He even enjoyed the evenings with the men while +they smoked their pipes in the doorway through which it was possible to +see Cristy, her sleeves tucked above a charming pair of dimpled elbows, +helping Mrs. Thorlakson with the dishes. + +But on the afternoon of the third day as they sat out at the edge of +the clearing on a pile of balsam that he had gathered for her she began +to talk of leaving. They would be wondering back there on the paper +what had become of her and there was work to be done. + +He could not take his eye off the diamond ring on her finger as she +spoke. "They" she had said; but it was probably "he" that she thought, +and he chucked a stone clean down to the water-tank, surprised that he +could throw that far. The injured ankle was no longer an excuse for +delaying their departure. So they planned to leave next day, boarding +a chance freight and riding down the line to some station where they +could catch the Toronto Express. + +Several trains passed every day each way. Even as they sat there they +heard the familiar rumble somewhere far off among the low hills +westward. They listened to the growing noise of its approach. +Presently the smoke of the engine became visible and around the curve, +far up the track, the train trailed into view, a freight, the cars +swinging into line and hiding behind the black front of the locomotive. +The engineer was bowling her down towards them full "lickety-belt" with +no intention of stopping to take on water--a through freight apparently. + +With a deafening roar she swept in, the engineer jogging laxly on his +cushions. Kendrick stood up and hollered at him. The salutation was +acknowledged with a friendly wave of the hand. The long string of +brown and yellow cars followed rattle-de-bang over the switch and +rocked away eastward. The roar dropped off abruptly into diminuendo, +punctuated by the rattle of a loose truck at the rear of the caboose. + +From the cupola a brakeman with a dirty blue bandana knotted about his +brown throat, waved to them and shouted something which they could not +hear. He held aloft a white stick from which he had peeled the green +bark, pointed to it, then cast it back towards them and pointed to it +significantly. + +"There's a paper of some kind fastened to it," said Phil as he +signalled that he understood. + +They gazed after the end of the caboose until the fluttering green +flags faded out in the swirl of dust that pursued into the distance. +Then Kendrick scrambled down to find the message. It was in a sealed +envelope, bound around the stick with twine. One glance at the yellow +telegram inside sent him back up the embankment towards the girl as +fast as he could climb. + +"Of all things, Miss Lawson!" he called out. "It's a wire from the +Chief. I left a note for him, telling him where we were going, and +just read this, sent down from the operator at Indian Creek. What do +you make of it?" + +She read it aloud, frowning in perplexity: + + +Philip Kendrick, Toronto, July 27. + at Thorlakson Siding, + via Indian Creek. + +Is Cristy safe? Wire immediately you receive this. McAllister +anxious. Send Cristy back but remain there yourself till McCorquodale +arrives. Important work for you there. McCorquodale will explain. +Jimmy Stiles missing since day you left. Did you take him with you? + +WADE. + + +"I should have sent a wire before this, I guess," admitted Kendrick +slowly. "But I thought we'd be back before Wade returned to town. I +didn't think to send it to McAllister. He's your--editor, isn't he? +I'll get Thorlakson to send one of his men----" + +She interrupted him with a gesture of impatience. + +"The question is, Mr. Kendrick, what's happened to Jimmy Stiles?" + +"Yes, and what's happened to make Wade send McCorquodale up here? +What's this important work he's talking about?" + +"If Jimmy Stiles has disappeared, it hasn't been of his own free will. +I'm sure of that, Mr. Kendrick,--positive!" She looked at him with +anxious eyes. + +"He was all right the day we had lunch together," mused Phil. "The +wire says he's been missing since the day I left the city; so he must +have gone that night. You know him a lot better than I do, of course; +but from what you told me the other night he got away with fifty +thousand dollars once before in pretty slick fashion." + +"That suspicion does you no credit, Mr. Kendrick," said Cristy in quick +resentment. "Jimmy hasn't absconded. He's been abducted!" + +"You have a ready imagination," smiled Phil. + +"I know Nickleby," she retorted. + +Kendrick shook his head. + +"Abduction brings to mind closed cabs and chloroform. Do they pull off +stunts like that nowadays--in Toronto? It sounds too melodramatic, +Miss Lawson." + +"What about that assault in the park by Nickleby's hirelings the other +night? You saw that yourself. I don't say Nickleby would dare to harm +Jimmy Stiles; he's no fool. But I do think that he's had a hand in +Jimmy's disappearance." + +"Have you any special reason for thinking that?" + +"Yes," she replied after a moment's hesitation. "We--the +_Recorder_--Mr. McAllister has been expecting Nickleby to attempt a +clean-up of some kind, preparatory to dropping out of sight completely. +His present position with the Interprovincial Loan & Savings--control +of the stock and all that--will come to a sudden end as soon as Mr. +Bradford, the explorer, returns to civilization. Nickleby won't wait +for that, will he? It looks as if he were getting ready to pull out +and had found Stiles in his way. Jimmy knows too much." + +"Well, speculating about things won't get us a hundred yards from +Thorlakson Siding," said Kendrick philosophically. "What's needed is a +train." + +"There's no telling what may be going on back there while we sit here, +twiddling our thumbs." She got up and walked to and fro restlessly. +"Oh, if only we'd been able to go on that freight that just passed." + +"We? Instructions are that I'm to wait here for McCorquodale and send +you back at once. We'll flag the first train going the right way and +you ought to get off by to-night. I'd better get busy and write out a +reply to the wire. Mr. McAllister is anxious about your safety and +it----"' + +"Oh, drat McAllister!" cried Cristy impatiently. + +"I beg your pardon, Miss Lawson," said Phil, "but please say that +again." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +MCCORQUODALE EXPLAINS + +On the heels of the message from President Wade came Detective +McCorquodale an hour before sundown. He did not arrive on a train from +the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound +back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian +hunters to go north into the game country. Kendrick happened to be +lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for +Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, +while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner. He recognized the +detective the moment he saw the familiar chunky figure emerge from the +woods and come out onto the track and he went down to meet him on the +run. + +"Well, well, well!" was the greeting McCorquodale launched. "He tore +the false beard off his chin an' there--stood--Tom! How are you, +Kendrick?" + +Phil eyed him anxiously as they shook hands. + +"Drop out of the clouds, man? I just got the Chief's wire this +afternoon. In heaven's name, McCorquodale, what's the meaning of all +this?" + +"Heaven aint sittin' in on this hand, 'bo," grinned the C.L.S. +detective cheerfully. "It's devils I'm trailin'. Hell's broke loose +an' spilled 'em all over the map." + +"What do you mean? What's happened? Is my aunt----?" + +"Oh, y'needn't worry' bout y'r auntie none. She's all hunky-dory. +It's those booze birds we're goin' after, you'n'me, see. Chief's +orders, kid. An' oh boy! it's goin' to be some party, believe me! +Let's sit down here an' I'll wag m' jaw." + +Phil lighted his pipe; but it went out again as he listened with +breathless interest to McCorquodale's recital. Up to four days ago he +had had a very quiet and uneventful time of it at Sparrow Lake with +nothing happening which seemed to justify his presence there at all. +Then a stranger had put in an appearance and took to watching the +Waring cottage--no less a person than this man Weiler who already had +aroused McCorquodale's suspicion when the detective had worked as a +Brady Agency operative. The German, however, contented himself with +reconnoitring the vicinity between trains and asking a few casual +questions about the Waring household over at the station. He took the +first train back to the city. So did the "Iron Man." + +On arrival in the city the detective trailed his man to a cheap little +hotel on a back street, to a rear room on the top floor, where a second +man appeared to be awaiting him. By climbing out a hall window onto +the fire-escape McCorquodale had reached the flat gravelled roof and +wormed himself along into a position where he could hear what +transpired in the room. He had not listened long before he was +satisfied that Weiler had been sent on this spying expedition by the +man in the back bedroom and was reporting the result of his +investigations; in fact, he was drawing a rough map of Sparrow Lake and +marking the location of the Waring cottage when the detective found a +small hole in a skylight and looked cautiously down upon the pair. The +second "gink" was a big flabby-looking "duck," and when he had +descended quietly the detective had no difficulty in finding out that +the man was registered at the hotel as John Harrington. + +"Rives!" breathed Phil in suppressed excitement. + +McCorquodale nodded. By good fortune President Wade had just returned +to the city and to him the detective at once reported the full +circumstances. The Chief had been greatly interested and after +congratulating McCorquodale on his discretion had despatched him back +to the hotel with instructions to shadow Weiler no matter where the +trail led. It was then that McCorquodale had learned of an expedition +that was being planned by the bootlegging gang the railroad was anxious +to locate, and got concrete evidence that Weiler was the Eastern agent +of the whisky runners. The leader was a notorious character named Red +McIvor and this man had arranged to meet Weiler at a rendezvous near +Indian Creek. + +Cranston and McCorquodale had held a consultation with Wade and it was +decided that Cranston would watch things at the Toronto end while +McCorquodale was sent out to follow developments at Indian Creek. +McCorquodale had told Mr. Wade what Kendrick had suggested to him at +Sparrow Lake--that the two of them work together on this bootlegging +case, and the railroad president had then mentioned Phil's letter and +his whereabouts and told McCorquodale to make for Thorlakson Siding and +pass on instructions. + +Weiler bought a ticket for North Bay. There he had hung around for a +day, apparently waiting for somebody. At last three more fellows had +come in on a train. Weiler met them at the station and the whole party +took the train west that night, with McCorquodale trailing along. +Their destination was Indian Creek and on arrival they unloaded from +the express-car a Peterborough canoe, a tent and a lot of supplies. As +soon as the train pulled out they got ready for a trip into the woods. +Down on the riverbank, a few hundred rods through the bush back of the +station, a half-breed guide was waiting for them. He had a big +birch-bark canoe and the five of them began to hustle their belongings +off the platform. + +McCorquodale was forced to keep in the background until they had gone +and he was afraid that he would lose them. He questioned the Station +Agent closely; but that official could tell him nothing about the +strangers except that they said they were part of a geological +expedition for the Government, heading towards Port Nelson on James' +Bay. McCorquodale pretended to accept this information at face value; +but if those "birds" knew anything about any "ology" except boozeology +he was prepared to swallow his suspenders, buckles and all. Included +in their "supplies" were several cases of liquor; McCorquodale knew a +case of liquor when he saw it, no matter if it was wrapped in canvas +and covered with misleading labels. + +It had taken him a little while to locate a canoe that he could hire +together with a camping outfit; but finally he had started on the trail +once more. He had overhauled them about fifteen miles back from the +railroad where Indian Creek and Wolverine River joined waters. From +there he had followed them up stream for a few miles, keeping his +distance, till they came to a portage where the entire party +disembarked. Instead of making the portage to a point farther up, they +had gone into camp at what appeared to be an old lumber camp that had +not been in use for a couple of seasons. It looked as if they intended +to stay there for a while. + +"I know that deserted lumber camp," Phil nodded. + +"Well, that's where I comes from just now an' that's where we both +makes for as soon's we rustles a bite o' grub," concluded McCorquodale. +"I hikes down here special to get you soon's I'm sure them guys is +anchored. Say, that there Wolverine's some river, aint it? I got my +canoe back here a ways." + +"Cork, are you quite sure that this bunch is the gang Wade's after? +Supposing they turn out to be a fishing party or something?" + +"Fishin' party me neck!" scoffed McCorquodale. "With all them cases o' +the real McKay?" + +"Fishing is often a thirsty business for more than the fish. Anyway, +you don't know for sure that it's booze----" + +"Don't, eh? They starts in on it las' night an' some of 'em was lit up +like a corner saloon, I tell you. Didn't I see 'em an' didn't I _hear_ +'em? Great snakes! they kep' me awake with their shouts an' singin' +las' night fer hours an' I'm campin' a good loud holler away from their +hangout at that. I crep' down clost to find out what they was +celebratin' an' I hears 'em gabbin', see. The gang aint all there yet. +They're waitin' fer the Main Squeeze--this here Red McIvor I was +tellin' you about. I hears 'em mention his name, see, an' besides +Weiler's there an'----" + +"You win," conceded Phil. "Whisky traders, eh? Heading in to peddle +the stuff to the Indians and around the camps." He smoked thoughtfully. + +"If they keeps on lappin' it up the way they's doin' las' night they +aint goin' to do much tradin' in anythin' but headaches. Say, what +about this here bundle o' phoney hid in a hollow stump? Wade was +tellin' me you's up here lookin' after it. Cranston was wonderin' if +Weiler'd got a line on it an' mebbe that had somethin' to do with the +gang comin' together in this neighborhood. Did you find it?" + +"No, it was gone. I'm pretty certain that Podmore was after it and got +here ahead of everybody. Thorlakson hasn't noticed anybody hanging +around. It dosn't matter. Did Mr. Wade say anything to you about +young Stiles having disappeared? Miss Lawson is greatly worried over +the last part of the Chief's message." He passed it across as he spoke. + +McCorquodale grinned. + +"Leave it to me, 'bo. Jimmy Stiles is the young gaffer I's trailin' +that afternoon with that tan satchel from the Alderson Construction +Company's office. No, the Chief didn't say anythin' to me 'bout him; +but I knows where he is." + +"You do?" + +"Sure Mike! An' I proceeds to dry them tears the Queen's sheddin' by +informin' her that the kid's within a few miles of her right now." + +"What? You mean he's----" + +"Yep. They got him prisoner back here at the lumber camp. He was one +o' the three what Weiler met at North Bay an' it didn't take me long to +tumble to the way they was watchin' him close. I slips him a note las' +night that friends was near an' to be on the lookout f'r us. We're +goin' to rescue the kid, see. He'll be our star witness." + +"Well, what next!" gasped the astonished Kendrick. He stared at the +detective. "You're not joking? If so, your levity is decidedly +ill-timed." + +"Yeah," agreed McCorquodale doubtfully. "Uh-hunh. On'y I don't happen +to be wavin' no wand an' floatin' horizontal in the air, see. I'm +handin' it to you straight up an' down. Stiles is there an' we gotta +get him away from those guys. As f'r any jokin'----" He drew out his +police automatic and patted it significantly. "This gun cracks ten +jokes without stoppin', see, if there's any funny work goin' on." + +Phil's surprise at the turn events were taking was only equalled by the +excitement with which Cristy Lawson received the news when presently +she was called outside and introduced to the C.L.S. detective. She +listened eagerly, interjecting a rapid question now and then as if her +mind were racing beyond the facts of the recital to a logical solution +of the mystery not apparent to the others. She nodded her head once or +twice and laughed a little. When McCorquodale had recounted everything +that he had observed she was silent for a moment, head bent in thought. + +"How soon are you going back to the camp?" she asked at last. + +"As soon as Mrs. Thorlakson will give us something to eat," replied +Phil. + +"Good. I'm ready." + +"But--You don't understand," objected Phil. "We can't take you along, +Miss Lawson. It wouldn't be----" + +"Of course you can. I certainly am going with you." + +"Impossible! Your injured foot----" + +"Nonsense, it's all right now. I'm going with you," she repeated. +"There are reasons why I must go; so please don't argue about it." + +"But that's exactly what I intend to do," declared Kendrick decidedly. +He shook his head. "There isn't room in the canoe in the first place +and besides there's liable to be trouble. Isn't that so, McCorquodale?" + +"Mr. Kendrick, as the representative of the _Recorder_ it is absolutely +necessary----" + +"I'm sorry, Miss Lawson; but I refuse to take the responsibility." + +"I'll assume all risk, Mr. Kendrick." + +"You would be in our way, to be frank. We'll be bringing Stiles back +here with us and you can wait till we come." + +Almost tearfully she appealed to the detective to that worthy's evident +embarrassment. Cap in hand, he made a profound and formal bow in an +attempt to be diplomatic. + +"Pardon me, lady, but you're crazy!" he stated politely. "Crazy as a +bed-bug! It can't be did!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +FURTHER STRANGE PROCEEDINGS + +The sun was dropping behind the wooded hills and only the golden rim of +it peeped above the tree-tops when they set out. Before long the +purple dusk came creeping in from the east where clouds were banking in +the sky. + +Kendrick expected to be back by daylight or at latest by noon next day. +As they paddled up stream against a strong current his thoughts were +busy with the events of the past few weeks, particularly those of the +last four days. He marvelled at their kaleidoscopic nature. It seemed +ages ago that he had fought a fist battle with this stalky, +good-natured chap whose muscular shoulders were swinging in rhythm with +his own; yet it was only a month. Now here they were, miles from +civilization, heading into the night-obscured depths of the wilderness +on an adventure of unknown hazard. + +And this girl with the wonderful eyes and wonderful hair, wonderful wit +and vivacity, wonderful--diamond ring on her engagement finger! + +"Steady, 'bo, steady!" warned McCorquodale. "Take y'r time. We got a +lot o' this to do." + +Their eyes were growing accustomed to the semi-darkness of the wooded +aisle through which the deep Wolverine River raced with a symphony of +water sounds. The stream was easy of navigation all the way to the +rapids below Kinogama Falls and it was a case of paddling without +pause. Kendrick and Cristy had gone as far as the deserted lumber camp +on their first day's jaunt in Svenson's canoe; they had been all over +the place, little dreaming that so shortly it was to be occupied by +these doubtful characters, or that he was to return to the spot on an +errand of such consequence. + +Not far from the portage at the foot of the rapids there was an old +logging road, if they could but find it in the dark. The last mile +could be covered more quickly by this route than by following the tump +trail past the rapids, and it would lead them straight to the camp. +The moon would not be up until after midnight and the tote road +promised a more noiseless approach for the preliminary reconnoitring +that was necessary to carry out the detective's plan. + +It was McCorquodale's suggestion that they creep down on the camp and, +if possible, get Stiles away first. After that they would go after +Weiler. If they waited until the four men were asleep or were lucky +enough to catch their man far enough away from the others to permit of +capturing him without too much commotion, it ought to be feasible to +carry him into the woods. There, as the detective put it, they could +"frighten the gizzard out of him" and learn the meaning of his trip to +Sparrow Lake and what Rives was up to; also they would make him tell +what he knew about Nickleby's dealings with Red McIvor. At any rate +they ought to be able to learn enough to decide on a definite course of +action in rounding up the bootleggers. To McCorquodale it was a +gratifying prospect. Lead him to it! + +The night was exceptionally still, without a breath of air stirring the +forest. In the deep hush that brooded over the wilderness small sounds +held sway that ordinarily would have been submerged in the paean of the +wind in the firs--the whisper of the Wolverine where it swept, deep and +strong; its strident chatter to a fling of gravel at occasional bends +in the stream; its sucking snarl over a sunken boulder. The movements +and whistlings of owls and bats in the dark, moss-clung corridors on +either side were quite distinct; so were the whines and snorts of +weasels and other small animals, noisy in the underbrush. And +undertoning all other sounds, unceasing, like a hidden menace, rose the +drone of insect life--the _hm-m-m-m-m-m-m_ of the muskeg swarms. + +After perhaps an hour and a half of hard paddling they reached the +little lake which marked the junction of Indian Creek with the +Wolverine. Beyond this point the stream narrowed and navigation became +more difficult. As the shores began to widen out at the forks +Kendrick, whose eyes long since had become focused to the twilight of +the stars, saw that McCorquodale had thrown up his hand and was +motioning for him to cease paddling. At the same time his ear caught a +new sound--a chant of voices rapidly growing louder. + +Cautioning silence, McCorquodale swung the nose of the canoe abruptly +towards the right bank and they slid noiselessly into the deeper +shadows, where the detective caught hold of an overhanging branch and +held the canoe stationary. Presently Phil was able to recognize the +familiar words of an old _voyageur_ chantey, a paddling song of the +French-Canadian rivermen: + + "_En roulant, ma boulé, roulant; + En roulant, ma bo-u-lé._" + + +With paddles swinging in unison to the rhythm came four men in a large +Indian canoe, speeding with the current down the centre of Indian +creek. Peering from their concealment, Kendrick and the detective +could discern the blacker outlines of the craft and its occupants as it +sped forth from the gloom of the forest into the starlit area of the +tiny lake. The great canoe was low in the water; for heaped in the +centre of it was what was evidently a pile of freight, with two men in +front and two behind. The steersman swung the prow around and on they +went up the Wolverine without a pause in the sweep of the paddles or +the swing of the song: + + "_Rouli roulant, ma boulé, roulant, + En roulant, ma boulé, roulant, + En roulant, ma bo-u-lé._" + +"French half-breeds," guessed Kendrick when the singing modulated in +distance, "and they're heading for the lumber camp. What do you make +out of that?" + +"Looks like this 'Red' party them guys was talkin' about last night had +hit camp. I'll lay even money them fellas has been down to the station +fer another shipment o' booze," asserted McCorquodale. "We gotta do +some careful gumshoein', old man. Them birds is feelin' their oats." + +From the junction of the two streams it was only a matter of four or +five miles to the foot of the rapids, and after a while they could hear +the distant roar of the water. Paddling cautiously now and keeping +well within the deeper shadows close to shore, they finally reached the +spot where the tote road debouched on the river and without mishap +disembarked and hauled the canoe out of sight into the bushes. In +following the lumber trail there was the danger that they might meet +some of the men from the camp; but after a whispered colloquy they +decided it was a risk which had to be run. Since the old tote road had +received its last "swamping out" it had accumulated enough underbrush, +saplings and fallen limbs in spots to afford emergency concealment of a +sort. + +They had gone but a short distance into the woods, however, before both +of them stopped abruptly and listened to a strange sound which carried +to them eerily in the quiet night with all the mystery of the +unaccountable. It was like the beat of a distant drum, a hollow tattoo +that came and went at regular intervals: + + _Rumma-tumma-tum-tum . . . tum-tum!_ + _RUM-tummaty-tum-tum . . . tum-tum!_ + +"What is that?" said Kendrick in a low voice. + +"It's a new one on me," muttered McCorquodale in an awed tone. + +"Sounds like an Indian drum. Listen. There it is again." + +As they advanced the intermittent drumming increased in volume. +Presently above the trees they could see a glow in the sky. The +reflection of what seemed to be a huge bonfire grew so strong that they +left the logging trail for fear of discovery and stole forward +cautiously through the woods. + + _Rappa-tappa-tap-tap . . . tap-tap!_ + _RAP-tappety-tap-tap . . . tap-tap!_ + +A medley of many voices rose in a weird chant which struck across the +night like the wall of some stricken victim of the _loup garou_. It +fell away abruptly and the drumming noise renewed. + +Turning sharply to the right to get well away from the tote road, +Kendrick and his companion crept at last to the edge of the clearing +and took refuge in a hollow where a fallen tree hid them completely. +From behind this shelter they peered forth upon a strange scene. + +In front of the bunk house, cook shanty, stables, sealer's shanty and +other low log buildings that once had been a lumber-camp, was an open +space, about two acres in extent, lighted up like day by a bonfire at +each end. In the centre, alongside a stump, his figure boldly revealed +by the firelight, stood a man with dishevelled hair and a stubby growth +of black whisker. He wore the corduroys and Strathcona boots of a +shantyman; about his waist was a bright red scarf. Inverted upon the +stump was an empty wooden box and in each hand he flourished an empty +whisky bottle. + +Seated upon the ground in a semi-circle were nine of the roughest +looking men Phil ever had seen, each with a piece of broken pine box +across his knees and a whisky bottle or a short stick in either hand. +Some of them were undoubtedly half-breeds, swarthy of skin and very +unkempt; some bore the scars of knife wounds on their faces--riff-raff +of the cities mixed with the off-scourings of railway and lumber camps. +The whole motley crew were in various stages of drunkenness and it was +evident that the whisky-traders' song they were singing appealed to +them as about the funniest and most musical thing they ever had +enjoyed, for each man tried to outdo his neighbor in the vim which he +put into his efforts. The leader by the stump had cursed them into +realization of the grave importance of pounding the accompaniment in +proper unison, and after much practice had got them into some semblance +of accord. + +"Now fer the last time, fellers!" he shouted, and away they went: + + "Rum fer Injuns when they come! + Rum fer the beggars when they go! + That's the trick, my grizzled lads, + To catch the cash and snare the foe!" + + _Racka-tacka-tack-tack . . . tack-tack!_ + _RACK-tackety-tack-tack . . . tack-tack!_ + + +"This aint goin' to be no cinch, 'bo," came McCorquodale's serious +whisper in Kendrick's ear. "This mob's come in durin' the afternoon. +We better get back an' pick up a gang o' our own--some o' them guineas +from the railroad. Then we can clean this bunch up in proper shape." + +"Wait," muttered Kendrick. "What are they doing now?" + +One of the men was digging a hole while two others picked up a small +log which they presently up-ended in the hole, tramping the earth about +it firmly. The individual who acted as master of ceremonies gazed +expectantly towards the bunk house where a heavily built man with sandy +hair and whiskers had put in an appearance and was waving his hand. + +"There's Red and Weiler!" + +"Keep quiet!" commanded Phil. + +Corduroys had mounted the stump and was addressing the boisterous +crowd. Apparently he was looked upon as something of a wag, for he was +interrupted frequently by laughter. His voice carried distinctly. + +"Gents an' fel--ler citizens," he began, striking an oratorical +attitude, "we now comes to the next num--ber on the program, the which +is costin' a lot o' cold coin. Fif--ty thous--and dollars, gents, is +what it costs to have the Perfessor put on his little stunt. Fif--ty +thous--and dollars! We calls it 'The Double-Cross an' the Get-Away.' +The Perfessor has double-crossed our friend an' worthy leader, Red +McIvor, an' refuses to say where he has buried the hidden treasure. +Instead of fifty thousand good bucks, he hands over a wad o' phoney +bills. Instead o' fifty thousand genooine plunks we will now perceed +to have fifty thousand dollars' worth o' fun--the Perfessor's treat, +gents. He will now demonstrate his get-away. He is an insect an' to +the insects he goes from here. He has stung us an' it is now his turn +to git stung. I have grea--at pleasure in callin' upon the Perfessor." + +As he finished speaking there issued from the log shanty a struggling +group. Dragging between them in no gentle fashion a kicking, screaming +prisoner, came Red McIvor and the German. They kicked him forward into +the arms of the waiting men at the post, to which he was bound quickly +from feet to waist. The firelight played upon the prisoner's distorted +features as he begged them to let him go. His pleadings were greeted +with shouts of laughter. + +Kendrick clutched McCorquodale's arm in sudden excitement. + +"By the eternal, it's Hughey Podmore!" he gasped in disbelief. +"They've caught Podmore with that bogus money on him! That's what he +means." + +"There's Stiles--the one they're bringin' out now," whispered +McCorquodale, pointing to a second prisoner who was being hustled out +to witness the performance. His hands were tied behind his back and +the man who had him in charge shoved him roughly to a sitting posture +and pointed towards the post. + +Kendrick's face was tense at he watched. His eyes smouldered with cold +fire. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +A MAN OF MONEY + +McIvor, the leader of the crew, was holding out the envelope taken from +the stump and saying something to the first prisoner. They could not +catch the words at that distance. Podmore shook his head and renewed +his pleadings. The only response to these was an oath and a cruel blow +on the mouth from the enraged ruffian, who now issued a sharp command. + +Two of his men sprang at the prisoner and in a trice had stripped him +to the skin from the waist up. They tore his shirt to ribbons. A jerk +of McIvor's hand brought a third man on the run, carrying a tin can. +He began to smear the contents over the back and chest and arms of the +shrieking prisoner. While the onlookers rocked with drunken laughter +Red McIvor peeled bill after bill from the roll of stage money in his +hand and plastered them to the prisoner's naked body with resounding +slaps. + +"Tar an' feathers up to date--spruce gum an' greenbacks!" mumbled the +detective. "Hear that feller yell!" + +Kendrick's eyes were ablaze. He whipped out his revolver, his teeth +clenched. + +"McCorquodale, we can't sit here and see him killed in front of our +eyes. This thing's gone far enough. I'm going out there----" But the +detective grabbed him and with an oath dragged him back. + +"Y' gone clean nutty?" he protested furiously. "Wanta get croaked, y' +poor fish? Fat chanst y' got with them bohunks armed with rifles! +It's six to one!" + +"They're scaring the poor devil to death, I tell you. See, they're +getting ready to drive him into the bush! Man, don't you understand? +The flies! He'll be eaten alive!" + +McCorquodale carried his profanity pretty close to the surface at all +times, but the wellspring of it that gushed from him as once more he +dragged Kendrick off his feet sounded the depths of anxiety and formed +a lurid preface to angry argument. Had Kendrick forgotten Stiles? +They couldn't hope to save both prisoners at once. Get Stiles first +and they could organize a search-party for Podmore afterward. + +"The whole mob'll be chasin' off in a minute an' that's the chanst we +gotta lay for. Don't go 'n' spoil everythin' just as it's comin' our +way. For the love o' Pete, 'bo, stuff moss in your ears an' sit tight!" + +Kendrick had himself in hand again immediately. In an open fight with +that gang two men hadn't a ghost of a show. As it was, their situation +was desperate enough. The best that could be done for Podmore was to +let things take their course for the moment. Later---- + +The detective's prediction was being fulfilled rapidly. The last bill +had been stuck in place and the drunken gang had staggered to their +feet, jeering and laughing at the grotesque appearance of their victim. +They formed in two lines with sticks in their hands in preparation for +the moment when the prisoner would be released and forced to run the +gauntlet of their blows in his flight to the woods. + +Podmore's eyes were rolling in the agony of his terror. A crimson +slobber drooled from his swollen lips. As he was cut loose from the +cords that bound him to the post and the first stick thumped his back +he sprang away with a frenzied yell. + +There was but one path left him--straight down between those two lines +of hideous leering faces. Beyond he would be free and the woods for +him held no terrors to equal the panic of the moment. With arms hugged +over his head for protection he made his dash to such good purpose that +he leaped by the excited rows of man-baiters with only one or two bad +bruises. In their eagerness to achieve a good wallop some of his +intoxicated tormentors missed him altogether and succeeded only in +swinging themselves off their feet as he passed. Those who thus went +sprawling tripped up the others and the scramble enabled him to get a +good sprinting lead. Fear sped his feet. He seemed not merely to run; +he took wing and flew--a screeching, gibbering madman. + +And laughing loudly, yelling, brandishing their clubs, the whole crazy +howling mob took after him. + +Kendrick gnashed his teeth as he watched and waited. His throat was +dry, his fingers twitching with repressed rage. When at last he spoke +his voice was hoarse. + +"Ready, Cork? There's only one in sight. Come on!" + +"Leave'm to me!" growled McCorquodale huskily, grabbing up a stout +stick. "You look after Stiles." + +They dashed into the open at top speed. The man who had remained +behind to guard the second prisoner was still standing in the same +spot, holding Stiles by the coat-collar and listening to the receding +uproar and the wild screams of Podmore as he fled for his life. Both +the man and his prisoner were gazing off towards the tote road down +which the stragglers of the chase were just disappearing. McCorquodale +was within ten feet of them before the fellow turned. As the detective +scooted at him he let out a startled yell which was effectively chopped +in the middle by the descending blow. + +"Mr. Kendrick!" gasped the white-faced Stiles, his eyes bright. + +"Quick, Jimmy!" + +He cut the cords that pinioned the other's arms and hustled the +speechless youth across the clearing. + +"Hi, there! Stop!" + +Red McIvor at the door of the shanty had just caught sight of them. He +jumped back inside for a rifle. + +"Beat it!" yelled McCorquodale. "Under cover!" + +The bullets clipped twigs from the trees as the three plunged into the +woods. + +"This way. Quick! Follow me, you fellows," cried Phil. He jumped a +log and struck to the left at a sharp angle. "I know a place where we +can stand them off--if we can make it." + +They floundered on, barking their shins in the darkness that +encompassed them beyond the circle of the bonfires. Behind them McIvor +was hallooing to his scattered followers at the top of his lungs and +cursing impotently between hollers as he poked about at the edge of the +clearing. + +The bedlam which had broken loose when Podmore was freed had trailed +out to a scatter of noise in the distance. Far away the shrieks of the +half-demented man of money still rose above the shouting and cat-calls, +but they were growing less frequent and fainter. Podmore was making +good time apparently. There was a lot of hallooing going on from one +to another, while loud voices and laughter marked the return of +stragglers who had dropped out of the chase. + +With so many stumbling about in the dark Phil reckoned that the +unavoidable snapping of dry sticks in their scramble through the +undergrowth would pass unnoticed long enough to enable them to get well +away. Once or twice they crouched in silence to allow groups of men to +pass them; for Kendrick was now taking a course parallel to the tote +road. Every little while he paused to listen for the fresh outbreak +that would take place back at the camp as soon as Red McIvor had got +enough of his men together to start an organized pursuit. He grinned +presently as a chorus of hallooing flung wide upon the night to apprize +those farthest away that something had gone wrong and to recall them. +By this time, however, the three fugitives were almost within reach of +their goal and could afford to slacken pace in favor of stealth. + +The temporary refuge for which Phil was heading was a rocky elevation +which rose not more than a stonesthrow from the logging road. It +marked the end of a spur which jutted out from the ridge than ran +toward Kinogama Falls. Some by-gone age of upheaval had thrust skyward +a huge pillar of granite and the centuries had gathered about its base +a rubble of boulders and earth in which the forest growths had taken +root and spread up the slopes. On the top of this hill was a +basin-like depression which made a natural rampart for defensive +purposes and Phil had remarked as much on the day that he and Cristy +Lawson had climbed to it. They had stood looking around at the huge +broken slabs of granite and speculating upon the oddness of the +formation, while their conversation had taken on an academic flavor as +they discussed the nebular and glacial theories. They had discovered +at the bottom of a great cleft in the rock, a spring of sparkling +water, so cold that it was impossible to drink it without frequent +pauses. They had named the place "The Saucer," had eaten their lunch +there. He remembered how beautiful she had looked as she talked in +carefree animation and he had taken her hand to pilot her among the +rocks and---- That was just three days ago! + +"Easy now, fellows," cautioned Phil in a whisper. "It's just a short +climb, but watch your step. Give me your hand, Cork, and you take hold +of Jimmy's. For the life of you don't dislodge any stones. They'd go +down with a crash that could be heard a mile on a night like this." + +They reached the top without this misfortune, however, and dropped +behind the rocks with no little satisfaction. + +"Now Jimmy, what's the meaning of all this?" demanded Phil. "Keep your +voice down to a whisper. Podmore--what about him? And how in the +mischief did these toughs get hold of you?" + +It was only by the greatest effort that Stiles pulled himself together. +The excitement of seeing friends and of the escape had keyed him to the +required effort, but with the tension relaxed he was on the point of +collapse. None too strong at any time, the terrible experiences of the +past few days had weakened him greatly; he had had little to eat and +the strain of the last twenty-four hours had exhausted him. He covered +his face with his hands and shook as with an ague. + +"Well, never mind, just now, Jimmy," said Phil quickly as he noted this +condition with some anxiety. "There's a lot of talking to be done, but +it can wait. You lie down and get some rest, old man,----" + +"Can it! Can it!" whispered McCorquodale fiercely. He held up his +hand and listened. + +After the uproar of the past twenty minutes the sudden quiet in the +vicinity of the camp was ominous. There was no longer any sound of +Podmore or of the chase. But now and then a dry stick snapped and +there was a swishing of bushes. The sounds seemed to come from three +or four points at once. + +"They're searching the woods for us," whispered Phil. "They probably +figure we'd make for the river. After everything's quiet, we'll slip +away from here and try for the canoe, but not----" + +_Bang!--Bang!-Bang!_ + +The rifle shots shattered the quiet within a hundred yards of them, +down the tote road towards the river. The three fugitives leaped to +their feet and strained their ears to interpret the sudden renewal of +pandemonium that had broken out all around them. Men were shouting to +each other and plunging excitedly towards the sound of the guns. There +was a noise of pursuit rapidly approaching along the logging road. +Then came a bull-like bellow of rage and a woman's scream. + +Kendrick's face went white in sudden comprehension. + +"She's followed us!" he groaned. "Stay here, Stiles. Come on, Cork. +It's Miss Lawson!" + +Trailing profanity like an express locomotive trailing smoke, +McCorquodale followed down the hill in long stumbling jumps. Loose +stones showered after them and large rocks dislodged and crash-smashed +through the bushes. Without an instant's pause Phil went leaping over +fallen trees and tearing through the undergrowth like one possessed, +swearing at the occasional obstruction over which he tripped in the +dark. + +He broke through into the tote road just as the girl's fleeing figure +loomed dimly in the twilight. + +"Here, Cristy!" he shouted. "This way. The Saucer! Make for the +Saucer! Are you all right?" + +"Yes," she panted. "Oh, Philip,--Svenson--call Svenson!" Neither of +them gave thought to the familiar names by which they addressed each +other under the stress of the moment. + +"Here, Cork. Help her. Hustle back, the both of you." + +There was no time to lose. Members of the gang were plunging through +the woods towards the spot from several directions. Kendrick sped down +the tote road, revolver in hand. Svenson was not hard to locate, for +he was bellowing like a bull of Bashan in the middle of the trail, +shaking his fist in the air and hurling defiance at a cringing group +who were just picking themselves up from the ground where they had been +flung by the enraged Swede. + +"Come on, Svenson! This is Kendrick. Quick, man," called Phil. +"We've got her safe. But there's a million more of them coming through +the woods." + +They ran for it none too soon. Rifle flashes broke in the dark like +fireflies elongated. Bullets were whining past them and thudding into +the tree-trunks and plowing up the ground all around them as they dove +into the thicket; but it was blind guess work shooting in the dark. +They got through unscathed. + +At the foot of the hill they overtook McCorquodale and Cristy just as +the sharp bark of the detective's automatic sent three pursuers hastily +to cover. The big Swede swept the girl over his shoulder as if she had +been a sack of meal and started rapidly up the ascent while Kendrick +dropped behind a rock and joined McCorquodale in the fusilade with his +own weapon. + +The firing was bringing the whole gang about their ears and as soon as +he had given Svenson time to reach the top Phil ordered the detective +to beat a retreat. They tumbled in among their friends, all but winded. + +Svenson sat down and wiped away the blood that was trickling down his +face from a scalp wound. + +"_Yum_--pin' _Yim_iny!" he puffed with emphasis. "Vell, by golly!" + +"Y've said somethin', Goliath," approved McCorquodale with a grin. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +DOUBLE TROUBLE + +Inwardly raging, Kendrick crept about, making anxious inventory of +their hurts. + +There was little use in voicing his amazement that they had been fired +upon with unmistakable intent to do bodily harm--and for such trivial +cause. He had not dreamed that any gang of men would dare to carry out +such an attack in Northern Ontario in these days of established law and +order. These were not pioneer times and a dangerous situation like +this in which they found themselves was out of place except in a moving +picture. One could look for anything to happen in the photo plays +which staged bloody scenes in a corner of a city park, called it "the +Canadian wilds" and shot at least one man every thousand feet of film. +But here in Northern Ontario, a few miles from the luxurious +trans-continental passenger trains _de luxe_--! Scum and all as these +fellows were, they would not dare do this unless they were crazy with +liquor. + +There was ample proof that they were drunk enough for anything and in +the face of the real danger of the situation nothing was to be gained +by recriminations. It was through no fault of McIvor or his men that +their bullets had not caused serious wounds or several fatalities. +Phil was thankful to find that his little party had escaped. Their +clothes were badly torn, of course, and all of them bore various +scratches and bruises from contact with the forest undergrowth in the +dark; but beyond the gash on Svenson's head and another on Phil's +shoulder where a bullet had torn through his sleeve, they had escaped +for the time being. + +He found Cristy Lawson and young Jimmy Stiles in a nook behind the +rocks, exchanging confidences with breathless interest. She had +lighted a small candle and stuck it up in a recess where its feeble +rays were hidden from outside view. She had brought along a canvas +haversack into which she had thrust a number of things she had thought +might be useful in an emergency, including sewing materials, a bottle +of Mrs. Thorlakson's special liniment and a package of sandwiches. The +latter she had opened and Stiles had been munching away while she told +him all that had taken place since she left Toronto--nearly all, that +is. But it was Stiles who was talking when Phil joined them--talking +so rapidly and excitedly that he was almost incoherent. At sight of +Kendrick he stopped abruptly and when the girl turned, Kendrick noted +that she was scarcely less agitated. + +"Jimmy has something to say that you should know at once," she +explained hurriedly, averting her gaze. She seemed very much upset. + +He hastened away to post McCorquodale and Svenson to watch for further +demonstrations from the enemy. There was no sign of any intention on +the part of Red McIvor's men to assault the impregnable position. The +whole gang seemed to have drawn off, for the present at least, and it +would be impossible for any of them to creep up the hill without giving +ample warning of their approach. So, cautioning both to keep their +ears open and to call him at the first sign of further trouble, he +slipped back to hear what Stiles had to say. + +The story of the bookkeeper's strange experience was so absorbing that +it was not long before both his auditors completely forgot their +surroundings. The gang of toughs in the camp below were running a +consignment of cheap whisky and rum into the north country for +distribution among the camps and various unscrupulous traders who would +supply it to lumberjacks, trappers, construction gangs and even Indians +in due season. This Red McIvor was a notorious character who was known +in many an out-of-the-way corner of the North for the boldness of his +operations and his defiance of the law. + +But is [Transcriber's note: it?] was not just chance that had brought +him into this part of the country on his present expedition. It was +the money hidden in the stump. McIvor was open for any sideline in +dishonesty that gave promise of lucrative returns and his agent, +Weiler, had been very busy in Toronto recently. Somebody had tipped J. +C. Nickleby as to Podmore's underhand activities--Ferguson, the +lawyer, Stiles thought; but was not sure--and Podmore had been watched +closely and followed when he started West. Word had been passed to Red +McIvor, who had lost no time in getting on the trail of this +fifty-thousand-dollar pick-me-up, with the result that he had reached +out a hairy arm, twisted his fingers in Mr. Podmore's coat-collar and +calmly dispossessed him of the sealed envelope which he had recovered +from the stump. The chase which had ended thus had not been prolonged, +as the city man had been no match for the experienced woodsman in the +latter's own environment. + +When McIvor found that all he had for his efforts was a package of +worthless stage money he was furious. He at once concluded that +Podmore had tricked him and had hidden the real money. He trusted his +eastern agent implicitly and neither Podmore's own blank surprise when +the envelope was opened or his most desperate protestations could +change McIvor's idea of the situation. Knowing the truth of the +matter, Stiles had tried to save Podmore from the rough punishment +meted out to him at McIvor's camp, but his net return for his efforts +was abuse; he dare not reveal too close a connection with the envelope +as his own position already was too precarious. + +On the night following his luncheon with Kendrick Stiles had gone back +to the office to finish some work. He was in the habit of working on +the books at night occasionally. He had no sooner let himself in than +he became aware of a heated discussion that was going on behind the +ground-glass partition which separated Alderson's private office from +the general office. One voice was Nickleby's; the other he did not +recognize, but from the tenor of the remarks he felt sure that what was +going on was of vital interest to his friends. Instead of turning on +the light, therefore, he had crept close to the partition. + +He soon knew that the man alone with Nickleby in that office was +Harrington Rives, late of the penitentiary, and that Rives had known +Nickleby in the past. In fact, Rives was calmly advising Nickleby to +remember that the police had long memories, and that away down south in +the States was a certain institution which would be glad at any time to +welcome home a prodigal no matter how often he changed his name. After +this remark Nickleby had cooled down very quickly, as if realizing that +he was in Rives' power, and it was apparent to the eager youth in the +outer office that the pair understood each other thoroughly. Judging +by the clinking of glass and a certain recklessness of speech, both +were drawing heavily upon Alderson's stock of liquid "office supplies." + +Stiles had become so excited over his discovery that for the moment he +had forgotten the danger of his own position. Accidentally he knocked +his knee against the partition and the first thing he knew Nickleby and +Rives came into the outer office on the run. They caught him just as +he had reached the door. + +When they realized that he had overheard their conversation his life +had been in danger for an instant; for Nickleby was in a white-hot +passion and would have choked him. But the ex-politician took the +situation very coolly and dragged Nickleby loose somewhat roughly. +There was no use in getting excited, he had advised calmly; there were +other ways of taking care of this young man. Whereupon they had shut +him inside the vault while they discussed the matter of his discreet +disposal. + +It was perhaps half an hour later that a closed cab had driven up the +lane at the rear of the building. Two men were inside the vehicle, +waiting for him. It was too dark for him to get a good look at them +just then. They lost no time in tying a pocket-handkerchief around his +ankles and blindfolding him with another. Rives and Nickleby remained +behind at the office. Jimmy knew that his two custodians were "tough," +if their talk and manner meant anything, and whenever he tried to speak +to them they told him to "shut up or we'll knock your block off," +following up the threat with sundry kicks and blows. + +"There's your melodrama for you, Mr. Kendrick," Cristy could not resist +interpolating, "closed cab and all." + +They left the city and drove for most of the night along country roads. +About dawn they reached their destination and when the bandage was +removed Stiles found himself in an empty room that was so dusty and +musty he came to the conclusion it was an empty house on some little +travelled side road. As soon as it grew light enough to take an +inventory of his surroundings Stiles went to the window, but could see +nothing except hills, valleys and bushland. Not a single habitation +was in sight. He found out later that the place was down near +Stockton, somewhere back in Clam Creek Valley, many miles from the +city; it was from the Stockton station that they afterwards boarded the +train. + +Food was brought in to him regularly three or four times by a toothless +old woman who refused to talk. They watched him too closely for any +attempt at escape, one of his guards remaining in the room all day. + +The next night he heard voices and a general stirring about the place +and before long he knew that Rives had arrived. He came into the room +with the two men who had ridden in the cab and they tried to make +Stiles tell what he knew about the missing campaign fund money. It had +been a bad half hour that followed; but at last they decided that he +really knew nothing about the matter. + +Rives had sent the other two out of the room then and had adopted a +less truculent manner. He told Stiles that he had no desire to do him +any injury and that no harm would befall him if he did exactly as he +was told. It was necessary that Jimmy disappear completely for a +while, and accordingly they had arranged for him to take a little +holiday trip into Northern Ontario with the two "boys" who had ridden +with him the night before. If he agreed to go with them and to make no +attempt to escape or create a disturbance he would be treated with +every consideration. There was no reason, Rives said, why the trip +would not prove a genuine holiday jaunt; there would be canoeing, +fishing, camping out, plenty to eat and so on and he would be back +after a while with a fine coat of tan and, if he behaved himself, money +in his pocket. + +With his voice dropped suddenly to a strictly confidential tone, Rives +had then informed Jimmy that the missing campaign fund money had been +located--at a place called Thorlakson, west on the C.L.S. railway, +hidden in a certain stump beside a water-tank. Very carefully he led +up to the proposal that Stiles should attempt to secure this money +without the knowledge of his camp-mates. It was then that Jimmy had +learned from Rives about Red McIvor and the logging-camp where the +party was to gather; that the station at which they would leave the +train was called Indian Creek, and that it was the next station beyond +Thorlakson--just a few miles away. Rives said that both Red McIvor and +a man named Podmore were after the money and he was afraid that if they +secured it they would steal it whereas he, Rives, was anxious to +restore it to the rightful owner. If Jimmy would help him to do this, +get the money and turn it over to him, he would see that he was +suitably rewarded. If Jimmy refused to fall in with the plan outlined, +the alternative was a jail sentence; for it had been only with great +difficulty that he had persuaded Nickleby to refrain from putting +Stiles in jail on a charge of theft. + +Jimmy had pretended to be duly impressed and grateful to Rives. He had +agreed promptly to the proposal. The situation suddenly had become so +ludicrous that he had experienced great difficulty in maintaining the +proper solemnity. The opportunity of getting to Thorlakson where he +could report his discoveries to Miss Lawson was the thing he most +desired. + +But he had failed to reckon the possibility that he would be unable to +escape. It had seemed to be an easy thing to give his two companions +the slip; but when they detrained at Indian Creek he had been inveigled +into assisting with the unloading of the canoes, and on his first trip +to the creek a short distance from the station, he had found himself +forced into the Indian guide's canoe and carried beyond reach of help. + +He had planned then to escape after they reached the abandoned logging +camp, steal a canoe and come back to the railway line and down to +Thorlakson on a handcar or a freight train. But again he had not +reckoned on the number of men with whom he would have to deal at the +camp. McIvor's party proper consisted only of three men beside +himself; but the half-breeds and others who had been invited for a +spree began to straggle in till escape became almost impossible. They +caught him the first time he tried it and after that he had been +guarded more closely. It was plain to him that Nickleby, knowing of +this McIvor expedition, had paid McIvor's agent to carry him into the +heart of the wilderness with them and to keep him away from +civilization. + +In the light of this recital of the facts the presence of Jimmy Stiles +was no longer an unbelievable coincidence, but a logical outcome. +Nickleby, having made a dicker with McIvor's man to recover the money +from the stump before Podmore could get it, had attempted to kill two +birds with one stone by having McIvor take Stiles with him on his +expedition beyond the outposts of civilization. In doing that Nickleby +had no means of knowing that he was defeating his own ends by putting +Stiles within reach of friends. + +The end of the narrative found Kendrick full of eager questions. The +definite knowledge that Nickleby had a police record, that Rives knew +this and had looked him up on the strength of it, that the two had +their heads together--all this boded no good, as Phil saw it. +Nathaniel Lawson and Benjamin Wade apparently had been justified in +their worst suspicions of Nickleby. Kendrick asked Stiles for further +details of the conversation he had overheard between Nickleby and +Rives. Had he been able to catch all that was said? Was there any +indication that the two were planning further mischief? + +"They dropped their voices pretty low once or twice," replied Jimmy +with some hesitation, "but I got the most of it." He looked across at +Cristy Lawson and cleared his throat in such evident embarrassment that +Phil glanced quickly at the girl. + +"What is it, Miss Lawson, please? You and Jimmy are keeping something +back. Why? Is there something you think I ought not to know?" + +She looked up at that and he was surprised at the diffidence reflected +in her manner. + +"It isn't that it is anything you should not know," she said with an +effort to choose her words carefully. "On the contrary, you should +know it. But it is never pleasant to be the bearer of--bad news." + +"'Nothing is ever so bad that it might not be worse,'" he quoted, +endeavoring to cover his anxiety by a smile. "What is it, please?" + +"It is about your uncle, Mr. Kendrick." She turned to face him +squarely and spoke rapidly. "We have undeniable proof that the +Honorable Milton Waring is in collusion with Nickleby--and, +incidentally, Rives--and they are planning to misuse the funds of the +Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company. They are meeting about +midnight on the twenty-seventh at your uncle's house--over on the +Island--to close a deal which involves control of Interprovincial +stock. Nickleby has agreed to dispose of his holdings and those of his +clique at grossly inflated prices and to provide the money for the +purchase by a large loan with very inadequate collateral security. In +plain language it is a huge steal which may mean, possibly, that the +loan company will have to close its doors." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +LOWERING CLOUDS + +Phil gazed gravely at the girl's flushed, excited face; then at the +pale, serious Jimmy Stiles. He could not smile at this startling +statement as an out-and-out absurdity when it was so apparent that both +of them were sincere in their belief that it was the truth. + +"That is a pretty serious charge you are making, Miss Lawson," he said +quietly. "You speak of undeniable proof that my uncle is in collusion +with Nickleby. I think we may eliminate Rives as impossible in this +connection. As you know, my uncle was the man who put Rives in jail, +where he belonged. Just what do you mean by 'undeniable proof'?" + +"It is true that Rives was jailed through your uncle's efforts, but +that was twelve years ago, Mr. Kendrick. Twelve years is a long +time--in office. Political brooms have an unfortunate tendency of late +years to lose their splinters very rapidly once they are sure of a +place inside the door and it isn't a great while before they no longer +sweep clean." + +"'Undeniable proof,' I believe you said," persisted Phil. + +"Jimmy overheard Nickleby and Rives calmly discussing the meeting with +the Honorable Milton Waring, which is to take place on the night of the +twenty-seventh, and while he was unable to obtain the full details of +the scheme which is being hatched with your uncle's co-operation, he +learned enough to show that their plans are pretty near maturity. + +"If that were all, I would be inclined to say that Jimmy must have been +wool-gathering and have misunderstood what he heard; but, unfortunately +it isn't all--not by any matter of means." + +She paused and looked up at him bravely. + +"Mr. Kendrick, several times in the past few days our conversation has +wandered to political topics and once or twice you mentioned with some +resentment the personal attacks which are made upon our public men by +political opponents in the heat of electioneering. You said it was +enough to drive all thought of taking part in the government of the +country from the minds of decent citizens. You were pretty severe on +the newspapers, the party organs anyway, for some of the things they +have ventured to say about your uncle from time to time. I endeavored +to change the subject whenever you got going along this line for fear I +would say something which would hurt your feelings. I assure you it is +not easy for me to do that now. I am a newspaper woman, as you know, +and loyalty to my paper demands that I speak plainly. Also the +situation in which we find ourselves requires me to give you facts in +advance of publication--facts which have been very closely guarded by +the _Recorder_--and I am trusting to your discretion under most +difficult circumstances." + +"I understand, Miss Lawson. It's scarcely necessary to assure you that +your confidence will be respected." + +"I told you the other night that my editor had grown suspicious of the +Alderson Construction Company and that we had been gathering up +evidence for a graft exposure that would shock the country. I regret +very much that the Honorable Milton Waring is involved in these +charges, along with Blatchford Ferguson and Nickleby. Alderson himself +is merely a figurehead of Nickleby's; for, as I told you before, the +Alderson concern is ninety per cent. J. C. Nickleby. It was +immediately after a secret meeting between these four men that the +campaign fund contribution of fifty thousand dollars was made by the +Alderson Construction Company. You know what happened to it. +Photographs of this money are now in the _Recorder's_ possession. + +"But before this meeting took place at all we had run down the proof of +a real-estate transaction in connection with the proposed new Deaf and +Dumb Institute that was traceable finally to your uncle and Nickleby +and Ferguson. The three of them secretly formed a little syndicate. +Nickleby advanced the wherewithal to purchase the land, Ferguson bought +it up quietly and shrewdly through different agents at half its value, +and the Honorable Milt's contribution was to engineer the Government's +purchase of the site. In fact, we obtained the proof that it was he +who proposed the whole deal to Nickleby in the first place. The site +was purchased piecemeal, at sacrifice prices, from individual lot +owners for a total of $50,000. Its market value was $100,000. It was +sold to the Government for $200,000. The profit of $150,000 was split +three ways between your uncle, Ferguson and Nickleby. These are facts, +Mr. Kendrick, which have been established beyond question by my editor, +Mr. McAllister, by personal investigation." + +She paused and looked away from him to escape evidence of the pain +which she knew her words were giving him. His face seemed haggard in +the feeble flicker of the candle. Stiles had sat silent throughout, +poking some dried pine-needles into a little heap with a stick. He +continued carefully to poke them together and scatter them again, poke +them together and scatter them again. + +"You are quite sure--of the proof?" + +"I'm awfully sorry, Mr. Kendrick," and he looked up at her sympathetic +tones to find tears in her eyes. "There is no mistake. The _Recorder_ +has the sworn affidavits to prove its charges in connection with the +real-estate deal and Mr. McAllister has shown me photos of the cheques." + +Phil sat as if dazed. He could not trust himself to speak. He fought +against belief in his uncle's dereliction, but there seemed no loophole +of escape from such evidence and he knew that Cristy Lawson could have +no object in attempting to deceive him. She was telling him the truth. + +This, then, was the sort of thing Ben Wade had had in mind when he said +there was nothing to be gained by shutting one's eyes to the fact that +many a good man had found the political game as it was played these +days too many for him. He knew what McAllister had up his sleeve +perhaps. Was it part of the puzzle which the railroad president was +trying to piece together? What had Wade done with the stolen money +that Cristy had given him? He had had it photographed, for one thing, +and turned the photos over to McAllister! He had been helping Cristy +in her work! At the same time he had been trying to save Aunt Dolly +from--what? The suffering she would undergo under the disgrace of the +very exposure which Wade was helping to bring about? + +It was a muddle which was hard to penetrate. What a beautiful line of +talk Blatch Ferguson had handed him the other day! According to Blatch +the Honorable Milton Waring was one of the hardest-working, most +conscientious and high-principled men of the day and Blatch had had +greater opportunity of knowing that than most, he had said. He could +say that, knowing the facts, being one of the principals himself in the +graft that was going on!--could say that and follow it up with a homily +upon honesty in public life--say it with an exalted look upon his face! +How completely a bit of unsuspected truth could alter an entire +perspective! How easily he had been fooled when he became too +inquisitive! + +And his uncle? Had his uncle talked to him that foggy night only for +the purpose of fooling him too? "Even one man against a pack of wolves +can put up at least some kind of a fight, even though he knows that +sooner or later he is doomed to go down." His uncle knew, then, that +sooner or later discovery must come? He had talked about having tried +to do his duty and wanted his nephew to believe it no matter what +happened. But, as Cristy had pointed out, new brooms had time to +become worn and inefficient in twelve years of use. His uncle had been +talking in the past tense! He _had_ tried to do what he thought was +his duty--at first, when he swept into politics, inspired by the +victory over the Rives crowd. Twelve years apparently was a long time +to expect an inspiration to burn in the face of besetting temptations. + +Phil looked up at last, aware that the girl was speaking, tense with +eagerness. + +"I wanted you to know the truth, Mr. Kendrick," she was saying, "if +only that it will help you to understand how serious I consider the +news which Jimmy brings--this new deal that is pending, I mean. The +_Recorder_ must act at once to stop it. It is better that your uncle +face the charges as they now stand than to have this last and blackest +mark against him. I hope you agree with me?" + +"Decidedly," nodded Kendrick. "What you have told me, Miss Lawson, +has--well, kind of knocked the wind out of me. I can scarcely credit +it. Even yet, I am hoping against hope that it is not as bad as the +evidence seems to indicate. But one thing is certain, there is no use +in attempting to do anything but face the music. If my uncle is +guilty, he will have to pay the price; there can be no compromise +between right and wrong. On the other hand--well, false accusations +never yet downed an honest man." + +He was entirely unconscious that he was quoting Blatch Ferguson. +Impulsively Cristy held out her hand, her eyes glowing. + +"I am glad to hear you say that," she said softly. "Somehow, I felt +that you would take it--that way." + +"There is one thing I cannot force myself to believe," he asserted +confidently, "and that is that Uncle Milt would have any dealings with +this man, Rives. That seems to discredit----" + +"I think perhaps you have misunderstood part of it," interrupted +Stiles. "Miss Lawson didn't mean that Rives was mixed up with your +uncle. He's in with Nickleby, but I don't think Mr. Waring knows that +for a minute. From what Rives and Nickleby said I think they're +planning to give the deal away and get Mr. Waring into trouble--after +they get away themselves to a safe place, y'understand. The deal's +between Nickleby and your uncle, Mr. Kendrick. It was Rives who told +Nickleby they'd leave Mr. Waring 'holding the sack.' That was the way +he put it. I don't know whether Rives is going to be at this meeting +or not; but't aint likely." + +"And when did you say this meeting was?--the twenty-seventh?" + +"About midnight--that was exactly what Nickleby said." + +Phil turned quickly to the girl. + +"And do you know what day this is?" he demanded. + +"Wednesday--the twenty-seventh," she said calmly. + +"Then, to-night--Listen, Miss Lawson. Do I understand that you believe +an actual transfer of cash or negotiable securities will take place in +connection with this thing--_to-night_?" + +"Unless the date has been changed--yes. Jimmy overheard Nickleby say +he had arranged it that way. It is not likely that the date has been +changed, once Jimmy was safely out of the way; Nickleby and Rives would +be only too keen to get it over with before some hitch occurred." + +"Then we're too late!" cried Phil in excitement. + +"I do not expect you to help me, Mr. Kendrick, but I do expect that +your sense of fair play will prevent you from attempting to detain me." + +"Detain you? I don't understand, Miss Lawson. I am ready to help you +in every way I can to prevent this thing. I would be anyway, but with +these two criminals planning deliberately to get my uncle--why, there's +nothing we can do at this late date----" + +"There's the telegraph wire. What time is it now?" + +"Not quite ten o'clock," answered Phil, glancing at his watch. + +"If I could get away from here immediately, I could make it--wire the +story to the _Recorder_ with instructions to communicate with the +police--to-night, I mean. The paper doesn't go to press until after +three-thirty. But there's no time to lose." + +"Hey, 'bo!" called McCorquodale sharply. "Here comes the torchlight +parade. Get a wiggle on. Looks like they was goin' to set the woods +on fire!" + +All three sprang to their feet in consternation. For the time being +they had forgotten all about the McIvor gang. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE FIGHT + +Kendrick joined McCorquodale on the run. It needed but a glance over +the rock to observe two members of the gang approaching the base of the +hill through the woods, one carrying a flaring pine-knot torch, the +other a piece of white canvas tied to a stick. They were coming for a +parley. + +Phil summoned his little party around him for a hasty council of war. +It looked to be as good an opportunity as they were likely to have for +attempting to reach the river. Unless somebody had a better suggestion +to offer, let Miss Lawson, Svenson and Jimmy slip away, while +McCorquodale and he talked to these fellows on the opposite side of the +hill. + +"We'll jolly them along as well as we can to give the rest of you as +much time as possible. How does it strike you, Miss Lawson? Is the +ankle bothering you at all?" + +The girl was quite sure of herself. The ankle was all right and she +could handle the canoe. When she got to the section shanty she would +have Thorlakson get out the handcar and run her down to the nearest +telegraph operator and that was all there was to it. + +"In that case I can be of greater service as a rearguard," said +Kendrick. "Svenson's canoe is plenty large enough for the three of you +without overcrowding. It's really built for four, isn't it, Svenson?" + +"You bet you life Ay ben smart fallar," grinned the big Swede. "Das +ben gude yob, y'batcha. Das har canoe, she ride avay vith seven, den +take nodder vun. Yaw, das' rite, alrite." + +"What about you and Mr. McCorquodale?" asked Cristy. + +"Don't worry about us. We'll try to follow you as soon as possible, +but on no account are you to wait for us, once you reach the river. We +may be--delayed somewhat. If you watch your step and get any kind of +an even break on the luck, you'll get through O.K. + +"Svenson, listen to me carefully, now. You are to make it your first +business to protect Miss Lawson--at any cost. If you are discovered by +a sentry, silence him before he makes a noise. If you can't find your +own canoe, take any one you see; you'll find ours drawn up in the +bushes to the left of the trail, not far from the flat rock. It'll +only hold two; so you get Stiles and Miss Lawson afloat, then hump back +here. You understand, now? If they haven't touched the big canoe you +are to go along with the others; you are to come back only if the canoe +is too small to take you also. And if you get into trouble--fight!" + +"Ay goin' tew rase hell," grinned Svenson, growling with delight as he +swung the big club with which he had armed himself and tapped the +hunting knife in his belt. "Don't Ay toll you dat Ay ben gude smart +mans? Veil, by golly, das no yoke! Yust vatch may rase hell an' soak +dem on da hed!" + +"Not unless you can't possibly get away without a fight, remember," +warned Phil. "If it comes to a showdown, Miss Lawson,--if you are +discovered--you are to slip out of sight into the woods immediately. +And that means _immediately_, please. Don't wait for anything. Stiles +and Svenson will hold them back long enough for you to reach a canoe. +And for God's sake, get in and away as fast as you can go. You are the +one on whom most depends, remember. You _must_ get away without fail, +no matter what happens to the rest of us. + +"Jimmy, you are to stick with Svenson if there's a fight and help him +all you can. In an emergency your help might just turn the whole +trick. Get hold of a club as soon as you get down the hill. If we +only had some more guns! There's only the two revolvers and Cork and +I'll need those to put up a front. We'll join you as fast as possible +if you get into trouble. Miss Lawson is an expert canoeist and the +river is not difficult; so she'll be all right. Stick with Svenson, +Jimmy." + +Satisfied that all of them understood their parts, he told them to wait +for his signal to creep down the hill, and turned to the side that +faced the camp. The two men, carrying the torch and the white flag, +had almost reached the foot of the hill by this time and as they showed +no indication of halting, Kendrick stopped them with a sharp command. + +"That's close enough!" he called in warning. "What do you want?" + +"Red sent us over to find out what'n hell you fellas means by grabbin' +off one o' our men." + +"He's not one of your men," denied Phil. + +"You're a liar!" cried the man who was carrying the flag. "He belongs +to our party an' we want him back damn quick or we'll come an' take +him. What're you holdin' him prisoner fer? You let him go, Mister, +an' there won't be no more fuss about it." + +"All right. If he wants to go back to the camp, he can go. Wait a +minute and I'll ask him." + +He made a pretense of doing so. + +"Away you go now! Don't step on any loose stones. Good luck, Miss +Lawson," was what he whispered. + +The girl ran over to him and caught his hand. + +"I think it's great of you, Mr. Kendrick," she murmured. "Good-bye, +and good luck to you also," and with that she was gone; but he thrilled +at the farewell pressure of her fingers. + +"Hi, you, up there! We can't wait here all night." + +"There seems to be a slight misunderstanding, old man," placated Phil. +"He says he prefers to stay here. He says you kept him prisoner over +there and didn't give him enough to eat." + +"Aw, he's full o' _hooch_!" cried the spokesman with a loud guffaw. +"He'll be gittin' a heluva lot less grub where he is. Say, are you +guys goin' to be good sports or aincha? Red told me to invite the +bunch over to camp fer a snort. C'm on over an' hev a drink on us an' +cut out the shenanigans." + +"Now, that sounds pretty decent of you," approved Phil. "Wait till I +see what the rest say." + +He ducked down again to find McCorquodale crossing from the opposite +side of "The Saucer," where he had been keeping eyes and ears open for +a surprise attack in case the white flag was but a treacherous ruse. + +"Everythin' jake so far, 'bo," whispered he with elation. "They's down +to level ground 'thout a peep--slick as a whistle." + +"Good," breathed Phil. He climbed again into view. "Listen, boys. My +friends say to thank you for the invite, but they aren't thirsty. Did +you know that we had a spring of cold water up here?" + +The fellow grew angry. + +"If youse don't come youse'll be damn sorry, Mister. You've plugged a +couple o' our fellas pretty bad an' y'aint goin' to git away with +nothin' like that." + +"Why, what will you do?" + +"We'll damn soon show you, Mister. We've got you surrounded right +now." Phil's heart sank; he had been hoping that the sound of an +accordeon and singing at the camp meant that most of them were over +there. "If we can't do no better, we'll starve youse out in a couple +o' days." + +"You can't do that," scoffed Phil. "We've got water right here and a +big package of concentrated food tablets that will keep us going for +weeks. Besides, let me tell you something you don't know. The rest of +our Government survey party is due to join us here to-morrow morning, +and I'd advise the whole bunch of you to clear out by sunrise or you'll +regret it. You're breaking the law, firing at us the way you have." + +"Yah! that bluff don't go, Mister." + +"We have the law on our side," retorted Kendrick, "and we'll shoot to +kill in self defense if you don't leave us strictly alone. We've +got----" + +He never finished that sentence; for rifle shots and hallooing off +towards the river apprized the two anxious defenders of "The Saucer" +that the worst had happened. Kendrick crossed to the opposite side in +two bounds and found McCorquodale already on top of the rocks, reaching +down for his leader's hand. + +"We're in for it, old man," said Phil coolly. "Make straight for the +trail. We've got to beat them to it." + +McCorquodale only swore as he tightened his belt and for the second +time they went down the hill in long jumps that sent loose stones +crashing through the brushwood. Once on the level they ran for the +sounds of trouble as fast as they could make headway through impeding +undergrowth. They broke through at last into the tote road and ran at +top speed down a straight stretch of it that was like a long aisle +between the flanking trunks of spruce and hemlock. There was a sharp +turn in the trail at the end of this aisle and judging by the glow of a +fire that someone had lighted and the shouts of men in combat, it was +just around the turn that the issue was being fought. + +"Left, Cork--into the bush!" panted Phil as he heard a shout behind +them. + +They cut straight through for the bonfire, against the glow of which +the tree-trunks began to stand out black. As they approached, Kendrick +threw out his arm to stop the detective, and they dropped to the ground +and crawled the remaining distance on hands and knees. + +Against the firelight towered the black bulk of the giant Swede in the +centre of a wild hand-to-hand fight against five of McIvor's men. They +were attacking him from all sides at once, and if any of them had been +armed with rifles they had thrown these aside in favor of knives and +clubs. The fighting was too close for the use of firearms. A sixth +man had got it on "da hed" before they had succeeded in knocking the +club out of the Swede's hands; he lay, sprawled and still, near the +edge of the woods. The sheath in which the sectionman had carried his +hunting-knife swung empty as if the knife had been plucked out by one +of his assailants; for he was defending himself only with feet and bare +hands. + +But it was all Svenson needed. He was putting up the fight of his +life. It was a beautiful demonstration of Scandinavian defense +methods--one man unarmed against five with knives and clubs! His huge +arms were working like flails. His powerful, supple body bent and +heaved this way and that with powerful sweeps as he met the incessant +attack. As fast as they came at him he sent them hurling off their +balance. + +He seemed to have a defense for every kind of attack. As Kendrick and +McCorquodale first got sight of him three of the gang were rushing him +simultaneously. He knicked the knife spinning from one man's hand with +his heavy hob-nailed boot, grabbed the fellow by the waist and tossed +him backward over his head, grabbed a second one and whirled him across +his hip clean into the bushes; number three he laid out with a knee in +the stomach and an uppercut that must have broken his jaw. All this +like lightning. Svenson was indeed proving himself "gude smart mans," +and that was, in very truth, "no yoke." Svenson was making good his +promise "tew rase hell." + +"Oh boy! Oh _boy_!" McCorquodale kept muttering to himself, pausing an +instant in amazed admiration. + +One glance assured Kendrick that the girl was nowhere in sight. +Evidently Cristy was carrying out instructions to the letter. + +Stiles! Where was Stiles? Jimmy had "stuck," but he had gone under +early. He lay prone in the foreground, his face ghastly with a smear +of blood across the cheek. The fellow who had done it was still +standing there, looking down at the inanimate form. + +Distant shouts and the noise of reinforcements approaching through the +timber announced the gravity of the situation. In another moment the +whole crowd would be upon them. + +"I eats this guy up, 'bo," whispered McCorquodale, pointing to Stiles' +victor with his thumb, "'n'en I helps Swedie, see. You grabs Jimmy on +your back an' beats it fer the canoes. The girl's away already an' +Swedie an' me'll join you in a jiff an' the whole bunch of us vamooses, +see. You grabs Stiles----" + +Kendrick silenced him with a look and together they leaped into the +fray. Phil knocked out the man standing beside Stiles with one blow on +the head from the butt of his revolver. Shouting encouragement, +McCorquodale went to the hard pressed Svenson's assistance--Iron Man +McCorquodale, former near middleweight champion--and the light of +battle was in his eye. + +A man ran out of the bush, his yellow teeth bared in a snarl of rage. +He wore a bandage across his forehead and came at Kendrick, levelling +his rifle. Just as he pulled the trigger he tripped on a root and +pitched full length into the open, the gun exploding harmlessly into +the ground. Phil had him by the throat in an instant. + +"Kom on! Kom on, by Yiminy!" bellowed Svenson exultantly as he shook +his tawny head and blew the blood from his mouth. "Yust took a look at +may! Ay ben give you nodder bellyful, y'batcha!" He ducked low to +avoid the vicious sweep of a heavy stick, grabbed the assailant by the +ankles and swung him around his head as if the man had weighed but +twenty pounds. Only two were left facing him now and they fell back +before this terrible antagonist, swearing impotently. + +McCorquodale had met a new arrival on the scene with a fierce uppercut +that felled him like an ox and was slowly pressing a second arrival +back into the bush with right and left swings to the face that landed +so swift and sure that the fellow literally was blinded by the blows. +It was Weiler, and the detective growled as he fought. + +The tide of battle gradually was turning. So many of the enemy were +down and out that it was beginning to look as if Kendrick and his +friends would win through to the river if they could but keep up the +terrific pace for a few minutes longer. This, however, was reckoning +without the sudden reversion of the odds against them by the arrival of +Red McIvor and two more men from the camp. They came running into +sight around the turn in the tote road and McIvor was cursing like a +wild man as he bore down on the struggle. + +If the others had neglected the advantage which fire-arms gave them, +not so Red McIvor. Within fifty paces he stopped short, dropped to his +knee and deliberately raised his rifle. + +"You ---- ---- fools!" he yelled. "Clear away from them!" + +He was aiming at the big Swede; but as Phil finished choking the +halfbreed who had attacked him and sprang to his feet, McIvor swung his +rifle. + +Kendrick dropped in his tracks. + +McCorquodale turned quickly at sound of the shot, just in time to see +his leader go down. He fired from the hip and at the bark of his +automatic Red McIvor pitched over sideways. + +For a moment the two men beside him stood gazing down, awe-stricken and +dismayed. Then they turned and ran as hard as they could go, back up +the logging trail. It was the signal for the retreat of every member +of the gang who could slip out of sight into the woods; but not before +Svenson had gathered together every weapon they possessed. + +With an oath McCorquodale started towards Kendrick; but he stopped when +he saw Phil sitting up, grinning at him cheerfully. At the first move +of McIvor's rifle in his direction he had thrown himself flat, +disconcerting the man's aim. + +The detective's bullet, however, had found its mark. Red McIvor lay +sprawled grotesquely where he fell. A moment later McCorquodale looked +up from his examination. + +"Y' can't kill this bird with no thirty-two," he grinned. "He'll be +around after a bit, cussin' a blue streak. The bullet bumped him on +the bean an' glanced off like it was solid ivory. I slips the +bracelets on him, see, an' we takes him along with us. I miss my guess +if he aint wanted bad in 'bout every place he's been." + +It was an odd procession which filed out on the riverbank twenty +minutes later. First came Svenson, carrying across his great shoulder +the still unconscious form of the bootlegger. Behind him walked Jimmy +Stiles, supported by Kendrick. McCorquodale brought up the rear, +loaded down with confiscated rifles. + +They found Svenson's big canoe unharmed. The small canoe was gone from +its place in the bushes beside the flat rock. In the soft earth at the +water's edge they discovered a spare paddle stuck upright and to it was +tied a bit of cambric, her handkerchief. + +Phil struck a match and examined it carefully, making out a dim "O.K." +which she had marked on it with a lead-pencil. + +He heaved a breath of relief and smiled as he wrapped it carefully +about a dollar bill and tucked it away in his card-case. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE RACE BEGINS + +It was just a few minutes past eleven o'clock when Cristy Lawson +climbed to the railroad track out of breath and hurried towards the +section shanty. She had made good time in the canoe with the swift +current of the Wolverine in her favor, and she was elated at her +progress. The remaining stage of the journey should not present much +difficulty, once she had persuaded Thorlakson of the urgency of her +mission. + +The place was in darkness and she tapped loudly on the window-pane of +Mrs. Thorlakson's bedroom. After a little while she heard the woman +stir and call out. Cristy shouted in to her and with many strange +Icelandic expressions of astonishment Mrs. Thorlakson came to the door +and let her in. + +The kind-hearted woman's appearance in a flaming red canton-flannel +nightgown, her hair comically "done up" for the night, was grotesque. +But Cristy did not laugh. Instead, she asked for Thorlakson and cried +out in dismay to learn that he was not there--that he had taken the +handcar and had gone off with the two Norwegians to visit Bilodeau, the +foreman on the section below. + +Cristy poured out her story, at least as much of it as she thought +would convey the urgency of the situation; but it was rather difficult +to make the woman grasp it, Mrs. Thorlakson's English being somewhat +limited, while the girl had no knowledge whatever of Icelandic. At +last she gave it up. + +"May I have some biscuits or something from the pantry?" she asked, and +at the woman's nod she rummaged around among crocks and pans in search +of portable edibles. She stuffed a handful of stale doughnuts inside +her shirtwaist, together with a lump of cheese. + +Mrs. Thorlakson stood at the door with the lamp held high in one hand, +peering in upon these operations in dumb wonderment. When she finally +realized that the girl purposed setting off along the track on foot, +she became loud in her protests. Cristy made out that she was anxious +about the sprained ankle; but this was so entirely better that it had +given her no trouble at all so far and she merely laughed away the good +woman's fears and, with a hasty good-bye, ran out of the house and +disappeared in the dark. For several minutes Mrs. Thorlakson continued +to stand in the doorway, the lamp above her head, her face shining in +the mellow glow with a queer mixture of apprehension and mystification. +These city people were beyond her comprehension. + +Cristy hesitated a moment as to which direction she should take. She +knew that Indian Creek was west and she knew also that she and Kendrick +had walked that eastern stretch of track for miles and miles. She +turned west. + +At first she ran, experiencing a thrill of satisfaction that her ankle +seemed to be almost as good as it ever was. Lack of breath soon +slackened her pace to a walk. There was a long trudge ahead of her +before she could hope to reach the station above and the wisdom of +conserving her energies was evident. She had no idea how far away the +station might be--possibly a couple of miles; more likely many more. +She had heard the foreman say his section was about nine miles long, +but she was ignorant as to how much of it lay west of the shanty. She +hoped devoutly that the station was not too far away. Time was +precious. Time was everything. + +The night had grown cloudy and dark. She could not see more than a few +feet away; but that was nothing. All she had to do was to keep on +walking as fast as she could until she got to the next station up the +line. After that she merely had to sit down at a table in the +station-agent's room and write up the whole story for her paper. The +operator and the _Recorder_ would do the rest. She would send a flash +wire to notify Brennon, the night editor, what to expect and she would +send a special message to McAllister that would send him jumping for +the Chief of Police. + +The _Recorder_ was a morning paper. It did not go to press until about +four a.m., and they could hold it beyond that hour if necessary. That +part of it was all right if they could only get the police into action +in time to catch the scoundrels who were plotting at Waring's house. +If all went well she might expect to reach the wire by midnight. They +would have her story in type in plenty of time if there was no wire +trouble. That was a chance which she would have to take. It might be, +of course, that Nickleby and Rives had acted already; but hardly +likely, she thought. + +She could not afford to fail. She MUST not fail! There was no use in +trying to rake up obstacles until she came to them. All sorts of +possibilities for failure at the Toronto end occurred to her; but she +shut her lips tight together and thrust these doubts aside angrily. + +Just then she tripped on a cross-tie, stumbled and fell. Her heart +leaped in fright at thought of the ankle and she tested it anxiously; +but it seemed all right. She would have to pay more attention to her +feet. Here now she had gone and skinned the palm of her hand for +nothing and lost two doughnuts out of her waist! There was comfort in +the knowledge that there were no cattleguards to tumble into in this +lonesome stretch of wild Algoma. + +She hurried on, straining her eyes at the barrier of gloom that rose a +few yards ahead. And out of it kept springing faint grotesque shapes +that changed themselves slowly, resolving into dim rocks and bushes, +telegraph poles and high embankments, finally melting away behind her +and losing their identity in the gloom from which they came. But +through it all, ever the same, the never-ending length of track +undulated in slow measure beneath her feet. Overhead the sky was +filled with drifting shadow hosts. + +The night blackened. The heavens seemed to draw down upon her and +fantastic ghost creatures of her disordered fancy crept hungrily in. +The warm air hung heavy and still between the flanking forest walls and +she might have been lost in some unreal world but for the rough +insistence of the roadbed through the thin soles of her shoes. + +She stopped. A loud rustle of the bushes a few feet away in the dark +set her pulses beating foolishly. Some animal was there, she knew, and +breaking into a run, she fled from the spot, halting only when her +breath gave out. She found herself walking rapidly, agitated and +alert, shuddering with a nameless fear that was getting on her nerves. +She caught herself looking over her shoulder, haunted by the idea that +she was being followed. There seemed to be stealthy, padded footfalls +behind her in the enveloping darkness and numberless eyes that peered +as she passed--small, glowing dots in pairs, close together, that were +gone when she looked a second time. Was it only imagination or were +the soft steps behind her increasing in number? She recalled stories +of wolf packs that had tracked down human beings and had torn them to +pieces! She stood still and listened. But there was nothing--nothing +but blackness and infinite silence. + +Very sharply she took herself to task. She must not become nonsensical +like this. There had been noises in the underbrush the other night +when she and he--"Rabbits," he had said. And who ever heard tell of a +rabbit attacking a person? They were given big ears to hear well, so +that they could use their long legs for running away from everything. +The idea of her being afraid of a rabbit! + +She laughed nervously. If only she had a revolver or some weapon. Off +the track she was in an instant, groping about in the ballasting for a +large stone. She found two and walked on more confidently, carrying +one in each hand. + +A fine drizzle began to fall intermittently. She hoped it would not +rain hard, though after all, what difference did it make whether it did +or not? She would be wet through anyway by the time she got there. + +How much longer would that be? She must have come quite a distance +now, and the thought cheered her. The ankle was beginning to give an +occasional twinge and growing a little weak; in fact, it was feeling +rather numb. Nothing to be alarmed about, she told herself. What else +could she expect? It was sure to be hurting before she reached her +destination. + +Something struck her knee and she found that it was one of the +doughnuts. She went on, munching the food she had brought along. The +doughnuts were very dry. The cheese was hard, too; but it was old +cheese that nipped the tongue, the kind she liked. + +Time dragged. The girl plodded on painfully. There was no use in +trying any longer to deceive herself into the belief that the injured +ankle was holding out; it was not! She was hobbling now, as she had +done the other night; but there was no strong arm to lean on now. + +She would get there all right. That station could not be so very much +farther on and she simply had to succeed. It was not that the "story" +would be a feather in her own cap, nor yet was it the success of her +paper which was at stake; not even the restoration of her father to his +place in the financial world--not even that was the main result that +hung in the balance. But the prevention of a great wrong, the meting +out of rogues' deserts, the saving from suffering of the "every-day" +people, thousands of them, to whom life meant little more than a grind +for bread--these were the things that mattered; for chiefly upon these +poor people whose all was entrusted to the keeping of the +Interprovincial Loan and Savings would fall the disaster of the +company's failure if it were forced to close its doors because of a +swindle of trust funds. + +Faces began to float about in the darkness--faces of careworn clerks; +of factory workers, lined and lean; child faces with great gaunt eyes; +old men, old women--she MUST not fail! + +The fitful drizzle settled down steadily, blotting them out. The girl +dropped the stones she had been carrying and struggled on bravely, +fears lessened by discomfort. She was wet through and began to feel +chilly, shuddering as she stumbled forward. Perhaps after all it might +have been better to wait--but she cried aloud in anger at the thought. +This had been the only way and she must do what she had set out to do. +Time was everything. She wondered what time it was now. Surely the +station could not be much farther away! + +Her mind wandered back to this strong, broad shouldered young man who +had shared with her all the strange experiences of the last few days. +Three days? Four days? Was that all? It seemed as if she had known +him for years. And he had had his arm around her the other night! She +laughed, forgetful of everything else for the moment, in a funny sense +of belated dismay. + +He had been very good to her. And he was handsome. Above all, he was +manly--a gentleman. She knew that now. Her woman's intuition told her +he was a fine, splendid boy, sincere, brave. Now that she had come to +know him, she realized that her former suspicions had been based upon a +misunderstanding of the situation. He was not to be held responsible +for the kind of man his uncle was. How quickly he had taken the right +attitude when he found out the truth about the Honorable Milton Waring. +He had urged her not to lose a minute, to get away without fail, even +when he knew that her success meant a family disgrace which would be +very bitter to bear. Oh, but he was a dear! + +That kiss, the night of the fog? How angry she had been! Yet who was +to blame for it? Hadn't she invited it? Hadn't she dared him to it? +Phil would take no dare from anybody! She laughed softly as she +thought of it all, her cheeks blush-burning in the dark. + +Time passed. She halted suddenly, aware of a huge shadowy something +directly opposite, looming out at her unexpectedly. With a cry of +delight she recognized it as a water-tank; she could make out the spout +overhanging the track, a stick of pallor in the darkness. + +And the station? Eagerly she ran forward--then stopped again, +perplexed. There ought to be lights of some sort; but where were they? +A day station, maybe, with the operator asleep not far away. She would +have to waken him. She did not think to look for switch-lights, and +when she discerned the dark mass where the station stood she ran to it +gladly and began pounding on the door. + +The echoes resounded hollowly through the little building. They seemed +strangely loud--with emptiness! She started for the nearest window and +broken glass crunched beneath her feet. + +Her sharp cry of consternation fell upon the unresponsive night and was +swallowed up in blackness, solitude, dead heavy silence. The windows +were full of broken panes! + +Frantically she hobbled around to the side of the building, only to +find the doors boarded up! The truth laid a cold hand upon her. This +was one of those stations she had heard Phil tell about, built during +construction of the road, but afterwards closed up as unnecessary in +the depths of the wild country. Not even a flag station! Not even +used by section men! Deserted, abandoned! + +And there was no operator here!--nobody who could come to her +assistance! + +Cristy sank upon the rotting boards, trembling and sick at heart. Her +long walk had been for nothing. She was still miles and miles and +miles from the goal, with no possible chance of making the distance +with an ankle which was swollen now and becoming very painful. + +Wet and chilled through, miserable and dazed, she crouched in a huddle +of fear. She was utterly alone, miles from help of any sort. The +silence throbbed, it was so deep. She imagined faces again, grinning +at her from the blackness--the leering faces of Nickleby and others; +her father's, pleading; the working people's, the disappointed face of +Philip Kendrick! The hour was late already and all the issues which +hung at stake----? + +"Oh, what can I do? Whatever can I do?" she sobbed. + +But the night held no answer to her despair. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF + +The little sweet-toned French clock that stood on the mantel above the +fireplace in the library chimed the half hour after midnight as the +Honorable Milton Waring replenished the decanter and pried the cap from +a fresh bottle of plain soda. + +"Even if all the servants have been dismissed for the night, that is no +reason why we can't have another little drink, gentlemen. J. C., old +man, say 'when.' Help yourself to another cigar, Blatch." + +As a host few could outshine the Honorable Milton in geniality, and +there was little room in any man's system for pessimism in company with +four glasses of the Honorable Milt's special brand of Kentucky Bourbon. +J. Cuthbert Nickleby's manner was one of open enthusiasm. Elation +possessed him. His laugh was frequent and boisterous. Any doubts he +may have entertained at midnight that the deal was going through had +been dispelled within the half hour during which the meeting had been +in progress. Brazen as the whole thing was, its very boldness +apparently had captured the imagination of Waring and Ferguson. +Nickleby felt a huge satisfaction in his own perspicacity; he had not +cultivated these two men during the past few months for nothing. He +knew them and he was about to convert that knowledge into cash and bid +them farewell. + +It was a good time to be moving along. Nickleby had made money during +the past year. His temporary control of the Interprovincial Loan & +Savings Company had enabled him to manipulate to considerable personal +advantage; but he was quite aware of the fact that his methods were +liable to be questioned sooner or later, and the next annual meeting of +the shareholders was not far away. Besides, the unexpected arrival of +Harrington Rives on the scene and his very evident intention of getting +on his feet by hanging on to Mr. Nickleby's coat-tails compelled a +change of plans and the seeking of pastures new. Friend Rives knew too +much and was himself too well known to be a safe companion in their +present location. Rives and he could work together to mutual +advantage, beyond doubt; but it would have to be in some new territory +where the limelight had never played upon either of them in the past. + +Accordingly when Nickleby discovered that Rives had some valuable +mining concessions in Mexico, it had seemed very desirable for them to +become partners and try their fortunes in a country where wealth +awaited a pair of up-to-date filibusters like them and where political +disturbances held forth untold opportunities for their peculiar +abilities. To carry out their plans they needed all the capital they +could scrape together. Hence the present proposal to unload all the +Nickleby interests as quickly as possible for as much ready cash as +might be. + +The logical victim was the Honorable Milton Waring. Already Nickleby +felt that his cultivation of the honorable gentleman had proceeded far +enough to justify some boldness. He had succeeded in getting the +Honorable Milt pretty well entangled in speculative investments and +under his thumb by way of certain personal loans, protected by personal +notes. In addition, there was the little flyer in real-estate which +the Honorable Milton and his satellite, Blatchford Ferguson, had put +through with Nickleby's assistance. That little transaction would cost +the honorable gentleman his portfolio with the Government if it became +known. So that, taking everything into consideration, Mr. Nickleby +felt quite confident that he could persuade the Honorable Milton Waring +and Blatchford Ferguson to fall in with the somewhat ambitious plans +which President Nickleby had conceived for disposing of his stock in +the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company at a satisfactory figure. + +These plans amounted practically to theft; but this was something which +Nickleby would not admit, even to himself. He preferred to call it +"high finance," "clever dealing," "sharp practice" perhaps. But he had +no intention of overstepping the law. If, after he was safely away, +trouble developed as a result of the situation which he left behind +him, that would be the least of his worries. The "mismanagement" of +his successors in the control of the loan company would be responsible, +not J. Cuthbert Nickleby. + +The old Abercrombie farm, outside the city limits, had been a happy +discovery. The property really was a valuable one and before many +years went by it was destined to rise in value rapidly as the city +grew. The place had dropped into neglect of late and the old lady who +had fallen heir to the estate was a non-resident. Rives had discovered +that this spinster, Miss Patience Hollinsworth, was in her dotage and +for a man of Rives' ability the rest had been easy. He had secured an +option on the farm at a ridiculous price. Nickleby thereupon had had +it subdivided into blocks and streets and building lots, and the +beautiful new residential suburb of "River Glen" had appeared in blue +print. + +At the moment these very blueprints, mounted on beaver-board, were +propped in convenient position about the library. On the Honorable +Milton's desk reposed sundry legal documents pertaining to the transfer +of the Abercrombie property and certain other papers awaiting signature. + +"I've seen Fawkner, of Suburban Trolleys Ltd., and it will be a simple +matter for them to extend their line as soon as you're ready to put +'River Glen' on the market," remarked Nickleby. "Properly advertised, +gentlemen, that subdivision will net a clean half million. I'm getting +quite excited about it myself and I only wish I was going to be on hand +to handle it personally." + +"I'm sure you do," commented Ferguson. "With things moving as they are +at present, it ought to go, Milt." + +"It looks good to me," was the Honorable Milton Waring's ready response. + +"The proposition is certainly an exceptional one," went on Nickleby. + +"Very exceptional," grinned Ferguson, running his hand up along the +bald streak on top of his head. "So much so, J. C., that you've got to +convince us that this 'control' of the Interprovincial you are to hand +over to us is _bona fide_ beyond question. We'd be in a fine mess if +we lost out at the annual meeting, wouldn't we?" + +"Yes, that is important, J. C.," nodded Waring. "You might just go +into that end of it a little more fully. Why not begin at the +beginning and tell us exactly how you got yourself elected President +and how you propose to cover up?" + +And with an easy laugh, Mr. Nickleby did so. Because when one is +talking to "friends" whom one has under thumb and who are about to +shoulder heavy responsibilities one can afford to talk freely; because, +also, whisky loosens the tongue and enables one to vizualize a flock of +poultry out of a basket of eggs! Then, too, there is inspiration in +nods of approval and expressions of admiration, and both Honorable +Milton Waring and Mr. Blatchford Ferguson were prodigal of these as the +recital progressed. + +Certainly it was an amazing confession. With considerable gusto did J. +Cuthbert Nickleby explain the various moves by which he had dethroned +the Lawson interests and usurped control of the Interprovincial Loan & +Savings Company. The quiet gathering together of proxies, the +appointment of dummy directors, the "purchase" of others, the "personal +loans" which silenced others still, the failure of "Old Nat" to produce +his authority for voting the Bradford block of stock--all of these +factors Mr. Nickleby set forth with a lucidity and frankness which +aimed to convince his two auditors that when they and their associates +assumed "control" it would be absolute, with no possibility of failure +in swinging the annual meeting to suit themselves. + +"By heaven, Nickleby, you're a wizard!" cried Ferguson at last, unable +longer to restrain his enthusiasm. "You've got the situation tied up +in a pretty knot and no mistake. Hasn't he, Milt? Take it from me, J. +C., if you'd been cruising the high seas in the days of Captain Kidd, +you'd have given him a run for his money! Some buccaneer, believe me!" +and he went off into a peal of laughter born of sheer admiration. + +"Quit your kidding, Blatch," grinned Mr. Nickleby modestly as he +reached for the decanter, quite unconscious of the pun. "But I hope +you're now convinced that this proposition is feasible and quite in +order." + +"I don't know about that," objected the Honorable Milton slowly. "It's +clear enough that you've got things in your own hands just now, J. C., +and can shove through this deal O.K. But your whole control rests upon +the fact that the Bradford stock is side-tracked. Supposing Nat Lawson +locates that missing power-of-attorney? What then?" + +"I give you my word that he can't do it," chuckled Nickleby. + +"That's all very well. But supposing he does? How do you know he +can't?" + +"Because I do." Nickleby set down his glass triumphantly. "I don't +mind letting you into a little secret, gentlemen. That +power-of-attorney has been destroyed." + +"Are you sure?" gasped Ferguson. + +"I ought to be. I burned it myself!" + +"No! You're stuffing us, J. C. You may be clever; but you're not as +clever as that! Say, will you swear to that?" + +"Here's a bible, Blatch. Make him swear to it and the deal's on." The +Honorable Milton handed a small bible across the desk as he spoke. "If +that's the situation, I guess it's safe to go ahead." + +"You son-of-a-gun!" cried Ferguson, when Nickleby had duly taken his +oath. "I don't mind admitting that when I first heard your proposition +I thought it was impossible to get away with it. You buy a farm, turn +it into a subdivision, hand it over to us, then we hand it back to you +as collateral for a loan of $250,000, with which we purchase from you +the subdivision and all your stock in the company, which gives us +control of the transaction--Phew! give me air!" + +"You understand, Nickleby, that we've got to be mighty careful how this +thing is handled," said Waring gravely. "It's taking chances." + +"'Nothing venture, nothing win,'" quoted Nickleby. "But I'll cover it +up. Leave that to me." + +"Lawson has a lot of friends, remember. There's Ben Wade, for +instance----" + +"You needn't worry about him, Milt. He hasn't been able to get +together more than thirty per cent. of the votes." + +"And there's Timothy Drexel--He's a director, isn't he?" + +"That old fool! Yes, he's a director; but he's putty! Hand him some +taffy and you can pat him into any shape you like. You should have +heard his speech when he nominated me for president last year," and +Nickleby laughed heartily at the recollection. + +The Honorable Milton Waring got up and began to pace the room. It was +evident that there were certain aspects of the deal which disturbed him. + +"If my connection with this thing ever got out, Blatch," he said, +pausing in front of the lawyer, "it would mean--the finish!" + +"Oh, hang the political end of it, Milt!" exclaimed Ferguson +impatiently. "Between us, J. C. and I will see that you are protected +legally. And anyway, what's the use of being in politics if you don't +get a share of the loaves and fishes while you've got the chance? All +politicians are supposed by the public to be feathering their own +nests, and you might as well feather yours when you've got to come +under the accusation anyway. It's all in the game. If you've got the +sponduliks you can do anything these days. It's every man for himself +and the devil take the hindmost!" + +"There's a lot of truth in what you say, Blatch. Well, let's get down +to business and get it over with," sighed the Honorable Milton Waring. + +Abruptly he sat down at his desk and reached for the papers. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +NIP AND TUCK + +Engine No. 810 was running free through the night with a big string of +box-cars and gondolas tossing along behind her, dim shadows in the +dark. Her powerful electric headlight threw a beam, long and bright, +that burrowed into the black void far in front. But for this and the +few red-glowing chinks in her firebox and the thunder of the wheels, +the freight might have been some phantom reptile rushing through the +land with two red eyes in its tail. + +Evans, the fireman, kicked impatiently at the slash-bar and hooked the +fire. The lurid glare from the white fires that curled and writhed +under the crown-sheet flung wide upon flying right-of-way and the woods +on either side, and played with the swirling ribbon of steam that was +hissing back from the dome. Bathed in the blinding light, the fireman +stood for a space, swinging his scoop with pendulum precision from +fire-box to coal-tank and back again; then the whole scene went out +suddenly. + +Engineer Macdonald, leaning out over his armrest, chafed at the delay +as he choked her head for the Spruce Valley grade. The line was clear +as far as Indian Creek; but up there somewhere they would have to take +the siding for the first section of the Limited, eastbound. + +With a glance at the indicator and the guages, the fireman jerked a +blackened thumb over his shoulder towards the coal-tank. Macdonald +shook his head. + +"We'll fill her at Number Seven," he shouted. + +They were bearing down upon the switch lights opposite Thorlakson. But +Macdonald was in a hurry and too anxious to take advantage of the grade +to stop for water there. The few scattered lights flicked by and they +were off again into the blackness ahead. + +On the time-card No. 7 was a "blind" water tank farther on up the line, +the loneliest tank on the division. The surrounding country was wild +and uninhabited save for the isolated groups of loyal track-men who +stuck to their lonely but important posts during the blizzard months +with the same persistence that carried them through the fly season. +Engine 810 would take water there. + +Fifteen minutes' run and Macdonald drew in his head, shut off steam, +opened the sander, threw the brakeshoes against the drivers and brought +everything to a shuddering standstill with the pilot slipping just past +the tank, while his fireman was scrambling back amongst the coal to +haul down the overhanging spout. And all of this was quite within the +prosaics of the night's work. + +What immediately followed was not. There was nothing in the locality +to prepare them for it, while the hour was late and the night damp and +disagreeable--nothing to account for the flying figure of a girl +dashing wildly up the headlight's path, straight for the engine, arms +waving frantic signals. + +The engineer's wondering profanity scarcely had begun to flow freely +before she was on top of them. Panting, wild-eyed, hair in riotous +disorder, this beautiful young woman climbed up into the cab with the +agility of an overpowering excitement, pouring out upon the astonished +enginemen a wonderful stream of incoherent "explanations." + +Evans, who never before had seen a girl on the verge of hysteria, swore +deep and long under his breath, staring as if in a trance. He came to +himself only when the water overflowed the manhole, and he let go of +the spout with a carelessness that earned him a wetting as it lifted, +dripping, back into place. + +No sooner had the girl set foot on the deck than she clambered into the +head brakeman's seat, nestling in alongside the boiler-head as far +forward as she could get, her feet on the fireman's lunch-pail, her +knees drawn up in clasped fingers and her eyes looking straight ahead +out of the narrow cab window. That it might be against the rules of +the road for strangers to ride on an engine apparently had not occurred +to her, for she seemed to take it for granted that she was entirely +welcome as long as she did not get in their way. + +The fireman stared across at Macdonald and surreptitiously tapped his +forehead; the engineer stared back at Evans and winked knowingly. The +whole thing had taken but a few moments. A light was swinging out from +the top of the cars at the rear and Macdonald opened the throttle. +They were moving ahead before either of the two men could think of +anything but several variations of the word "damn." + +In this manner did Miss Cristy Lawson come to take her first ride on an +engine. The night had been crowded with nerve-wracking excitement; but +in the elation which she experienced over this unexpected way out of +her difficulty, she felt renewed strength and confidence that surely +would see her through. Half an hour ago she had been lost in a welter +of despair; but she was all right now. Everything was all right now. +The story would get through yet; nothing could stop it now. And, +protected by the roar of the wheels, she cried a little in relief. + +Just a moment of this, however. She was not ordinarily the crying +kind. The furnace glare presently filled the whole cab as the fireman +shovelled in more coal, and the novelty of her surroundings pressed +upon her to the temporary exclusion of everything else. + +Wasn't the din something awful? She had no idea that a locomotive was +such a noisy place. She soon found herself getting more used to it and +watched the engineer with wonder and interest. Her idea of an +engineer, she found, had been formed by the illustrations in the +magazines; she had pictured him in her mind as a man who sat with hand +constantly on the throttle or the levers or whatever it was, bent far +forward, peering keenly and steadily from beneath the visor of his +greasy cap with eyes riveted unswervingly on every yard of track ahead. +She was surprised, therefore, to find that this engineer seemed almost +careless of attitude, leaning back in his cushioned seat, body jogging +loosely to the motions of the great machine. It was only occasionally +that he seemed to arouse enough interest to lean out of the window, and +scarcely ever did he touch the levers in front of him. Once he +actually got down from his seat and came over to the fireman's side to +shout something in that grimy individual's ear, and all the while they +were thundering along without any lessening of speed. What if +something should appear suddenly on the track in front of them? Her +heart leaped at the thought. She was sure he could not get back in +time to stop, and it was all very surprising to her. + +Curiously her eyes roved over all the levers and queer instruments. +Certainly an engineer must have to carry a terrible lot in his head to +know how to manage them. There was a little knob, for instance; if she +were to give it a pull, something would happen somewhere, an explosion +perhaps,--dear knows what! She watched the hand of the indicator on +the boilerhead fluttering around the figure 190. She studied the +liquid in the glass tubes. A little apparatus, too, that looked like a +small whistle. Was it a whistle and when did they blow it? Steam was +bubbling out of a joint in a pipe right at her side; the hot water +dribbled on her dress once when she leaned too far over and she caught +the fireman grinning at her. + +She laughed light-heartedly, taking a child-like joy out of this new +and thrilling experience. She could not help marvelling at the +unconcern with which these men attended to their work; they were +perfectly at home on this rolling engine. + +Didn't it rock and jerk about, though? It was enough to tear out the +rails almost, it seemed to her, and her pulses quickened at the thought +that if anything should break! But it did not seem to, somehow. + +The fireman's gloved hand seized the chain on the feed-door again and +jerked it open. She watched him toiling with his scoop, the white +glare beating upon the rugged lines of his face till it was a wonder he +could stand that fierce heat. There was a funny black smudge running +across his nose, and when he bent his back she saw that a buckle was +missing from his overalls and he had substituted a piece of coarse +twine. Was he married? If he was, why didn't his wife look after +those buckles? He worked hard enough to deserve to have little things +like that looked after for him. Why, she'd heard they even shovelled +as much as a whole ton of coal on a single trip! + +The lurch of the engine as they swung around a curve drew her attention +to the track which was sweeping in upon them with dizzy continuity. +Out there, ahead of the big black body of the locomotive, the funneled +path of the headlight streamed away into the unknown. Far up the track +the white mile-boards on the poles caught it, ran toward them, flashed +at them and skipped out of sight behind. Tall weeds nodded in it as +they swept past. It poured out along the wet rails, which glistened in +the bright bath and let go only when the beam plunged away at a curve +and went exploring in the woods or rioted across a valley into panorama +on the other side. + +Once a little rabbit sat in the middle of the track, staring the great +light in the eye with a fascination that threatened its life. The tiny +creature seemed to be paralyzed by the glare and they almost ran it +down before it tore away in sudden fright and its cotton-white tuft +vanished in the long grass. + +But as the novelty of all this wore off, her mind reverted to the thing +that she was trying to do. The speeding engine, the flying track, +became merely the accessories which were carrying her nearer and nearer +her goal--a telegraph operator. + +The fireman's watch hung on a hook alongside and the hands showed +twenty-five minutes past midnight. It was standard time both here and +in Toronto; so that would be the time at the _Recorder_ office +also--12.25 a.m. They would be well into the rush of the night's work +by now. The boys would be in from assignments and pounding out "copy" +in the city room. The wires would be warming up and the "flimsy" +arriving at the telegraph editor's desk in bunches, and old man +Jeffreys would be reaching in the left bottom drawer of his scarred old +desk for his little package of bread and cheese with an apple or a +banana to top it off; he always ate that twenty-five minutes after +midnight, just before the linotype men and the rest of the +composing-room staff, who ate at the all-night restaurant around the +corner, straggled back to their work. + +Cristy began to go over the things she must do and to arrange them in +the order she must do them. The very first thing would be the messages +to McAllister and Brennan; there must be no delay in getting the police +into action. If they could surprise their quarry over at Waring's +house on the Island--catch them in the middle of it--it would provide a +dramatic climax to the sensational story. She could trust her editor +not to overlook any such opportunity and her eyes sparkled as she +pictured the uproar that would follow those messages in the _Recorder_ +office. The old place would be buzzing and the whole staff on the jump +like a bunch of excited kids! + +Impatiently she peered out ahead, looked for lights down the track, +glanced continually at the hands of the watch. She ran hastily over +the strong features of the sensation, marshalling her facts, getting +the general scheme of the story into her head in proper newspaper style +and planning a strong "lead." + +She became so engrossed in this that not until a vibrant shudder passed +through the engine did she notice. The engineer was leaning out the +window on his side of the cab, one hand on a lever. She threw a quick +glance out the narrow window in front of her and saw that they were +bowling down a straight stretch of track and that far ahead in the +darkness were little specks of light. + +A station! It must be the station at last! + +Anxiously she watched the far-away dots arrange themselves slowly into +switch lights beside the track. The larger lights on the right--those +would be station windows. Another light, a red one--the order board +was out against them and the train would have to stop! + +She cried out in her excitement and satisfaction. She felt like +opening the narrow window, rushing out along the running-board to the +front of the engine and cheering! + +They were beginning to slow up now. A man came out and stood on the +platform, some papers in his hand. She could see him quite plainly in +his shirtsleeves in the glare of the powerful headlight. That must be +the night operator--the Mecca of all her hopes. + +The hands of the fireman's watch indicated 12.30. + +They rolled in beside the platform and the long string of freight cars +bumped, groaned, squeaked and stopped. A lantern came bobbing along +the tops of the cars from the rear. The conductor dropped off the +caboose and jogged forward beside his train. + +Macdonald drew in his head and looked across the cab. But the seat was +empty. The girl had slipped away already and presently he caught sight +of her, disappearing into the station. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +CLOSE QUARTERS + +Brennan, Night Editor of the _Recorder_, scribbled a two-column head, +folded it in with a sheet of "flimsy," dropped it into the dumb-waiter +box and yanked the string that shot it aloft to the composing room. He +reached for his long scissors, snipped off a fresh piece of the +typewritten C.A.P. report, fastened it with a daub of paste to a sheet of +copy paper and marked it for a single-column "box," Page 1. The whistle +blew in the speaking-tube at his elbow and he answered the foreman's +question while scribbling his initials to the slip which a newly arrived +messenger boy from one of the telegraph companies was holding flat for +him. + +"'Phone, Bren," called Chic White, Sporting Editor. + +Brennan took down the receiver as a reporter laid a wad of new "copy" on +the desk and hurried out again. Then Brennan opened a drawer in his desk +and took another bite out of a ham sandwich before tearing the envelopes +from the newly arrived telegrams. + +Up until now things had been very quiet all evening, so quiet that the +lay-out of a decent front page was a problem. The Chief had gone home +early to-night and had paused on his way out to ask Brennan how the news +was breaking and instruct him to "boil everything down." If there was +anything that McAllister detested it was a thirty-six point head on a +twelve-point item. + +"Kerr! Jackson! Brock!" + +Every typewriter in the city room stopped clacking and the three +reporters jumped. They crowded together in the doorway as Brennan +snapped his instructions. + +"Get the Chief on the 'phone and hold him for me, Jackson. Here, Brock, +sit in at the desk and keep everything down to a couple of sticks. Call +a taxi, Kerr." + +He glanced at his watch as he made for the stairs. It was ten minutes to +1 a.m. Up in the composing-room he went over the forms with the foreman, +asking questions, "killing" perfectly good "stories" with rapid decision, +clearing space for the biggest "scoop" which the _Recorder_ had achieved +in many months. + +"Chief's not home and they don't know where he is," came Jackson's +anxious voice through the speaking tube. + +"Find him! Find him!" cried Brennan impatiently. "Try the National +Club. Use your head, Jackson!" + +But when Brennan hurried downstairs a few minutes later McAllister had +not been located yet. + +"He went out somewhere with Wade, of the C.L.S., and left no word at the +house as to when he'd be back," explained Jackson. + +"Call up Wade, then." + +"I did, but he's out too, and nobody seems to know where." + +Brennan swore. + +"Get me Nat Lawson on the 'phone. Say, Chic, where's Pardeau? What? +Not back from that assignment? Then see if you can find him for me. The +rest of you chop your stuff. Cristy Lawson owns the front page!" + +Briefly he answered their eager questions, then turned to listen to +Jackson, talking to the Lawson residence. Apparently Nathaniel Lawson +was not at home either. + +Brennan fiddled with the stem of his watch for a moment. He was in a +quandary. He had been taken into McAllister's confidence, of course, +regarding this graft exposure story which had been nursed along so +carefully. The cuts to illustrate it were locked up in McAllister's +desk, he knew. It was unlike the Chief to leave no word of his +whereabouts. That it should happen on this of all nights! No doubt +they'd locate him after a bit; but in the meantime--? It was nearly one +o'clock and Cristy Lawson's wire brooked no delay. + +There was only one thing to do--go ahead on his own initiative. Brennan +went into McAllister's private office and closed the door while he talked +to the Chief of Police on the private line. He came out hurriedly, +called Kerr, and went down in the elevator to the waiting taxi. Next to +Pardeau, Kerr was the fastest shorthand man on the staff. + +They stopped at the Central Police Station to pick up a couple of +plainclothes men who were waiting for them and the taxi sped through the +almost deserted streets at breakneck pace, heading for the waterfront. + +A few minutes later the harbor police launch was streaking across the +quiet waters of the bay. It threw a wake that curled and widened, and in +it danced the broken reflections of the harbor lights. + + +The Honorable Milton Waring ushered them into the library with a smile. +He was quite calm as he cleared away the blueprints and invited them to +find seats. + +"You are just in time, gentlemen, to witness the end of the comedy," and +he pressed a button beneath the edge of his desk as he spoke. "Pass +around the cigars, Blatch, like a good fellow-- Well, upon my word!" + +"Arrest that man!" cried Ferguson, springing after J. Cuthbert Nickleby, +who had made a dash towards the French doors which opened on the verandah. + +"It's all right, sir. I've got him," assured one of the detectives who +was waiting without for some such move. As he came through the doorway +the click of the handcuffs was quite audible to the startled group within +the room. + +"What's the meaning of this, Waring?" shouted Nickleby, his face +distorted with rage. "Are you trying to frame something on me? Take off +these bracelets, damn you!" + +"I'd advise you to sit down, Nickleby, and keep quiet. You are under +arrest and you'll know all about it in a few minutes. Ah, good evening, +gentlemen, I'm afraid there aren't chairs enough to go around; but make +yourselves at home please." + +From the hallway they filed into the library--McAllister, of the +_Recorder_; President Wade, of the Canadian Lake Shores Railway; +Nathaniel Lawson, ex-president of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings +Company; Timothy Drexel and another director of the same concern. +Detective Sainsbury from Headquarters and Parsons, official court +stenographer, brought up the rear with Pardeau, star reporter for the +_Recorder_. Their faces were serious and their entry partook of the +solemnity of a jury bringing a verdict into court. + +A brief whispered colloquy with his editor quickly smoothed the +perplexity from Brennan's face. McAllister had picked up Pardeau on the +street and had sent a belated message to the office. It was a big +"story" that was breaking and he ordered Brennan and Pardeau back to +their desks with instructions to hold the galleys till he arrived +shortly. Kerr could handle the present end of it. He waved his hand +impatiently and focussed his undivided attention upon what was +transpiring. + +A silence had fallen upon the crowded room and as the Honorable Milton +Waring allowed his gaze to rove upon their tense, expectant faces he +smiled reassuringly. He began with an explanation of the circumstances +leading up to the present situation. It was not merely to adjust +Interprovincial Loan Company affairs by the exposure of its official head +that he had brought them together. His integrity as a public servant had +been questioned and there were certain features that in the interests of +clean government required official enquiry. He was prepared to move for +the appointment of a royal commission to investigate and report upon +conditions vitally affecting financial institutions, election laws and +other matters. It was something with which he had concerned himself +seriously for several years, and it was partly to prove his theories in +this connection that with the assistance of Mr. Blatchford Ferguson he +had taken advantage of the situation which had developed in the affairs +of the Interprovincial. As a result of their investigations they stood +prepared to prove gross mismanagement, falsification of the returns +required by the Federal authorities, misuse of trust funds for private +ends, attempted corruption of government officials, et cetera. + +The Honorable Milton was frank in his admission that during the recent +orgy of speculation into which the discovery of new mineral wealth had +led the public, he had become personally involved. He was only human and +the general excitement had induced him to make several disastrous +investments which had left his personal affairs in a precarious tangle +for a time. But it was an ill wind that blew nobody good. The financial +crisis through which he had passed had brought him in touch with J. C. +Nickleby, and it was not long before his eyes had been opened to the +unscrupulous methods that were being followed by the president of the +Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company. He had called in his learned +friend, Mr. Ferguson, and as a result of their consultations it had been +decided to make a few experiments in high finance with the object of +uncovering the whole system. + +To this end they deliberately had cultivated Nickleby's confidence. It +was apparent from the first that the man was utterly devoid of common +honesty. It was his idea that government graft was an established method +of revenue and he seemed to be obsessed with the belief that no Minister +of the Crown would allow his oath of office to interfere with the +acquisition of personal wealth. As their relations had ripened he had +grown bolder and had organized a construction company with the object of +using his "connection" to swing certain tenders for public works into the +graft column. Nickleby had felt so sure of himself by this time that he +even had proposed a contribution of $50,000 to the party campaign funds +in return for "privileges." He had been told quite plainly that he would +make such a contribution at his own risk. Nevertheless he had gone ahead +with it on his own initiative. The money had mysteriously disappeared +between the office of the construction company and its destination; it +had never reached the party exchequer. + +Which brought the Honorable Milton Waring to the point of paying high +compliment to the editor of the _Recorder_. He bowed to McAllister. He +had never before quite realized, he said, what a debt all lovers of clean +government owed to the press. No man with designs upon the public +treasury could go very far without some journalistic watch-dog being on +his trail, and it was so in the present instance. + +The Alderson Construction Company had aroused the suspicions of Mr. +McAllister shortly after it became active. In some way he had learned of +the proposed campaign fund contribution and, as it turned out, it was due +to the zeal of a _Recorder_ reporter that Nickleby's contribution had +been intercepted and photographed. It had then fallen into the hands of +Mr. Benjamin Wade by accident and Mr. Wade had deposited the $50,000 in +trust, pending proof of ownership. + +A few days ago Mr. Wade had come to him with these facts and also to warn +him that the _Recorder_ was preparing to accuse him of being implicated +with Nickleby and Blatchford Ferguson in a certain doubtful real-estate +transaction. Not until then had he realized the risk which Mr. Ferguson +and he had assumed in attempting to follow their own line of +investigation in secret. The possibility that the hunter might in turn +be hunted--and quite legitimately hunted on the face of it--had not +occurred to them. They had taken Mr. McAllister into their confidence as +soon as they realized the extent of his knowledge, and only his patience +and co-operation had enabled them to carry their investigations to +fruition. + +The real-estate transaction in question had been planned by Mr. Ferguson +for the purpose of quieting suspicion in the mind of Nickleby. It was a +case of fighting the devil with fire; for had Nickleby not believed that +he was dealing with men who were as greedy as himself they would never +have succeeded in uncovering the evidence they were after. + +As part of their plan, therefore, they had gone to Nickleby with the +proposal that the three of them--Nickleby, Ferguson and himself--form a +little syndicate on the quiet to buy up a tract of land on which the +Government had its eye as a prospective location for the new Deaf & Dumb +Institute. The land had a market value of $100,000 and this sum the +Government was quite ready to pay. Nickleby had advanced the loan to +negotiate the deal and Ferguson had bought up the land in small lots at +sacrifice prices from individual owners for a total of $50,000. The +Honorable Milton had told Nickleby that he was acting for the Government; +but the cheque with which he had "purchased" the land from the syndicate +of three had been his personal cheque. The amount was $200,000. The +syndicate's profit, therefore, was $150,000 and this sum they had divided +in three, $50,000 each. But Nickleby did not know--nor McAllister, +either--that the whole thing had been juggled for a purpose, with the +sanction of the Attorney General, and that the "profits" which had gone +to Mr. Ferguson and himself had been thrown back into the deal when the +site had been turned over to the Government, which therefore obtained the +land at its legitimate market value, $100,000. + +No doubt the whole thing had been indiscreet; but by this time both +Ferguson and himself had got so interested in the little game they were +playing with the salvation of the loan company as the stakes that they +had overlooked the surface appearances. The discovery that every move +they had made had been watched by the lynx-eyed McAllister had instilled +in them a profound respect. + +To bring things to a head and to justify their actions Ferguson and he +had undertaken to prove their case against Nickleby by exposing him and +his methods to the gentlemen who had last entered the room. These +gentlemen had been placed where they could listen to the evidence for +themselves and, to make doubly sure, a dictaphone had been installed and +an official court stenographer had taken down the whole thing. It was +almost incredible that a criminal of this man's type had been able to +engineer himself into a place of trust in an institution of such +influence as the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company, to play fast and +loose with its credit as he had done, and to bamboozle its directorate. +The fact that he had been made to convict himself must plead excuse for +the subterfuge in which they had been forced to indulge. It had been a +most disagreeable experience and the Honorable Milton Waring was glad +that it was over. + +"I have only this to say, further, gentlemen," he concluded. "It is no +sinecure to hold public office and administer a public trust and I am +moved to protest most earnestly against the public tendency to discredit +politics and the men who are devoting their energies--frequently at great +personal inconvenience and loss--to the government of the country. There +are those who cannot seem to admit that it is possible for a man to enter +the political arena and remain as honest and sincere in public life as he +has been as a private citizen. Such a condition of the public mind is to +be deplored, even as the past events upon which the condition is based +are to be deplored. If the people look upon government as a joke, the +joke is on them; for their government is what they make of it or permit +it to be. + +"It is my belief that below all government, like the sure-rock foundation +of a worth-while edifice, must lie the spirit of fair dealing and a +law-abiding citizenship. Let the people determine that corruption in +politics will spell political ruin instead of personal aggrandizement and +see how swiftly every political yacht will trim its sails. The cry that +politics are so rotten that the men who count most in their communities +will have nothing to do with active participation in government will then +cease and we will have genuine public service. + +"I did not intend to make a political speech; but many times of late I +have felt like resigning. As long as party success and corporation +support dictate our political standards, so long will we have men like +Nickleby there attempting corruption, so long will political leadership +be forced to dance for its balance upon shifting platforms. + +"I thank you, gentlemen, for your attention. The facts I have given you +can be substantiated readily by Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Wade and Mr. +McAllister; but no doubt the demonstration of the attempt to misuse the +loan company's funds to the extent of a quarter of a million dollars--the +interview that has taken place in this room tonight--is sufficiently +conclusive in itself." + +"Conclusive?" piped old Timothy Drexel, unable longer to contain himself. +He elbowed his way towards the prisoner and shook a bony finger in front +of his nose. "You miserable scoundrel!" he exploded. "Old fool, eh? +Putty, eh? You hand me taffy and pat me into any shape you like, eh? +You confounded thief! You--you--!" + +"Aw, you shut up!" snarled Nickleby, who had sat through it all with that +cynical sneer of his. He knew when he was beaten. With no further word +he followed the detectives from the room. + +They crowded about the Honorable Milton Waring and Blatchford Ferguson +with congratulations. Nathaniel Lawson could not say much; but his grip +was tight when he shook hands and his gratitude was evident. McAllister +was not given to expressions of sentiment, but as he bade adieu there was +an unaccustomed enthusiasm in his keen eyes. His editorial in the +morning paper would be strong, very strong; he would call it "The Mantle +of Disraeli," or something like that. + +Ben Wade stood to one side, watching them take their leave, and his +tanned face was alight with satisfaction. There would be a tremendous +sensation when the _Recorder_ came out. It would be a bully spread--not +one of graft charges, as originally planned by Mac, but even a better +story of the fight which an honest politician had been forced to put up +in order to remain honest, of the Honorable Milt's investigations and his +announcement regarding a royal commission to probe conditions, the escape +of the Interprovincial from the criminal activities of its president, the +dramatic arrest of Nickleby, the work of Cristy Lawson. Trust Mac not to +miss any of it. + +And Ben Wade, whose faith in the Honorable Milton Waring had remained +unshaken when things looked blackest, smiled as he watched. His advice +to McAllister, his faith in Waring, had been vindicated; but he was not +thinking of this. He was thinking of another's steadfast faith that had +been sorely tried. It would be a happy morrow for Dolly Waring. + +"So long, Milt," he said heartily. "We're proud of you, old man." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +SOUVENIRS + +Because the world is such a very big place and there are so many people +busy with so many different things, life goes on as usual with little +time for more than a brief pause of wonder at the experiences of +others. The metal which casts the page of to-day's events goes back +into the melting-pot of the stereotyper to appear to-morrow with new +announcements. + +During the weeks that followed the _Recorder's_ sensation routine +resumed its sway and only among those directly concerned did memory +linger. There was a very lively meeting of irate shareholders in the +offices of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company and a unanimous +demand for the return of Nathaniel Lawson to the government of its +affairs. Upon Old Nat's recommendation the new secretary appointed was +a reliable and loyal young man by the name of James Stiles. + +Nickleby's attempt to secure bail was unsuccessful, and while awaiting +trial upon several charges he had plenty of time to philosophize. +Thanks to the work of Bob Cranston, Chief of the Special Service +Department of the Canadian Lake Shores Railway, Nickleby's past record +stood revealed and there was talk of extradition. + +After a conference between Wade and the Honorable Milton Waring it was +decided to prefer no charges against Harrington Rives, who pleaded to +be allowed to carry out his plan of going to Mexico to look after his +interests there. He departed for the south, where he could bestride a +burro and lose himself among the Mexican hills. + +Ben Wade had nodded his approval. Rives had learned his lesson and was +not fool enough to come back. Knowing the calibre of the man, he had +regarded Rives as a dangerous breeder of mischief and when Mrs. Waring +had confided her fears that the Honorable Milton was in difficulties, +Wade had been afraid that Rives would seek some revenge on his old-time +enemy through Aunt Dolly. That he was preparing for something of the +kind in sending Weiler to Sparrow Lake was apparent. Placing +McCorquodale at the summer resort had seemed a Quixotic thing to do; +but Benjamin Wade was not given to over-looking bets. He was glad to +see the last of Rives. + +And McCorquodale? The "Iron Man" had scored official notice when he +brought the notorious "Red" McIvor to trial. He had had several +flattering offers as a result of it; but all of these he had refused at +the request of President Wade. Bob Cranston had decided to accept a +place with another railroad, and McCorquodale took over his duties as +Chief of the Special Service Department for the C. L. S. + +Another promotion that took place about the same time affected a "gude +smart mans," named Svenson, who became foreman of an important section +of the line, with a shanty of his own and six-foot Olga Olafson as his +brand new bride. The couple went on a wonderful honeymoon trip to +Niagara Falls, all expenses paid by President Wade no less, and when +they got back to their new home they found certain bulky packages and +boxes piled on the big deal table that Svenson had made. Cristy +Lawson's gift was a complete set of beautiful dishes and a bolt or two +of dress goods and curtain material; there was a brand new, latest +model repeating rifle from Phil and a gold watch, monogramed; +McCorquodale sent a case of assorted tobaccos and a fine hunting-knife +in a leather sheath, while from Jimmy Stiles came a big box of +groceries. When everything lay open before them Mr. and Mrs. Svenson +stared at the array, speechless. + +"Yumpin' Yudas!" yelled the big fellow at last. He grabbed his +six-foot smiling wife and kissed her with a loud smack. + +The selection of these gifts had been the outcome of many consultations +between Mr. Philip Kendrick and Miss Cristy Lawson. It was surprising +how much serious thought was necessary in order to decide on the weight +and pattern of a set of dishes or the color scheme of window drapes. +Almost every evening in the week Kendrick had found it necessary to go +up to the Lawson home to discuss something or other and they had gone +shopping together for two whole afternoons--excursions which had +extended to motor spins into the country and dinners down town and so +on. And when the Svenson wedding presents no longer furnished excuses, +for the very good reason that they had been shipped to their +destination, there was always something else that needed consultation, +such as President Wade's flattering offer to Phil to join the executive +of the Canadian Lake Shores Railway or the very exceptional investment +opportunity that presented itself in connection with a certain choice +suburban villa with a wonderful lake frontage. + +It was surprising, too, the way the gasoline consumption of the Waring +motor launch increased. The Honorable Milton even took occasion to +mention the matter to Aunt Dolly in Phil's presence at dinner one +night; he thought there must be something wrong with the engine, but +there was a twinkle in his eye that betrayed him. + +"Here's a clipping that I got to-day from Billy Thorpe," said Phil, +quite irrelevantly. "It's from the North Bay paper and concerns our +friend, Hughey Podmore." + +He read it aloud. It cited the particulars of a strange case which had +reached the hospital at North Bay some weeks ago--a man who had been +found wandering in the woods with bits of what appeared to be +bank-notes sticking to his skin. His skin had been scratched and +bleeding in many places and the man when taken in hand had been +delirious. Later, when he had become rational apparently and his +condition had improved, he had refused positively to reveal his +identity or to make any statement as to the circumstances which had led +to his condition; so that he had been discharged as a "mystery." He +had expressed an intention to go West, take up a homestead and +eventually go in for pure-bred stock. It was presumed, therefore, that +he was a young farmer who had been working in some lumber camp and on +his way out to civilization had got lost in the woods and had become +temporarily deranged by the experience. + +Having successfully sidetracked the conversation, Phil excused himself +from the table and hurried to his room. Here he dressed with +scrupulous care. He unfolded a small cambric handkerchief and a dollar +bill to make sure that the little hand-painted pin was quite safe; then +he folded the articles together again and placed them in an inside +pocket with a care befitting the important part they were about to play. + +He now unlocked a drawer in the cheffonier and took out a very small +square box, morocco leather, velvet-lined. The stone was a beautiful +white one and he stood off a pace or two and admired it. It certainly +made that other solitaire she had been wearing on her engagement finger +look like thirty cents! And to think that the "engagement" had been +merely a detail of her masquerade in Fergey's office! To-night----? + +With a sigh of satisfaction he pocketed the little leather box. Then +he slipped out the back way, taking a latch-key with him. They were +going canoeing to-night and he knew that it would be late, very late, +when he returned. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF*** + + +******* This file should be named 21644-8.txt or 21644-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/6/4/21644 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + diff --git a/21644-8.zip b/21644-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..610c212 --- /dev/null +++ b/21644-8.zip diff --git a/21644.txt b/21644.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3a3f167 --- /dev/null +++ b/21644.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9073 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Every Man for Himself, by Hopkins Moorhouse + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Every Man for Himself + + +Author: Hopkins Moorhouse + + + +Release Date: May 30, 2007 [eBook #21644] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF*** + + +E-text prepared by Al Haines + + + +EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF + +by + +HOPKINS MOORHOUSE + +Author of "Deep Furrows" + + + + + + + +Toronto +The Musson Book Company Limited + +Copyright, Canada, 1920 +by Hopkins Moorehouse + +The Musson Book Co., Limited +Publishers . . . Toronto + + + + +To My Mother + + + + + +FOREWORD + + +Although prefaces are not the fashion in these accelerated times, some +word of warning is due those who had the patience to read "Deep +Furrows." It seems but fair to point out that whereas "Deep Furrows" +was historical and its "characters" actual people taking prominent part +in current events, the present pages are purely fictitious and the +characters therein not even composite portraits of living personages. + +Similarly the story events are pure invention and as fittingly might +have been staged in any other of the nine provinces. The author humbly +craves indulgence if he has in any way exceeded the license allowed him +in spinning the incidents necessary for a novel of this type while +seeking verisimilitude in settings with which he is familiar. + +--H. M. + +Winnipeg, February, 1920. + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER + + I FOG + II BLIND MAN'S BUFF + III "NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS" + IV THE LISTENING STENOGRAPHER + V THE TAN SATCHEL + VI AGAIN THE TAN SATCHEL + VII CROSS CURRENTS + VIII ABOARD THE PRIVATE CAR, "OBASKA" + IX CONSPIRING EVENTS + X THE STENOGRAPHER STILL LISTENING + XI GROWING ANXIETY + XII KENDRICK MAKES A TOUCHDOWN + XIII AND CONVERTS A GOAL + XIV WHAT HAPPENED ON THE WINNIPEG EXPRESS + XV RAPPROCHEMENT + XVI THE TAN SATCHEL ONCE MORE + XVII DISTURBING NEWS + XVIII MCCORQUODALE EXPLAINS + XIX FURTHER STRANGE PROCEEDINGS + XX A MAN OF MONEY + XXI DOUBLE TROUBLE + XXII LOWERING CLOUDS + XXIII THE FIGHT + XXIV THE RACE BEGINS + XXV EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF + XXVI NIP AND TUCK + XXVII CLOSE QUARTERS + XXVIII SOUVENIRS + + + + +Every Man For Himself + + +CHAPTER I + +FOG + +Except for the lone policeman who paused beneath the arc light at the +Front Street intersection to make an entry in his patrol book, Bay +Street was deserted. The fog which had come crawling in from the lake +had filled the lower streets and was feeling its way steadily through +the sleeping city, blurring the street lights. Its clammy touch +darkened the stone facades of tall, silent buildings and left tiny wet +beads on iron railing and grill work. Down towards the waterfront a +yard-engine coughed and clanked about in the mist somewhere, noisily +kicking together a string of box-cars, while at regular intervals the +fog-horn over at the Eastern Gap bellowed mournfully into the night. + +After tucking away his book and rebuttoning his tunic the policeman +lingered on the corner for a moment in the manner of one who has +nothing to do and no place to go. He was preparing to saunter on when +footfalls began to echo in the emptiness of the street and presently +the figure of a young man grew out of the gray vapor--a young man who +was swinging down towards the docks with the easy stride of an athlete. +As he came within the restricted range of the arc light it was to be +seen that his panama hat was tilted to the back of his head and that he +was holding a silk handkerchief to one eye as if a cinder had blown +into it. + +"Good-night, Officer," he nodded as he passed without halting his +stride. "Some fog, eh?" + +"'Mornin', sir," returned the dim sentinel of the Law with a respectful +salute as he grinned recognition. "Faith, an' 't is, sir." + +High up in the City Hall tower at the head of the street Big Ben boomed +two ponderous notes which flung eerily across the city. + +Already the young man had faded into the thickening fog. He was in no +mood to talk to inquisitive policemen, no matter how friendly or +lonesome. It was his own business entirely if concealed beneath the +silk handkerchief was the most elaborate black eye which had come into +his possession since Varsity won the rugby championship some months +before. If his face ached and his knuckles smarted where the skin had +been knocked off, that was his own business also. And when the +judgment of calmer moments has convinced a respectable young gentleman +of spirit that there is nobody but himself to blame for what has +happened he is inclined to solitary communion while taking the measure +of his self-dissatisfaction. + +It was indeed the end of a very imperfect day for Mr. Philip Kendrick. +As he descended the stairs to the Canoe Club his thoughts were +troubled. At that hour there was nobody about, but he let himself in +with a special key which he carried for such contingencies. He found +the suitcase undisturbed where he had left it and soon had his canoe in +the water. A moment later he was driving into the thick wall of fog +with strong, practiced strokes, heading straight across the bay for +Centre Island. + +The fog gave him little concern. This land-locked Toronto Bay he knew +like a well-marked passage in a favorite book and at two o'clock in the +morning it was not necessary to nose along cautiously, listening for +the approach of water craft. Away to the right the lights of the +amusement park on Hanlan's Point had gone out long ago, before the fog +settled down like a wet blanket. The ferries had stopped running for +the night. Even the "belt line boat," _Lulu_,--last hope of bibulous +or belated Islanders--was back in her slip, funnel cold, lights out. +The whole deserted waterfront lay wrapped in the shroud of the fog, +lulled by the lap of water against pilings and the faint creakings of +small craft at their moorings. + +As the solitary canoe poked out for the open bay these minor sounds +fell behind and were replaced by the steady purl of water under the +bow. It filled with pleasing monotone the interludes between the +fussing of the yard-engine back on the railway trackage and the +blatancy of the foghorn at the Eastern Gap, every half minute bawling +its warning into the open lake beyond. + +There was nobody over at the big summer residence on Centre Island +except Mrs. Parlby, the housekeeper, and her husband who acted as +gardener. The place belonged to Kendrick's uncle, the Honorable Milton +Waring, and it was usual for them to open the big house about the end +of May. This year, however, his aunt and uncle had chosen to spend the +summer at Sparrow Lake and for the past week they had been up at a +rented cottage in the woods, leaving Phil behind in charge of the +Island residence. + +In response to a wire from his uncle, requesting him to join them at +once and bring along certain articles which had been overlooked, he had +packed his suitcase and paddled across to the city in the morning, +intending to take the train for Sparrow Lake. A chance meeting with an +old classmate, however, had resulted in a sudden decision to delay his +departure for another twenty-four hours in favor of a good time with +Billy Thorpe. + +As if in punishment, things had seemed to go wrong with him all day. +In the afternoon the Rochester baseball team had knocked three Toronto +pitchers out of the box, a blow-up which had cost the loyal Mr. +Kendrick twenty-five dollars and a loss of reputation as an authority +on International League standings. Then in the evening, in the crowd +out at The Beach, somebody had taken hold of his silk ribbon fob and +gently removed the gold watch which his aunt had given him on his +birthday. Later still--! + +It was the left eye, so swollen now that it was closed to a mere slit. +There was no optical delusion about its nomenclature and in diameter +and chromatic depth it was at the head of its class; in fact, it gave +promise of being by daylight in a class by itself. It was the sort of +decoration which could be relied upon implicitly to fire the +imagination of misguided acquaintances through several merry weeks of +green and yellow recuperation. And withal it cast a reflection upon +the fistic prowess of young Mr. Kendrick which was entirely unjust, it +being the product of what is known as a "lucky punch"--for the other +fellow. + +No, it was not in the result of the fight that dissatisfaction lay, but +in the cause. McCorquodale's remarks about the Honorable Milton Waring +had been addressed to McCorquodale's two companions; there had been no +intent to insult the Honorable Milton Waring's nephew who sat at the +next table in the restaurant, none of the three worthies being aware +that they were within earshot of a hypersensitive member of the +honorable gentleman's family. That being so, it had been distinctly +foolish for the aforesaid nephew to walk over to the other table and +demand an apology. He should have finished his coffee and cigarette +and strolled out. Or, if he had deemed it imperative to participate in +the political discussion, why in the mischief hadn't he just stepped +across, proffered his cigarette-case and made a joke of the situation? + +Of a truth the expression upon this fellow McCorquodale's homely, +good-humored face when Kendrick revealed his identity had been +sufficiently quizzical. He had grinned widely as he waved the +indignant young man to a seat at the table and even then the situation +would have adjusted itself had it been left to the principals. But +McCorquodale's companions were a pair of flashily dressed young +"sports" who, thinking they saw a chance for some fun at Kendrick's +expense, had proceeded to tread upon Mr. McCorquodale's professional +pride--McCorquodale, one time known to ringside patrons as "Iron Man" +McCorquodale, one time near middle-weight champion. + +"Y'see, it's this way," the ex-pugilist had explained earnestly. "I +aint said nothin' about y'r uncle as aint public anyways. It's in the +papers off an' on, see? An' now another election's comin' down the +pike, y'll have to be gittin' used to all kinds o' spiels. Fac's is +fac's, kid, an' when I says the Hon. Milt aint no sweet-scented +geranium but's out fer all the simoleons he can pick off the little old +Mazuma Tree,--why, I on'y says what I reads an' hears, believe me. You +bein' his nephew aint changin' public opinion none. See?" + +Kendrick's anger at this brazenness had prevented him from thinking +clearly. He was getting "touchy" about his uncle's political record of +late and had had occasion to defend it with some heat during certain +discussions among friends; there had been several newspaper attacks +which he had resented greatly also. His uncle's reputation as a public +man he had been Quixotic enough to take to heart as a personal matter +of family honor and, as everyone knows, family honor is a thing to +uphold. He had demanded that McCorquodale retract his statement. +McCorquodale had refused flatly to do so. + +One of the two grinning "sports" knew a place where they could settle +it undisturbed--just around the corner in the basement of a pool-room. +It had been a brisk little mix-up while it lasted; but it had not taken +the ex-pugilist long to discover that he was facing the best amateur +boxer Varsity had produced in a number of years and right in the middle +of it he had put on his coat deliberately, to the overwhelming +disappointment of his two friends. + +"Nix, you guys!" he had grunted, breathing heavily. "I knows when I'm +up against it. Y'see, I got a date with a Jane to-morra an' I aint +hankerin' to lose me way with no mussed map. Not on y'r tintype!" + +Whereupon the "Iron Man" had proceeded to demonstrate his malleability +by assuring Mr. Kendrick that he was ready to agree that the sun rose +in the south and made a daily trip straight north to escape the heat, +if Mr. Kendrick said so. His anxiety to make friends had been +positively funny; but there had been a sincerity in his handshake that +somehow had seemed to rob the apology of its satisfaction. And when +McCorquodale had proffered a broken cigar Kendrick had accepted it with +an uneasy feeling that he had made somewhat of a fool of himself; for +Phil was no prig and he found that McCorquodale was a pretty good sort +with a certain whimsicality that was not to be denied. + +He rested his paddle for a moment and floated in the dark, listening. +As soon as he got home he would go to the refrigerator for a piece of +raw beefsteak for his swollen eye. Darn that eye anyway! He would +have to hibernate up in the woods till it became more presentable. Far +behind him in the mist somewhere the yard-engine was still coughing; +across the water came a subdued squeal of protesting flanges, followed +by the distant bang of shunted box-cars. He listened for any sound of +the harbor patrol boat; but even had he bothered to show a light it +would have been obliterated in the fog, which was the worst Kendrick +ever had experienced. A raw beefsteak poultice-- He fancied the +fog-horn was a little louder; he would need to keep more to the left or +he would find himself hitting Mug's Landing, west of Island Park, or +wind up away over at the Point somewhere. + +He resumed his paddling. This matter of his uncle-- Was it possible +that in pursuit of political ambitions his uncle was forgetting the +principles for which he professed to stand as a public man? Was it +just possible that this fellow, McCorquodale, knew what he was talking +about? Wasn't it men of that stamp who became the tools for corrupt +practices--the boodlers, the heelers who did the actual +ballot-stuffing, the personating at the polls, the bribing? Did +McCorquodale know of what he spoke? + +The thought brought with it a sense of disloyalty to his uncle; but the +young man forced himself to face the idea seriously. He was beginning +to realize that there were many things about which he was woefully +ignorant--practical things entirely outside academic curriculums. For +twenty-two years he had eaten his meals regularly and lived a life +uncolored by any event more significant than his recent graduation from +'Varsity with honors. That he had captained the football team to +victory the fall before was nothing extraordinary; many another fellow +with equally broad shoulders and an equally well balanced head upon +them had done the same thing before him. Financial worries had never +intruded upon his good times, while social standing was something which +he had come to accept as a matter of course. Only of late had he begun +to analyze things for himself and it had been something of a shock to +discover that a college education was just a beginning--that beyond the +campus of his alma mater spread a workaday world which scoffed at dead +languages and went in for a living wage, which turned from isoceles +triangles and algebraic conundrums to solve the essential problems of +food and clothing and shingled roofs. It was a new viewpoint which +planted doubts where what he had supposed to be certainties had been +wont to blossom. + +The Honorable Milton Waring's very position as a cabinet minister in +the government of the day always had seemed to carry its own +credentials. As a youth Phil had thrilled with pride on occasions of +public demonstration in his uncle's honor and there had been times of +speech-making when the Honorable Milton's eloquence had swayed his +audience to unrestrained applause. To the unsophisticated eyes of +youth a shiny silk hat, a long-tailed frock coat, a gold-headed cane, a +diamond ring and a prominent place upon the platform had been +indicative of the top rungs of Fame and Success and Honor among men. +The goings and comings of Society's votaries, the bright lights of the +big Waring residence in Rosedale, the orchestras and bands and public +processions and cheering and flags and bunting--these things had +contributed to the awe with which Phil had regarded the Honorable +Milton Waring in the days of boyhood impressions. The mere fact that +his uncle received the acclamations of the people and held high public +office by their gift had seemed to invest the Honorable Milton with all +the attributes of an honorable gentleman of distinction. + +Such early impressions are tenacious of place. Yet with maturer years +had come certain doubts that thrust their shadows across moments of +serious thought. Phil Kendrick had begun to think for himself and his +study of political history had awakened him to the knowledge that there +was a very "practical" side to politics as they existed throughout the +country just then--that successful politicians too often were men who +regarded the whole thing as a game wherein the end justified the means, +the end being to carry elections. Was his uncle of this ilk? It had +been hinted. There were those who said that the Honorable Milton +Waring knew much about assembling political machinery around election +time and oiling it for a smooth run. And such rumors aroused thoughts +which Phil had been very loath to entertain. + +After all, though, did he really know his uncle? Between them there +had never been any very close bond of sympathy--such, for instance, as +always had existed between Phil and his aunt. His uncle's share in the +growing lad's up-bringing had been of the superficial sort--a pat on +the back, a "run along now, my boy; I'm busy." Always it had been Aunt +Dolly to whom he had taken his childish difficulties for sympathetic +adjustment. It had been that way from the first when the sudden loss +of both father and mother had thrown him upon Aunt Dolly's care. His +own mother could not have meant more to him and Kendrick's smile was +very gentle as he thought of his aunt. First and last, her +happiness---- + +Ah, but was she happy? That was the question. She pretended to be, of +course; but how much of it was mere pretence? Beneath her smiles Phil +had sensed of late a vague unrest, disappointment--he hardly knew what +to call it, so illusive it was. She had laughed at him fondly and +called him "a foolish boy" when he had ventured to ask her if anything +was wrong. After that she had been careful that he did not surprise +any look upon her face but one of cheerfulness. + +The possibility that in some way his uncle was the source of that +subtle change in Aunt Dolly had disturbed Phil's peace of mind not a +little. In his presence she had been the same gentle, smiling, +thoughtful Aunt Dolly that she had always been; but once or twice he +had read fleeting anxiety in the glance with which she had followed her +husband's departure from the room. Her love for the Honorable Milton +was unqualified, Phil knew. It was, in fact, the directing force of +Aunt Dolly's whole life. It had enabled her to overcome her innate +dislike for the everlasting round of social trivialities and assume her +place as a society leader with a brilliance and tact which had earned +the commendation of even her exacting husband. What was going wrong in +the Waring household? Or was it all imagination and Aunt Dolly's look +of concern sum-totalled by the weather in relation to a change to +lighter flannels? + +Certainly when it came to considering his uncle's political record +there was always the Rives case to fall back upon, to cast a halo about +the Honorable Milton's head. The Rives case had provided a sensational +aftermath to a strenuous election campaign which had resulted in the +complete overthrow of the former government. The "Honorable" +Harrington Rives with his large head and bushy shock of black curls had +been a picturesque figure on the rostrums of the country districts. He +took a good photo--and knew it! It was displayed in every conceivable +pose in the newspapers and fought the weather on the side of many a +livery barn long after the "Grand Rally" with its crop of +cheer-strained throats was a thing of the past. His ability as a stump +speaker and his hail-fellow-well-met-and-how's-the-baby way of mixing +with the crowd had popularized him to the bamboozlement of his +admirers. So that in election forecasts his seat in the Legislature +always had headed the list at party headquarters, while in the +opposition camp it had been chalked up as "election conceded." + +But as is the law of it, there cometh a day when the evil a man doeth +findeth him out. Whispers had stolen abroad in the land and the rumors +had drawn men together in scattered groups. Rivulets of resentment had +run together in widening pools of public opinion till the mysterious +forces which slowly arouse the "Great Common People" had broken loose +suddenly in one of those periodic reform waves which sweep everything +before them. And into the arena with shining sword drawn had stepped a +brilliant lawyer named Waring to pick up the gauge of battle against +Rives and his corrupt associates, with Rives himself as his individual +opponent. + +The fight in Rives' constituency had gone to bitter lengths. The +government forces had poured money into the campaign and under the +practiced hand of Harrington Rives the "Machine" had gone to indiscreet +lengths to defeat Waring. Bribery and corruption, which for a long +time had characterized the administration's political organization, had +become more open and Rives' opponent quietly had gathered the +irrefutable evidence which ended in the arrest of Rives and several of +his henchmen on the eve of the election. The exposure had been so +complete and far-reaching--actual misappropriation of public funds in +Rives' case--that the reform forces had made a clean sweep amid great +public rejoicing. + +It would require a short memory indeed to forget all this, thought +Kendrick. Remembrance of the Rives case, which he had taken the +trouble once to look up in the old newspaper files, never failed to +re-establish his faith in his uncle and it was with a sweep of +irritation now that he dug in his paddle--and veered sharply to the +left as the rustle of reeds against the canoe warned him that he was +close inshore somewhere. Mechanically he tried to peer through the +dark. This ought to be the sandbar to the left of the Island Park +ferry landing if he had not gone out of his reckoning. He waited for +the fog-horn that presently bellowed loudly off to the left. If this +were the sandbar he would have to skirt it east to the cut that ran in +beside the Yacht Club. + +A moment's paddling convinced him that he had guessed correctly. +Something scraped alongside--a yacht, moored in the channel. He turned +to the right and presently was gratified to find himself in quieter +water. A moment later he was safely within the inner channel that +followed the park embankment and led east past private boathouses. + +From the canal short streets here cut south across the island to the +lakefront, where many fine residences of the wealthy faced open water. +The steady rhythm of the waves against the breakwater reached him in +sharp contrast to the brooding stillness of the channel water. + +Kendrick was almost home now. The Waring boathouse was within a +stonesthrow. He edged the canoe forward gently, close to the bank, +feeling his way toward the familiar landing. + +And there was not one thing to prepare him for what immediately +followed. A voice which seemed to be almost at his elbow spoke to him +out of the darkness in low hurried tones--a woman's voice! At the same +time he felt the bow of the canoe pulled in against the bank. Before +he could recover sufficiently from his surprise to speak she had +stepped aboard and he could hear her adjusting a cushion beneath her +knees. Then came her tense whispered warning: + +"Stick right here and don't talk. We haven't time to get away, but +they can't see us. Sh! Here they come!" + + + + +CHAPTER II + +BLIND MAN'S BUFF + +With difficulty Phil Kendrick restrained a desire to laugh outright. +The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed +his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it +a further development held him silent. With senses sharpened he +listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, +his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of +Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of +valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with +the Honorable Milton Waring. + +A key was being fitted into the padlock of the Waring boathouse. The +planking creaked as the strangers tip-toed inside. There appeared to +be several of them. A sloshing of water as they boarded the big +launch, then the first fitful rustlings of the engine as it was turned +over. Soon its loud staccatto rose above the wail of the foghorn. + +Had the house been robbed? Phil dismissed this idea at once. No +valuables likely to invite burglary were kept at the Island residence, +even had Stinson's long and faithful service not placed him beyond +suspicion. Probably the valet had slipped away on a little holiday and +had been entertaining a few of his friends. With paddle shoved into +the mud to hold the canoe steady against the embankment so that it +would not capsize in the wash of the launch, Kendrick decided to sit +still and await developments. + +The launch passed presently, so close to them that he held his breath. +One of the occupants was talking in low tones. Somebody laughed and +said: "That's a good one, Nickleby." A third voice spoke in gruff +admonition: "Shut up, you fellows! No names, please." After +that--silence, except for the slow chug of the engine and the purl of +water, diminishing. They were gone. + +A breath of evident relief came from the unknown passenger in the canoe. + +"Pretty close, that," she whispered. "I guess we can go now, but it +would be better not to talk till we get out on the bay." + +Without a word Kendrick shoved off with his paddle and turned the nose +of the canoe for the Yacht Club channel. The launch had gone straight +down the main canal to the ferry pier before heading out into the bay +and all sound of it presently was lost. He strained his eyes to catch +a glimpse of his mysterious companion, forgetting for the moment that +even had it been broad daylight the fog would have concealed her. + +He tried to decide what was the best thing to do. What sort of a game +was this that he had stumbled upon? What was this woman doing over at +the Island at 2.30 a.m. in weather like this? Who was she? Why was +she spying upon Stinson's little party, if that was what she had been +up to? It was a situation with which any young man of zest and +imagination might find interest in dallying. How should he begin? + +"Pass me a paddle, Joe. It's all right to talk now." She gave a +little laugh of satisfaction and he noted that her voice was contralto +and well modulated. "This has been the best night's work yet. Did you +think I was never coming?" + +Kendrick cleared his throat. + +"Excuse me, madam, but there appears to be some mistake." He could +hear her startled gasp. "It is evident that you have got into the +wrong canoe in the dark. I am neither Joseph nor any of his brethren; +so he must be waiting for you still. Do you want me to turn back?" + +"Wh-why,--who are you?" she managed to gasp in an alarmed voice. + +"The same to you, madam, and many of them," laughed Kendrick easily. +"There's no occasion to feel frightened as I have just had a meal. +Anyone is liable to lose the way in a fog like this and I will count it +a privilege to help you locate Joe. He must be somewhere about if he +was waiting for you." + +"Who are you?" she repeated more evenly. + +"The owner of this canoe which you have commandeered so successfully. +Please pardon me for pointing out that it is your lead, madam. I would +be glad to have you begin by telling me who was in that launch? Why +all the excitement? Where do you want to go now?" + +"You are inquisitive enough to be a detective. Are you?" + +"In that case would I need to ask where we were going?" countered +Kendrick. "I believe you said this had been the best haul yet. Whose +house was it this time?" + +She remained silent. When she spoke again Kendrick fancied a nervous +note in her voice. + +"Will you please explain how you happened to be waiting for me at that +particular spot?" + +"Bless your heart, madam, I wasn't waiting for you! I happen to live +nearby and was getting ready to step ashore when you grabbed my canoe +and ordered me to keep quiet. I did so. Here we are." + +"Your discretion was commendable," she approved. "It certainly is most +extraordinary. I don't see where on earth--I guess my escort has taken +French leave." She tried to laugh carelessly, but she could not hide +the fact that she was greatly disturbed. "Will you paddle me across to +the city?" + +"And leave poor Joe out in the cold gray fog? Don't you think it would +be better to turn back and give a holler or two?" + +"Never mind him. He has gone home already very likely. I will pay you +one dollar to paddle me over. Is that satisfactory?" + +"It all depends. Supposing I refuse?" + +"Then I would have to ask you to step into the water and swim to shore +while I do my own paddling and keep down expenses." + +"Presupposing, of course, that you own the canoe." + +"It is too bad it is so dark," she retorted impatiently, "or you would +know that a revolver is pointed straight at you this very moment." + +Kendrick laughed in pure enjoyment of the situation. + +"My dear young lady,"--he had decided that she was young and he +wondered if she were pretty--"you force me to the conclusion that +either you are bluffing outrageously or you are a desperate character! +Please don't be frightened. I'm neither Steve Brodie, the Bridge +Jumper, nor the famous Jack Dalton, and in this age of safety razors +Bluebeards are _extra muros_. This isn't the opening spasm of some +blood-and-thunder novel, you know. We're right here on Toronto Bay +where one can get into trouble for not showing a light after dark. +Will you oblige me by unhooking the lamp at the bow there and passing +it back to me so that I can light up. I promise then to start earning +that dollar without further delay." + +He heard her fumbling with it. There was a splash in the water, a +little cry of well feigned dismay. + +"Oh, how careless of me! It--slipped out of my hand." + +Phil grinned cheerfully as he began to dip his paddle, interest +quickened. It was a neat sidestepping of his inconsiderate attempt to +scrutinize her. She had taken the first trick. + +"You do yourself an injustice, madam. Are you usually so careful when +you are careless?" + +"You have not told me your name yet," she reminded him, apparently more +at ease now that she knew he intended to paddle her across the bay. + +"My name? It's an Indian name--Watha--Hy. A. Watha, at your service, +and I am very fond of canoeing. What's yours?" + +"You need hardly ask that, Mr. Hiawatha, when you knew my sister, +Minnie, so well," she laughed. "I am _Mary_ Ha-ha!" + +"You don't say!" chuckled Kendrick in appreciation. "The original +little Merry Ha-Ha, eh?--Little Laughing-Gas!" + +"If you are Hiawatha, why are you using a paddle?" she pursued. "I +always understood from the Poet that all you had to do was to guide +your canoe with your thoughts." + +"Not when they're travelling in a circle. But this looks more like +'Blind Man's Buff' than 'Ring-Around-A-Rosy,' don't you think? Or are +you trying to play 'Tag' with me? Well, you're 'It' anyway," he said, +dropping all hint of banter in his tone. "I'd advise you to meet a few +straight questions with straight answers. First, who is this Joe +person you were expecting to do the canoeing for you?" + +"My husband." + +"And the people in the launch?" + +"How should I know who they were? By what right do you ask me that?" +she demanded. + +"The circumstances are somewhat unusual, madam, you must admit," +Kendrick reminded her sharply. "Do you wish me to play safe by handing +you over to the police?" + +"Police? My Good Gracious me! What crime have I committed?" + +"That would be a matter for official enquiry. It may be that you and +your husband are in the habit of wandering about the Island in a thick +fog at two o'clock in the morning--picking daisies for the sick kiddies +over at the Children's Home, I presume--but, to be perfectly frank with +you, I doubt it. Besides, there is the little matter of the launch." + +"Why are you so interested in that launch?" + +"Because I happen to be the nephew of my uncle who happens to own it +and to have left it in my charge during his absence," said Kendrick +deliberately. "I'm laying the cards face up, madam. The launch is the +property of Honorable Milton Waring, of whom you may have heard. +Undoubtedly it has been stolen." + +He was not prepared for the laughter with which his unknown passenger +greeted this bold announcement. He knew she was trying to smother her +mirth, but it finally broke all bounds. A very musical laugh it was, +very pleasant to hear. + +"Oh, please forgive me," she gasped finally. "It is very rude of me, I +know; but--you said you were the Honorable Milt's nephew--" Again she +laughed in spite of herself. + +"You know my uncle?" he asked eagerly. + +"I read the papers," she said evasively. "Everybody knows a public +man." + +"I'm laying the cards face up, madam," repeated Kendrick solemnly. "My +name is Kendrick--Philip Kendrick. I was on my way home when +you--well, shanghaied me. Won't you meet me half way by equal +frankness, so that we may avoid--well, any unpleasantness?" + +"You mean--?" She had stopped laughing. + +"That unless you answer legitimate questions I shall be forced to hand +you over to the police." + +"I warn you that you would regret it," she said quietly. + +"Very much," agreed Kendrick readily. "I would be sorry to cause you +any inconvenience; but surely you see how impossible it is for me to +avoid being inquisitive under the circumstances. Are you going to be +frank with me or not?" + +She did not answer him immediately and he smiled to himself as he +paddled in silence. For, if the truth must be told, Mr. Philip +Kendrick was enjoying himself immensely. He had only the sound of her +voice from which to draw deductions; but the cultured tones of it and +the lilt of her low laughter bespoke an education and refinement with +which he failed to reconcile the idea that she was a lady burglar. +Yet---- + +He stopped paddling to listen intently. Several times now he had +thought he heard a sound off in the darkness behind him. It came +again--a slight hollow sound, as of a paddle scraping against a canoe. +They were being followed. Had the girl heard it, too? He waited for +the wail of the fog-horn to die away--and found her speaking. + +"--frank with you, Mr. Kendrick," she was saying. "The circumstances +are less extraordinary than they appear to you. My--husband and I were +at a party at a friend's house on the Island. We paddled over in a +canoe and Joe went ahead of me to locate it. In the dark I must have +missed the spot where he was waiting for me and when you came along so +silently and so close to the bank I naturally thought it was Joe. +Ridiculously simple, you see." + +"You have forgotten the launch," prompted Kendrick severely. + +"I know nothing about the launch," she denied with resentment. "When I +heard those people coming I thought it was some of the guests from the +party who had said they would race us home. Will you please paddle on, +Mr. Kendrick. It is damp and chilly in this fog and I am naturally in +a hurry to get home." + +He laughed with skepticism, but plied his paddle again. He was not as +concerned about the launch as he pretended, of course; at the worst it +probably meant that Stinson had been entertaining some of his friends +on the sly. He had no intention of handing his mysterious passenger to +the police. But was he to let her laugh at him and disappear +unchallenged into the fog out of which she had come? + +Phil Kendrick's experience with the opposite sex was very limited, he +had to confess. He had been too completely absorbed in athletics to +afford girls more than passing attention. Those of his social +set--those he had met--had failed to impress him. One or two of them +were attractive enough in a general way, he realized; some were amusing +to him and some very very tedious. It was a new experience to find +himself actually interested in a girl--or rather, her voice! He wished +he could get a look at her till he remembered the poor showing he would +make with his blackened eye. Then he was thankful for the darkness. + +Phil planned to land her at the Queen City Yacht Club at the foot of +York St., or at the Canoe Club; either would provide an easy landing. +They must be well across the bay now; but it was hard to say just where +they would come in. Ordinarily he could have steered by the +illuminated dial of the City Hall clock and the spire of St. James'; +but the fog obliterated all landmarks. + +They were both very damp from exposure to the mist, but it is doubtful +if either of them was aware of it. He made several further attempts to +discover her identity without avail; at every turn she evaded him +skillfully and it was beginning to look as if she would step ashore and +vanish into the fog without leaving behind her a single clue for him to +follow. This illusiveness was an added spur to his desire to know this +girl. He did not believe that she was a married woman at all. It was +a conclusion which seemed to be justified by her elaborate precautions +to make him think otherwise. Because of some foolish notion of the +conventions she intended to go as she had come, taking advantage of the +fog to write down the night's adventure in a book which must be closed +to him for all time and forgotten. + +Deliberately Phil held back the canoe. They were within a few strokes +of the landing now. + +"Listen to me very carefully," he began. "I am going to ask you for +the last time to tell me your name or the name of some friend whom I +can get to introduce me to you properly. Isn't that fair? I have told +you the truth about myself and will hand you my card to prove it. You +must play equally fair with me or----" + +"Or what?" she demanded haughtily as he hesitated. + +"Or--well, take the consequences," he finished lamely. + +"Which are--? Be explicit, Mr. Kendrick." + +"Well, I might turn around and paddle you back to the Island and leave +you there, for one thing. The circumstances are not such as entitle +you to the consideration I have shown you. For all I know, you may be +an ordinary crook. Think it over, madam. Is there any reason why I +should not call you 'kiddo' and help myself to a kiss? Is there?" + +"Yes--the fact that Philip Kendrick is a gentleman. I dare you to +prove it otherwise!" + +"It is kind of you. If you are so sure of it, why won't you give me a +chance? Come on, be a sport. I will promise anything you wish to meet +you legitimately, and I really would regret it very much if I +thought----" + +"I have told you already that it is impossible," she interrupted +coldly. "I always understood it was a woman's prerogative to choose +her acquaintances. I am grateful for your services tonight, of course; +but beyond that---- The fact is, I do not care to know you, Mr. +Kendrick. Please put me ashore and say good-bye." + +A cold fire of resentment burned in Kendrick's eyes as he drove the +canoe to the landing with a few skillful strokes. Why had he been so +foolish as to tell her his real name? Why didn't she want to know him? +Without a word he caught the canoe in one hand and stepped out. He +felt along the gunwale to the bow and fastened the painter to an iron +ring in the planking, then handed her out safely. He retained his +grasp of her hand. + +"A moment ago you dared me to kiss you," he said gravely. "I am not in +the habit of taking dares from anybody." + +"Let go my hand at once, sir. You know very well you cannot so far +forget yourself as to take such a liberty. I dare you to prove +yourself no gentleman." + +"I warn you----!" + +"I dare you!" + +"Very well! On your own head be it, then! The boatman is worthy of +his hire," he paraphrased and laughingly he seized her in his arms and +kissed her. + +The next instant he received a resounding slap in the face. It had +young muscles and indignation behind it and it found him unprepared. +He started back automatically, tripped, lost his balance and fell into +the water. + +"Oh, you--you miserable--_fresh Aleck_!" came her mortified cry. + +She lingered only long enough to make sure that he could swim. As he +drew himself out of the water the sound of her running feet died out on +the pier. + +With chattering teeth Kendrick cast loose, seized his paddle and drove +it deep into the water. Ye gods, what a fool! Very angry at himself, +he set out across the bay once more, guided by the derisive bawling of +the fog-horn at the Eastern Gap. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +"NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS" + +At no time had it been Phil Kendrick's habit to entertain an inflated +opinion of his own importance. On occasion he had ridden around the +gridiron on the shoulders of idolatrous students; but his modesty had +been one of the factors underlying his popularity. Despising conceit +in others, he was too prone, perhaps, to take himself to task for those +little mistakes which every young man is liable to make from time to +time. + +It is safe to say, however, that never in all his life had he arraigned +himself upon the carpet of his own condemnation so severely as now +while paddling across the bay for the second time within the hour. If +the McCorquodale incident earlier in the evening had lowered his +opinion of his own judgment he was now ready to concede that he had no +judgment whatsoever. It was of little use to tell himself that it +served her right, or that she had dared him deliberately to do what he +had done. That did not alter the fact that if he ever met her +again--it was not likely that he would, of course, but if he +did,--somewhere, sometime--he had erected a barrier to her good will +which would preclude all hope of her friendship. His status in her +sight was that of a "miserable fresh Aleck!" + +Thus, as a relief to his feelings and in part to keep warm by exertion, +did Phil come home through the fog at headlong pace in a high state of +discontent, a veritable bear with a sore head. As he lifted the canoe +to its place in the boathouse something pricked his finger, and by the +light of a match he found a dollar bill pinned to one of the canoe +cushions with a tiny brooch. His hire!--the only reward he had had any +right to expect! The sight of these souvenirs did not tend to restore +his peace of mind, and there was little mirth in the short laugh which +he bestowed upon them as he thrust them into his pocket; yet it is +interesting that he looked upon them as souvenirs, even while deciding +to dismiss the whole matter permanently from his thoughts. + +The launch was not back yet, he noted. Well, Stinson could go to the +devil with it for all he cared! He slammed the boathouse door and +strode up the side-street, this mood carrying as far as the picket +gate. His hand was on the latch before he realized that the library +windows were blurring through the fog with light. + +Had the servants all gone crazy to-night? He went around to the front +of the house, and with his face between the slats of the verandah +railing, peered through the French windows. Muttering astonishment, he +climbed over the railing, fitted his latch-key noiselessly and swung +open the double glass doors that gave direct entrance to the room. The +slight sound of his entry passed unnoticed by the Honorable Milton +Waring, who continued to lean over his desk completely absorbed in a +litter of papers. + +But for the heavy odor of stale cigar smoke it would have been easy to +suppose that the fog without had crept into the library. The air was +blue. Phil's glance swept the disordered room. Three empty whisky +glasses stood on the library table. The butts of cigars and +innumerable cork-tipped cigarettes lay smothered in gray ashes that +spilled untidily in sundry ash-trays. There was a char of burned paper +in the open grate where a few coals still glowed redly. The desk was +covered with packets of folded papers, held together by rubber bands, +and loose sheets upon which much figuring had been done with the blue +pencil which his uncle favored. A stock certificate or two peeped from +a closed account book. + +Phil looked again at the bowed figure, struck by a laxity of manner +that was foreign to the Honorable Milton Waring. His thick iron-gray +hair, usually so carefully brushed, was rumpled on end where his +fingers had plowed and held his head while he figured with the other +hand. He had removed his collar and tossed it aside impatiently; it +lay on the floor behind the chair, leaving the tie still hanging +loosely around the neck, the end of it twisted over one shoulder. The +door in front of which the intruder stood was outside the older man's +line of vision; but Phil could see a flushed cheek, and there was an +air of dejection in his uncle's attitude quite out of keeping with +customary poise. + +The subject of these observations reached abruptly for the decanter on +the desk and poured himself a stiff drink of Scotch whisky. The neck +tinkled a little tattoo against the glass. He swallowed the liquor +neat and shook his head in a spasmodic grimace. The sigh with which he +settled back in his chair was one of utter weariness. + +Phil gave a slight cough to announce his presence. + +"Pardon me, Uncle Milt, if I'm intruding, but I didn't know you were in +town---- Why, what's wrong?" he ended quickly; for his uncle had +sprung from his chair and was clinging to the edge of the desk for +support while he stared as if he were gazing at an apparition. + +In truth, quite aside from his quiet entry, the young man's appearance +was startling enough. His facial disfigurement achieved a bizarre +effect which the condition of his clothes served to heighten. The once +jaunty panama hat hung shapelessly about his ears and from beneath it a +plaster of blond hair slanted across his forehead rakishly. His collar +was a soggy mess, from which depended a dark red string in sorry +travesty of a flowing tie. His shirt was soiled with mud, his coat and +trousers full of wrinkles. + +"For heaven's sake, boy! What's happened? Train wreck?" He dropped +back into his chair, eyeing his nephew in amazement. "Why aren't you +at Sparrow Lake with your aunt? Get my wire? Eh? They told me you +left this morning----" His voice was hoarse and it trailed away as if +the situation embarrassed him and he was not quite sure how to handle +it. He stared uncertainly, drumming nervously with his fingers. + +Phil nodded as he sat down in the nearest chair and stared back. The +surprise of finding his uncle there was overridden by the new discovery +of his evident diffidence, his flushed face, a lack of that +self-contained bearing which always had marked him as a man of large +affairs. It was his uncle's strict rule, he recalled, never to take a +second drink; it was an axiom of the Honorable Milton's that the second +drink drew the cork on indiscretion and eventual inebriety. That +something had happened which must have disturbed him greatly to make +him break this rule was a deduction as simple as the evidence that he +had broken it. + +"What about you, Uncle Milt?" suggested Kendrick after a brief +explanation of his change of plans--a recital which carefully avoided +mention of McCorquodale or the mysterious woman of the fog. "If I had +known that Aunt Dolly was going to be alone I wouldn't have let Thorpe +persuade me to stay over a day." + +"I was called in unexpectedly--important business----" He pushed +uneasily at the papers on the desk. "Have a cigar, Philip?" He passed +the humidor as he spoke, then scratched a match and held it to his +nephew's selection with careful courtesy. He shook his head in smiling +disapproval of the swollen eye. "Bad business, young man! Bad +business! A fine flower of folly you have there, eh? Don't grow 'm +like that at the Ladies' Aid meeting at the First Baptist Church, do +they?" He settled back in his chair, chortling. + +Phil smiled as he tossed aside his hat. + +"Blame it on the fog, Uncle Milt. I was foolish enough to trip over +something in the dark and take a header down the Canoe Club stairs into +the water," he explained mendaciously. "Me for the woods to-morrow +without fail. I guess I got off easy at that, for you can't see your +hand in front of your face out on the bay to-night. Stinson almost ran +me down with the launch--missed me by a couple of feet and that's all." + +"Stinson? Stinson, d'you say? Don't mean _our_ Stinson--in--_our_ +launch? Not our Stinson in our very own launch, Phil'p? You s'prise +me greatly. In the dark like that---- How do you know?" he challenged. + +Kendrick smiled at the transparency of this attempt. + +"I recognized his voice for one thing. Stinson was speeding the +parting guests--the three who drank out of the glasses yonder. Pshaw, +you know as well as I do that you sent me that wire to clear the way +for this little affair to-night, and you're wishing right now that I +was at the bottom of the lake! But it's all right, Uncle Milt." + +His uncle did not laugh. Instead he eyed the younger man from beneath +heavy brows that met in a scowl. + +"Sherlock Holmes, eh? When'd you start emulating Sherlock Holmes?" he +growled. "Been a meeting here--yes--business. What of it?" + +"Nothing at all, if you say so. Only don't make the mistake of +thinking I'm still a mere kid, Uncle Milt. I'd hate to think there was +any other reason why you have never admitted me to your confidence. +Did it ever occur to you that perhaps I might--well, sort of dig in and +help you in some way? You and Aunt Dolly have been mighty good to me +and I kind of feel---- Well, you know what I mean," he finished +diffidently. + +The Honorable Milton Waring's brows unbent. His gaze wandered +automatically to the pile of papers on the desk and for a moment he was +silent. + +"There is nothing you can do, Phil---- Phill_up_,----to help," he said +at last, shaking his head slowly, while the tired lines deepened about +his eyes. "I----thanks all same." + +Kendrick hunched his chair nearer and laid a hand on the other's knee. + +"You're in trouble of some kind," he said earnestly. "Please don't try +to deny it, Uncle Milt. I promised Billy Thorpe I'd join him next week +on a fishing trip, but that's all off if I can be of any use to you. +That special course in engineering next fall--that's all off, too, if +you need me. It's my duty to help and it's your duty to let me. We +both owe it to Aunt Dolly, don't we?" + +A look of apprehension sprang into the tired eyes. He waved his hand +swiftly towards the empty glasses. + +"Your aunt--she must know nothing of--all this. I warn you now, +Phil'p,--not a word. No use causing her needless worry. Her social +duties, understand,---- These business affairs----" His voice trailed +again and he looked anxiously for his nephew's acquiescence. + +"That goes as a matter of course," nodded Kendrick. "So far as I am +concerned, this little chat with you has never taken place and there's +been nobody here except the servants--so far as I am concerned. But is +there any danger of anybody---- What would be the object of anybody +spying on this particular little seance----?" He paused at the quick +consternation which the suggestion aroused. + +"What do you mean, Philip?" demanded the Honorable Milton sharply. He +sat up more alertly. "Why do you ask such a foolish question? Are you +talking at random or----?" + +"Very much at random," assured Kendrick hastily. "I was just +wondering. Because---- Well, it would be the only way anybody who +happened to be interested would find out about your meeting, wouldn't +it? I don't intend to talk about it, as I said before. I thought +perhaps if it had anything to do with the political situation, for +instance,--detectives, you know--around election time. I don't pretend +to know very much about these things, of course." + +"You are fortunate," grunted the Honorable Milton, dryly. "Seems to me +you are allowing your imagination to run away with you, young man. +Advise you to curb it." + +Phil took a long pull at his cigar and studied his uncle keenly as he +blew the smoke into the air. + +"Do you want to know how I really got this beauty spot--this 'flower of +folly' as you called it?" he asked unexpectedly. "I had a little +argument with a fellow to-night who insisted that you were--he +retracted it, of course--were a political grafter!" + +The smile with which the Honorable Milton Waring had welcomed the +promised change of subject faded slowly. He wagged his head in reproof. + +"Very foolish of you, Philip--to take any notice of that sort of thing. +Let 'em talk!" Yet he looked at this nephew of his with a new +interest. "Grafter, eh? Didn't believe it, eh?" + +"Anyone who looks up your political record, Uncle Milt, must respect +you," said Phil seriously. "These newspapers that are so fond of +handing out roasts seem to overlook the fact that you were the man +mainly responsible for kicking out Rives and his crowd and cleaning up +the whole rotten administration. It makes me mad. And some of them +have got the nerve to hint that the present Government----" + +"Don't let's get into any political discussion, Philip," interrupted +his uncle, holding up his hand in protest. "Please. I'm too tired for +that. I'm sick of it, d'you hear? Politics! Politics! The same +miserable tactics of misrepresentation! The same petty motives that +have bedeviled public life for the past---- Damn them!" + +He heaved himself abruptly from his chair and began to pace the room +restlessly while Kendrick watched him, surprised by the unexpected +vehemence of the outburst. After a turn or two he stopped directly in +front of his nephew, and in his eyes was a strange look. + +"There are many things, my boy, which you cannot be expected to +understand without a lot of explanation," he said more quietly. "I +cannot go into any of these things now. If you ever accept a public +office in later life try to look upon it as a sacred trust to be +fulfilled according to the dictates of conscience. Then you will begin +to understand what is meant by 'burden of effort' and 'the heat of the +day.' I want you to believe that even one man against a pack of wolves +can put up at least some kind of a fight, even though he knows that +sooner or later he is doomed to go down. I have tried conscientiously +to do what I thought was my duty. Do you believe that?" + +"Certainly," nodded Kendrick without hesitation. + +"Thank you, Philip. No matter what happens I want you to continue to +believe that." + +"Look here, Uncle Milt, if anybody is trying to put anything over on +you, why not let me in on the scrap?" urged Phil eagerly. "I meant +what I said a moment ago. What is it? What's the matter? Finances? +Let me help. I'll write you a cheque for what I have in the bank and +we can raise something on my Parkview property----" + +The Honorable Milton tossed his head in a chuckle of amusement. + +"How much have you got?" he smiled. + +"About two thousand in the bank, another couple of thousand in +negotiable securities--oh, about ten thousand, roughly, including the +real-estate. We could sell that. I'll look after it first thing after +breakfast." + +"Ten thousand dollars is neither here nor there, Philip," said his +uncle, shaking his head slowly. "I could raise such a sum by the mere +request. Perhaps if it were five times the amount---- Just the same I +am grateful for your offer, my boy." + +"Fifty thousand dollars!" murmured Phil. "It's a lot of money when you +haven't got it." + +The Honorable Milton glanced at the clock on the mantel and gave an +exclamation. + +"It's time you and I were in bed. I hear Stinson just coming in. +Everything's all right. I'm going to turn in now." + +At the foot of the stairs he paused to lay a hand on his nephew's +shoulder and there was unwonted gentleness in his manner. + +"Good-night, Philip. And thank you for the--the 'flower of folly,'" he +said awkwardly. + +For a moment Kendrick stood watching the Honorable Milton Waring as he +mounted the stairs slowly, a heavy hand upon the banister rail. The +gray head was bowed. There was an air of dejection in the whole figure +as of one who tastes the bitterness of defeat. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE LISTENING STENOGRAPHER + +When Phil opened his eyes on the morning sunshine--both eyes--he was +gratified to note a slight improvement in the blackened orb. Before +retiring he had sent the newly returned Stinson around to the front of +the house to bring in the suitcase left by the verandah and had +instructed the valet to bring a piece of raw beefsteak to his room. +Nevertheless, as he studied his appearance in the mirror with some +anxiety he was glad that he was going to Sparrow Lake and thence to +North Bay as fast as he could get there. Thorpe would soon tire of +making witty remarks, and the fish would not care whether he had a +black eye or not. + +As he dressed leisurely Kendrick's mind reverted soberly to the events +of the past twenty-four hours. Reviewing in detail the interview with +his uncle, there grew out of his confusion of thought an odd sense of +disquiet. Close questioning of Stinson had yielded the information +which his uncle had not seen fit to volunteer in regard to last night's +clandestine visitors at the Island residence--Nickleby, President of +the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company; Alderson, of the Alderson +Construction Company; Blatchford Ferguson, the lawyer. If, as the +Honorable Milton had intimated, it had been a business meeting merely, +they must be planning a raid on the stock market to account for all the +secrecy with which the meeting had been shrouded. His uncle, Phil +knew, had invested heavily in mining stocks, and J. Cuthbert Nickleby +was the man who had been most closely associated with him in these +private investments, while for some time now Ferguson had been favored +with Waring's legal patronage in such deals as had come to Kendrick's +notice. As for Alderson, he was a comparative stranger to Phil--a +contractor who had risen rapidly during the real-estate boom, and who +very reasonably might be taking a flyer on the market. + +It must be something of this sort, and in the face of his uncle's +evident desire for him to mind his own business Phil was inclined to +let it go at that. It was scarcely to be expected that his uncle would +break the custom of years in a sudden burst of confidence just because +his nephew happened to surprise him in one of his difficult situations. +His life was full of such difficult situations, no doubt,--had been for +years--and the Honorable Milton was accustomed to relying upon himself +to surmount them as he saw fit. + +Far from feeling any resentment of his uncle's refusal of his boyish +offer of assistance, therefore, Phil now regarded the offer itself as +somewhat ridiculous from his uncle's standpoint. To one of such large +connections ten thousand dollars was the same as a hundred-dollar bill +to the average man. Yet his uncle had thanked him for his good +intentions and tactfully had made him feel that the appreciation was +sincere. At no time had the two been in closer sympathy than during +this unexpected interview. His uncle was not given to sentiment. +Perhaps the liquor---- + +Phil paused in the act of lacing his boot to frown out the window. The +Honorable Milton Waring undoubtedly was greatly worried about +something--financial affairs maybe. Or was that only one side of it, +incidental to something not so simple of adjustment? The searching +look, the solemnity of the words which had followed that sudden +outburst against political conditions of the day, that reference to one +man fighting a pack of wolves--what about that? No matter what +happened he wanted his nephew to continue believing that he had tried +to do his duty. + +No matter what happened! It was this remark, more than any other, +which fostered Kendrick's disquietude. Something was liable to happen, +then?--something calling for a blind exercise of faith in his uncle; +something which on the surface might seem to question his--his what? +Integrity? Political honor? Social standing? Or was it merely an +emphasis of speech with no special significance? Phil shifted uneasily +on the chair as he thought of his aunt's position if some catastrophe +befell his uncle. If any trouble of that kind were likely to develop, +surely his uncle would have told him. Well, there was no use in +getting himself all worked up over nothing. + +He began to whistle softly as he rummaged among his ties. Then his +thoughts switched to the girl with whom he had talked in the fog. If +he had only known then what he knew now! She had been spying upon the +Waring residence, upon this secret meeting with the Honorable Milton. +That much seemed certain. But why was she interested in what had +transpired? Who was she? And what had transpired? It was lack of +this information which made it difficult to analyze the situation +intelligently. + +Had he done right in withholding from his uncle the fact of his unusual +encounter with this girl? He imagined the laugh with which the +Honorable Milton would be likely to greet relation of the incident. If +it were true that there was no use in sending a boy on a man's errand, +what about a woman on a spying expedition in a thick fog at two o'clock +in the morning? Perhaps her story of the party at a friend's house was +true, after all. Perhaps she and this "Joe" were a pair of sneak +thieves----! + +But he _knew_ she wasn't, just as he knew that she was a girl of +education and refinement. A tantalizing thing to meet a disembodied +voice like that, a low laugh, a mystery! The lady might have a face +like a dried prune! (Only he knew that she hadn't!) Voices were not +to be relied upon. Take that "hello-girl," for instance; she had had +the softest lilting voice over the wire, then when he got a look at her +she hadn't been a day under forty-five and her face----! Certainly it +hadn't been the fairest that e'er the sun shone on! (Only in this case +he knew it must be different!) He was a hopeless fool if ever there +was one! The best thing he could do was to forget the whole affair and +with this sensible decision he reached into his pocket for the +souvenirs, and spent some time in re-examining the little hand-painted +shirt-waist pin with which she had fastened his pay to the canoe +cushion! + +Phil breakfasted alone. Although the sun had climbed high enough to +dispel the fog his uncle still slept the heavy sleep of utter +exhaustion. Without disturbing him, therefore, Kendrick had Stinson +run the launch over to the city half an hour later. As a concession to +the possibility of there being a serious side to the espionage of the +girl and her accomplice, he had decided to advise his uncle's lawyer of +the adventure; Ferguson then could assume responsibility for the +consequences, using his own judgment as to its significance. Also Phil +intended to have a chat with President Wade, of the Canadian Lake +Shores Railway, if he happened to be in the city; Ben Wade was an old +boyhood friend of the Warings and Phil knew that he could talk to him +freely without fear of his confidences being abused. + +At the docks almost the first person Kendrick encountered was Chic +White. Chic was the more or less renowned sporting editor of the +_Morning _Recorder__ and he had a most abominable habit of going +through the motions of spitting every little while as he talked, more a +matter of nervous habit than saliva. He spat dryly three times as he +stared at the approaching Kendrick and greeted the erstwhile captain of +the 'Varsity rugby champions with a grin that bared two rows of teeth. + +"Ye gods! What a fall was there, my countrymen! Wow! Who slipped you +the haymaker, Ken?" + +"Stick to the quotation, Chic," laughed Phil good-naturedly, barely +pausing in his stride. "Got it in the fog last night--Canoe Club +stairs in the dark. I had a pretty bad fall." + +"So did Humpty-Dumpty!" Mr. White's grin widened, and with a +deliberate wink and a final spit he waved his hand and walked off, +laughing loudly. + +The owner of the black eye went his way, face set in abnormally +forbidding lines. People smiled as they passed him on the street. He +would have given a ten-dollar bill to have met the redoubtable Mr. +McCorquodale around the next corner. He thought of buying one of those +pink shields; it would not hide it all, but it might help. He tried +tying his handkerchief over his eye as a bandage, but felt so foolish +that he tore it off and laughed at himself. + +The office of Blatchford Ferguson, barrister, etc., in the Broker's +Bank Building, was laid out along somewhat unconventional lines. Of +course the public entrance from the corridor gave admission to an outer +office where two or three stenographers operated their typewriters +under the eye of a law student, while just inside the railing of the +entranceway sat a pompadoured office boy who occupied himself variously +with an old-fashioned letter-press alongside the vault, with sharpening +lead-pencils, chewing gum and guarding the gate in the railing. But +the partitions which enclosed this general office were built solid from +floor to ceiling and the only sign of an inner presence was a door +directly behind the youthful sentry, the ground glass of which bore the +single word, "Secretary," in neat gold and black lettering. + +The Secretary's office had a private entrance from the public corridor +of the building and an inside door, lettered "Loans and Investments." +On through this office was still another door, inscribed "Insurance +Department," while beyond this second sanctum was a third door which +led into the _sanctum sanctorum_ with its unexpected exit upon a narrow +back hallway and a dusty flight of stairs by which it was possible +without undue publicity to reach the street or, rather, the back lane +where carters made deliveries. + +At times this carefully planned office arrangement was found to be +highly convenient, no less by the confidential Mr. Ferguson than by +certain of his clients. For although Blatchford Ferguson, barrister, +etc., really could--and did--go barristering about the courts quite +legitimately, he also carried on a substantial business in et ceteras. +Thus, he could talk to an insurance prospect in a private office +provided with insurance files and hung with insurance company +calendars; or he could talk to a possible investor in a private office +which had just the right financial atmosphere to foster confidence. +Buying, selling, borrowing, lending, advising--nothing that could be +"farmed out" on a split commission was beneath the notice of Blatch +Ferguson, who would have negotiated a deal for a carload of Russian +whiskers could he have found a responsible master barber to make the +contract with a mattress factory which had the price! + +As he shook hands with Conway, the young student who presided over the +outer office, Kendrick was conscious that the office boy and the +stenographers behind him were enjoying the mild sensation which his +black eye inspired. Even Conway was grinning like an idiotic cat from +Cheshire. The two had known each other, somewhat casually, at the +university. + +"I bumped into the parallel bars during a game of volley ball at the +gym the other night," he explained gravely. "Is Ferguson in?" + +Conway told him to walk right through. Miss Williams would take in his +card. Thus it came about that Phil, unescorted, passed through the +gate in the railing and on through the door to the secretary's office. +As he closed this door behind him he paused for a moment in some +uncertainty at finding the secretary's office deserted. Her hat and +coat were hanging in place, however, and a half finished letter was in +her typewriter; so he ventured through to the open doorway beyond, +thinking she might have stepped into the adjoining office. + +She had. She had gone right through it and through the second office +of the suite also. The young lady was visible through the vista of +open doorways and she was so absorbed in her own activities that she +was quite oblivious of his presence. For she was kneeling with her ear +to the keyhole of the farthest door of all, the one which led into the +_sanctum sanctorum_ of her employer, and there was no doubt whatever +that she was listening with all her might. + +Not a little astonished, Kendrick watched her. Then at his slight +cough the girl straightened quickly and stared at him with widened +eyes. In answer to his beckoning finger she came towards him slowly, +her color mounting swiftly. When she had shut the last door behind her +she faced him with an air of defiance. + +Kendrick gazed at her in speechless admiration of the picture she made +as she stood there, symmetrical figure gracefully erect, her head held +high with its elaborate coiffure of brown hair, her dark blue eyes +flashing resentment. The creamy column of her well shaped neck, the +firm chin, the almost classic perfection of her features, the rich red +of her cheeks--wherever did Ferguson go for his secretaries? She was +plainly dressed in some dark material with white collar and cuffs; but +the sensible office dress served only to heighten the pleasing effect. +There was only one jarring note--the fact that she was chewing gum, +chewing it rapidly as if to relieve nervous tension. + +"Well! Hope you'll know me next time you see me! Get it off your +chest please! Whatcha goin' to do about it?" + +Kendrick smiled slowly at the incongruity of the speech, even while +thankful that her voice at least was not in harsh discord with her +appearance, but well modulated. + +"I beg your pardon," he apologized, realizing all at once that he had +been guilty of staring somewhat longer than was warranted even by the +unusual circumstances. "I am very short-sighted and there are times +when I cannot distinguish objects at a greater distance than a very few +feet. This morning my eyes are exceptionally bad." + +She glanced at him quickly as if searching for indications of mockery +which were lacking in the courteous tones of his voice. + +"If you will be good enough to take in my card----?" he suggested, +extending it. + +She hesitated, then laid down her notebook and accepted the card +without speaking. Ferguson coming to meet him at the door with +extended hand, stopped short and stared. + +"It's a peach, Phil! I must admit it's a peach!" + +"A Lombard plum, you mean, Blatch. How'd I get it? Why, you see,--I +had the misfortune to step on a wayward banana skin---- Oh, well, if +you really must know, I tried to help an old lady pick up some bundles +she'd dropped and she hit me with her umbrella, thinking I was going to +grab them and run." + +"Come right in. Come right in," chuckled Ferguson. "Here, have a +cigar?" + +"Thanks, but I'm only staying a jiff. Got to make another call and +it's nearly noon now. Would you mind if I leave the door open? The +smoke's pretty thick." + +"Hit you with an umbrella, eh?" chortled the lawyer with jovial +skepticism as he tilted back in his swivel chair. "Deduction: It had a +knob on the end of it! Sentence: Thirty days in the woods!" and Mr. +Ferguson stroked his nose while he permitted his shoulders to shake in +appreciation of his own pleasantry. Mr. Ferguson's nose was fleshy and +its color was red. + +"On my way there now--going fishing down the French River with an old +schoolmate," grinned Phil. "Say, there was a meeting over at my +uncle's on the Island last night, Blatch," he added briskly. "I +believe you were there. Will you tell me what took place?" + +Ferguson sat up. He ran his fingers over his head in a habitual +gesture which long since had worn a bald streak along the top. He +leaned back again in his chair, the tips of his fingers pressed +together, and for a moment scowled thoughtfully at the wall. + +"You're getting into deep water, boy," he warned at last slowly. "I +don't know where the mischief you got that information; but I'll have +to refer you to the Chief himself for your answer. Why, what do you +want to know for?" + +"Oh, nothing in particular, except--it was very foggy, you remember?--a +pretty good night for concealment, if anybody happened to be interested +in spying on you people over there. You know more about that than I +do." + +Mr. Ferguson played a good game of poker; he prided himself upon his +self-control. But the seriousness of his manner indicated that he was +startled. + +"Just what do you mean by that, Phil? You've come here to tell me +something. What is it?" + +So Kendrick told him, omitting nothing except the fact that the girl +had dared him to kiss her, and that when he had done so he had gone in +for an involuntary swim. + +"And you let that woman go home alone at that hour of the morning? You +are neglectful both of your opportunities and your etiquette!" but +although the lawyer's tone was light he was very serious as he pursed +his lips and scowled. + +"Don't go blaming me, Blatch. As soon as I helped her ashore she ran +off and the fog was so thick you couldn't see anybody within a couple +of feet of you. I tried my best to find out who she was; but she +ducked. Besides, how was I to know the thing mattered? I didn't know +Uncle Milt was in town even--not at the time." + +"I didn't say it mattered, Phil," said Ferguson hastily. He laughed at +the idea. "Whatever put it into your head to think this--er--lady was +spying on a--an ordinary business meeting? Supposing she was--why, +what earthly good would it do her?" + +"Search me, Blatch. Thought I'd better tell you about it anyway." + +"Quite right, of course. Hm--just so. She got away without leaving a +single clue, eh? Not that it matters in the least, but---- You did +right in reporting it. Thanks." + +"Would you mind telling me if you had anybody in the office here with +you just before I came in? Or were you using the telephone?" + +"Why," hesitated Ferguson in some surprise, "I was called on the 'phone +by an old newspaper acquaintance--yes. Perhaps you know him--Hughey +Podmore? He got a job recently as President Wade's private +secretary--Canadian Lake Shores Railway. We used to work on the same +paper long ago. Why?" + +"Oh, nothing--just my idle curiosity. Say, there's something you can +do for me, like a good fellow, before I go. Give me a knock-down to +the lady outside, will you? Didn't know you owned a peach orchard, +Blatch? Who is she?" + +Ferguson chuckled as he pressed a button. + +"Name's Margaret Williams. My regular stenographer was taken sick +suddenly the other day and she sent around this friend of hers to +substitute. She's a dandy good worker, too. But you're too late, my +boy. She's leaving soon to marry a fellow at Buffalo--er--Miss +Williams, allow me to present Mr. Philip Kendrick." + +Her bow was very formal and as, at her employer's request, she escorted +him to the private exit at her own end of the office, her manner was +equally cold. + +"I hope you bear me no ill will, Miss Williams," smiled Phil. "I +assure you I have done nothing to merit it." + +"That is for me to judge," she retorted calmly. "Please go. I do not +care to know you, Mr. Kendrick." + +Phil turned quickly. It was the second time within twelve hours that a +girl had told him that--in those very words, with that same disdainful +tone. Why, if he were to shut his eyes he felt sure he could imagine +it to be the very voice inflection used by his Fog Lady when delivering +the same sentence of exile. Again he found himself guilty of staring. + +"Have you ever seen a real, honest-to-goodness amulet, Miss Williams?" +he asked eagerly, reaching into his pocket. "I'd like to show you mine +before I go, if I may." He slowly unfolded the dollar bill and held +out the hand-painted blouse pin, watching her closely. + +"What a pretty pin!" she said in a flat, disinterested voice. She +looked at it perfunctorily. "I know a man who used to carry a potato +to chase rheumatism away. It was planted by a one-eyed, left-handed +negro, born on the thirteenth of the month. I've heard of an elk's +tooth for pleurisy and a rabbit's foot for evil spirits; but a pin like +that? It will lead you into danger instead of away from it." + +"Not when it is pinned to a canoe cushion by a beautiful girl at the +hour of three o'clock in the morning in a dense fog," declared Kendrick +significantly. + +"That is very silly," said the haughty Miss Williams with a bored air +as she handed it back to him and turned towards her typewriter. +"Good-day, Mr. Kendrick. I really must get on with my work." + +It was with an unreasonable feeling of disappointment that he bowed +himself out. She had not blinked an eyelash! Who was the idiot who +first started looking for needles in haystacks anyway? A fool's quest! +Mumma! but wasn't he _de trop_ with the ladies? Well, he would buy +cigars with the dollar and make a present of the pin to Mrs. Parlby, +his uncle's estimable housekeeper. + +But he did neither of these things. Instead, he was to continue the +folly of keeping both souvenirs and the equal folly of looking at them +from time to time--to see if they were safe. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE TAN SATCHEL + +Ordinarily Hugh Podmore, secretary to the President of the Canadian +Lake Shores Railway, took a keen interest in his work. If anything, he +applied himself more industriously during the many absences of his +chief than when President Wade was there to observe and commend, a zeal +which might or might not have been a tribute to his conscientiousness. +But to-day Mr. Podmore, although dressed with that care which +habitually imparted to his well proportioned figure something of the +beau brummel,--to-day he was not quite his customary polite self. +Things irritated him which ordinarily he would not have noticed, and +the morning had dragged for him in quite an unusual way. He had spent +much time gazing absently out of the office window at the traffic in +the street below, with many futile glances at his watch. + +The first shop whistle that led the noonday medley found him pulling +down the lid of his roll-top desk and he was reaching for his raincoat +when his stenographer entered to inform him that there was a gentleman +outside who would not take "No" for an answer. In no very gracious +mood he snatched the card from the girl's hand; but the name meant +nothing to him and he flung aside his gloves in resentment of the +interruption. + +"Show'm in," he growled, unlocking the desk and shoving back the lid +with a bang. + +The big young man who entered in answer to the summons enquired for the +President. Everybody who came into that anteroom began the same way +and Podmore tilted back in his chair and appraised the other coldly, +noting two things particularly--the young man's athletic build and the +very marked discoloration of his left eye. Another job hunter! + +"State your business, please." + +"You will excuse me," said Kendrick, "but the matter is entirely +personal between Mr. Wade and myself. Is he in?" + +It was a little thing to arouse Podmore's ire. Ordinarily Hugh Podmore +was an excellent secretary; but the caller's refusal to state his +business or produce his credentials for inspection angered him. He was +used to this extreme anxiety of visitors to see the Chief in person; it +was a characteristic of the job-hunting crowd. + +"The President's out of town," he said irritably. "Besides, he +wouldn't see you until you had told me your business anyway. What do +you think he keeps a secretary for?" + +"To be civil to the public," said Kendrick evenly. "When do you expect +him back?" and there was a directness in his look which Podmore found +unexpectedly disconcerting. + +"Hard to say. He's on the go continually. If your business is +important----" + +"It is important." + +"Then, if you'll give me particulars----," suggested Podmore, reaching +for his memorandum pad. + +"Be good enough to answer my question, please. When will Mr. Wade be +in his office?" + +"Sorry, but it's impossible to say, Mr."--he glanced at the card +deliberately--"Kendrick. If you are looking for a job----" + +"I want to see Mr. Wade personally and as soon as possible," repeated +Kendrick, keeping his temper with difficulty. "When will he be +available?" + +"He's gone on a trip--to the Hot Springs," snapped Podmore. "Come back +in a month or six weeks and perhaps you can see him then. Good day, +sir." + +For a few minutes after the big young man had bowed himself out with +mock humility, Mr. Podmore stood fingering the card and frowning at the +window. It was an engraved card, his fingers told him. He did not +like feeling that he had made a mistake in any way; but that is +precisely how he did feel. Yet he was sure he had never met this young +man before, in spite of a certain familiarity of face that haunted him. +Not being a regular reader of the sporting pages, he was at a loss to +account for this, as he prided himself on his memory for faces. + +With a shrug in dismissal of the inconsequential, Mr. Podmore went to +lunch. He had comfortable quarters at the Queen's Hotel, just a block +from the Union Station, and after a light lunch in the big dining-room +he idled about the rambling old rotunda for an hour or more, smoking +many cigarettes and attempting to read a magazine. The solicitous +anxiety of his waiter during luncheon had earned that surprised +individual a rebuke and cost him the usual tip; the friendly advances +of a hotel guest, which ordinarily would have been met by equal +geniality, finally sent Podmore up in the old-fashioned elevator to his +room, where he locked the door and began pacing restlessly back and +forth. Not until a sixth glance at his watch indicated the approach of +2 o'clock did his unusual fidgetiness begin to disappear; but when at +last he walked briskly out of the hotel Mr. Podmore, to all intents, +had regained his normal self-possession. + +He went straight to the down-town offices of the Alderson Construction +Company, arriving punctual to the minute of his appointment. Both +Nickleby and Alderson were already there. + +"Well, we're all here, Alderson. Are you waiting for somebody to open +with prayer?" complained J. Cuthbert Nickleby with an impatient glance +at his watch after the greetings were over. "I don't see why the devil +you needed me here at all, Pod. Why all the ceremony?" The President +of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company was a thin, sallow man +with a thin, tight line of a mouth. The cynicism of his expression was +chronic. + +"Because you'd be the first to holler if anything went wrong," retorted +Podmore, eyeing him pointedly as he tilted his hat to the back of his +head and proceeded calmly to skin the glove from his left hand. "We're +all in this together, J. C., and that's why I insisted on you being +here--to see that everything is according to Hoyle." + +"Aint getting cold feet already are you?" + +An easy laugh was Mr. Podmore's only rejoinder to this insult. They +both watched Alderson, who had swung open the door of the safe and was +reaching into its depths. The contractor was stout and florid, and his +face was flushed as he rose jerkingly from his knee and tossed a +package of crisp bank notes to the table. + +"Well, there 'tis, just as it come from the Inter-provincial this +mornin'," he remarked, and picked up his cigar from the edge of the +safe. + +"Look at the way he tosses it around, would you!" chuckled Podmore. +"You could buy a bunch of peanuts with that package, Frank,--a million +bags at a nickle the bag." This was a hit at Alderson's fondness for +munching peanuts, and Alderson's tenor laugh led the trio. Podmore +picked up the package and riffled the bills carelessly. "Counted it, +J. C.?" + +"Fifty thousand," nodded Nickleby. + +"That satchel come, Alderson? Thanks." Podmore held it up--an +ordinary cheap satchel of medium size, tan in color, imitation leather +and imitation brass catches. "I bought this, J. C., so that we'd have +one that hadn't been tampered with and that couldn't be identified as +belonging to any of us, you understand. All right, Frank, seal her up." + +Alderson placed the package of bills in a large, strong blue linen +envelope which he had ready to hand, and carefully gummed down the +flap. Under the amused eye of Nickleby he proceeded to hold a stick of +gray sealing-wax in the flame of a match and to daub this additional +precaution upon the flap. The envelope was then placed in the new tan +satchel, the catches snapped and the satchel locked by Podmore, who +thereupon walked over to the President of the Interprovincial Loan & +Savings Company and handed him the key. + +"That stays in your pocket till you get to Blatch Ferguson's office, +Nickleby. You hand it to Ferguson personally," and again Podmore eyed +the banker keenly. "Let him do the opening himself. All you're there +for is to see that he actually gets this money, and that ends the +transaction so far as we're concerned." He winked, and both the +gentlemen laughed as if much humor underlay the remark. + +"I will now proceed to put on our little private identification mark," +continued Podmore with an air of having thought of everything, and he +made a triangular scratch on one end of the satchel with his +pocket-knife. + +"Good Lord, Pod!" exclaimed the financier with a laugh. "Is it +necessary to have all this fuss over this thing?" + +"Take all the chances you like when you're by your lonesome, old man; +but you don't do it when I'm with you," said Mr. Hugh Podmore, +smilingly unperturbed by ridicule. "It's the fellow who overlooks +these very things that sometimes gets stung. It isn't at all likely, +I'll admit, that the simple delivery of this money a distance of a few +blocks requires all this 'fuss,' as you call it; but why take chances +just to save a little trouble? Pays to play safe every time, J. C. +What about that detective, Alderson?" + +"Oh, that feller's on the job. Here, you can see'm standin' out there +on the corner, waitin' fer our man to show up." Podmore followed +Alderson to the window. "Naw, over there to the right--beside the +post. Must be a good half hour since his office phoned he was leavin'. +Say, he's lookin' up here. I'll give 'm the high sign now." + +"Well, I guess everything's O.K., then. Call in your messenger and get +a move on. I'm due at the depot soon to meet the Chief." Podmore +dropped into a chair and lighted a cigarette with a look of +satisfaction on his face. + +Alderson leaned over and pressed a button. The young man who responded +was James Stiles, bookkeeper and general office clerk. As he stood in +the doorway, respectful enquiry in his whole attitude, pen in hand, +linen office jacket sagging at the pockets, forearms encased in black +sateen sleeve-protectors and a daub of ink on his fingers, there was +little to distinguish him from hundreds of his type to be seen in +modern offices. He had rather a pleasant face, Podmore thought, a +little dull perhaps in its ingenuousness. He was not much more than a +boy. + +"Jimmy," instructed Alderson briskly, "drop whatever you're at and take +this satchel over to Mr. Ferguson's office in the Brokers' Bank +Building. It's got some mighty important legal papers inside an' I +want you to be sure an' hand it personally to Mr. Ferguson himself. I +told him I'd send 'em over right after lunch; so you don't need to say +nothin'--just hand it to Mr. Ferguson, y'understand. Blatchford +Ferguson, the lawyer,--you know where his office is." + +"Yes, sir. Want me to ask for a receipt?" + +"Uh? No, never mind a receipt. It'll be all right." + +The young bookkeeper picked up the satchel, nodding respectfully to the +President of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company as he quietly +closed the door behind him. He had been formerly employed at the +Interprovincial; in fact, it was to Nickleby's personal recommendation +that he owed his present position with the construction company. + +The departure of Stiles with the satchel, of whose precious contents he +had been kept in ignorance, was a signal for the separation of the trio +in Alderson's office. With a wave of the hand Podmore hurried off +towards the Union Station, and presently J. Cuthbert Nickleby made his +way more leisurely to his waiting automobile. + +On the corner opposite the building in which the Alderson Construction +Company had its down-town offices the man from the Brady Detective +Agency was lighting a fresh cigar. He sauntered around the corner, +then quickened his pace to get closer to the briskly walking young man +with the tan satchel. He continued to follow the bookkeeper at a +convenient distance. + +It was the season when those who have the misfortune to be confined to +indoor tasks chafe most in the leash--a beautiful May day of blue sky +and sunshine and balmy air that called insistently to open places of +green grass and the luxury of idleness and vagrant dreaming. Young +Jimmy Stiles felt the call and he skipped along with carefree enjoyment +of his brief respite. He laughed gaily at a pair of dogs who seemed +inclined to question each other's veracity and sent them scampering +with a whoop, swinging the satchel around his head. He pulled down his +vest, felt his tie and winked boldly as he passed a pretty girl. He +broke into a whistle presently, practising the latest rag-time air with +an earnestness which found no ennui in repetition of tune, and it was +while thus absorbed that he went by the Jessup Grill. He was well +beyond the entrance before he realized that his name was being called +and that somebody had darted out from the doorway to overtake him. + +"Oh, there, Jimmy! Won't you say good-bye to me?" + +"Why, hello, Mr. Clayton," grinned Stiles as he took the extended hand. +"Goin' away?" + +"Holidays can't last forever, Jimmy. I'm leaving for home this +afternoon--just getting ready to go to the depot when I saw you. Come +on in and join me in a glass of beer for good luck." + +"Nothin' doin'! 'The lips that touch liquor shall never touch mine'," +recited Stiles, rolling his eyes in exaggerated piety. "No, honest, I +can't," he protested as the other pulled on his arm. "I'm on an +important message for the boss an' I got to hustle right back to the +office." + +"Aw, come on. It won't take a minute. I'm in a hustle myself to catch +the train; but I want to give you a message for----" Robert Clayton +hesitated, coughed in slight embarrassment, and looked helpless. +"----for somebody you know up at the church," he pleaded. + +Jimmy Stiles nodded in grinning comprehension. + +"Well, you know how to pick 'em, Mr. Clayton. I'll say that for you. +Anne's a mighty swell girl." + +"I've never met a finer one," said Mr. Clayton, looking serious. + +"Oh, this town's full of 'em," cried Jimmy generously. "Say, they got +a long lemonade they don't make bad in here--sliced orange and a cherry +on top. I'll go you one. I guess it won't take a jiff." + +"Good!" cried Clayton, leading the way without more ado into the Jessup. + +He picked up his raincoat which he had left on a chair near the door, +flung over his travelling bag, and carried both with him through the +swing doors into the buffet. Here they found a vacant table and +Clayton beckoned a waiter and set his grip and coat on the floor +between the two chairs. Stiles dropped the tan satchel alongside the +raincoat and grinned across at Clayton with evident pleasure. This was +the right way for gentlemen to bid each other farewell, and he helped +himself from the other's proffered cigarette case with the air of doing +this sort of thing every day. Neither of them appeared to pay any +attention to the man who entered behind them, sat down at the table +next the wall and ordered a glass of beer; patrons were coming and +going and the man was just an ordinary citizen entitled to quench his +thirst if he so desired. + +The two young fellows chatted and laughed over their refreshments for +perhaps five or ten minutes. It was Clayton who finally glanced at his +watch and jumped to his feet. He picked up raincoat and grip and shook +hands. Stiles picked up the tan satchel and out on the street they +shook hands once more. Clayton boarded a street-car, and with a final +wave of good-will Jimmy Stiles continued on his way. + +At a convenient distance the private detective followed. He walked +into the Brokers' Bank Building just as the bookkeeper pushed the +elevator bell. They went up in the same elevator to the fifth floor, +where they both got out. The detective, sauntering down the corridor, +observed Stiles enter the office of Blatchford Ferguson, Barrister, +Notary Public, etc. + +With a grunt he turned on his heel and descended to the street, where +he lighted another stogey and returned the way he had come. Arriving +finally at the offices of the Alderson Construction Company, he was +admitted at once to Alderson's presence and reported that the tan +satchel had been delivered at its destination without mishap. + +As he finished speaking the telephone rang and Alderson lifted down the +receiver with a nod of dismissal. The detective's hand was on the +doorknob when he turned quickly, viewing with alarm the sudden +bewilderment and blank consternation which had crept into the +contractor's heavy face as he listened to the agitated voice of J. +Cuthbert Nickleby. + +"Brady's man? Yes, he's here now--Sure, I'll hold him--No, not back +yet--Sure. Sure I will--Eh? Say, Mr. Nickleby, fer the love o' Mike, +what's wrong?--WHA-AT!" + +Alderson wildly jiggled the hook of the telephone instrument, but +Nickleby had rung off. He stared across at the anxious representative +of the Brady Detective Agency, his thick loose lower lip hanging in +dismay. For the moment he was bereft of speech. + +"What's the matter?" + +"Uh? Matter?" echoed Alderson vacuously. Then he pounded the desk +with his fat fist while his face grew red. "_Matter!_" he shouted. +"You're a heluva detective, you are! That's what's the matter. The +mon--I mean--the papers--in the satchel, you fathead!--stolen right +under your nose!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +AGAIN THE TAN SATCHEL + +Swearing fervently, Alderson grabbed the telephone and called for +Podmore at the Queen's Hotel. A few stuttering words of explanation +and the 'phone went dead once more as Podmore banged up the receiver at +his end. + +Nickleby arrived first. He strode in through the outer office, leaving +a trail of awed employes in his wake. Alderson, who had rushed forward +to meet him, fell back a step as the banker entered the private office +and banged the door behind him with a force which nearly broke the +glass in the partition. He carried in his hand the tan satchel and +forthwith slammed it down upon the desk and took to pacing back and +forth in speechless wrath. His face was ghastly, his eyes blazing, his +mouth drawn down in an ugly sneer as he turned at last upon the +dumfounded detective. + +"You--you blithering idiot!" + +"Easy, brother. Keep your shirt on, see!" advised the Brady operative +with justifiable resentment. "There aint nothin' been taken out o' +that there grip while I was watchin' it, that's a cinch. Say, 'bo, +what was in it, anyways?" + +Alderson caught Nickleby's eye and shook his head in warning. Nickleby +stepped across the room, opened the satchel and flung out upon the +table a package of blank brown wrapping paper, cut to the size of +bank-notes and fastened together with rubber bands. He pointed his +finger at it contemptuously. + +"Instead of the legal papers which were in that satchel when it left +this office, there's what we found when Ferguson and I opened it. Now, +explain that, will you? No, wait! 'Phone your chief to come over here +himself at once; I think he'd better hear what you have to say. What's +your name?" + +"McCorquodale. An' I takes no lip from nobody, see!" + +While the man was at the telephone Jimmy Stiles knocked on the door to +report that he had delivered the satchel safely to its destination. It +was an amazed youth who was yanked unceremoniously into the room by the +coat-collar while the irate Nickleby blazed forth anew. He took hold +of the bookkeeper's shoulders and was shaking the frightened young man +in speechless fury when Podmore came in. + +"Here, here, leave him alone!" he commanded sharply as he stepped +between them. "What crazy nonsense is this, J. C.?" + +No fuss or fury about Hugh Podmore in time of stress. It was Podmore's +way to turn calm and cold and calculating in proportion to the extent +to which any given crisis disturbed him. The news which had reached +him over the 'phone from the incoherent Alderson had been grave enough; +but he was much the coolest of the three most vitally concerned in this +mysterious miscarriage of carefully laid plans. The first thing he did +was to have Alderson clear the outer office of stenographers and junior +clerks. He suggested that Alderson dismiss them for the afternoon, and +began at once to question the bookkeeper and the detective who had +followed him. The two recitals agreed in every particular. + +Podmore at once despatched the detective to the Union Station in +Nickleby's car to find Clayton at all costs and arrest him if he would +not come otherwise. + +"Tell us all you know about this man, Jimmy. Take your time," advised +Podmore kindly. "No occasion to get scared stiff." + +Stiles said he had not known Clayton very long--just a few days, in +fact. He had met him for the first time last Sunday at All Saints' +Mission, where Jimmy was an usher. On Monday night there had been a +social gathering of the younger members of the church in the Sunday +School and Clayton had attended that and seemed to enjoy himself. He +had made friends with everybody quickly and seemed to fit in so readily +that he had been accepted without question by everybody, from the +pastor down. He was an American who had come north to visit relatives +and was on his way back to Philadelphia. He expected to return +shortly, he had told Stiles, and might decide to locate here +permanently. He was in the hardware business, somewhere near +Philadelphia. + +"All right, Jimmy, that will do. Now, better wait outside till your +friend arrives. It all seems straight enough so far as you're +concerned," and Podmore closed the door on him with a smile of +encouragement; for young Stiles looked as if he needed encouragement. +"You've scared the wits out of him, J. C. That won't get us anywhere," +he reproved when the three were alone. + +"I don't trust anybody----" + +"Wait," commanded Podmore with upraised hand. He stepped over to the +table quickly and closely scrutinized the tan satchel. Finally he drew +attention to the triangular mark which he had scratched on one end with +his pocket-knife. "It's the satchel O.K. Now, who opened it?" + +"Ferguson. I gave him the key, as you suggested, and he opened it in +front of me. And so help me, that stuff there was all that was in it. +The money was gone. I tell you I never felt so much like a fool----" +Nickleby broke off with an oath, still smarting under the jibes which +the caustic Mr. Ferguson had levelled at him, and beneath which the +President of the Interprovincial had writhed in humiliation. "Somebody +took that money out on the way over, Podmore." + +"N--ot necessarily, J. C.," said Podmore judicially. "Wait, now. +Think, man. Were you there when Stiles----?" + +"Of course I was." + +"----when Stiles handed the satchel to Ferguson? Did you see him do +it?" + +"Why,--no, not exactly. I was out in the general office when the kid +took it in to Ferguson. What are you driving at?" + +"Talking to anybody out there?" + +"Yes. I ran into McAllister, of the _Recorder_, and I was so surprised +at seeing the editor of that yellow sheet there--well, he got quizzing +me about one or two matters." + +"How long after Stiles left you before you joined Ferguson?" + +"Oh--five minutes, maybe. Why, what's all that got to do with it?" He +regarded the look of triumph upon Podmore's face with some astonishment. + +"It's as clear as daylight to me, J. C. In that five minutes almost +anything might have happened. Many of the world's great events have +happened in less than that. Hasn't it occurred to you that the package +of money might be removed from the satchel and the paper substituted in +Ferguson's office? The lock might have been sprung, you know." + +Nickleby stared, his beady eyes narrowed in a frown of thought. Then +he slapped the table with his open palm. + +"By----!" he ejaculated. + +"I'm inclined to fancy the whole thing is a cleverly arranged scare +which those fellows have chosen to throw into us in order to protect +themselves," went on Mr. Podmore, nodding with satisfaction at his own +logic. "You can understand that, surely. If I am guessing correctly, +they have succeeded in providing a fine denial of the fact that there +ever was such a thing as our contribution to the Campaign Fund." + +"I told you!" cried Alderson excitedly. "The Hon. Milt said he +wouldn't have anything to do with it. He said we'd contribute at our +own risk, didn't he?" + +Nickleby rounded on him. + +"Shut up, you jackass!" he ordered angrily. + +Podmore's eyebrows arched a trifle at this admission. Already he had +surmised something of the kind. The Honorable Milt was nobody's fool, +he knew. For the matter of that, neither was Hughey Podmore. + +"They'll be expecting us to keep our mouths shut and let things take +their course," he continued, choosing to ignore the interruption. "The +money's not lost, Alderson. They'll keep on swearing up and down that +they haven't got it, of course; but that's just the coy way in which +these things are handled. It's my opinion that the sacrifice of that +million bags of peanuts up the elephant's trunk will ensure a good +performance when the circus starts." + +"I believe you've struck it, Pod," nodded Nickleby slowly. + +"I'm sure of it," agreed Mr. Podmore, allowing himself a little laugh +of satisfaction. "Hadn't Frank better write Brady a cheque and get rid +of him? He's probably waiting outside, and we don't want him nosing +into anything." + +This seemed to meet with the approval of the others, and when the check +was ready the head of the Brady Detective Agency was called in and +handed a cigar, the cheque and some plausible explanations which +enabled him to return to his office with no hard feelings. Detective +Brady never found it an inconvenience to receive money. + +The air had cleared wonderfully by the time Detective McCorquodale +arrived with Robert Clayton in tow--so much so that both anxious +gentlemen were somewhat surprised at the smiles which greeted them. If +anything further were needed to convince Nickleby that he had been too +hasty in his conclusions, this frank, clean-cut young American supplied +it, and as the brief interview progressed the President of the +Interprovincial approached as near to geniality as his naturally +suspicious and cynical nature ever ventured. The detective had found +Clayton just preparing to descend the stairs to his train; but he had +come readily enough when the circumstances were explained to him. + +"I do hope none of you gentlemen suspect my young friend here in +connection with this inexplicable matter," were his first words as he +stood with a hand on Stiles' shoulder. He spoke earnestly, his grave +eyes searching their faces, one after another. "I haven't known Jimmy +very long, of course; but I know honesty when I see it and I'd stake my +life that he has had no hand in this--this strange disappearance which +I understand has upset you all. May I ask just what the contents of +this satchel were? Was it a sum of money or----?" + +"No, no, it's all right, Mr. Clayton," volunteered Nickleby rather +hurriedly,"--just some legal documents which can be duplicated; the +puzzle is why anybody should take them. The delay in connection with +some business matters which their loss will entail is the only thing +that concerned us; but we find that it is not as bad as we thought, and +we regret very much causing you this inconvenience." + +Robert Clayton made a gesture of deprecation. + +"That's the last consideration, gentlemen," he smiled. "For my own +satisfaction, I would like to state candidly a little about myself. +Under the circumstances it is your right to know." + +What he had to say merely substantiated what Jimmy Stiles had told them +already. He was returning from a visit to his uncle on a Western +Ontario farm, and had remained over in the city for a few days on his +way home. While out for a Sunday morning constitutional he had been +attracted to All Saints' Mission by its resemblance to the little +church he attended at home. There he had been welcomed so cordially by +Jimmy Stiles and others that it had been a great pleasure to him. + +He described in detail his meeting with Jimmy, and their harmless chat +in the Jessup Grill. He produced his travelling bag and insisted on +opening it for inspection despite the fact that there was no +possibility of confusing its travel-worn leather with the tan satchel. +It contained merely the usual travel accessories, a magazine and a box +of cigars. The latter Clayton insisted upon passing around. He then +produced his business card and chatted for a moment with Alderson about +conditions in the building trade in Pennsylvania, asking many questions +about prospects in hardware lines in Ontario. + +So that when at last he took his departure, laughing away apologies, he +left behind him a most favorable impression. Detective McCorquodale +departed next with a real cigar between his teeth and a feeling of +satisfaction in the recognition that he was no longer a "blithering +idiot." Stiles was told to "knock off for the day and go fishin'," and +accepted Podmore's five-dollar bill only when it was forced on him. + +When the trio were alone once more Alderson produced a bottle and three +glasses. + +"To the Campaign Fund," he laughed, holding his glass aloft. + +"And the future of the Government," added J. Cuthbert Nickleby. + +"And of ourselves," said Podmore reverently. + +It was thus that they parted for the second time that afternoon. + +Mr. Hugh Podmore went directly to his hotel. Not until he was safe in +his own room did he permit any unusual elation to show in his manner. +Once he had locked the door, however, and pulled down the +window-blinds, he threw himself upon the bed and indulged in a toss of +unrestrained mirth. Still very much amused, he felt in his pocket for +the key of the old walnut wardrobe with which his room was furnished, +unlocked it and lifted out a tan satchel. + +Assuredly. In all fairness to himself he had to admit that it had been +about as neat a piece of work as he had ever known. For a first +attempt it had been carried through with credit, cleverly planned and +as cleverly executed. Everything had gone like a clock. Robert +Clayton, alias "Tuxedo Bob," had performed his end of it with +commendable finish, and Podmore felt that he had made no mistake in +hiring him to come on from Chicago. Fifty thousand dollars! It wasn't +a bad afternoon's work--not at all bad! + +Setting the satchel upon the table, Mr. Podmore sank into the easy +chair and lighted a cigarette with a slow smile of satisfaction. The +smile lingered as he ran over the whole thing. Neat was not the word; +artistic was better. Clayton had "happened" in at All Saints' Mission +quite opportunely. Quite. It was proof of his ability that in three +days he had established himself so firmly in the friendship of young +Stiles. Poor, scared, white-faced kid! + +And the duplicate satchels? An old trick, of course; but in simplicity +lay success. Podmore had purchased those two identical +imitation-leather satchels some days ago. In one he had placed the +package of brown paper, cut to banknote size and held by rubber bands, +and in a certain position on the outside of the satchel he had +scratched a triangular identification mark with his pocket-knife; the +other tan satchel he had delivered to the Alderson Construction +Company's office. There it had received the currency in Alderson's +elaborately sealed linen envelope, and there in front of the others +Podmore had marked it ostentatiously for identification--the same +triangular mark in the same position on the outside of the satchel. + +When the bookkeeper went into the Jessup Grill Clayton had the +duplicate satchel which contained the worthless brown wrapping +paper--had it hidden under his raincoat. When Stiles had dropped the +other satchel close alongside the raincoat on the floor he had played +right into Clayton's hand, that being the very position for which +Clayton was manoeuvring; an unobtrusive kick of the foot flopped the +raincoat over the satchel which contained the money, so that Clayton +had picked it up quite simply, leaving the duplicate satchel for Stiles. + +Clayton had made straight for the Union Station, first stopping at the +hotel where Podmore had hurried from the construction company's office +and was waiting to receive the money satchel. At the hotel Clayton had +picked up his own personal travelling bag and had gone over to the +depot to wait for the Brady detective to find him in due course. + +Podmore had not opened the precious satchel, the 'phone having rung +with Alderson's hurry-up message just as he had reached his room. +Chucking the tan satchel inside the wardrobe, he had gone back to +Alderson's office immediately to engineer the covering up and to quiet +the troubled waters. + +It was not every day that such a golden opportunity of acquiring fifty +thousand dollars presented itself. It was rarely that it could be done +without the risk of discovery. But Mr. Hugh Podmore had recognized in +this very secret contribution for election purposes a sum of money +which was outlawed for the time being, which for obvious reasons dare +not be claimed publicly by either side in the secret transaction. +Ergo, it was any man's money who could lay hands on it. Ergo, it +belonged to Mr. Hughey Podmore! + +The beauty of it was that the idea of Ferguson removing the contents to +provide a denial of the whole contribution was so patently the clever +thing to do, that it was a wonder Ferguson had not thought of it +himself when there was such need of secrecy. Nickleby had accepted the +suggestion at once as the solution of the mystery. + +Ferguson was stupid. Even Nickleby--admirable as was his +smoothness--had fallen right into the clever trap prepared for him. If +Nickleby did discover the truth, Podmore could give him the laugh. Let +Friend Nickleby just start something and he'd find himself in several +varieties of hot soup before he knew it. For did not Little Hughey +know all about the crooked deal by which the worthy J. Cuthbert had +ousted old Nat Lawson from the presidency of the Interprovincial Loan & +Savings Company? He did! You bet he did! Let Nickleby interfere with +these pickings of Little Hughey and he would be shown a thing or two +that would cost him a lot more than a measly fifty thousand! + +That had been a delicate touch--making Nickleby carry the key to the +satchel across to Ferguson's office. The key to satchel number two, it +was! Nickleby had been on hand throughout. Oh, they had nothing on +Hughey Podmore in this thing, absolutely noth----! + +Podmore's cigarette teetered on his lower lip. With a sudden lunge he +grabbed for the tan satchel on the table. He went to the window and +threw up the shade. Slowly he turned the satchel around, examining it +minutely, his amazement growing. It was undoubtedly the same satchel +exactly, so far as he could see,--except for one little disparity. +There was no sign of the identification mark, no scratched triangle on +either end! + +Thoroughly mystified, Podmore fished out the tiny key that belonged to +satchel number one. It would not fit! + +With an oath he seized a hairbrush, smashed both lock and brush, +slipped the catches and yanked open the satchel. Inside lay a roll of +old newspapers, tied at the ends with dirty white string! + +That was--ALL! + +Hughey Podmore wiped his forehead with his handkerchief. For once he +was completely non-plussed. He sank back into the chair and lighted +another cigarette with a hand that shook ridiculously. For a very long +time he sat there, smoking cigarettes and staring blankly at the wall, +lighting each fresh one with the butt of its predecessor, end on end. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +CROSS CURRENTS + +The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the +management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a +complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles. For +while he was frequently spoken of as "Old Nat," it was a familiarity +fostered by long and friendly associations rather than declining years. +Why a man in his prime and at the apex of his usefulness should drop +out of harness so suddenly when he appeared to be in the best of +health, was something of a mystery. Not a few missed his genial +companionship, and were frank enough to say so on those rare occasions +when Nat Lawson now put in an appearance at the Club. For a while +rumors were rife, but gradually these subsided as his absence became a +custom. + +It was to that very end that the founder of the Interprovincial Loan & +Savings Company made his retirement so literal. There were times when +the inquisitiveness of his friends was hard to combat, when the +temptation to give expression to the hidden springs of indignation that +had been born within him was almost irresistible. So, acting upon his +better judgment, he gradually relegated himself to the background of +affairs till his tall, distinguished-looking figure was no longer a +familiar sight in public places. But if his white hair, his carefully +trimmed Van Dyke beard and wide moustache no longer singled him out in +gatherings of his former associates his carriage lost none of its +alertness, his glance none of its customary fearlessness. Nathaniel +Lawson was biding his time. + +Like so many successful men who have risen to places of wealth and +influence, Lawson had begun as a poor boy, struggling upward over +untold difficulties by pluck and determination. In his case, however, +the rewards of the struggle had been swept from his reach at the very +pinnacle of achievement by what appeared to be an exceptionally bold +piece of financial buccaneering. He belonged to the older generation +which had grown up accustomed to seeing business carried on by +individuals or on a partnership basis; joint stock companies, combines +and holding companies had been a development of his later days. It had +taken him a lifetime to build up his financial business from very small +beginnings, until it had become the big organization now known as the +Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company. And because it was his nature +to be generous and kindly "Old Nat" had fallen victim to misplaced +confidence. + +In those early years of struggle conservative methods and plain honesty +had been not the least of his assets. It was upon these sound +principles that he had relied throughout. The small deposits of the +working classes, more or less ignored by his early competitors, had +given him his start; even now the strength of the Interprovincial lay +in its popularity among workmen and farmers, while its aggregate of +small savings accounts was tremendous. The people trusted the +Interprovincial because they had seen it grow and knew that it was +administered honestly. "Catch 'Old Nat' having anything to do with the +tricks of high finance!" said they, confidently, and many were the +stories which went the rounds of how the "old-fashioned" financier had +allowed sentiment to "interfere" with business. And the business had +grown apace. + +Because of this ingrained sentimental streak in his make-up and because +of this inherent honesty he had created some enemies. There were those +who looked hungrily in the direction of the Interprovincial and +imagined what could be accomplished in a very big way in several +different directions if only the man in control of the stock were--say, +a little more modern. If it were not for the close tab which that +energetic young secretary kept upon things, Lawson would have run the +concern into the ditch long ago, whispered the ambitious ones. The +young and energetic secretary, J. C. Nickleby, may have been the first +to whisper it--very confidentially, of course. For it would ill become +so promising a young financier as J. Cuthbert Nickleby to be guilty of +ingratitude, and there had been one raw wet night in the spring of a +year long past when Nathaniel Lawson had rescued a miserable travesty +of a man from the gutter--a night that Nickleby, once his benefactor +had set him firmly upon his feet with a new lease of life, no doubt had +schooled himself to forget for all time. + +At any rate there had come an annual meeting at which Nat Lawson found +himself in a quandary. It followed on the heels of a rumor that it was +the desire of certain shareholders to inject some "new blood," and +thereby new life, into the loan company--that it would be a good thing, +in short, for the "revered old Chief" to retire to a pedestal where he +could sit as inanimate as a bronze bust upon the official label, +"Honorary President," while a younger man took upon his shoulders the +burden of the expanded business, and so forth. + +The campaign against him had been of a most insidious character and +Lawson had pretended with dignity to ignore it, even while his +resentment grew to the proportions of great indignation. And all the +time he was worried because he could not find a certain +power-of-attorney which authorized him to vote a large block of stock +belonging to a personal friend who had invested heavily in Lawson's +company--Bradford, the arctic explorer, who had gone into the +hinterland on a Government expedition, and who was not expected to get +into communication with civilization again for about two years. +Bradford had left everything in connection with his investment in his +friend Lawson's hands. While the status of this stock on the books of +the Interprovincial was unquestioned, the power-of-attorney had been +given to Lawson personally and had not been placed officially in the +hands of the secretary with instructions. + +Herein lay the quandary. For when at the annual meeting in question +Nat Lawson had tried to vote the stock in the usual way, he was asked +for the power-of-attorney by some of the new shareholders and could not +produce it. Proxies which Nickleby had manipulated then were thrown on +the scale and when the meeting was over, the Interprovincial had a new +president by the name of J. Cuthbert Nickleby. In making the +announcement, the newspapers had quite a story about "Old Nat" and his +career; they printed in full the account which was handed to them +regarding the presentation of a gold-headed cane, suitably engraved, +and an illuminated address which marked the esteem in which the +directors held the retiring president and founder. + +Convinced though he was that the power-of-attorney had been stolen +deliberately and that the whole thing was a cunning frame-up to get him +out of the way in order that certain transactions of which he never +would have approved might go through--although convinced that this was +the truth of the matter, Nat Lawson had no evidence to prove a case +against Nickleby or any of his associates. It would have been a +dangerous procedure to give publicity to his suspicions, or to attempt +legal action without definite proof of his charges, as this could +result only in destroying public confidence in the institution itself +without in the least altering the situation. At the worst, the reign +of the Nickleby faction could be but temporary, as the situation would +adjust itself with the return of the explorer who owned the stock. But +it was exceedingly humiliating, and there was always the possibility +that those now in control of the Interprovincial meanwhile would +undermine the whole financial fabric by loose policies of +administration, or even by questionable practices. + +These apprehensions were shared by the only two friends whom Nat Lawson +had admitted fully to his confidence--President Benjamin Wade, of the +Canadian Lake Shores Railway, and McAllister, the keen-eyed editor of +the _Recorder_, which of all the city newspapers was the most +consistently independent in politics. Wade was an old friend of long +standing, himself holder of a small block of stock in the +Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company, and it was to him that Lawson +had turned for advice in his extremity. Immediately Wade had called +into counsel the chief of his railroad's very competent detective +staff, Bob Cranston, and thereupon began a series of quiet +investigations with the object of obtaining the necessary evidence to +depose the Nickleby faction from control of Interprovincial affairs. + +Although equally anxious to help, McAllister had no part in Wade's +plans; he preferred to work along special lines of his own. He and +Wade differed in their theories of the situation, and much to Nat +Lawson's amusement they had argued with some heat the first night that +they happened to meet at the Lawson home; so that the two were somewhat +in friendly rivalry, each anxious to prove that he was right, and each +determined to play a lone hand. + +It may have been his interest in the case that led McAllister to call +so frequently of late at the old-fashioned brick house that stood back +from the street, surrounded by spacious grounds and a wealth of +carefully tended shrubbery, in the older residential section of the +city. No doubt it was this that made him stop for a smoke with the +former president of the Interprovincial about three evenings a week on +the way to his office in the brightly-lighted _Recorder_ building, +where hummed activity during the hours that others slept, in order that +the public might have a morning newspaper to prop against the +sugar-bowl while it breakfasted. + +Even so, it is necessary to add that Nathaniel Lawson had a beautiful +and accomplished daughter whose name was Cristobel. It is necessary to +record further that being a young woman of spirit, Miss Cristy Lawson +had insisted upon taking up newspaper work as a profession when the +need of adding to the family resources presented itself. For most of +the Lawson capital had gone into the loan company and her father's +philanthropic tendencies in the heyday of his earnings had made greater +inroads upon his personal fortune than he had realized at the time. +Her father's objections to the plan had been overruled finally when +McAllister had offered Miss Lawson a position on the _Recorder's_ day +staff as "Society Editor," and it was not long before her interest in +the work and her natural aptitude for it rejuvenated the Society Page +into one of the best features the paper boasted. + +Not content with this success, Miss Lawson became ambitious to try her +journalistic wings in other directions; but her desire for more +important assignments than the reporting of afternoon teas brought down +the paternal foot--flat! No daughter of Nathaniel Lawson was going to +be allowed to roam the city at all hours. "No night work," her father +had insisted. Nevertheless, the young woman continued to hope that +this edict would be removed eventually, and she never lost an +opportunity of coaxing if she happened to be at home when McAllister +was present; but there came a night finally when Nat Lawson grew +impatient at her persistence and kindly but firmly put a final period +to the topic. + +She arrived home from a recital at the Conservatory of Music just in +time to serve the refreshments and to listen breathlessly to the +conclusion of the evening's animated discussion. Both Wade and +McAllister were there and it was evident that they had been "at it +again." From the quiet elation in the editor's eye and the +corresponding amusement of her father, she judged that McAllister +temporarily was having the better of the argument. + +"Mac, I don't care a hoot what you've found out!" declared Ben Wade. +"You can sit there and talk till this time to-morrow night, but you'll +never convince me that the Honorable Milt isn't as straight as the best +man who ever went into politics." + +"Ah, just so--who ever went into politics," drawled McAllister with a +provoking grin. + +"Who ever did his duty in public life and became the victim of +hidebound newspapers!" retorted Wade. "Milt Waring and I grew up in +the same town together--went to the same school, played both hookey and +hockey together. Why, I know him inside and out and I tell you he's as +straight as a string." + +"Your simile is unfortunate, Ben. The straightest string can be tied +in knots." + +"I see by this morning's papers that Rives has been released from the +penitentiary," interposed their host. "Good conduct has got him out +three years ahead of time. His sentence was fifteen, wasn't it?" + +Wade nodded, but was not to be turned from his tilt with McAllister. + +"What have you found out that makes you so cocky to-night?" he +challenged the editor with interest. + +"You'll read all about it in the _Recorder_ when the time comes. You +laughed at me the other night when I warned you that politics was mixed +up in this Interprovincial manoeuvring. Watch me prove it. I'll send +you a marked copy of the paper." + +"Bluff! Listen to him, Nat!" + +"I'm not in the habit of bluffing, Wade." McAllister's jaw was set as +he patted the edge of the table for emphasis. "I'm responsible to the +public and I tell you both right now that as sure as you're born---- +Ah, good-evening, Miss Lawson," he finished, rising to his feet with a +smile. + +McAllister busied himself, clearing a space on the table for the tray +she was carrying, and from beneath his shaggy brows the railroad +president's shrewd eyes carried a glint of amusement at the evident +relief with which the editor welcomed the interruption. A moment more +and McAllister might have committed himself to a rash statement. + +"And how goes the battle, Cristy? Who won the latest bun fight?" +smiled Wade by way of making conversation. "Have you persuaded your +father----?" + +"Indeed I have not," interrupted Cristy with an exaggerated pout. She +looked directly at Ben Wade and frowned, as if the subject were one +about which she would rather not be teased even by an old family friend +of long and intimate standing. "It is too mean for anything! If, as +Mr. McAllister has been good enough to intimate, I am capable of big +successes in newspaper work, is it right to hold me back from the +necessary experience? To hear Daddy talk you'd think I was a little +child----" + +"Cristy!" reproved Nat Lawson quietly. + +"But I ask you, Mr. Wade, is it fair----?" + +"Your father knows best, my child. He probably has good reasons----" + +"I do not approve of you working on the night staff. I must ask you +not to refer to this matter again. We will not discuss it now, please." + +"Allow me to give you another cup of cocoa, Mr. McAllister?" + +"Thank you, but I must be getting along," said McAllister, glancing +hurriedly at his watch. "I have stayed later than I intended, thanks +to the side-tracking of yon railroad president." + +"I'll run you down to the office in the car for that," laughed Wade, +also rising. "I'm going out of town for a couple of weeks, Nat; but +the next time I see you I expect to have some news that will interest +you. And I'll give it to you in advance of publication." He slapped +McAllister on the shoulder and they bade their host and hostess a +jovial adieu. + +But once Wade's limousine was speeding down the street the magnate fell +strangely silent. He passed a cigar to McAllister and lighted one for +himself. For fully five minutes he did not speak a word. He listened +in a preoccupied way to the editor's opinion of the new city parks +by-law and to that gentleman's surprise interrupted him finally by a +statement entirely irrelevant. + +"Cristy Lawson is a remarkably clever young woman," he said, gazing +thoughtfully at a little electric light in the roof of the car. + +"For once I can agree with you entirely," nodded McAllister, flashing a +quick glance at the other's upturned face. + +"I don't blame her for getting sick and tired of writing your pink-tea +items. Why don't you give her a chance at bigger game?" + +"You heard what her father said?" + +"I did. I want to make sure that you did too." + +"What do you mean?" + +"Whatever you like," snapped Wade. "There are some jobs that even a +clever woman has no business attempting, that's all." + +"Why talk in riddles, Ben? What's on your mind?" + +"This wonderful graft exposure which you are planning to spring on an +unsuspecting public." He rounded on McAllister and looked at him +gravely. "How much of it have you told Nat?" + +"I have said nothing about it to anybody," replied the editor, plainly +puzzled. "Why?" + +"My advice is to keep right on saying nothing about it. The less you +say the less you'll have to take back." + +"We'll see about that in due course," chuckled McAllister. "Do I look +like a fool?" + +"Appearances are often deceptive. I once knew a fellow who got so +slick at gumshoeing that he sneaked up on his own shadow and made a +fool of himself." + +"Got married at high noon, perhaps?" + +"Mac, seriously, I want you to promise me that you won't spring +anything without giving me twenty-four hours' notice. It's an unusual +request, I know; but I ask it in your own interests." There was no +mistaking the earnestness with which he spoke, and McAllister stared at +him. + +"You--have some inside information to justify it?" + +"Yes. I cannot tell you the details just now. I warn you that if your +paper attempts the so-called exposure which you have in mind without my +co-operation you'll regret it bitterly. I can help you and will be +glad to; but only on condition that you warn me when you are ready. Do +you promise?" + +The limousine had stopped opposite the Recorder building and McAllister +alighted slowly. Then he reached in through the open door and shook +hands. + +"All right, Ben. You're the doctor," he decided. + +"Good. You can count on me, then. As a starter I can promise that the +photos of the Alderson Construction Company's missing campaign-fund +contribution will be delivered to you personally to-morrow night. I'll +look you up when I get back in a week's time, Mac. Good-night." + +McAllister remained standing at the curb till Wade's car swung out of +sight around the corner. Then he struck the pavement with his cane, +for it irritated him to be so completely surprised. Wade knew! How +much did he know? And how in under the sun----? + +"Pyed!" he grunted. "Devil take the man!" + +He turned slowly and entered the building to his night's work. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +ABOARD THE PRIVATE CAR, "OBASKA" + +For many years self-repression had stood high in the estimation of +Hughey Podmore as a thing worth cultivating. He had first learned the +value of it in many a clandestine game of poker, which he had +condescended to play of a Saturday afternoon in a corner of the +deserted composing-room. In those days of his early newspaper +experience the ink-daubed denizens of the "ad-alley" had paid with +hard-earned wages for many a fancy vest and expensive cravat which the +paper's star reporter had worn with such aplomb. And when he had +adventured afield into wider pastures more in harmony with his talents, +where the cards were not soiled nor the air pungent with printers' ink +and benzine, he had taken with him a tendency to quiet tones of speech +and quietness of movement. + +Being a believer in rubber-heels and a cool head, therefore, the +secretary to the President of the Canadian Lake Shores Railway went +about his duties with his customary assurance. After the first +excitement of his startling discovery had passed there was nothing in +his manner to indicate the fires which burned within. To one who knew +him well, perhaps, it might have seemed that for the two weeks which +followed the mysterious disappearance of the tan satchel he was even a +little quieter than usual, a little more restrained in his talk, and a +little more alert in movement. Beyond this he gave no indication of +the keen disappointment and mortification that possessed him. + +It had been the biggest stake for which he had yet played. He had +stacked the cards with particular care till, so he had thought, all +element of risk had been eliminated. But for this his natural caution +would have deterred him from the attempt. What he had completely +overlooked was the possibility that some one else might decide this was +any man's money who was clever enough to acquire it. Figure as he +might--and he had spent hours in deep thought--even his keen mind had +been unable to solve the situation to his satisfaction. Somebody had +stepped in and walked off with this money in front of his nose in spite +of the most elaborate precautions. Who had done this, and how? It had +been done so cleverly that not a single clue was left for Podmore to +work on--once he had proved beyond question that Clayton had not +double-crossed him. Clayton had taken the first train for Chicago; but +not before Podmore had third-degreed him into abject fear. No, Clayton +had had no hand in it; that was certain, and with that once +established, the identity of the arch-thief remained a mystery which +baffled investigation--especially when the situation called for the +utmost circumspection. + +It was a problem which Podmore was forced to solve without consulting +anyone. He could not go boldly to his supposed partners with his +discovery; for thereby he would reveal to Nickleby and Alderson his own +attempt at double dealing. That he had to be very careful what he did, +Mr. Hughey Podmore realized,--very careful indeed. For this mix-up +held many possibilities for personal misfortune. In fact, the +situation suddenly had become fraught with positive danger. There were +moments, therefore, when the cautious Mr. Podmore felt qualms which +though not born of a troubled conscience, were nonetheless +disagreeable. Conscience in the case of Hughey Podmore, if it had ever +existed, had been a stunted affair which because of malnutrition long +since had given up the ghost. Its place had been pre-empted by +Argus-eyed regard for all matters affecting the preservation of Mr. +Podmore's precious epidermis--the safety of his own skin. And Hughey +Podmore was well aware that a large contribution to campaign funds by a +construction company would be a matter of immediate suspicion among +opponents of the Government if it became known. Such things had got +people into trouble before this. It had been one of the things which +had landed the famous Honorable Harrington Rives in jail--and others +who were involved. + +Hughey Podmore knew all about that strenuous period of political chaos. +Twelve years ago he had been an eager-eyed young reporter with a large +appreciation of newspaper sensations. His skill at ferreting into +hidden recesses by unscrupulous methods had made him a valuable man for +a paper which was willing to ignore certain time-honored traditions of +the press. Under editorial stimulus Hughey had blossomed forth among +the flowers of the journalistic profession as a yellow chrysanthemum. +"Mum" became the word wherever Hughey showed himself! His reputation +finally had ostracised him into other fields of endeavor. + +Those had been the days! If only he and Rives had been working +together! If he had been managing Rives' campaigns there would have +been no crude mistakes to land the "people's idol" behind the bars, +Waring or no Waring. He would have seen that every dainty dish was +properly cooked before it was set before the King, its inner rawness +safely covered, done up brown. By all means let there be lemon +filling, but smothered in a beaten white purity that would pass the +public censor! Under his management there would have been no tangible +evidence to show that favored contractors, bidding upon public works, +had been secretly advised that their tenders were too low, and +instructed as to the amounts to which it was safe for them to raise +their new tenders; there would have been no evidence of election +contributions from these favored contractors for the amounts thus +squeezed out of the public treasury. + +With such an example of folly to warn him, it was no wonder that the +Honorable Milton Waring had told Nickleby and Alderson he would have +nothing to do with their proposed campaign fund contribution. Nickleby +must have a pretty strong connection even to dare such an approach; +evidently he had felt pretty sure of himself to go ahead with the plan +on his own initiative. + +Nickleby believed that Ferguson had the money now. What would he say +if he knew the facts--that the money was really in the hands of some +person unknown, some person perhaps who was interested in gathering +evidence that would upset the present Government? There was only one +thing for Mr. Podmore to do, now that his own pet scheme had failed, +and that was to keep quiet as to his own ambitions and stick to the +three-handed game which he was supposed to be playing with Nickleby and +his henchman, Alderson; for Nickleby was worth tying to. + +Thus ran the reflections of Hughey Podmore as he lounged comfortably in +a leather chair aboard the private car, "Obaska," and idly watched the +endless flow of the Algoma wilderness pass the windows monotonously. +The car had taken an inspection party west to the head of the lakes, +but a wire from the Vice-President was sending the President back to +headquarters unexpectedly. Besides President Wade, Podmore and Taylor, +the steward, the only person on board was Bob Cranston. Cranston was +chief of the railroad's Special Service Department. Taylor was busy in +his kitchen, preparing dinner. Cranston and the President had the +brass-railed observation platform at the rear of the car to themselves +and were deep in earnest conversation; they had shut the door at their +backs and the sound of their voices was lost in the roar of the wheels. + +Hughey Podmore smiled cynically as he watched them. There was nothing +in President Wade's fine strong profile to indicate the trend of talk. +Both, in fact, were men who seldom allowed what they were thinking to +reflect in their facial expressions too readily. Nevertheless, the +perspicacious Mr. Podmore could surmise the subject of conversation, or +at any rate give a guess which was close enough to satisfy his own +curiosity. + +He amused himself by running over the list of possible topics. Wade +was a big man in financial circles, a man of rugged and plain-spoken +dealings who commanded the confidence of every associate and was +respected even by his enemies. There were many matters of moment which +he might have discussed with bankers or lawyers or statesmen, but which +he would hardly attempt with a bull-necked bonehead like Cranston. +Government railway bond issues, franchises and stock-quotations were +beyond that cheap stiff's depth. Probably Cranston was holding forth +in regard to some petty theft which his crew of spotters had +discovered, some ticket-scalping conductor---- + +Or there was old Nat Lawson's case in which Wade was interested; it was +a topic that was often uppermost in the railway President's mind, as +Podmore knew, and Hughey smiled inscrutably at the smoke curling from +his cigarette. Old Nat, the founder and former president of the +Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company--the honest old fool whom +Nickleby had succeeded in overcoming by a trick, and whose shoes J. +Cuthbert was now wearing! It would take more than the friendship of a +Benjamin Wade, powerful though that was, to salvage Old Nat. That +nanny-whiskered old galoot was sunk in too many fathoms of water ever +to wade ashore. (He smiled at his poor pun.) The missing +power-of-attorney that had scuttled the Lawson supporters would +continue missing for all time to come. Mr. J. Cuthbert Nickleby, the +then genial secretary, had seen to that once for all; in fact, it had +been a charred fragment of the document which Mr. Hugh Podmore had used +as a card of introduction when he had had his first long and very +interesting session with Friend Nickleby. + +Some class to Nickleby all right. Here were methods which Mr. Podmore +could understand and admire. It was because the minds of Messrs. +Podmore and Nickleby ran in the same grooves that he had been able to +unearth enough of Nickleby's very private plans to persuade that +"rising young financier" that it was better to set another plate at the +head table than to have the dishes smashed and Lucullus waylaid before +he could reach the banquetting-hall. + +So Mr. Podmore had hung up his hat, accepted a cigar and joined the +inner ring, soon proving himself a congenial spirit and an able +counsellor. And inasmuch as President Wade, of the Canadian Lake +Shores Railroad, was seeking about that time for a private secretary +with a newspaper training; inasmuch as it was known to J. Cuthbert +Nickleby that the said President Wade hoped to restore Old Nat Lawson +to his former place in the business world by acquiring control of the +Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company--inasmuch did it seem desirable +in the interests of Messrs. Nickleby and Podmore that Mr. Podmore +should apply for the vacant secretaryship. Podmore had got the +position, thereby enabling Nickleby to keep a finger upon the pulse of +his opposition. + +Wade was shrewd, clever, a big man; he knew many things, did Benjamin +Wade, railway magnate. But, reflected Hughey, there were many things +also which he did not know, and there was a disagreeable twist in the +corner of Podmore's mouth as he lounged and smoked. His revered chief +did not know, for instance, that his very competent secretary had spent +the better part of an afternoon alone in the private car "Obaska," +listening to the click of the tumblers in the little secret wall safe +which the President had had built in behind a sliding panel--listening +so intelligently that the said very competent secretary had come away +with the combination. + +Podmore's further enjoyment of retrospection was cut short by a sudden +gesture which rivetted his attention upon the two men on the rear +platform. Cranston had turned suddenly and was peering in at him; +almost automatically Podmore's eyes dropped quickly to the open +magazine on his knee. There was a certain hint of caution on the +railroad detective's face that did not escape the astute secretary. +The latter's vigilance was rewarded presently by seeing Cranston reach +into an inside pocket, pull out a bulky blue envelope and quickly pass +it across to the President. The latter as quickly stowed it out of +sight in an inner pocket of his tweed coat and himself cast a hasty +glance over his shoulder to see if he had been observed. But again Mr. +Podmore's gaze dropped in time and when he raised his eyes casually +from his magazine it was to note an expression of satisfaction upon the +faces of both gentlemen. They got up and came inside, laughing rather +loudly. + +"That there steak and onions Taylor's cookin' is sure goin' to hit the +spot," cried Cranston, sniffing with relish. "Eh, Hughey?" He dropped +into the chair alongside the secretary with a familiar slap on the +latter's knee, and thrust his legs out in the sprawling abandon of a +comfortable stretch. + +Unfortunately he did this just as President Wade, having turned to toss +away the end of his cigar, took a step forward with a hand thrust into +an inside pocket of his coat, evidently intending to put away in the +safe the envelope which Cranston had given him. The result of +Cranston's sudden movement and Wade's awkward position was that the +President tripped, lost his balance and would have measured full length +on the car floor if Cranston had not caught him. In his effort to save +himself the blue envelope was jerked out of his pocket and fell +directly at Podmore's feet. + +"Oh, I beg your pardon, sir!" apologized Cranston hurriedly. + +"That's all right, Bob," laughed Wade good naturedly. "Thanks, +Hughey," as his secretary handed him the envelope. "Why, what's the +matter?" + +Podmore's face had gone suddenly white and he was trembling visibly. + +"Aint you feelin' well, Hughey?" enquired Cranston with concern. He +rang quickly for highballs. + +"It's all right,--thanks," stammered Podmore hastily. "I--I guess it's +just a little faintness due to the fact that I ate practically no +lunch--I'm all right now." + +Nevertheless when Taylor arrived with the decanter Podmore poured +himself an extra stiff drink. He had need of it. For a second time he +had lost his poise, and it was only with the greatest difficulty that +he prevented any further manifestation of the fact during the meal and +the evening which followed. For unless he was very much mistaken--and +he felt sure that he was not--that envelope he had picked up and handed +to the President was the identical blue linen envelope that had been +stolen with the tan satchel so mysteriously two weeks ago! The size of +it, the feel of it, the daubs of gray sealing-wax--Oh, there was no +mistaking it! + +How in thunderation had it come into Cranston's hands?--Cranston, of +all men! Had Cranston pulled off the stunt? Had Podmore been doing +him an injustice? He studied the chief of the Special Service +Department with a new and wide-awake interest. If Cranston had +purloined this packet it was under orders--Wade's, of course. Then +that suspicion which had kept recurring every time he had tried to +think out the mystery of the disappearance was correct. It was a +political move! The opponents of the Government were lining up for the +approaching election with open charges of mal-feasance, graft,--the +same old game! Wade, he knew, had had friction with the present +administration over certain legislation; that was sufficient motive for +him taking a hand, although it was hardly likely that a man of Wade's +standing would allow himself to become involved in such back-alley +tactics--unless--Nickleby--the Interprovincial----! + +Podmore's thoughts were not running as clearly as usual. They kept +pocketing themselves provokingly in blind alleys that led nowhere, or +scattering in mazes that led everywhere. There was such a wide field +of speculation open, once he began to consider things from the +political angle, that it was difficult to reach any very definite +conclusion. He was not now so concerned as to the why or the how of +what had happened; the cold analysis of motives and methods was dwarfed +by the one big fact that here on board the private car and within easy +reach was that blessed envelope, containing fifty thousand dollars of +any man's money. For it did not look as if it had been tampered with; +the seals were still unbroken. Right here, within a few yards of where +he sat, was that little old bunch of greenbacks that he had planned so +earnestly to take unto his bosom and that had cost him so many +heartburnings this past two weeks. Talk about luck! Talk about +Opportunity knocking once on somebody's door! Why, the Old Dame was +chopping down his door with an axe! + +With his mind in such a chaos of confused emotions Hughey found it +difficult to keep up his end of the conversation and he was not sorry +when the others showed a tendency to turn in early. Once the lights +were dimmed he could hardly wait the reasonable length of time which +must elapse before the other three occupants were asleep, so eager was +he to make his investigations. But at last the snores of Cranston and +the steward and the steady breathing of President Wade satisfied him +that the way was clear. + +Quietly he slipped from his berth. He had not undressed, except to +remove his boots and coat, and in two minutes he had the envelope in +his hands. He slipped noiselessly down the aisle to the steward's +kitchen, switched on a light and examined the prize leisurely. He felt +it carefully, hefted it in one hand, then with the aid of a thin-bladed +paring-knife he succeeded in loosening a corner of the flap +sufficiently to allow of a peek at the contents without disturbing the +seals. His involuntary exclamation of satisfaction when he verified +the contents as a package of greenbacks was drowned fortunately in the +hum of the train. It was the missing campaign fund contribution beyond +a doubt. + +Back down the dimly lighted aisle with its swaying green curtains, past +the sleepers he slipped noiselessly to the writing desk where he +carefully regummed the corner of the flap, leaving no trace of his +inspection. Then he sank into a leather chair and lit a cigarette with +a cheerful grin on his face. + +The Fates certainly were kindness itself. He had it--50,000 bucks! He +actually had it in his pocket! It was enough to give Mr. Podmore a +fine start on his own account somewhere far away. Nickleby and +Alderson? They could go and take a jump in the lake! He had his. It +was a good time to drop out of this game anyway. The political +situation did not look any too good. Well, he would befriend the +Honorable Milt and Ferguson and Nickleby and Alderson by removing this +little piece of election evidence from the reach of their opponents. +That was a service which was cheap at the price. + +Yes, it was time to say a final farewell while the farewelling was +good. He hunted up a time-table. They must be somewhere in the +vicinity of Indian Creek by now. Where would the west-bound limited be +at that hour? He glanced at his watch, then flattened his nose against +the window, until his eyes became accustomed to the starlight and he +could watch the dim panorama of spruce trees and lonely little lakes +sliding by in ceaseless procession. Presently he recognized a +flag-station. His guess at Indian Creek as their whereabouts had not +been far astray. + +He made his plans quickly. He would drop off, walk to the nearest +station and catch No. 1, westbound, at midnight. That would take him +into the Missinaibi country by daylight, and he could afford to run the +risk of discovery until then. He would leave the train there somewhere +and would find no difficulty in obtaining an outfit and an Indian +guide. They would hit southwest for Lake Superior, and once there he +could find his way across to the Michigan side by night and so away. + +Podmore laced his boots rapidly and went through his grip for one or +two articles he thought he might need. He stole back to the kitchen +and put some crackers and cheese in his pockets; it was all he could +find that was not under lock and key. Then with the precious envelope +buttoned tightly inside his coat he picked his way cautiously to the +rear of the swaying car, closed the door carefully behind him and +climbed over the brass rail. + +For a moment he hung there, hesitating. Then he let go his hold and +disappeared. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +CONSPIRING EVENTS + +The President's private car pulled into Wardlow at the tail of No. 2, +the east-bound express, at 3.10 a.m., and was there side-tracked upon +instructions from Detective Robert Cranston. As soon as No. 2 had got +away behind a fresh engine on the long jump to the next divisional +point, Cranston, fully dressed, descended from the car and went across +to the despatcher's office. Half an hour later he returned to the car, +undressed and crawled back into his berth with a grunt of satisfaction. + +The President greeted him at breakfast with a smile and Cranston +responded with the grin of a man who has made predictions which have +come true. + +"Well, Bob, your fish bit, I see." + +"Sure did, sir. He took bait, hook an' sinker at 23.20 an' I'll have +him reeled in by to-morrow morning." + +"Not so sure about that, Bob," said Wade skeptically. "Fish sometimes +get clean away, remember. What have you done?" + +"Wired his description to every section foreman on the division with +instructions to notify me here and hold him prisoner till we come. +Fifty dollars reward. We crossed No. 1 half an hour after Hughey +jumped. Johnston has special instructions to watch out for him, and +there isn't a sharper conductor in the service. He'd figure to grab +the west-bound, if everything went well. If he didn't succeed, we'll +nab him sure somewhere up the line during the day." + +"Unless he's taken to the woods. Podmore's not fool enough to stick to +the track, Bob," objected Wade. + +"Excuse me, sir, but that's exactly what he's got to do in these here +parts. A train's the on'y hope he's got of gettin' quick to where he +can get an outfit. On'y a damn fool 'd try to make the lake immediate. +I aint sayin' as he mightn't lay low for a while, but he can't stick +that out long." + +"Well, I'll be gone all day with Foster up the Lone Hollow spur. Back +by dark. That's all the time I can give you, Bob. If you haven't a +lead before No. 2 gets here, I'm afraid I can't wait." He got up from +the table. + +"That's all right, Mr. Wade. But I'll have a message to show you when +you get back this evening," said Cranston confidently. + +Nevertheless the only message which he was able to show the President +on his return was a wire from Johnston that there was no trace of +Podmore among his passengers, and that everybody who had boarded last +night's westbound train on the Wardlow division was accounted for. It +was with considerable secret disappointment that the Chief of the +Special Service Department of the C.L.S. made arrangements for the +President's car to continue eastward with No. 2, while he remained +behind at Wardlow; for thereby Cranston was losing a splendid +opportunity to demonstrate his ability at cross-questioning in the +presence of the magnate. He was only human. + +Cranston, however, had been taught by experience that time is never up +till the last moment. Although his belongings were packed, he left his +suitcase aboard the car and long after he had said good-bye to Wade, +long after the President was in his berth for the night, the detective +sat doggedly on in the despatcher's office, smoking his pipe. His +patience was rewarded about an hour before No. 2 was due. + +The message was from Thorlakson and came over the wire from the night +operator at Indian Creek. The Icelander was holding Podmore at +Thorlakson Siding as instructed. Cranston already had made +arrangements for a special engine to run them back up the line, and +having issued definite instructions he went back to the private car and +unpacked his pyjamas. + +One of those methodical individuals who are born every now and then +with the gift of interpreting railway schedules would have had no great +difficulty in locating "Thorlakson" in the main-line timetable of the +Canadian Lake Shores Railway. It takes the form of a little +dagger-mark which, pursued into the fine print of the "Explanatory," +yields the information that "Thorlakson" is a flag-station. + +Magnus Thorlakson himself, Icelander, must be credited with being one +of the oldest and most conscientious section foremen on the division. +He, his men, his wife, his children and everything that was his abode +in a log shanty on a rise of ground close to the track. The rest of +the place consisted of a long siding, a short wooden platform, a tall +new standard enclosed water-tank and a little whitewashed shed where +the handcar and tools were stored. A creek here slipped out of the +woods to find fault with a stone culvert ere it flowed beneath the +track and resought silence among the encircling spruce trees. + +It was a lonesome, insignificant place with nothing to indicate its +selection as a bobbin for threads of destiny. The sun was just coming +into the sky above the low-lying hills to the east when the President's +special steamed into the siding. From the group, clustered about the +tool-shed and awaiting its arrival, a broad-shouldered young man in the +flannel shirt and legging boots of a railway engineer separated himself +and hurried forward. He waved his hand as he recognized Wade's sturdy +figure and laughed to hear the magnate's hearty greeting of surprise, +his profane enquiry as to what in Gehenna Philip Kendrick was doing +away up here in the woods. + +The mere sound of that big vibrant bass voice, the mere vitality of the +magnate's presence was stimulating. Here was a two-fisted, +hard-headed, straight-spoken man's man who had fought his way to the +top by refusing pointblank to stay at the bottom. As Phil stood +renewing acquaintance he realized more fully why his aunt had always +had such supreme confidence in this old friend of her girlhood. + +"I've been working for the C.L.S. for nearly two weeks now," he +explained. "I'm chainman with the Rutland party, out from North Bay on +a topographical survey. We're taking a new mileage and mapping the +right-of-way. Our van's on the second siding above here." + +This unexpected "vacation" had come about quite simply. On arrival in +North Bay to go fishing with Billy Thorpe he had found that wide-awake +young architect so immersed in an important contract that temporary +postponement of their plans was imperative. As if provided specially +to meet the situation along had come Rutland's urgent wire to +headquarters for a new chainman, one of his men having taken sick +suddenly. Phil had jumped at the opportunity for a taste of practical +survey work, and with Thorpe's assistance the matter had been arranged +readily and he had left the same night to join the Rutland party out +the line. + +The battered old freight caboose in which the young engineers lived was +moved ahead from siding to siding by passing freight trains as Rutland +advised the Chief Despatcher of the work's progress. Scarcely a day +had passed that had not strung a few interesting beads of incident to +brighten the necklace of its routine monotonies--the squealing, kicking +baby rabbit which Anderson, the head chainman, had captured; the wild +duck which they had cornered in a thicket and which Bayley, the marker, +had insisted upon decorating with his white paint before he would let +it go; the occasional mess of speckled trout for which they angled; the +fresh baked pies and cakes they were sometimes able to buy from a +section-man's wife; the bear tracks and the bodies of wild animals +lured to death by the glare of the powerful headlights on the fast +trains at night; the excitement at the great ballast pit where the +gangs at work were running an unpopular cook out of camp; the very old +Indian who had stared at the dragging chain and muttered "Heap big +snake," and the very young Englishman who had gone crazy from fly-bites +and whom the sawmill gang had strapped to a rough litter in preparation +for rushing him to the North Bay hospital by the first train they could +flag. In spite of the mosquitoes, black flies and midges, which at +this season of the year were a decided affliction in the country +through which they were working, Kendrick had enjoyed the new +experience. Twenty miles average daily working distance, frequently +with an extra ten-mile walk back to the car, already had rounded the +erstwhile captain of the Varsity rugby champions into tackling +condition. + +In spite of the fact that he had been up all night, therefore, his eyes +were bright with the mirror glisten which is the gift of long hours in +the open air. The black eye which had attracted unwelcome attention at +first no longer contributed to the amusement of the inquisitive, the +obtrusion of its remaining jaundice being overcome by the new coat of +tan that encroached upon it. + +His presence at Thorlakson Phil accounted for very briefly, saying +merely that he had come back there to look for a lost pocketbook, +containing his railway pass. But it had not been the pass or the loose +change that had troubled him so greatly; it had been--well, darn it, he +didn't want to lose them like that anyway!--a dollar bill, wrapped +carefully around a lady's shirtwaist pin! It was his own business +entirely. Luckily Thorlakson had picked it up and was able to restore +the pocketbook with its contents intact. + +As it had turned out Kendrick's evening hike back down the track to +Thorlakson had been a lucky thing for Podmore too. Within a mile of +the siding Phil had come upon him, sitting beside the track in despair +of reaching human aid before he collapsed completely. He had been +badly hurt in his fall from the train, and aside from these injuries +his hands were swollen and covered with dirt and blood, his torn +clothes encrusted with dried mud, collar and tie gone and his shirt +ripped open in front, revealing neck and chest smeared with blood where +the blackflies had bitten him severely. + +"He had spent part of the night and the whole day in the woods and was +half out of his head, poor devil!" said Phil. "I managed to get him +down here and with the help of Mrs. Thorlakson's homemade liniment I +fixed him up as well as I could. He insisted on me staying with him +all night--till you arrived, in fact." + +"Expected us, eh?" grunted Wade. + +"Oh, sure. News of the--er--accident travelled up and down the line +pretty swiftly. A track-walker passed the word to us early yesterday +morning just as we were starting out from the caboose for the day's +work. So I had Thorlakson get a message off to you; he stuck it in a +split stick and the engineer of a passing freight caught it O.K. and +took it up the line to the operator at Indian Creek." + +As Kendrick finished speaking they both turned to watch Cranston +approaching slowly, supporting Podmore. The secretary's condition had +improved greatly under Phil's ministrations and the food which Mrs. +Thorlakson had prepared for him. But it was apparent that he was still +suffering from shock and beneath the bandage about his head the black +and blue evidence of the contusion was visible. His sprained arm was +bandaged also and he limped badly and leaned heavily upon the detective. + +"Hello there, Hughey," greeted Wade. "Wrecked from engine to caboose, +eh? What a whack on the head! Might've killed you. How'd you come to +fall off?" + +Podmore smiled weakly. He gazed for a moment at Kendrick as if trying +to collect his thoughts. Then he explained that he had been troubled +with insomnia and got up to smoke a cigarette. He had been fool enough +to perch up on the brass rail at the rear of the private car, thinking +the fresh air might make him sleepy. The train had been hitting up a +fast pace on a down grade and as they swung a curve he had lost his +balance and pitched clean down a long fill among the rocks of a creek +bottom. The fall had knocked him senseless. When finally he had +recovered consciousness he had been too ill to move for a long time. +Then the hot sun had driven him to crawl painfully into the woods where +he had lain helpless most of the day, with just enough strength to get +water from the creek. When he began to feel a little better toward +nightfall he had gone back to the track and started for help. Just as +he was ready to give up Kendrick had found him. + +Cranston and the President exchanged glances, but Wade merely nodded +when Podmore requested to be allowed to crawl into his berth because he +was feeling "swimmy in the head." Cranston and the steward helped him +aboard and proceeded to put him to bed. + +"From that little shake of the head that Cranston just passed you, Mr. +Wade, I gather that he failed to find any trace of the envelope that's +missing," said Kendrick quietly. He smiled at the abruptness with +which the President of the C.L.S. took hold of his arm and walked him +away from the car. + +"Let's go over there and see Thorlakson a minute," he said loudly. +"Now, shoot," he added in a lower voice. "What do you know about this +thing, Phil?" + +"He's been trying to fill me up with the smoothest line of bunk I ever +listened to. According to him you're the sworn political enemy of +Uncle Milt and have had a finger in the theft--theft, mind you!--of +important secret state documents which would have been the cause of a +financial panic if they had remained in your possession much longer, to +say nothing of undermining public confidence in the present +administration." + +"Great Busted Reputations! Did he tell you that?" + +"While I was bandaging him. He said he was the reporter who located +the evidence that had convicted Rives and elected my uncle, and that he +was acting now as an agent of the government to recover the +confidential reports that had been stolen from the chairman of the +Waterways Commission." + +"Trying to unload the envelope on you, eh?" + +"Yes. He asked me to post it for him--addressed it himself to his +address in Toronto." + +"What did you do?" + +"Posted it, of course--in a hollow stump over there near the tank with +a slab of fungus on top for a lid!" + +Ben Wade laughed aloud. + +"Know what's in the thing?" he demanded abruptly. + +"These stolen Government documents?" + +"Fifty thousand dollars, you mean!" + +"The son-of-a-gun!" muttered Kendrick, looking startled. + +"But he doesn't happen to know that the bills are bogus--stage money, +sandwiched between a couple of genuine bills of small denomination," +chuckled Wade. He stopped short and stood in front of Kendrick with +one hand on the younger man's shoulder. "Phil," he said seriously, +"you've stumbled in on a little game that is being played out with +stacked cards. We'll talk about it after breakfast. We'll be running +up as far as Indian Creek to use the Y in the old ballast pit. You're +coming along. We can stop at Rutland's caboose long enough for you to +pick up your nightie and your safety razor." + +"I don't think I understand, Mr. Wade," said Phil, puzzled. + +"Not supposed to," retorted Wade. "Fact is, you're fired! You can't +work for Rutland another minute----" + +"Why, what----?" + +"Because you're hired! I've got to have a secretary, haven't I? +There's interesting work ahead, boy, and I need you. Don't ask +questions. Breakfast first. I can't talk without a cigar and I never +smoke before breakfast." + +"Shall I run over to the stump and get the envelope?" asked Kendrick +when he had recovered from his first surprise. + +"Not by a jugful! Podmore thinks you're playing his game, doesn't he? +Always draw to the aces, Phil. Leave the envelope where it is. Hello, +Thorlakson. Hello, boys. Good work last night. I want to thank you +all. Mr. Kendrick here has just been telling me how well you did your +duty. He wants you to have that fifty dollar reward--all of it." + +As he spoke he took from his pocket a roll of greenbacks and peeled off +five ten-dollar bills which he handed to the foreman with a twinkle of +the eye. It was what they had been waiting for with a vast interest. +And while Svenson, the big Swede, and the two Norwegians snatched off +their caps and grinned, Thorlakson endeavored to convey their entire +satisfaction. + +"Yaow, Meester Vade, sir, it is wery suffeecient," he assured in his +best English as he shook hands with profound respect. When he turned +to Kendrick there was added his evident admiration of the young man's +generosity. + +Smoke was curling up from the kitchen end of the private car and the +welcome aroma of coffee announced that Taylor had breakfast ready. +They climbed aboard forthwith, but the special remained sidetracked to +pass a fast freight. It thundered by before they finished the meal and +by the time Kendrick found himself on the observation platform at the +rear of the car the special was on its way. + +Wade carefully shut the door behind them. Podmore had fallen into a +sound slumber while Cranston was busy at the writing-desk, and it was +with a lively interest that Phil settled himself to listen to whatever +confidences Ben Wade might see fit to impart. For some time, however, +the President of the C.L.S. smoked in silence, his shaggy eyebrows +puckered in a frown and his gaze fastened thoughtfully upon the +serrated skyline of the spruce tops that ran rearward unceasingly. + +"We've come across two or three places like that on this division the +past two weeks," said Phil to break the silence. He nodded towards the +disused station building that was receding down the track, its boarded +windows and broken platform eloquent of desolation. "I've wondered why +a perfectly good station like that should be built in the first place +if it was to be abandoned later on without even a day telegraph +operator?" + +"Eh? Oh, there used to be some lumbering around here when we first +opened up. Also the road's required to put up a station every so-many +miles without regard to the surrounding country--just a fool charter +obligation, that's all; sometimes we use an old box-car----" Wade +carefully picked away the band of his cigar. "Phil, I'm going to ask +you to undertake a somewhat unusual commission for me with no very +definite idea of what it may lead you into. There may be even some +danger attached to it. It is my duty to mention this possibility, +although I know you'll consider that not at all when I tell you that +the results may have some bearing upon the welfare of--your uncle; +indirectly, perhaps your aunt. + +"Let me give you a few facts. If you've cut your eye teeth you know +that just as man does not live by bread alone so elections in this fair +land are not won nowadays by mass meetings and fine speeches, but by +hard cold cash and organization. Things have come to such a pass that +it is largely a matter of machinery. The side with the biggest machine +and the most oil--and gas--is pretty sure of passing the grandstand in +the lead. The oil is most important, and long before the race it is +gathered into a large tank called the 'Party Campaign Fund,' by +henchmen who call upon various friendly corporate institutions. You +follow me?" + +"Right at your heels," smiled Kendrick. + +"Well then, one of these substantial little contributions not long +since while on its devious way to the Place of Burnt Offerings was +ambushed by somebody with a hankering for the fleshpots of Egypt--fifty +thousand dollars cold, stolen as slick as a whistle. I happen to be +one of the very few, outside of the principals in the transaction, who +know anything about it; for campaign fund contributions are among those +things which men of discretion do not discuss from the housetops. I'm +not going to say just now how this information reached me; but it is +necessary for you to know that the Interprovincial Loan & Savings +Company is vitally interested in the recovery of this money, or at +least in the identity of the thief. And when we speak of the +Interprovincial in these halcyon days we speak of J. Cuthbert Nickleby, +its astute president. A thing like this could never have happened if +Nat Lawson had been in the saddle. + +"Mention of Nickleby brings me to Podmore, who is nothing more than a +tool of Nickleby's. I knew when I hired Podmore as my secretary that I +was hiring a spy. I knew his record. You see, they were aware of the +fact that I was interesting myself on behalf of my friend, Lawson. +Podmore hadn't been with me two days before the beggar had the +combination of the safe aboard this car. He's a smooth one. But I +figured to learn as much from him as he got from me. Before we get to +Toronto I'll give you the inside history of that Lawson situation; for +it's mixed up with the rest of it. + +"But let me get back to this stolen money. It was done up in an +envelope just like this one which Podmore stole from the car the other +night; fact is, they're duplicates. It was a little experiment which +Cranston and I decided to try out to get Podmore where we wanted him. +We're going to have an interesting session with him after a bit on the +off chance of securing some information. I haven't a great deal of +confidence in third-degree methods; but I'm letting Cranston have a +fling at it on the chance that Podmore will drop a stitch. He's yellow +enough for anything. + +"Now, here's where you come in, Phil. Podmore thinks you intend to +help him out and that is exactly what I want you to pretend to do. +We'll stage a little drama and we'll have you on the carpet along with +him. You'll deny all knowledge of the envelope. I'll fire you. +You'll get mad and come back at me with red-hot talk for doubting your +word and so on. We're going to let Podmore go when we get to the city. +You'll go with him. The chance to sic you onto him is too good to +miss. So we'll turn you loose together; it will be up to you then to +mix in where you see fit. Is that all clear? + +"All right. What I want you to do is to keep an eye on him. Find out +what his next move is. He told you he was the reporter who had located +the evidence that convicted Rives. Did he tell you how he got hold of +it?--how he double-crossed Rives by low-down trickery? He doesn't know +how to be loyal to anybody. I'll be surprised if he doesn't repeat on +Nickleby. + +"Then there are some things I want to find out about Nickleby and his +associates. I want you to move carefully, Phil. I had one of +Cranston's best men on the job until recently; but his usefulness was +ended by unexpected developments. I'm working to put Nat Lawson back +at the head of the loan company; Nickleby is an interloper and he's +playing ducks and drakes with the concern. Tell you about it later. +Are you agreeable to act as my secretary in these matters and to carry +out instructions--blindfolded, so to speak?" + +Kendrick had listened intently to this recital. Now he deliberately +lighted his pipe before replying, and when he did it was to ask a blunt +question. + +"Does Uncle Milt figure in this?" and he noted the shadow that crossed +the magnate's face. + +"I wish I really knew that, Phil," said Wade seriously. "Time will +tell. I'm banking on your uncle to stay square to the finish; but +there's nothing to be gained by shutting one's eyes to the fact that +many a good man has found the political game as it's being played these +days too many for him. There are those who are inclined to doubt all +politicians, your uncle included. I don't set myself up as any +high-minded reformer; if you're sitting in on a game at all, you've got +to play it according to the rules that are handed you--or quit." + +Phil smoked in silence. He was thinking of that strange interview with +his uncle the night of the fog; but he gave no voice to his thoughts. + +"Your aunt has some of her private funds invested in the +Interprovincial Loan and that's one of the reasons I want you with me, +Phil." Wade turned and laid a hand on Kendrick's knee while he looked +the young man quietly in the eye. "There are stronger considerations +than the money side of it, though. All I can say is that the happiness +of your aunt is as dear to me as it is to you, or as it would be to +anyone who had learned to respect and admire her as we have. That +happiness has got to be guarded, Phil, even at the sacrifice +of--everything else." + +His gaze wandered away again to where the twin rails converged, and for +a moment the rhythmic beat of the wheels over the joints held sway. +Rather surprised, Phil stole a glance at the virile face that was +turned so steadfastly away and recalled an item of gossip he had once +overheard somewhere--that Mrs. Waring was the real reason Benjamin Wade +was still a bachelor. He wondered if there could be any truth in that +idle rumor. + +"I'm sorry that I can't be more explicit. Did you ever try to piece +out a puzzle, Phil? That's what I'm up against now. I'll tell you all +about it--as soon as I know myself. There are men in this world who +stop at nothing----" + +Phil turned abruptly, a startled look in his eyes; but the other did +not finish the sentence. + +"Harrington Rives is out of jail--" he began. + +"A case in point, if you like," nodded Wade. "But don't let's talk to +no purpose. We'll be passing Rutland's car in a minute. Do we stop +for your things?" + +"You hired me back there at Thorlakson's," Kendrick reminded. + +In this simple fashion were events conspiring. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE STENOGRAPHER STILL LISTENING + +The visitors who came and went occasionally up the back stairs at +Blatchford Ferguson's office were a motley lot. Silk hats and +expensive overcoats sometimes hung on the hooks in the corner. Again, +ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; +for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in +the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of +one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime. + +The big leather chair, so placed that it faced the light and left the +lawyer in partial shadow behind his desk, had held many a strange and +anxious caller in its day. Great men, men of national importance, had +sat in that deep old leather chair; but with fine passivity it yielded +the same comforts to men who only thought they were important. + +Just now it was occupied by Mr. Hugh Podmore--within an hour of that +worthy's arrival in the city. At three p.m. his new-found friend, +Philip Kendrick, had agreed to call upon Ferguson to corroborate the +story which Mr. Podmore had just finished telling and to which his +auditor had listened with great intentness, that being the only +indication of surprise which the practiced Mr. Ferguson permitted +himself to exhibit. + +"You always were pretty cock-sure of yourself, Poddy, even back in the +days when we both worked on the old _Tribune_," commented Ferguson with +a smirk of amusement. "But this proposition of yours is the +deckle-edged limit and no mistake. If you were anybody else I'd have a +lot of fun--kicking you downstairs!" + +"Old stuff, Fergey!" grinned Podmore, unperturbed. "You don't need to +pull that for my benefit. Talk brass tacks. Kendrick will be here in +ten minutes with all the proof you want that I'm handing it to you +straight and that that campaign-fund wad of Nickleby's is where I can +lay hands on it. Do I pass it to you or must I hand it over to Charlie +Cady? Guess the Opposition'll know what to do with it. I'm asking you +this: What's it worth to the Government to win the next election? +That's the little old answer I want." + +"Would a couple of million satisfy you? How'll you have it?--in fives +and tens?" and Mr. Ferguson gravely stroked his fleshy red nose. + +"Be serious, Fergey," protested Podmore. "You can see for yourself +that I came near getting killed, lining this thing up." + +"I could not be more serious if you really had got killed, Poddy," and +again he stroked the emblem of his _entrez_ to the social functions of +John Barleycorn. "I'm afraid your mind is warping in the sunshine of +your own cleverness, Poddy. This fool notion of yours--coming to me +about this money Nickleby's lost--if anybody had told me that once that +long green was in your possession you'd come away back here----" + +"What do you take me for, Ferguson?--a thief?" glared Podmore angrily. + +"Opportunist is not so harsh a word," soothed the lawyer, thoroughly +enjoying the baiting. He frowned with an abrupt change of manner. +"You want brass tacks, do you? Here they are, then. That money is +none of my business, none of the Government's business. Understand +that clearly. You say it was a campaign-fund contribution. How do I +know it was? It never reached us. It's Nickleby's money and its loss +is his funeral. Go and report to him and try to understand the meaning +of the word 'loyalty.' Our party doesn't care a tinker's dam who has +had, now has, or will have that envelope. And if you want to get +thrown out by the scruff of the neck just try going to headquarters +with your crazy proposition." + +"You--surely you don't mean that, Fergey, old man?" said Podmore, +searching the other's face with misgiving. + +"Every word of it. And here's something else, Podmore, that I won't +charge you for. If you're wise you'll take a straight tip and get out +of this office as fast as you know how--out of town--clean out of the +country! You don't seem to keep as well posted on the latest news as +you used to. Have you read that?" + +Ferguson had opened a drawer as he spoke and tossed out a newspaper, so +folded that an item encircled by red ink was uppermost. Podmore slowly +picked up the paper. As his glance travelled quickly through the +marked item his face paled--what part of it was not black and blue. + +"Oh, Rives, eh? I--No, I didn't know he was out of the pen." He tried +hard to keep his voice steady, but did not succeed very well. + +"He's been out over two weeks now," nodded Ferguson, making no effort +to conceal his contempt. "And he hasn't forgotten that a fresh +newspaper reporter by the name of Podmore played him a dirty trick +twelve years ago. He's sworn to get you for that." + +"How--how do you know this?" asked Podmore hoarsely. + +"'Itchy' McGuire called to see me day before yesterday. He's met +Rives. If I were you I'd hunt me up a nice little island somewhere in +the Tropics where you can live with the rest of the monkeys; they might +elect you to Parliament or crown you king or something. Rives is one +bad actor and he's sore--good and sore." + +Podmore's attempted laugh had no mirth in it. He reached for his hat, +and as he said a hasty good-bye he did not look at all well. For +several minutes after he had closed the rear door Blatchford Ferguson +leaned back in his chair, chuckling. + +Now, while this remarkable interview was taking place in the inner +sanctum Phil Kendrick was again shaking hands with Conway in the outer +office. A moment later he went on through to the secretary's office, +speculating on just what he should say to the self-contained Miss +Williams. But, as before, he found her office deserted. To his +amazement when he glanced through the inner doorway he saw her for the +second time on one knee in front of the keyhole of Ferguson's private +office. + +She came towards him swiftly, closing the doors behind her as she had +done on the occasion of his first visit. She was very angry; that much +was apparent. + +"I'll admit, Miss Williams, that it is often extremely difficult to +break off a bad habit----" + +"Mr. Ferguson is busy," she snapped. + +"I would judge as much," said Kendrick dryly. "He is expecting me. If +you will just hand him my card please,--Thank you." + +He was surprised at the look of disdain with which she took his card. +Surely this girl whom he had caught twice in the act of eavesdropping +upon her employer ought to be grateful for his silence, his toleration +of such an utter misdemeanor! Instead, her whole attitude was one of +dislike. She made no attempt to conceal it. It might do her good to +get a sharp rebuke from Ferguson, and he was of two minds whether or +not to speak to the lawyer about her. Then he remembered that she was +only substituting and that dismissal would not mean much to her. There +was the chance that it was just her woman's curiosity to know what was +going on. Women were often like that, he had heard. + +"Mr. Ferguson will see you now. Tell him anything you like." She eyed +him coolly. + +Phil gave her a cheerful smile as he passed on into the private office. +Podmore had just gone. + +"I had no trouble in getting a line on him for you, Phil. He came in +right after you 'phoned and has been here ever since. Now, what the +devil's the meaning of all this? What are you up to?" + +"Tell me just what he said to you, Blatch," said Kendrick, refusing a +cigar and filling his pipe. + +"He said he gave you the envelope to mail and that you hid it for him +in a hollow stump near the water-tank at Thorlakson Siding when Wade +came after it. He said that Wade and Cranston gave both of you the +third degree and that you lit into Wade and gave him one awful calling +down for not accepting your word that you hadn't seen any envelope and +knew nothing about it. He said it made Wade so mad that he not only +fired Podmore but told you also that you couldn't work for the C.L.S. +another minute, so it was no use you rejoining this survey party you +were with. It's a swell kettle of fish you've got into, Phil. What's +your uncle going to say to all this?" + +"Nothing. Unless you tell him he won't know I've bumped into this mix. +He's got enough worries of his own without bothering about me." + +"But Phil,----" + +"Listen, Blatch. I know what was in that envelope and where it came +from. I want to know where Uncle Milt stands in connection with this +campaign-fund money, and I want to know what Podmore is trying to do. +What did he want?" + +"Podmore isn't as clever as he thinks he is," Ferguson laughed. "He +actually came here to see if he could work out a little graft +proposition by threatening to expose a deal which he imagines has taken +place between the Alderson Construction Company and your uncle. His +mind works that way. He thinks everybody is as crooked as himself and +that all governments are like the late Rives administration. Well, he +knows different now." + +"Then no such deal is involved?" + +"Good heavens, Phil! Surely you didn't think that? Neither your uncle +nor the Party cares a hang about this money of Nickleby's or +Alderson's, or whoever owns it. We're not interested in what becomes +of it. There's been no deal of any kind." + +"That's all I want to know, Blatch," said Kendrick, rising. "It's just +one of those things a fellow bumps into now and then, and if Uncle Milt +needed my help at all I wanted to know it, that's all. I know he's +absolutely on the square, of course." + +"Absolutely," assured Ferguson earnestly. "Your uncle is one of the +hardest working, most conscientious and high principled public men of +the day, Phil, and perhaps I have had greater opportunity of knowing +that than most. No man can hold high public office, seemingly, without +paying the penalty of prominence--petty jealousy, envy, deliberate +misrepresentation, even underhand attacks upon his character. A +certain class of political aspirant seems to look on that sort of thing +as part of the game, and you don't want to believe all you see in some +newspapers around election time. That's the way it's been. But false +accusation never yet downed an honest man, Phil. Remember that." + +As Kendrick noted the expression on the lawyer's face he thought to +himself that in spite of the marks of dissipation which marred it, +there was a finer side to Blatch Ferguson's character which few would +suspect. + +"Please say nothing about my connection with Podmore, Blatch. It was +an unavoidable unpleasantness which is now over. Some day soon when I +have more time I'll drop in and give you all the details." + +Miss Margaret Williams was nowhere about, he noted, as he took his +departure. + +Kendrick caught the next ferry across the bay to the Island and walked +in on his uncle's housekeeper. He found that once more he had the big +summer residence to himself, that his uncle had taken a flying trip to +New York. That meant that his aunt would be alone in the summer +cottage at Sparrow Lake, except for the servants, and he decided +suddenly to run up and see her that very evening. After glancing +through a slight accumulation of mail he changed to outing flannels and +hied to the boathouse for an hour's run in the launch--out through the +Eastern Gap into the open lake, where he could cut away across miles of +blue water that danced invitingly in the golden sunshine on and on to +the horizon's clear rim. All alone out there with the wash of the +water, the steady undertone of the engine throbbing in his ears and the +cool breeze blowing through his hair, he could sort out his thoughts. + +They were inclined to tangle. He had yet to plan how he would proceed +to obtain the information which Ben Wade wanted in regard to J. C. +Nickleby. The railroad executive had traced certain consignments of +cheap whisky which had been run through to construction camps in the +northern part of the province and had his own suspicions as to the +source from which the bootleggers were obtaining funds. If the luck +which had attended Phil's first efforts to learn what Podmore was +planning held good, it ought not to be difficult; but there would be no +Blatch Ferguson to help him out in a task which would call for the +utmost circumspection. + +Podmore could be dismissed as of the brood of Esau, willing to sell to +the highest bidder anybody's birthright upon which he could lay hands. +Ferguson's confident assurance that the stolen campaign fund +contribution,--if that was what it had been intended to be,--implicated +the Government in no way, could be accepted without question. Had it +been otherwise, Ferguson would have been galvanized to action of some +sort. At any rate, the sudden disappearance of the money before it +reached its destination eliminated it so far as the Government was +concerned. + +This much was clear to Kendrick. Beyond wondering greatly how such a +substantial sum as fifty thousand dollars could drop from sight +mysteriously without creating general excitement, he dismissed the +matter as outside his immediate concern. If the actual money had been +in Wade's possession, as Podmore had been led to believe, Phil would +have been more perplexed about it; even Wade's evident inside knowledge +of the transaction was sufficiently mystifying. That probably was part +of the "puzzle" which would be divulged in due course. Kendrick knew +that in the modern business world with its constant clashes between +powerful financial interests there were many undercurrents which a +young man fresh from college could not hope to gauge. He was content, +therefore, to accept Wade's superior judgment without question, to +follow instructions faithfully, secure in the knowledge that Benjamin +Wade was a man of the highest integrity. + +The railroad president had gone on to Montreal and beyond delivery of a +letter to Nathaniel Lawson and the obtaining of an answer to it, his +final instructions to his new secretary had been simple. + +"If you can get Nat Lawson to tell you his story, Phil, you'll spend +one interesting evening," he had suggested. "Good business for you to +know all about the Interprovincial. Use your own judgment and good +luck to you." + +There was no hurry about calling on Lawson; it could wait till he got +back from this rush visit to Sparrow Lake. But what about this girl in +Ferguson's office? What a pippin! Phil was unable to decide whether +she had been listening at the keyhole because she had gone there for +that very purpose or whether he had surprised her merely taking +advantage of accidental opportunity to satisfy her curiosity. She +interested him greatly--probably because she was so pretty and had +rebuffed him so unmistakably. + +He amused himself by absurd speculations about her. If she did have a +definite object in spying on Ferguson, the solitaire diamond on her +engagement finger might be a bluff; her cheap manner, so out of keeping +with refinement of feature and dress,--that might be faked likewise. +If she were one of these female detectives you read about, who had +hired her? Was she in the pay of Nickleby? If she were, it was +Kendrick's duty to keep an eye on her, wasn't it? And she was a tonic +for any eye! + +Phil laughed at himself as he put the wheel over and swung back towards +home. He was becoming an utter fool! Darn girls, anyway! This was +the second one on whom he had wasted thought--one probably a thief and +the other a gum-chewing stenographer who was going to marry somebody in +Buffalo! And that, too, after each had told him quite plainly that if +he would just remove himself entirely from their ken they could go on +living happily! Just because he had happened to meet these two girls +under exceptional circumstances was no justification for placing them +on pedestals. King Solomon had the right idea. Poof! the seven seas +were full of fish! + +With which swaggering philosophy did this strong-minded young man sweep +all womenkind from his thoughts--all but Aunt Dolly, who had no equal +anywhere in the world. He had left himself just enough time to get to +the station without undue haste. Sparrow Lake was a popular summer +resort for those who wished to forget the noise of the city and enjoy +the quiet surroundings of forest and lake, where good fishing was to be +had in combination with fresh cream daily and vegetables in season. +The cottage the Warings had rented for the season was on one of the +islands, and two hours later Phil was rowing eagerly over from the +station landing. He let out a whoop like a wild Indian to announce his +arrival and his aunt came running down to meet him, her gentle face +alight with pleasure and surprise. He swept her up off her feet and +kissed her till her cheeks were wild-rose pink, very becoming with her +fluffy aureole of snow-white hair. + +Arm in arm they went towards the cottage, talking and laughing. The +two were very near to each other and he had a lot of interesting things +to tell her. He knew she would be delighted to learn of his new +position as Ben Wade's private secretary and she was; but he was +careful to keep from her any details of recent happenings that would be +liable to cause her anxiety. The conversation arranged its own +itinerary over such a wide range of topics that it was late that +evening before they had "talked themselves to a standstill," as he put +it. + +Phil did not feel sleepy. Instead of retiring at once he lingered on +the screened balcony just off his room and lighted a final pipe of +tobacco. Back came the two mysterious young women to trouble his +thoughts and he did not dismiss them. The night was in harmony with +mystery; also there was a rising moon, hung low, golden like a lamp, +its dull glow lighting only the outer water spaces. + +In that lake and forest country Nature seemed to brood in a deep hush +which but gathered accentuation from the raucous bass of the bullfrogs +and occasional weird night sounds of birds and animals in the depths of +the woods. The deep quiet was oppressive after the city's multitude of +noises. Earlier in the evening while he talked with his aunt he had +remarked upon the great distinctness with which the _putt-putt_ of a +motorboat somewhere on the lake had carried. Now when a whip-poor-will +flew to a nearby tree its rapid-fire call flung wide insistently: +_Whip_'rweel, _whip_'rweel, _whip_'rweel, _whip_'rweel, _whip_'rweel, +_whip_'rweel. . . . + +"Go to it, old boy;" murmured Phil with some amusement, his thoughts +recalled at last to his surroundings. + +As if insulted, the bird ceased abruptly and flew away. A dead stick +snapped at the edge of the clearing. It sounded like the report of a +small pistol and as Kendrick smiled at the start the sound gave him he +was sub-consciously aware that the bellowings of the frogs had stopped. +His glance in the direction of the sound was purely automatic, but his +attention was rivetted instantly by a movement among the trees at a +point where they thinned out against a silvering background of the lake. + +There was no mistake about it. The slinking figure of a man was +visible against the water. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +GROWING ANXIETY + +For some moments Kendrick watched him as he moved cautiously from one +vantage point to another, not a little surprised to discover that the +intruder was spying upon the cottage. Some belated camper, probably. + +But there was no harm in making sure. Phil crept noiselessly off the +balcony and slipped quietly downstairs and out the back way. It was +his idea to come upon the man from behind and demand what he wanted; +but a careless step revealed his approach and sent the fellow running +at top speed through the bush to the edge of the lake, where he jumped +into a small launch which he must have paddled inshore very quietly. +No such caution marked his actions now, however. He started his engine +and went _putt-putting_ madly out across the lake. + +Thoroughly aroused, Kendrick ran to the little landing where the launch +rented for the season was moored. He leaped for the engine, a moment +later had swung clear and was off in full chase. + +As he nursed the engine to top speed it soon became apparent that his +was much the superior boat. Added to this he had the advantage of a +complete knowledge of the inlets and topography of Sparrow Lake. He +knew for instance, that the long neck of heavily wooded peninsula which +jutted out for some distance in the immediate vicinity was bisected by +a narrow channel of deep black water where a motor boat could negotiate +a passage without difficulty. + +Kendrick headed straight for the half concealed entrance to this +channel. The stranger had gone tearing off to round the point. The +result of the channel manoeuvre was that Phil came out into open water +directly in the path of the fleeing launch just as it had rounded the +point. + +At once the intruder shut off his engine, put a foot on the gunwale and +took a header into the lake, swimming vigorously for the shore close +by. This was confession of an intense anxiety to escape and for the +moment it did look as if his chances of getting away were excellent; +the unexpectedness of the action made it necessary for Phil to make a +wide parabola to bring his boat equally close inshore and to check its +speed. Without a moment's hesitation, however, Kendrick also shut off +his engine and dove overboard as he swept by. A strong swimmer, he was +soon climbing ashore. + +By this time the man he was after had started away, _swish-wish_ +through the underbrush; but he was only a few rods in the lead, and one +of thickset build was no match for Kendrick in a footrace. As Phil +overhauled him he turned suddenly and fiercely grappled with his +pursuer. + +This again was something at which Kendrick was proficient and he threw +the man easily enough with a half-nelson. They were wrestling it out +in an open space in the bushes where the light was not quite so dim, +and at last Phil had the hold for which he had been playing. + +"I can break your arm--quite easily," he panted in sharp warning. "Are +you ready to behave if I let you up?" + +Upon receiving a strangled grunt of affirmation he released his +antagonist. + +"Gee! 'bo, aint there nothin' y' aint good at? That's second +time--y've got my nanny fer fair!" + +At sound of a familiar voice Phil opened his waterproof match-safe and +struck a light. He found himself gazing with some amazement into the +grinning homely face of "Iron Man" McCorquodale, the ex-pugilist with +whom he had exchanged sparring compliments the night of the fog. + +"McCorquodale! How'd you get here?" + +"On the too-too," responded the Iron Man, rapidly recovering both +breath and good humor. + +"Don't get fresh, McCorquodale. What were you doing just now, sneaking +around our cottage over there?" + +"Dry up, kid, on that 'sneak' stuff. I ain't answerin' a damn thing, +see,--not till we gets over to where I'm campin'. An' if that aint +suitin' you, y'knows what y'can do, don't youse?" + +"You seemed keen enough to get away." + +"I had m'reasons," grunted McCorquodale. "I ast you to dry up, didn't +I?" + +"I'd sooner dry off," smiled Phil, pulling at his wet trousers. +"Where's this camp of yours?" + +"Over that way," said McCorquodale, pointing. "We'd better get them +boats first, 'fore they drifts too far away." + +They found them floating close together, down near the point, and +McCorquodale undertook to swim out and bring them in. It was a tribute +to him that he was permitted without demur to have such a golden +opportunity of escaping and a tribute to Kendrick's judgment that he +took no advantage of it. + +He had pitched his small tent back from the lake about a quarter of a +mile in a gully, where it was hidden completely by thick undergrowth. +A spring bubbled not far away and the music of the tiny creek that +trickled from it through a bed of water-cress provided a pleasing +lullaby. His visitor nodded approval of the snug arrangements. +Apparently McCorquodale was an old hand at this sort of thing. + +"Seem to have prepared for quite a stay," remarked Phil, turning from +inspection of the "kitchen," which had been built into the embankment +and which, with its sheet-iron stove-top and all, afforded culinary +facilities of a practical kind. "I suppose you have your refrigerator +sunk beside the spring, eh?" + +"Got a tin box there--yep," confirmed McCorquodale as he fed the fire +he had started in front of the tent. "I've been here goin' on two +weeks an' I figger to make m'self comfortable when I goes fishin'." + +"Fish much at night?" inquired Kendrick suspiciously. + +"Yep. Night's best time to catch my kind o' fish," grinned his host. +"You come on over here to the fire an' get dried an' if y'll promise to +keep it to y'rself, I'll put you wise." + +So while Kendrick sat on the opposite side of the fire McCorquodale +volunteered the information that he was a detective--in short, that he +was attached to the Special Service Department of the Canadian Lake +Shores Railway. + +"You'll be interested in that, then," said Phil as he selected an +envelope from the papers which he had spread out to dry by the fire. + +"Sort o' related, you an' me,--by employment," grinned McCorquodale as +he passed back the credentials. "I knowed already you was Wade's new +secretary. Got a letter from the Chief himself 's mornin', so +advisin'. Fine man to work for, Wade is. He never overlooks nothin' +an' I guess he figgered you'n me might meet up here, seein's it's my +special job just now to watch your aunt's cottage." + +Since Kendrick had seen him last the "Iron Man" had grown a little +moustache, a weird affair of reddish bristles which a scar on his lip +compelled to lean mostly in one direction with a windswept appearance. +It looked like an old toothbrush which has had desperate adventures in +an overpacked travelling bag. This hirsute anomaly Mr. McCorquodale +now stroked complacently, enjoying the effect of his surprising speech. + +"The reason I beats it just now," he went on, "is 'cause I thought +'twas Long Jawr, the butler, as was after me. I gotta keep incog with +the servants, see. If I'd 'a' knowed it was you as was chasin' +me--that's different, see." + +Kendrick's questions came in a fusillade. He was more than surprised; +he was vaguely alarmed. Wade had said nothing about having placed one +of the C.L.S. detectives at Sparrow Lake and the knowledge that such a +course had been deemed advisable was disturbing. Why was it necessary +to watch the Waring cottage at this peaceful summer resort? The thing +was ridiculous. + +The detective was ready enough to answer to the best of his ability, +but it was soon evident that his own information was limited. Cranston +had called him in off another job to tell him that the "Old Man" wanted +him for some personal work, and therefore he was excused from +officially reporting for an indefinite period. Mr. Wade merely had +told him to go and take a holiday at Sparrow Lake--camp out and fish; +incidentally, to keep an eye on the cottage which the Warings occupied. +He was to report instantly to the president personally if he noted any +suspicious characters hanging around and to trail the stranger or +strangers without fail. He knew nothing of the reasons for these +instructions. He wished all his assignments were "as big a cinch" as +this one. + +Phil knew that McCorquodale was not concocting a yarn and his face +showed his anxiety. He questioned the detective so closely that that +worthy was moved to protest. + +"Hot tamalies! Y'r auntie aint goin' to get croaked n'r nothin' like +that, kid! Not with me here, lookin' after her. What's eatin' +y'anyways? Everythin's ridin' along Jake, see. An' speakin' of +eatin', s'pose we has a bite. I can give you toast, tea an' a Welsh +rabbit or hot dogs, dill pickles----" + +Phil smiled at his host's efforts to reassure him. Certainly there was +something so quizzically human about the whimsical McCorquodale that in +his presence it was difficult to entertain thought of impending +trouble. But as Phil toasted the bread on the end of a stick his mind +was busy beneath the surface of his camaraderie. He was trying to +recall everything Ben Wade had told him that morning they had ridden on +the back platform of the president's private car and the exact way he +had said it; but there was little which could have any possible bearing +upon the need of posting a man at Sparrow Lake. + +"Wade's got you workin' on that Nickleby dope, aint he?" enquired +McCorquodale after the fire was going beneath the kettle to his +satisfaction. "He had me moochin' around on it fer a while, but +they're a pretty smooth bunch, them fellers, an' I had to quit final." + +"How was that?" asked Kendrick with interest. "Did they catch you at +it?" + +"Catch me?" repeated McCorquodale with an injured air. "Not me, kid! +Y'see, I hires out to that Brady Detective Agency that Nickleby does +business with, thinkin' to get right into the middle o' things--walk +right in through the front door an' pick up whatever I wanted. But the +very first job they puts me on gets me in bad with Brady. They ast me +to trail a kid with a tan satchel from the Alderson Construction +Company's office over to a lawyer's office an' I did; then they turns +around an' says somebody's gone an' swiped what was in the satchel an' +blames me for not lookin' after it. But there wasn't nothin' taken out +o' that there satchel for I was right behind it all the way. Somethin' +damn funny 'bout that." + +"What was in it?--in the satchel?" + +"Oh, just some legal papers o' some kind. Say, d'you like y'r tea +pretty black, Mr. Kendrick?" He got out the dishes and took another +look at the kitchen fire. "Wasn't my fault I had to get off that job. +I'd 'a' hooked them fellers up with this here whisky-runnin' gang up +north as sure as shootin' if I'd had a chanst. They're in it +somewheres. But I didn't get a look-in." + +"What makes you think they're in it? Who do you mean? Nickleby?" + +"Nick don't work straight from the shoulder, Mr. Kendrick; but he's got +a long arm with a lot o' elbows in it." McCorquodale shook his head. +thoughtfully and looked serious. "There was a guy named Weiler hangin' +around--I dunno. It's just one o' them hunches a feller gets now 'n' +then." + +"But a financier with the standing Nickleby has----" + +"Excuse me, but y're startin' off with the wrong foot," corrected +McCorquodale. "Nickleby aint no financier; he's a smooth pebble, +that's all. His standin's faked an' behind it he's layin' low or I +misses my best guess. If he aint a crook I never seen one." + +Phil was silent for a moment. Apparently McCorquodale had not been +informed as to the real contents of that tan satchel he had been +assigned to guard. Wade and Cranston were following that line of +investigation under cover for the time being. But it was likely that +the bootlegging operations had no connection whatever with the missing +money and that the evidence Wade wanted was merely an additional net +with which to close in on this man who had usurped control of the +Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company--misuse of trust funds or +something like that. + +"Listen to me, Cork. I've been thinking out a plan for getting to the +bottom of this law-breaking booze business that we've got a line on, +but I need another man to work it out right, and you're elected." + +"Attaboy!" cried McCorquodale enthusiastically. + +"We can't get busy on it till Mr. Wade gets back from Montreal in a few +days. I'm going to find out what lies back of the instructions you got +to come here and watch our cottage, then ask him to let you join me on +the investigation. I'm going back to town to-morrow, and if anything +happens here in the meantime you're to wire me at once. I can rely on +you?" + +"Say, kid, y'lays a bet on a sure thing when y'lays it on y'r Uncle +Dudley. I aint no Little Fatima fer looks; but I knows it, see. Young +McKilligan bent me bugle in a ten-round go wunst; I gets this here +split whistler the time I licked Kay-O Bergey, an' I's born with this +here wheeze in me pipes, an' with that bum layout I aint buttin' into +no cynthia ortchesstra, believe me. But I knows it, see, an' I got a +kick in each mitt an' I aint never renigged on a pal, Mr. Kendrick, an' +I goes to church reg'lar every damn Sunday, see. Y'r auntie'll be +safer'n if she was at home; fer there aint no danger here o' gettin' +knocked down by street-cars 'n' autermobiles. Now, fer Gawd's sake, +c'm on an' eat." + +"All right," laughed Phil. "Toast's just done. An' while we eat +perhaps you won't mind telling me why you think my uncle's a grafter." + +"Aw, nix, nix! Don't go rubbin' it in, kid!" protested Mr. +McCorquodale hastily. "Y'r lamp's quit smokin', aint it? Ferget it. +Them two guys I was with that night was a couple o' bums as was workin' +fer Nickleby on a job an' I was just stringin' 'm along nice when you +comes buttin' in an' rings down the curtain on me, see. I's workin' +fer Brady then. An' when I says the Honorable Milt has white wings +folded acrost his back I says it sincere, believe me. Him 'n' me went +fishin' together in the same punt last week!" + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +KENDRICK MAKES A TOUCHDOWN + +Phil's first impulse in hurrying back to the city had been to deliver +President Wade's letter to Nathaniel Lawson, and with that introduction +to find out how much Nat Lawson knew about his friend's plans. The +possibility that the financier might be able to throw some light upon +Ben Wade's object in placing McCorquodale on guard at Sparrow Lake at +first seemed sufficient justification for broaching the matter. But on +second thoughts, Phil hesitated; if his chief had not seen fit to +mention it to his own secretary who was most vitally concerned, it was +unlikely that he had said anything to Lawson. In that case Wade might +consider that his secretary had been very indiscreet in volunteering +the facts. By the time he was ringing the doorbell at the Lawson home +next evening, he had decided to say nothing about the matter. + +Beneath the gentle courtesy of Old Nat's welcome Kendrick sensed a +strength of character that commanded deference. The young man liked +him at once. The ready pucker of the crowsfeet about those kind eyes +put him quickly at ease, and as they sat on the "back piazza" that +overlooked an old-fashioned flower garden they were chatting like a +pair of old acquaintances. Horticulture was a hobby with Nat Lawson +and Kendrick's intelligent interest in the subject placed them at once +on a friendly footing. It was a little early yet to see the wonderful +garden at its best, his host explained after they had made a tour of +it; he must come and see it in another month or so, or even in a few +weeks, when the pergola would be smothered in roses. + +Among other things contained in Wade's letter, which Phil had just +delivered, it was evident that his new chief had asked Lawson to post +the bearer in regard to Loan Company affairs, particularly to tell all +he knew about J. C. Nickleby; for of his own accord "Old Nat" began to +talk freely of the past. It was soon apparent that he considered +Nickleby an impostor whose motives were not to be computed by a +self-respecting comptometer. + +"Nickleby is a scamp and I might even qualify the statement, sir, by +addition of the word, 'damnable.' There you have my opinion, sum +total, and one of these new adding machines cannot give it to you more +quickly or accurately." The smile with which he said this faded as he +smoked for a moment in silence and a grim look settled in its place. +He stood up abruptly. "Excuse me a moment while I get a photograph +which will serve to illustrate a little story I'm going to tell you." + +When he returned presently he thrust into Phil's hand the photo of a +young man whose expression was boyishly ingenuous. + +"Nothing dishonest in that face, is there?" demanded Nat Lawson. +"That's Jimmy Stiles. He had to quit school to find work to support +his mother when she was taken sick. He came to me and I gave him his +first job. I found him loyal and trustworthy; but he made one little +slip that I want to tell you about." + +It appeared that the boy had been inveigled into a get-rich-quick +investment which had gone the usual way of such things and left him in +a desperate plight; so that he had been tempted to "borrow" a few +dollars from the Interprovincial without permission. This money he +began putting back secretly every week, bit by bit out of his salary. +He had refunded about half of it when Nickleby discovered the small +shortage in the young bookkeeper's accounts. Instead of reporting the +matter, Nickleby, at that time secretary and office manager, told the +boy he would let him off if it did not occur again and made a great +show of befriending young Stiles. + +But Stiles was so systematically reminded of his obligation to Nickleby +that he worried constantly over what he had done--came to such a keen +realization of his fault that one night he could stand it no longer and +went to the Lawson home. With nerves at the breaking point he +confessed his wrong to both Nathaniel Lawson and his daughter. The +boy's contrition had been so sincere that they both forgave him on the +spot, "Old Nat" patting him on the shoulder and assuring him that +nothing more would be said about it. Stiles said nothing to Nickleby +about this secret confession and for a time he recovered his spirits. + +Then came the change in management. Nickleby's first move was to +dismiss one employee after another until almost the only member of the +old staff left was this young fellow, James Stiles, for whom Nickleby +seemed to have taken a strange fancy. The reason was not long in +doubt; for though the indebtedness long since had been wiped off the +slate the new president began to threaten exposure unless Stiles did +exactly as he was told, even when the instructions were contrary to +honest business ethics. + +"That's the kind of man Mr. Nickleby is," concluded Lawson. "Cristy +and I--my daughter, Cristobel, Kendrick,--have tried to give Mrs. +Stiles financial assistance in the past, she being an honest deserving +woman; but of late we have not been able to do so much. For his +mother's sake I hope Jimmy turns out all right. But there are times +when I wonder if it would not have been better for him had he gone +somewhere out of reach of a man who would take advantage of a mere boy +instead of trying to help him to a fresh start." + +With renewed interest Phil studied the photo in his hand before +returning it. The case of Jimmy Stiles did indeed throw a sidelight +upon the character of Nickleby. By adroit questioning he led the +founder of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company to continue +talking of the institution which represented his life's work and in the +welfare of which his whole soul was wrapped. Once started in these +reminiscences of his early struggles and hopes Nathaniel Lawson proved +himself an interesting talker and the hour was well advanced when +Kendrick finally glanced at his watch and, refusing any suggestion of +refreshments, prepared to go. + +"I'll have the answer to Wade's letter ready for you first thing in the +morning," said Lawson as he shook hands heartily. "I've enjoyed the +evening immensely, Kendrick, and I hope I haven't bored you so much +that you won't come again. You'll be welcome any time." + +Phil left the house with the feeling that he had spent not only a very +pleasant evening, but a profitable one. He had acquired a new +appreciation of "Old Nat" Lawson and, as Wade had predicted, a better +understanding of the situation which would help him in his +investigations. So absorbed was he in reviewing what he had learned +that he had walked several blocks before he became conscious of +somebody following him. What was at first merely a suspicion became a +certainty when he deliberately turned several successive corners only +to find the figure still in the rear. + +The discovery was interesting, though entirely ridiculous. Who could +be interested in his movements? He resolved to throw the fellow off +the track and have a closer look at him. It should not be difficult to +do this in that district of tall hedges. He broke abruptly into a run, +dodged around a corner and dropped over behind the nearest hedge. + +The sound of running steps ceased. But the man evidently was +attempting something to which he was unaccustomed; for on reaching the +corner he stopped, bewildered by the sudden disappearance of his +quarry. He stood there foolishly, staring about uncertainly and +grumbling to himself. + +Kendrick peered out from his hiding-place with some amusement at this +discomfiture. The nearest arc light was too far away for a clear look +at the man; but just as Phil was about to jump the hedge and boldly +demand an explanation the other lighted a cigarette and with a shrug of +the shoulders went his way, leaving Kendrick sitting back on his heels, +racking his memory. + +Revealed in the glow of the match the face had seemed familiar. The +young fellow was a full block away, however, before he recalled the +features. It was James Stiles, the young chap Nat Lawson had just been +telling him about and whose photo he had been studying with much +interest an hour or two ago. + +Over the hedge went Kendrick just in time to see Jimmy Stiles disappear +around a corner. He ran rapidly down the street, keeping to the +boulevard turf, and when he reached the corner he waited until his man +was sufficiently in the lead to avoid discovery, then sauntered along +in the same direction just far enough behind to keep the other in +sight. For Phil's curiosity was now justifiably awake and he +determined to find out where young Stiles went, perhaps overhaul him +and ask him to explain himself. + +With the situation thus reversed they progressed for several blocks +without incident. Jimmy Stiles was stepping out with the briskness of +one who knows exactly where he is going and is in a hurry to get there. +He did not alter his stride for perhaps twenty minutes; but as they +swung down towards Allan Gardens his pace became more leisurely, and +opposite the park itself he abruptly halted, looking this way and that +as if expecting to meet somebody here. In further support of this +interpretation he began to stroll slowly back and forth, occasionally +glancing at his watch. + +Kendrick took up a position in the shadows where he could look on +without danger of observation, and waited patiently. Before long a +young woman approached from a sidestreet. Stiles raised his hat and +the two went into the park and sat down on a bench, where they soon +become lost in earnest conversation. + +"'In the Spring a young man's fancy----'" murmured Phil with a nod of +comprehension; but he did not complete the quotation. There was +nothing lover-like in the actions of the pair on the park bench; in +fact, the young woman appeared to be taking Stiles to task about +something. Did the circumstances justify a closer approach with the +object of overhearing the conversation? + +Kendrick still was debating this delicate problem when he saw two men +slinking cautiously behind the bench from the concealment of the park +shrubbery. Before he could shout a warning they had closed in silently +and swiftly upon the unsuspecting occupants. The girl's cry was +smothered by one assailant and Stiles was struggling desperately with +the other. + +It happened so unexpectedly that Kendrick stood for an instant, held by +his amazement. Then without a sound he sped across the street, vaulted +the iron fence and charged into the middle of the excitement with ready +fists. The man who had Stiles down was nearest and Phil paused long +enough to send him reeling with a well-directed blow on the side of the +head. He leaped the overturned bench, and made for the girl's +attacker, who promptly took to his heels. + +Phil chased him for several rods through the shrubbery before he swung +back toward the bench. But in the brief interval both the other fellow +and young Stiles himself had vanished and he found only the young +woman, calmly dusting her skirt. She stood in a finger of light from +the neighboring arc lamp and Kendrick stopped short, getting back his +breath and staring at her in undisguised astonishment. It seemed as if +she was always to find him staring at her--this cold and haughty and +very pretty stenographer from the office of Blatchford Ferguson! + +"Why, Miss Williams!" he exclaimed, and stepped forward quickly. "Are +you hurt at all?" He righted the bench. "Perhaps you had better sit +down," he urged with polite anxiety. + +"It's Mr. Kendrick, aint it? No, I'm all right." Nevertheless she +seated herself, patting nervously at a disarranged strand of hair. "It +was so kind of you----" + +"Nonsense!" interrupted Phil in deprecation. "I was passing along the +street and luckily happened to glance over at the park just as those +fellows attacked you. How many of them were there?--three?" he asked +innocently. "I wasn't sure which of those two who were fighting I +ought to hit," he laughed. + +"It was a case of purse-snatchin'," she said hastily with a shrug of +unconcern. "They--they were fightin' over it." He had hard work to +maintain the proper expression of polite interest under the direct +appraisal of those grave eyes. "The purse set me back on'y fifty-eight +cents at Eaton's at a Friday sale and it had in it on'y some street-car +tickets, a handkerchief, about thirty-five cents change an'--a nickle's +worth of gum. So, you see, it really aint worth botherin' about." She +smiled faintly as she stood up and held out her hand. "Thanks again, +Mr. Kendrick. I must be toddlin' along." + +But Kendrick was not to be dismissed in this arbitrary fashion. He +insisted upon seeing her safely home and as it was so logically the +thing to do, she accepted his escort with what grace she could. +Throughout the short walk, however, her manner toward him was one of +cold formality, and although Phil was by no means an uninteresting +conversationalist on occasion, his best efforts failed to break down +this reserve. + +Several times he deliberately directed the conversation to afford her +the opportunity of referring to the keyhole incidents only to have her +ignore the opening altogether. It was equally apparent that she had no +intention of mentioning Jimmy Stiles, and he was half inclined to +regret the lead he had given her in this connection. Why had she been +so eager to misrepresent the situation? Why had Stiles disappeared so +suddenly? What was the meaning of the attack by these two ruffians? +Was robbery really the motive, or was she lying about that, too? He +had seen no sign of a purse. Why had she and young Stiles met by +appointment at that late hour and in that particular place? It must be +some very secret matter to require a clandestine meeting. And she had +been scolding Jimmy Stiles--no mistake about that. + +Thus ran the undercurrent of his thoughts as he tried to decide whether +he had better shatter that self-contained keep-your-distance attitude +of hers with plain questions. He would have to right-about-face on the +whole situation to do it, and he was not sure that this was wise just +then. One thing was certain, Miss Margaret Williams was worth studying +very carefully and he could not afford to make any mistakes in his +approach. + +She settled his indecision for him somewhat unexpectedly by stopping +abruptly opposite a row of old brick houses with red sandstone fronts. + +"Here's where I live," she said. "'Night, Mr. Kendrick, an' thanks +awfully." + +Phil raised his hat. Before he could say a word she had left him and +running up the steps, disappeared inside the nearest vestibule. + +For a moment only he hesitated, then went far enough in the walk to +make sure of the house number, jotting it down on the back of an +envelope. A large white card in one of the front windows announced +"Board and Rooms." He went away, determined to return next day and +have a chat with the landlady. Perhaps he might even go so far as to +rent a room from her for a time. + +But when Kendrick called next morning in pursuance of this plan he was +surprised to find that no young woman such as he described lived there. +The landlady proved to be an elderly widow who was quite talkative once +she had satisfied herself that the polite, good-looking young man with +the pleasant smile was not an agent seeking to walk away with some of +her hard-earned dollars. Miss Margaret Williams? No, there was nobody +living there by that name. The only stenographer she had among her +boarders at present was a Miss Turner who worked in the office of a +candy factory, not a lawyer's office at all. And sometimes of a +Saturday she brought home a big box of candy for Sunday, knowing that +Mrs. Parker had such a sweet tooth, and she was such an obliging girl, +was Miss Turner, and getting along so well at the office, she was. +Only the other night she had made the remark---- + +Phil got away at last. He was not interested in the fortunes of Miss +Turner or the gossip of Mrs. Parker's boarding-house. He was too +supremely interested in the strange actions of the mysterious Miss +Williams. Darn the girl anyway! She deliberately had run inside the +first boarding-house they had come to, stopping calmly in the vestibule +until he had gone his way, when she probably had come out again and +gone home without an escort. Or perhaps she had met Stiles again. Or +perhaps---- + +"What d'you know about it?" he muttered as he sat down on a boulevard +railing and mopped his forehead in disgust. + +Well, if this girl sought to avoid him she was going the wrong way +about it. You bet he would make it his business now to find out +exactly what was what; also what her friend, Jimmy Stiles, was up to. +People here in Toronto didn't go around following other people and +being set upon in the public parks--not ordinarily. The more he +thought it over the more certain he became that their actions were +linked up somehow with his own investigations. Why not? The girl had +spied upon Podmore, who was in league with Nickleby; she had dealings +with Jimmy Stiles who, according to Nathaniel Lawson, was very much +under Nickleby's thumb. There was enough Nickleby mixed up in it for +all sorts of possibilities. He wondered what Podmore knew about her. + +There was the next move for him to make--go and see Podmore and find +out. He got to his feet at once and started for the nearest street-car +line. He ought to be able to catch Podmore just finishing a late +breakfast at the Queen's. + +"Sorry, sir, but Mr. Podmore checked out last night," the clerk +informed him when at last he reached the hotel. + +"Checked out?" echoed Phil in surprise. "Last night, you say? Did he +leave any message for me?" + +"No, sir." + +"And you don't know where he went, eh?" + +"I'm sorry, sir; but he didn't say. I believe the porter took some +baggage for him over to the Union Station; so he's evidently gone out +of town." + +Kendrick walked off slowly. It was not hard to guess whither the +time-serving Mr. Podmore was bound. He was running true to form and +Phil grinned as he thought of the surprise that lay awaiting in the +hollow stump beside the tank at the Thorlakson siding. It would be +worth something to see the expression on Podmore's face when he opened +that fake envelope of Wade's with its bogus bills. + +Well, he could eliminate Podmore for the present. What now? Had he +better go down to Ferguson's office and boldly demand from the haughty +Miss Williams answers to a few pointed questions, or had he better +locate Stiles first and choke the truth out of him? He glanced at his +watch. Nat Lawson would be expecting him to call for that letter to +Wade and he decided to go there first. After that he would be free to +follow his own investigations in his own way. + +Nathaniel Lawson was at work in the garden, but went into the house at +once for the letter and insisted on Phil going inside for a cigar. + +"Now you sit down in that big chair there, Kendrick. I'm the +celebrated inventor of a new phosphate drink that ought to hit the spot +on a morning like this. Trouble nothing, sir! I was just on the point +of mixing one for myself. Make yourself at home, my boy. I won't be +long." + +Kendrick lounged gratefully in the comfortable leather chair. He had +not realized just how hot it was outside until he found himself thus +ensconced in the cool interior of what his host had called "the den." +A good old scout, Nat Lawson. + +Phil had decided it was best to say nothing of his previous evening's +experiences, but he had asked where young Jimmy Stiles was working now +and learned that the bookkeeper was with the Alderson Construction +Company. It was one of Nickleby's "mushroom" concerns and apparently +Nathaniel Lawson did not have much respect for any side-line enterprise +in which Mr. Nickleby was interested. Phil smiled as he jotted down +the address. Nobody who had heard the Lawson side of the situation +could blame him for that attitude. + +So Stiles worked for the Alderson Construction Company, eh?--the +concern that was mixed up in that campaign fund contribution that had +been stolen. Question: Had Jimmy Stiles been forced by Nickleby +to----? No, that was not tenable because Nickleby would not be trying +to steal from himself. Well, he'd soon get the hang of things when he +went to see Stiles. It was going to be an interesting little pow-wow +with that young man. + +Kendrick idly watched the smoke from his cigar sail towards the long +box of geraniums on the sill of the open window. He whistled to the +canary that swung in a brass cage above the foliage. Then his glance +wandered about the room, over the bookcases, the bric-a-brac on the +mantel, the---- + +He sat up in his chair rather suddenly. He stood up and hastily +crossed the room for a closer look at a large, attractive photo which +hung above the mantel in a silver frame--the photo of a beautiful young +woman in a summer dress. The face was unmistakable. He was gazing at +the photo of the stenographer in Blatch Ferguson's office--the girl who +had listened at the keyhole, who had met Stiles in the park last night +and had been attacked by the two strangers, who had taken so much +trouble to get rid of her escort by the ruse of the boarding-house! +The elaborate coiffure was missing; but those beautiful classic +features were the same. + +He turned as Lawson entered the room, stepping slowly and carefully, +with a tray and two goblets which tinkled with ice. + +"I was just admiring that photo in the silver frame, Mr. Lawson. It is +a remarkably fine piece of photography. The tones are wonderful. +Would you consider it rude if I asked who the young lady is?" + +Nat Lawson slowly deposited the tray and chuckled to himself. +Unconsciously he raised his head proudly. + +"That is my daughter, sir,--my daughter, Cristy. I'm sorry that just +now she is not at home." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +AND CONVERTS A GOAL + +Phil Kendrick sipped his drink with what he flattered himself was a +fine show of unconcern. He even smacked his lips and complimented Mr. +Lawson upon the tang of that phosphate mixture he had invented; for it +was indeed of fine flavor, quite a delightful beverage. + +"I believe you mentioned last night that Miss Lawson had gone in for +some kind of newspaper work--was on the staff of the _Recorder_, if I +remember rightly," said Phil with an air of one who makes conversation +for the sake of politeness. "I know the sporting editor of that paper +and I have heard McAllister spoken of as one of the livest and most +conscientious editors in the country. His staff swears by him. +Is--er--Miss Lawson still with the _Recorder_?" + +She was. And very fond of her work. She had been inclined towards +literary matters almost since she was old enough to read. She wrote +her first verses when she was ten, although if she knew that her dad +was giving that away she would box his ears, and Nathaniel Lawson +laughed to himself reminiscently. + +Two things were plain to Kendrick as he listened with interest to Old +Nat's homily upon the caprices of the eternal feminine--that this +high-spirited motherless girl and her father were very close to each +other and, paradoxically, that he knew nothing of her present +masquerade as a stenographer in Ferguson's office. For masquerade it +evidently was, and Kendrick's mind raced along new channels of +speculation which this realization opened up. + +He was eager to get away and at the risk of discourtesy he emptied his +glass rather hurriedly, refused a second one, refused an invitation to +stay to lunch, and once outside the grounds fled in untoward haste. + +He went up the stairs at the _Recorder_ building two steps at a time +and found himself at last in the little cubbyhole where Chic White sat, +surrounded by walls that were papered with half-tone pictures of +pugilists, baseball and football stars, and other athletic celebrities. +Phil was rather amused to note his own picture in football togs among +the rest. It served to open a desultory conversation which had no +bearing at all upon the object of his visit. It was some minutes +before he finally veered to the subject of women in athletics and from +that to women in newspaper work and from that again to the women +members of the _Recorder's_ staff. In response to his somewhat too +casual enquiry concerning Miss Lawson, Chic sat back and grinned +provokingly. + +"Sure Mike! She's on the staff," he admitted after indulging in that +disgusting habit of his, an extra-dry spit. "She does special +assignments for McAllister. Fact is, she's out of town now on one of +'em." + +He eyed Kendrick shrewdly. + +"Some doll, eh? But you aint got a look-in, Ken. Why say, boy, there +aint a guy on this rag that wouldn't walk up a church aisle with Cris +Lawson any old time she passed the high sign. She's got 'em all +buffaloed. But they say she 'n' the Boss understand each other pretty +well. Anyway she's sportin' a solitaire," and again White grinned and +spat deliberately. + +Phil got out as fast as he could. He was in a strange state of +exhilaration at his discovery which not all the gossip of a hundred +newspaper offices nor all the solitaire diamond rings that ever were +could have dampened just then. + +He hastened now to the office of Blatchford Ferguson over at the +Brokers' Bank Building, buttonholed Conway and informed him that he had +an important message for Miss Williams which he must deliver in person +at once. Only to have Conway shake his head. Miss Williams was not +there any more--had handed in her resignation last night. + +"Rather sudden, wasn't it?" + +"I should say so! We all knew she was here only temporarily, but she +certainly left rather suddenly. Young Roy over there was awfully stuck +on her; he hasn't been fit to live with all day." + +"Do you know where I could catch her now? Did she leave any address?" + +"Why no, she didn't," replied Conway. "I believe she expected to be +married soon to a chap in Buffalo and I rather think that's where she +went." + +Kendrick bit his lip for a moment, considering. Then he asked for the +telephone directory, thought better of it and decided to call at the +office of the Alderson Construction Company unheralded. The young man +who came to the counter was Jimmy Stiles himself, Kendrick surmised; +but he merely asked to see Mr. James Stiles. + +"That's my name," said the bookkeeper, casting a glance of quick +suspicion at the caller. + +"Glad to know you, Mr. Stiles," smiled Kendrick, holding out his hand, +and he passed his card, dropping his voice to a more confidential tone. +"I wonder if you'll do me the honor to take lunch with me in an hour's +time, or if that's not convenient----?" + +"Why? What do you want?" Stiles' face paled slightly, Kendrick +thought. He glanced over his shoulder rather nervously, too, as if +fearful of surveillance. "I--You are a stranger to me, sir. I do not +see why--that is, do not know what----" Plainly he was embarrassed by +the invitation. + +"I want to talk to you on several important matters of considerable +interest to yourself. I have some questions to ask you concerning Miss +Cristy Lawson," said Kendrick directly. + +"Oh, you have? How d'you know I got answers to them?" There was no +question about the pallor of young Stiles now. "She aint nothin' in my +young life an' I don't know 's I got the time." + +"Listen here, Stiles," said Kendrick sharply. "I'd advise you to meet +me as I suggest--in your own interests, let us say. I happen to know a +few things which must be cleared up at once and only you can do it. +Understand? You don't want me to start something and--well, spill the +beans? Do you?" + +"Wh--what--er--beans?" stammered Stiles, plainly frightened. + +"I'm not talking about Boston baked anyway," smiled Phil. "You won't +get hurt if you play fair with me." He frowned. "I guess you know +what I'm referring to. Will you take lunch with me and talk it over +pleasantly or do you want me to go and see--Nickleby? + +"Well, we aint buyin' no more stationery just now, sir. Call again +some time. Perhaps later on we may be needin' somethin'." + +"Oh, very well then," nodded Kendrick easily, at once sensing the +effort of a clerk to overhear the conversation--a man who had sauntered +over to the counter and was making pretense of examining a directory +within earshot of the two. "Our carbon paper is exceptionally fine. +If I call some day about--shall we say twelve-thirty?" + +"Yes, that hour will be O.K., sir," he said aloud. "Thanks. Meet me +at the corner," he added in a whisper. + +So Jimmy Stiles was being watched in that office, thought Phil as he +went down in the elevator. What for? Who by? A couple more questions +to add to his collection. Well, they'd go over to the Island residence +for their lunch where they would be undisturbed. He had telephoned +already to Mrs. Parlby to serve luncheon for two, and dropped into the +National Club to fill in the interval till twelve-thirty. + +Sharp on time Stiles put in an appearance at the appointed place, but +he demurred upon learning where Kendrick was proposing to take him. + +"Gee Whiz! I got to get back to the office inside an hour," he +objected. + +"I'll promise to get you back on time," assured Phil. "The launch is +moored down at the Canoe Club and she can do forty-five under pressure." + +In spite of Kendrick's efforts at conversation on the way over, it was +plain that his guest was ill at ease; but it was not until they were +comfortably seated in the library that he undertook to relieve the +bookkeeper's anxiety to know what was in his mind. + +"I think perhaps your appetite will be improved, Jimmy, if we talk +before we eat," smiled Phil. He offered his cigarette-case. "There is +no reason why you and I should not be good friends." + +Having first satisfied himself that there was no doubt whatever of +young Stiles' loyalty to Nathaniel Lawson, he proceeded to recount +briefly the events which had led up to his discovery of the real +identity of Miss Margaret Williams. The extent of Kendrick's evident +knowledge startled Stiles, if his nervousness was any criterion. + +"Miss Lawson was masquerading in Ferguson's office for some reason. I +caught her listening at the keyhole while Podmore was interviewing +Ferguson day before yesterday. You might begin by explaining why she +should report all this to you, Stiles, and why you tried to follow me +last night after I left Mr. Lawson. I know that Miss Lawson is a +valued member of the _Recorder_ staff. Now, what about it?" + +"She's doin' some special stunt for the paper," Stiles nodded after a +little hesitation. "We've been good friends for quite a while, but +there aint no reason why she should tell me all she knows, is there? +She came to me yesterday an' asked me to keep an eye on your movements +for a bit. She said you were workin' with Podmore an' that you an' him +had swiped some envelope from Mr. Wade, the railroad president, and +hidden it." + +"That's what comes of listening at keyholes. Go on." + +"That's all, Mr. Kendrick. She was kind of worried over you callin' on +her father an' give me Hail Columbia for losin' sight of you last night +after she'd gone to the trouble of pointin' you out to me. But I aint +no dime novel detective!" + +"Why should she be interested in my movements?" + +"Search me!" + +"Why did those two fellows jump on you last night? Don't say they were +after your watch. Tell me the truth." + +"Well, you seen how they was watchin' me at the office to-day, didn't +you? I've been watched like that ever since----" Stiles stopped short +in some confusion. + +"Ever since the theft of the satchel containing fifty thousand +dollars," prompted Kendrick. "I know all about that. It's all right. +Go on." + +But for a moment Stiles was stricken dumb by this cool speech. + +"Who told you about that?" he demanded in a scared tone. "Say, how'd +it be if you told me what's your side in this little gab-fest? Who you +workin' for? Police? Nickleby? Say, you aint crazy enough to think I +had anything to do with the disappearance of that bunch of coin, are +you?" + +"Hardly," smiled Phil. He handed over Benjamin Wade's letter of +introduction, "to whom it may concern." The change which perusal of +these credentials wrought in Jimmy Stiles was at once noticeable. He +relaxed in his chair with a breath of relief and laughed. + +"Why didn't you say in the first place you were Wade's private +secretary?" he protested. "Gee whiz! Now I know where I'm at--if it's +true," he added suspiciously, suddenly sitting erect again. "Miss +Lawson said she heard Podmore tell Ferguson you hid that envelope for +him in a stump up in the bush near some watertank or other after he'd +pinched it from Mr. Wade's private car, and that you two fellows were +friends an' had both got fired by Wade because you wouldn't tell where +the envelope was." + +"It isn't wise to believe everything one hears, Jimmy,--through +key-holes," advised Kendrick. "That's all a bluff. It was Mr. Wade's +idea that by pretending to be friendly toward Podmore I might get a +line on something. We framed up the whole thing on Podmore." + +"But the envelope really was swiped an' hid in the stump, wasn't it?" + +"Yes, I left it there at Mr. Wade's suggestion." + +"With all that money in it?" + +"The bills were bogus--just stage money." + +"What!" cried Stiles in excitement. "Gee-whilikins! Is that right, +Mr. Kendrick?" His mouth opened in what seemed to be fear as well as +astonishment. "But of course it's right. That's what he wanted me to +get that duplicate envelope for. Gosh! why didn't we think of that +last night?" + +He got up and took a turn across the room and back in his agitation. + +"You surely didn't expect--?" began Kendrick in considerable surprise. + +"We haven't known what to expect," interrupted Stiles anxiously. +"Anything--everything!--with fifty thousand dollars of election money +kicking around loose. Why, Miss Lawson's been on the trail of this +campaign fund contribution ever since that night when--that is to +say----" For a second time Jimmy Stiles paused uncertainly. + +Kendrick had a flash of inspiration. He sprang to his feet, reaching +excitedly into his pocket. + +"Has Miss Lawson ever owned a pin like this? Is this her's?" and he +unfolded the dollar bill and held out the blouse pin for inspection. + +"Sure, that's her's. She told me she lost one from her best +hand-painted set in your canoe that night." + +Kendrick sat down in the nearest chair and laughed as if Stiles had +said something which was exceedingly witty. The outburst was so +spontaneous and unaccountable that the bookkeeper stared at him. He +could not know that Phil would laugh with equal abandon just then if +somebody were to inform him that the real reason a hen crosses the road +is to get to the other side. + +"She seems to have taken you pretty well into her confidence, Jimmy. +Perhaps you can tell me who her escort was that night of the fog--a Joe +Somebody." + +"Oh, that was me. I paddled her across the bay that night. We agreed +to call each other by fake names in case anybody heard us talking. +When she got into your canoe by mistake I was only about ten yards +away, but I was scared to move. I knew she could take care of herself." + +Again Phil laughed. But Stiles was growing impatient and his worried +look returned. + +"Say, never mind all that, Mr. Kendrick, please. We've got to do +something about this other thing right away quick. Nickleby's been +havin' Podmore watched an' he had a seance yesterday afternoon with the +fellow that's doing it. There's liable to be others setting out with +the same idea she had----" + +"What do you mean?" demanded Kendrick, seriously. + +"Miss Lawson took the train west last night to get that darn envelope +you hid in the stump in the woods----" + +"Good heavens!" + +"I told her she oughtn't to try it," went on Stiles earnestly. "She's +liable to run into all sorts of trouble. But she wouldn't listen to me +for a minute. She aint scared of anything, Miss Lawson aint, an' she +thinks it's real money she's rescuing all by her lonesome." + +"You don't mean to say she went all _alone_?" asked Phil in dismay. + +"That's just it. She wouldn't have it any other way." + +They gazed at each other with sober faces. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +WHAT HAPPENED ON THE WINNIPEG EXPRESS + +Thirty-six hours later Kendrick, aboard the Winnipeg Express, was +rushing westward through the night. His watch told him that the hour +was near midnight and in the open timetable beside him he was tracing +the train's progress. Outside in the dark the great scenic sweep of +northern wilderness was fleeing behind, mile on mile. He figured that +they were within half an hour's run of the Thorlakson siding. The girl +had many hours the start of him and no doubt he would find her safe and +sound at the section shanty with Mrs. Thorlakson. The fast passenger +train did not stop often in this part of the country; but he had +persuaded the conductor to slow down so that he could jump for it. + +He had taken a compartment in the observation car, but at the moment +was lounging in a corner of the open reading room which at that late +hour presented a vista of empty chairs and discarded magazines in their +leather folders. The porter was nowhere about. One by one the other +passengers had sought their berths, leaving Phil in solitary +possession. He sat staring out the wide window at the racing double of +the lighted coach, deep in thought. + +Ordinarily the thing to have done was to head her off from this +wild-goose chase by reporting the matter to her father or by having her +editor wire her on board train to return at once. But Stiles had +pleaded earnestly that the girl's activities be kept a secret because +there was much at stake which did not appear upon the surface. Miss +Lawson was anxious particularly that her father did not learn of her +present assignment until the task was completed as he would have +worried unnecessarily, perhaps have interfered. + +What that task was Kendrick had been unable to learn. Either the +bookkeeper could not or would not tell him and Phil had been in too +great a hurry to get into action to waste time in futile talk. The +motive which actuated her must be a strong one to drive her into the +hazards of foggy nights, office espionage and actual danger. He could +well credit Stiles' assurance that Miss Lawson was not afraid of +anything; her calmness after the trying experience in the park was +evidence of that. + +But the fact of her foolhardy trip into the Algoma wilderness was the +main issue to meet just now, and with so much secrecy seemingly +desirable Phil had decided that the best thing to do was to go after +her himself, follow her, overtake her, protect her if need be. Her +paper might or might not know where she had gone and why; but he would +say nothing to anybody. If Miss Lawson had some secret, cherished +plans her pluck in attempting to carry them out entitled her to some +consideration, and she would be grateful for his discretion. + +He had need of all the finesse which he could command if he hoped to +win a place in her confidence. He could not afford to throw away a +single card. As the mysterious lady of the fog she had called him a +"fresh Aleck," thanks to his idiotic blundering; but even before that +she had chosen for some reason to exert her woman's prerogative and had +informed him quite plainly that she did not desire his acquaintance. +That ought to have been enough! Then as Miss Margaret Williams she +naturally would visit upon him her resentment at being surprised in her +eavesdropping; the very stigma of the position in which she found +herself before him could be relied upon to add fuel to her dislike, if +it were not already sufficiently ablaze because she was beholden to him +for his silence in regard to the matter. In the role of Ferguson's +stenographer she had told him a second time that she did not wish to +know him. Why, she actually disliked him so much that even after his +timely arrival in the park had placed her under the obligation of +common civility towards him--even after that it had been impossible for +her to endure his forced escort a moment longer than it could be +avoided! + +And finally, there was that solitaire ring on her engagement finger. +It did not matter much whether she were engaged to somebody in Buffalo +or to McAllister, editor-in-chief of the _Recorder_. She could marry +whom she pleased. He wasn't in love with her. That sort of thing was +all rot! It was just that he hated anybody to think ill of him, to +dislike him as much as apparently she did. He wanted to apologize +for--well, for anything she might want him to apologize for. He wanted +her to tell him why she did not wish to number him among her friends. +He wanted to be her friend; that was it--Platonic friendship! She was +the first girl he had ever fancied he might like to go and talk to once +in a while. Just for the pleasure of--well, chumming with her. It +wasn't a good thing for a fellow who had no sister not to have a girl +chum. She was--oh, what a peacherino of a girl she was! + +He smiled wistfully as he conjured a mental picture of her. Once more +he took out the dollar bill, unfolded it and studied the dainty +hand-painted pin and when he restored it carefully to its place in his +pocket-book he breathed deeply and his eyes shone. Which, of course, +is the way of things Platonic! + +What a deuce of a mix everything had been getting into this last little +while back! It was as bad as one of those mystery yarns in the +magazines with something happening on every page! He recalled with a +smile a heated argument which the fellows had got into on one of the +Varsity Areopagus Club nights, when Billy Thorpe had contended that +strange adventures were really occurring daily and nightly under the +multitudinous noses of the modern, work-a-day world. It was impossible +to be a student of history, argued he, without recognizing upon what +slender threads of hazard great issues often had dangled, or a reader +of the newspapers without admitting that mighty queer things were +creeping constantly into the experience of some men. It wasn't +necessary to seek these in the distorted perspectives of the criminal +underworld or the political intrigues of Continental Europe, for +ordinary people were just as liable to have adventures. The trouble +with most folks nowadays was that they had been trotting the +thoroughfares of every-day commonplaces so long they had got dust in +their eyes till they couldn't see the bridle-paths of the Unusual, but +that didn't prove that Romance wasn't doing business at the same old +stand. + +And they all had laughed at Thorpe's bombastic figures of speech and +told him to go and talk to a credulous elevator boy somewhere, and +asked him if he had the girl aboard the lugger yet and Professor +Peabody had wanted to know seriously if he had found any traces of +pre-Shakespearian drama in East Lynne! + +But by the shade of Sheherazade! Thorpe had been right and Phil hadn't +dared to tell him what had happened in the fog. "Bridle paths of the +Unusual" with a vengeance! He'd soon have all the ingredients to write +one of those wild yarns himself! He couldn't ask for a more beautiful +or accomplished heroine than Cristy, or a more interesting place to +start the love story than in a dense fog at three a.m. Then there was +this fifty thousand dollars vanishing so mysteriously and Podmore--with +a little polishing he would work up into a first-class villain; as he +stood he was a joke and it was impossible to imagine him even risking a +punch on the nose to capture the girl. Nickleby might be better for +the real dirty work--or Rives. + +"Sixty Buckets of Blood or The Hobo's Revenge!" Phil smiled to himself. + +In case Wade got back to Toronto before his new secretary's return from +this jaunt Kendrick had enclosed a note with the letter from Nat +Lawson, telling the railroad president where he had gone and why. + +It was well that he had. For rapid events were to intervene and the +first of these happened within the next five minutes. He was slumped +down in his chair, which he had wheeled about so that he could rest his +feet comfortably on the window-sill, and beneath his wandering thoughts +he was only dreamily conscious of cinders clinking in the lamp funnels +and the low monotone of the rushing train. The woman, therefore, had +run past him and had reached the end of the car almost before he was +aware that he was no longer alone. + +He sat up and stared after her. She wore a tight-fitting woolen +sweater with a Paddy green tam to match and clutched a silver-meshed +reticule in one hand. He could not see her face, for she did not turn +around but quickly opened the door and went out onto the brass-railed +platform beneath which the track was flowing back into the darkness. + +In her hasty movements was a certain definiteness of purpose which did +not escape the puzzled Kendrick. Then he saw that she was tugging to +lift the trap in the platform which would uncover the steps on one +side. She had swung this into place and was hanging to the bottom +step, with the evident intention of leaping from the train, before Phil +found his voice. + +"Hey!" he shouted, springing forward. "Don't do that!" + +She gave him one startled look, and before he could reach her, let go +without a word. + +A few seconds elapsed while the dumfounded young man peered into the +black void that had swallowed her. Then he too swung down the steps, +poised his body as far forward towards the engine as possible and with +a quick push backward--jumped. + +For the face which had looked up at him and on which the light had +shone distinctly for an instant was the frightened face of Miss Cristy +Lawson! + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +RAPPROCHEMENT + +The train roared away into the night on its long trail to the West, the +noise of it lessening to a rumble off among the never-ending waste of +trees and rock ridges. Gradually the little night birds recovered from +their fright and their plaintive chorus resumed among the swamp grasses +and underbrush. + +Kendrick had landed luckily and except for the shaking up and a few +bruises he was little the worse for his tumble. Still sitting where he +had plowed up the ballasting, he rubbed his arm tenderly and tried to +penetrate the gloom, his eyes not yet accustomed to the starlight after +the bright interior of the observation car. With his suitcase receding +at the rate of thirty miles an hour this was going to be a fine pickle +as a result of his haste! They were miles from Nowhere, he knew, but +that did not worry him much; he was used to walking--had walked that +very piece of track with the Rutland party not so long ago. However, +there was the girl---- + +He scrambled to his feet, put his hands on either side of his mouth and +shouted. The unexpected loudness of the call startled him a little; it +went echoing around and in the dead solitude of the low-lying hills +seemed to carry for miles. But although he listened intently there was +no answer other than the echo which soon drifted far away and got lost +somewhere. The silence returned like a heavy blanket; even the little +birds listened in fear. + +He called again. Again there was the echo; then the heavy silence. + +"Funny," grumbled Phil. "She's either mighty badly hurt or she's +deliberately hiding on me. Where are you, Miss Wil----Miss Lawson, I +mean?" he shouted. + +"--awson, I mean--mean," mocked the double echo. The bellow flung away +to distant cadences which settled softly into the night mysteries. + +There was dankness in the air and the smell of skunk cabbage from a +short stretch of swamp and brule directly opposite. Through the velvet +gloom the fire-flies trailed. Rocky ridges were scattered around in +the background and high on the right was a huge rounded pile of rock +with a few white-stemmed birches clinging to it for all the world like +thinning gray hairs on an almost-bald head. It was too dark to see the +birches clearly, but the ex-chainman for the Rutland survey party knew +they were there and how they looked; he had seen hundreds of such +growths. Behind the big rock formation probably there was a lake. + +Kendrick snatched up some pebbles and hurled them into the underbrush +in anger at those pesky little birds with their mournful monotony of +note. He knew she could not be far away and started down the track +slowly, scrutinizing the ground on each side. He found her at last, +lying very still among the bog reeds. + +Gently he lifted her out onto the dry sandy ballast, greatly alarmed at +her unconsciousness, and went in search of water. He located a tiny +pool just off the right-of-way and realized for the first time that he +was hatless. Hastily he sat down and removing one of his boots, dipped +it in the water and came hobbling back with it as fast as he could go +in an attempt to reach her before it had leaked out. He was so intent +upon this that he was quite close before he realized that she was +sitting up. She greeted him with an exclamation. + +"Good!" cried Phil with satisfaction. "That's the stuff!" He sat down +on the end of a sleeper embedded in the sand, and peered at her +anxiously; but the light was rather uncertain and he was glad to note +that eastward the tree-tops blackened against a silvering sky. The +arrival of the moon would help a lot. "How badly hurt are you, Miss +Lawson? Do you know that people have got killed, jumping from trains?" +he reproved. + +"Then whatever possessed you to do it?" she retorted. "I am not dense +enough to believe it is just coincidence that you are here. You had no +business to follow me, Mr. Kendrick, and I resent it very much." + +"At least credit me with a sincere desire to be of service to you, Miss +Lawson," said Phil, with a half humorous touch of opprobrium in his +tone. + +"Are you in the habit of changing people's names to suit the dictates +of your own disordered fancy?" she demanded sarcastically. "I should +think you would find that very confusing." + +"I do--sometimes, Miss Williams-Lawson." + +"In these days of neurasthenia it is indeed refreshing to meet one of +such healthy nerve as you appear to possess," she said icily. "Since +you have chosen to play the bell-boy in this large country hotel in +which we find ourselves, I shall assume that I am now in my room and +that you have received your tip. In other words, that will be all, +_garcon_. I shall be able to manage very nicely, thank you. You may +go! I really mean that!" + +"I hope you will not find it too drafty with the window open so wide," +ventured Phil, standing up at once and bowing elaborately. "You will +find water just over the fence there and the passenger trains go by +twice a day with a supply of clean linen. I am sorry that I cannot +turn out the fireflies for you, but it is the strict rule for them to +burn all night. You may find some rather ambitious bugs in the ballast +of the road-bed; they belong to the order _Hemiptera_, and have beaked +or sucking mouths. For downright earnestness of purpose, however, I +would recommend the mosquitoes which will have the number of your room +shortly. If the growling of the bears in the woods disturbs you, all +you have to do is to light a fire in the very open grate." + +"Are you trying to frighten me, Mr. Kendrick?" + +"Sorry I can't ask you to ring if you want anything," Phil pursued with +exaggerated politeness, "but this is a pretty large hotel, as you said, +and I shall be about five miles away--at the Thorlakson siding where +breakfast is served at five-thirty. Good-night, madam." + +"Pardon my presumption for making the suggestion, Mr. Kendrick," she +said sweetly as he bowed a second time and was turning away, "but with +a five-mile walk ahead of you, don't you think it would be advisable +to--put on your other boot?" + +The moon, which had floated free of the tree-tops, was bathing their +faces and for an instant they gazed at each other with ponderous +gravity. Suddenly Phil sat down again and they joined in a peal of +laughter. + +The echo of it was still knocking for admittance among the hills when a +strange wild laugh floated unexpectedly abroad from a point off to the +right. Involuntarily the girl shrank closer to him. + +"For pity's sake!" she gasped. "What was that?" + +"Just a loon on the lake over there--a harmless goose of a thing," and +Phil grinned at her reassuringly as he laced his boot. "But he isn't +as crazy as his laugh. That's just his way of singing 'I Hear You +Calling Me.'" + +"Then give me John McCormack." He smiled as he caught her +surreptitiously opening the silver-meshed reticule and powdering her +nose, but pretended that he had not seen this bit of feminine +incongruity. "My, how still everything is!" she said a moment later in +a subdued voice as she swept a glance around at the silver landscape +and up at the stars, fixed and dim in the infinite leagues of distance. +"It would be possible to go crazy here very quickly, I suppose." + +"You'd soon get used to the quiet; then the racket of the city would +drive you crazy. Say, speaking of wild geese, Miss Lawson, reminds me +that as soon as I learned where you had gone and what for, I followed +you to tell you that this is a wild-goose chase you're on. That +envelope contains a package of stage money. It's just a dummy, +prepared by Mr. Wade to duplicate the one stolen not long ago from the +Alderson Construction Company. Object: to fool that fellow, Podmore. +Before we make any more mistakes, hadn't we better try to understand +each other's position? As a starter I'm going to ask you to read this +letter from the Chief. Wait, I'll scratch a match for you." + +Before this speech was half completed he had Miss Cristy Lawson's +undivided attention. She gazed at him in amazement, and as he shielded +the burning match with glow-reddened fingers her eyes raced eagerly +over the introduction of Mr. Philip Kendrick as the private secretary +of the President of the Canadian Lake Shores Railway with the latter's +full authority to act as his representative. There was no doubting the +authenticity of it. + +To relieve her embarrassment Kendrick hastened to explain in detail. +It was only natural that she should have supposed him to be in league +with Podmore. Had he but known she was on that train he could have +told her everything and have saved her the inconveniences of the +present predicament; but he had supposed her to be already at her +destination. + +She told him how her train had been held up by a freight wreck between +Toronto and North Bay; so that she had missed connections there and had +been forced to wait over for twenty-four hours. + +"Hadn't we better be moving, Miss Lawson?" he suggested. "We'll have +to hoof it to Thorlakson's and it's a good five miles from here. We +can talk as we walk along." + +He took her arm to assist her to her feet, but when she attempted to +stand up she sat down again so suddenly that Kendrick thought she was +going to faint. + +"You are hurt!" he cried in alarm and was down beside her in a trice. + +"Oh, it's nothing--just a turned ankle. It can't be very bad." + +Nevertheless he would not let her stand on it until he had gone back to +the rill to dip in the cold water the sleeve which he tore from his +shirt; with this he bandaged the ankle tightly. As he steadied her to +her feet again he could see that in spite of her attempt to smile the +pain was acute for a moment. She tried the injured foot gingerly and +presently was able to limp without his support. + +"There, you see! It's getting stronger every minute," she laughed. + +"You are a brave girl," he said. + +"You wouldn't say that if you knew how dreadfully frightened I am of +bugs. Are there really any bears in the woods here, Mr. Kendrick?" +She shuddered slightly in spite of herself. + +"Bugbears!" growled Kendrick. "I apologize for that, Miss Lawson. I +should have known better. You're shivering," he cried with concern. + +"Are you cold?" + +"I am a li--ittle chi--illy," she admitted as she put a hand to her +chin to keep her teeth from chattering. + +He grasped her other hand. + +"It's like ice!" he reproached. "Why didn't you tell me? The nights +are cold in these northern latitudes even in summer, and I'm a proper +chump to have allowed you to sit still so long." He clucked his tongue +in self-abasement. "You're chilled right through." + +In spite of her protests he took off his coat, slipped it across her +shoulders and tucked her arms into the sleeves. When he had buttoned +it and turned up the collar he locked arms with her and together they +hopped up the roadbed till they had to stop finally, out of breath with +exertion and laughter. But the exercise was warming and he kept her at +it for another few rods. + +"How's that?" + +"Warm--as toast," she panted. "Oh, what a picture!" + +They had rounded a curve and found themselves unexpectedly opposite a +lake vista that lay steeped in the moonlight. It was from here the +loon had called. There was a chain of little lakes, clustered with +wide openings between. The shores were thickly wooded close down to +the water's edge and the land ran out in long arms that threw inky +shadows in sharp contrast to the panorama of silver water spaces. Out +in the centre was an islet where a great rock, rearing above the +surface, had gathered moss and a few clinging cedars, one of which +stood out in solitary silhouette against the bright sky. The scene was +like some artistic conception in black and white,--high lights and deep +shadows,--and the cold beauty of it held them silent. + +"Isn't that a glorious moon? What a wonderful night it is!" she +breathed. + +"Wonderful!" he agreed, but as he smiled at her he was not referring to +the landscape or the moon. Far be it from him to dispute the wonder of +a night the exigencies of which worked such magic in their +acquaintanceship. He gave her his arm to lean on and they limped off +up the track, each glad of the other's presence in the solitude that +encompassed them. The moon was well up above the rock ridges now, and +its white light was gleaming along the steel rails that stretched +lonesomely away into the miles of spruce and Laurentian outcroppings. + +At her request he began at the beginning and related the happenings of +the past three weeks--at least, he began with his surveying experiences +along this very track. Then he told how he had encountered Podmore and +met the railroad president and about Wade's plan for discovering +certain facts concerning Podmore and Nickleby. He realized how +impossible it was for him to make first mention of what had happened on +that foggy night that he had paddled her across the bay; he was not +supposed to know that she was the girl and the bare thought of +introducing such a dangerous topic filled him with trepidation, so that +he was careful to give it a wide berth. He referred to the pleasant +evening he had spent with her father and the way in which he had found +out that she was both Miss Cristy Lawson and Miss Margaret Williams and +how he had backed Stiles into a corner and questioned him. + +In her turn she told him how she had taken up her newspaper work in the +hope of unearthing, under the guidance of her editor, evidence that +would help to restore her father to his place at the head of the +Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company. McAllister, editor of the +_Recorder_, suspected a political deal in regard to some government +bids and thought that Nickleby and--and some others were mixed up in a +bold attempt at graft. If the _Recorder's_ plans did not miscarry +there would be a sensational exposure one of these days which would +shock the whole country. + +She went on to speak of President Wade, of the Canadian Lake Shores +Railway, in the warmest terms. She had known him all her life as a +close friend of her father and he was a frequent visitor at the Lawson +home. + +She stumbled on a cross-tie and would have fallen but for the strength +of his supporting arm. She winced a little. + +"Here, Miss Lawson, try putting your arm across my back and your hand +on my left shoulder for a while. That's it." + +With a thrill he slipped his arm about her waist, but she smiled up at +him without protest. They made better progress after that. The steel +rails streaked away in the moonlight endlessly before them, endlessly +behind with uncompromising sameness. + +"I suppose I deserve a good scolding for jumping off the train so far +from this Thorlakson place; but the sleeping-car conductor told me the +train would not stop on any account, short of a damaged track, until it +reached--Indian Creek, I think he said it was. My best plan, he said, +was to get off there and ride back to Thorlakson on a handcar. I was +warned not to try any moving-picture stunts; but when I found out we'd +have to slow up on the grade near the siding, I made up my mind to risk +it. So when we slowed up back there, I thought it was the place, and +sneaked to the back platform without being seen by anyone but you." + +Kendrick shook his head at her, marvelling at her nerve and the +foolishness of the whole thing. Not many girls would have dared it. +Lucky for her he had seen her or she might have been in a pretty bad +plight along these lonely reaches of track before any section hands +chanced to find her. He studied her anxiously and decided that it was +best to keep her talking while they trudged along. + +"Will you tell me how you came to be masquerading as Miss Williams?" he +asked. "Or is that something you'd rather not----?" + +"Oh, no," she laughed. "That was Mr. Wade's bright suggestion. You +know, he's been helping me in my work quite a lot. I have had to keep +Daddy in the dark about it for fear he'd put his foot down on the whole +thing; so I made a confidant of Mr. Wade." + +"Then I've got a bone to pick with him," said Phil. "Why in the +dickens didn't he tell me about you being at Ferguson's office when we +were both on the same trail?" + +"It's just like him not to, Mr. Kendrick. Probably he thought your +work and my own would not cross at all and the less either of us knew +about the other the safer it would be. Why, he even refused pointblank +to tell me what he was going to do with that money--the envelope--that +is----" + +He saw that she hesitated as if she had said too much. + +"You mean the fifty thousand dollars, stolen from the Alderson +concern?" asked Phil quickly. "I was going to ask you about that. You +mean that Mr. Wade _really_ has that money? You can trust me, Miss +Lawson. Surely you know that," he urged. "He said he was piecing +together a puzzle of some kind and would tell me all about it soon. +How did he come to have that money?" + +She studied him keenly before she spoke. + +"I gave it to him to take care of," she said slowly. + +"You! And where did you get it?" + +"From Jimmy Stiles." + +"Jim--my Stiles? Great Scott! And where did he get it?" + +"He--stole it." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE TAN SATCHEL ONCE MORE + +She told him about it. He was much cleverer than most people thought, +young Jimmy Stiles, and he was overpoweringly anxious to help the +Lawsons. There was no length to which his loyalty to them would not +carry him. Kendrick nodded, recalling the boy's story as he had heard +it from her father. + +"I had no hesitation in taking Jimmy into my confidence from the +first," said Cristy, "and it has been a big help to have someone +watching Nickleby from the inside. He is a great, little actor, that +boy, and has succeeded in fooling our friend, Nickleby, into the belief +that all he has to do is to snap his fingers and the frightened Jimmy +will perform his bidding without question. Daddy told you about +Stiles' early indiscretion, you said. Well, Jimmy has been pretending +right along that he is afraid of exposure for that, and Nickleby has +felt so sure of him that there have been occasions when he has +permitted Jimmy to see behind the scenes and get a peek at some methods +of doing business that would not stand analysis." + +"Have you tried to get a line on Nickleby's past, Miss Lawson?" asked +Phil with interest. "I understand that he was less than nobody when +your father befriended him, and he may have drifted up here from the +States and have a police record a yard long." + +"We've thought of that. There is nothing in the local police records, +but I believe Mr. Wade is making some quiet investigations in the +States. + +"Well, anyway, to make a long story short, Stiles knew the Alderson +Construction Company was planning to make a substantial contribution to +the Government campaign-fund--J. C. Nickleby, that is; for he really is +the Alderson Construction Company. When Jimmy reported this to me I +thought I saw a good chance to get some sensational illustrations for +the exposure story the _Recorder_ was after if only we could get hold +of the money long enough to photograph it. Jimmy was enthusiastic over +the idea and told me to leave it to him. On thinking it over more +carefully, though, I saw risks attached to the stunt which made it very +unwise, and when I met Jimmy by his own appointment at the Union +Station one night I asked him at once to make no attempt to obtain +possession of the money, even for a short time. + +"But I was too late. He was carrying a suitcase and calmly informed me +that the money was inside. I was badly frightened. If we were caught +with that money in our possession we would be arrested at once as a +pair of ordinary thieves. I had jeopardized my editor's plans that we +had been working out so secretly and regretted the foolishness a +thousand times. Stiles wanted me to take the suitcase then and +there--take it home and do the photographing, then have a messenger +deliver it to Ferguson's office; or, if I preferred to give it back to +him, he'd arrange to get the money to its destination somehow without +anybody being able to trace it. + +"But I was too frightened to decide and it was not long before I felt +that we were being watched. You cannot imagine a more disagreeable +feeling! We strolled around a bit to make sure that we really were +being followed and when we found that the man we suspected was still on +our trail, Jimmy was as badly scared as I was. + +"While we were wondering what we'd better do I suddenly spied President +Wade standing near the door of the big rotunda waiting-room and I had +hard work to keep from calling out. I said good-bye to Jimmy, and +walked over to him with the suitcase, blessing my stars for the good +fortune. His private car was standing down on the track and as soon as +he saw that I was in trouble of some kind he took me down to the car +and I told him the whole story. There was nobody around except +ourselves at the moment and he was not only greatly interested, but +agreed to help me. We lifted out the envelope of money and he placed +this in his safe aboard the car. He would not tell me what he intended +to do with it, except that he promised it should be photographed for me +and that it would be taken care of. He told me to ask no questions, +but just leave everything to him and forget all about it. The less I +knew about it the better, in case I was questioned. + +"He had asked me a short time before if I thought I could obtain a +place as a stenographer or office clerk of some kind in Ferguson's +office for a few weeks and it had been agreed that I would try and, if +I succeeded, I was to sit tight and keep my eyes and ears open. I have +wondered how much of what happened he was half anticipating; he was so +matter-of-fact. He escorted me out to a taxi and I went home while he +sent a porter down to the parcel-room to check the empty suitcase. It +may be there yet for all I know. + +"You see now why I was so worried to learn that an envelope had been +stolen from Mr. Wade's private car by Podmore and hidden up here at +Thorlakson. I naturally jumped to the conclusion that it was the +actual money that had been stolen. I should have known better, because +Mr. Wade had asked me to have Stiles secure for him an envelope from +the construction company's office, similar to the one containing the +money. To tell you the truth, I had forgotten all about this and it +did not occur to me that the envelope in the stump was a decoy. I see +now, though, that Mr. Wade had plans of his own all the time." + +"You're right as to that, Miss Lawson. This game is bigger than we +think," said Kendrick thoughtfully. "One thing we may be sure of, Ben +Wade can be trusted to act wisely. What you've just told me has +interested me tremendously. Will you tell me something more? How +under the sun did Stiles manage to turn the trick--get possession of +that fifty thousand without getting caught?" + +"It was cleverly done," laughed Cristy, "but like most clever things of +that kind, it was as simple as A. B. C. Jimmy laid his plans carefully +and the chief danger to threaten his success was that he would not be +selected as the messenger between his own office and Ferguson's. He +knew that the chances were he would be watched all the way by a +detective; so he planned to make his substitution before leaving the +building in which the Alderson company has its office. + +"He had been keeping a close watch on Podmore for some days, for he did +not trust him and felt sure that he would not hesitate to play false to +Nickleby and Alderson whom he had been cultivating so carefully of +late. Jimmy is shrewd. His patience was rewarded one day by the sight +of Podmore in a leather-goods store around the corner, purchasing two +satchels which were identical in size, shape and color. Stiles had the +clerk lay aside a third satchel which was the mate of the two Podmore +had just bought. When one of the satchels was delivered at the office +from Podmore, Jimmy knew he had guessed right. Just how Podmore was +proposing to change the satchels worried Jimmy quite a bit until he +began to suspect a new arrival in town by the name of Clayton. He +found out that Podmore and this Clayton were meeting in Podmore's room +at different times, but ignoring each other as utter strangers in the +hotel rotunda. Then when Clayton turned up quite casually at All +Saints' Mission--the church Jimmy attends, you know--and began to +ingratiate himself, Stiles thought he saw daylight. It turned out that +he was right, too, in suspecting that Clayton was Podmore's accomplice. + +"It fitted in fine with Jimmy's own plan. When he came out of the +office with that tan satchel, which contained the money, his kid +brother--Bertie--was sitting on the bottom step of the stairway on the +same floor, watching the door. As soon as he saw Jimmy come out, the +kid ran upstairs to the next floor, picked up the satchel Jimmy had +bought and in which he had placed some old newspapers, and took the +elevator down. Jimmy got into the same elevator and they transferred +the satchels going down to the street. So, you see, when Stiles walked +out onto the street he was carrying the satchel that had the old +newspapers inside, while young Bertie just stayed in the elevator, went +up a few floors and calmly walked down the back stairs and so on home +where he chucked satchel, fifty thousand dollars and all, under Jimmy's +bed." + +"By George!" chuckled Kendrick. + +"Jimmy was able to laugh up his sleeve all the way through. I told you +he was clever. Sure enough, he found Clayton lying in wait for him at +the Jessup Grill which Stiles would have to pass. He almost laughed in +that professional con man's face when he was invited inside for a drink +and he proved an easy victim when Clayton switched the satchels on him. +Jimmy saw that Clayton had spotted the detective who was trailing along +and was on his guard. With that danger over, he knew everything was +safe; for Podmore could not afford to do anything else but keep quiet +even after he discovered that with all his slickness somebody had +beaten him out. There wasn't a shred of evidence to implicate Jimmy, +you see." + +"He tells me they're watching him down at the office pretty closely, +though," said Kendrick when she paused for breath. + +"That's to be expected, of course. Those two men who attacked us in +the park were private detectives in Nickleby's pay and they probably +thought Jimmy was passing something on to me and it was time to search +both of us. Nickleby and the others have kept close mouths about the +theft of the election money because they didn't want any investigation +by the regular police. I am inclined to think they planned their +election contribution for a definite purpose and could not afford any +publicity about it." + +"They must be a fine bunch of crooks, that outfit!" remarked Kendrick. + +"The fellow who was watching Jimmy and me at the station that night was +probably acting on his own initiative. It was the same detective who +had made such a bungle of following Jimmy in the afternoon and I guess +it nearly cost him his job. He must have been feeling pretty well +worked up at the way things turned out. If it hadn't been for Mr. +Wade's timely arrival there's no telling what might have happened. +Can--can we--sit down for a little rest?" she gasped. + +Phil glanced at her quickly, apologizing for his thoughtlessness. He +had been so absorbed in her recital that he had forgotten the strain +under which she was laboring with the pain in her foot. They must have +covered a lot of ground while they talked. Five miles to Thorlakson's, +he had told her, but it might just as easily be eight or ten. + +After a short rest they went on. They passed through rock cuttings +where their voices and the sound of their feet flung back hollowly from +the walls. They rounded curves, looking eagerly for some sign of +habitation, only to be met by the same stretch of deserted track +leading off into nebulous gloom. Or perhaps they would see a dim white +speck ahead or the black outlines of a rocky spur where the track +disappeared and they would comfort themselves with the thought that +around that particular curve or beyond that mile-post they would see +buildings. But when they had hobbled down the track and gained the +goal there were always more rocky spurs and more track to hobble over. + +They talked of many things. Phil told her all about McCorquodale. +They discussed politics and the Rives case and newspaper work and +universities and music and the latest books. As the hours crept by +their laughter and talk lessened and the spaces of silence between them +grew longer. The girl was limping badly and leaning more heavily upon +him, and for him the adventure grew more serious in his concern for her +welfare. + +"Aren't we nearly there, Mr. Kendrick?" she asked quietly after a long +period of silence on her part. + +"We must be," he answered cheerfully and held his watch close to his +nose as he scrutinized the dial in the moonlight. "It's nearly four +o'clock. I fancy the moon is a little paler than it was," he added, +craning his neck to look at it riding high above them, "and the sky +back there behind that hill--it looks lighter, too, don't you think? +Daylight can't be far off now, as it comes pretty early up here and +we're bound to reach the Thorlakson shanty soon, Miss Lawson." + +They trudged on again while he told her about Mrs. Thorlakson, the +good-hearted Icelandic woman, and the giant Swede section-hand, +Svenson, who was a friendly sort of elephant. He tried to entertain +her with a humorous account of his surveying experiences, information +about the country and funny stories that he had picked up here and +there. Occasionally they heard small animals scurrying away in the +underbrush on either side as they passed by; but she had ceased to take +notice of such sounds. + +"I might carry you for a while, if you'd let me," he offered at last in +what he hoped was a matter-of-fact tone. But she would not hear of +that. + +Dawn was coming quickly. The night gloom fled off the tops of the +ridges and sought brief respite in the shelter of the water bottoms. +The gray sky warmed to rose tints. New bird notes came twittering from +the bushes on all sides, while frisky cotton-tails scampered ahead of +them on the roadbed. The air seemed to take on a freshness that it had +lacked before, laden with sweet scents of wild grasses, perfume of +spruce and the aromatic smell of the wood mould. A wave of light crept +across the hills, stole round about and it was day. + +They came slowly around a long curve and when the track straightened +out again Phil gave a whoop of satisfaction. + +"Hallelujah! Miss Lawson, there's a light!" He pointed to where a +yellow dot shone steadily, close to the track. + +But the girl did not reply. She swayed a moment, then went limp in his +arms. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +DISTURBING NEWS + +Magnus Thorlakson was in the habit of routing out his men early. The +Roadmaster had made no mistake when he handed the stolid Icelander the +responsibility for nine miles of the Company's line in the middle of +one of the loneliest divisions. In the discharge of his duties there +was no more conscientious section foreman in the employ of the C.L.S. +He timed his slumber by the sun and his waking hours were filled with +the roll of hand-car wheels, the ring of spike-mauls and the tamping +grate of spades. + +On this particular morning the big Swede, Svenson, had polished off his +second plate of fried potatoes and was grinning in anticipation of a +third helping and another couple of fried eggs, when a startled +exclamation from the good woman of the house, and the smash of the +plate which dropped from her fingers to the floor sent her husband's +chair scraping back from the table with some suddenness. Callers whose +clothes stamped them as city people would have been sufficiently +surprising at any time to the inhabitants of that humble dwelling in +the wild country and particularly so at that early hour; but the sight +of a broad-shouldered young man in his shirt-sleeves, carrying a young +woman in his arms up the embankment to their door, was ample +justification even for the breaking of precious porcelain. + +Thorlakson muttered profanity as he stared out the window. The big +Swede looked up with mild enquiry, at the same time reaching for +another slice of bread, while the other two men stopped eating +altogether and gazed expectantly at the door. + +"Good morning, Mrs. Thorlakson," greeted Kendrick. "May we come in?" + +The girl stood beside him, huddled in the coat, her face white and +drawn in the cold light of early morning. The woman bobbed her head in +some uncertainty, then spoke in her own language to her husband who +thrust himself into the doorway and leaned a heavy, flanneled shoulder +against the jamb. + +"Hello, Thorlakson! There's a sprained foot here that requires rest +and attention and we would like some breakfast." + +Then the Icelander recognized him, turned to his wife with quick +commands, waved them inside with eager hospitality, suspicion no longer +mingling with curiosity in his keen, light-colored eyes. + +"_Farthu ut_! Out!" snapped Mrs. Thorlakson, clapping her hands +sharply, and a touseled head withdrew hastily from the door of the +little bedroom off the kitchen. It shut with a rattle. She placed a +chair for the lady close to the fire, blew out the lamp on the table +and after lifting it to its place on the shelf, got a broom and began +to sweep up the fragments of the broken plate. + +The two Norwegians at the table stared unblinkingly. The Swede paused +for an instant at his breakfast, his jaws motionless during the few +seconds required for one long look. At sight of Kendrick his wide +mouth had expanded to a grin of welcome which exposed the food on his +tongue, but as his glance fell upon the young lady and he noted that +she was smiling at him he reddened bashfully to the roots of his pale +hair and, as if to make up for lost time, fell to with augmented +diligence. + +In spite of the painful ankle and the strangeness of her surroundings +Cristy almost laughed aloud at the comical expression on the big +fellow's homely face. She slipped out of Kendrick's coat and shuddered +close to the fire, holding her fingers gratefully over the hot stove. + +Briefly Phil explained what had happened to them, aware that the +recital would not have been very convincing if he had been a complete +stranger to these simple foreigners with their natural tendency to +suspicion. He made no mention of the envelope that had brought him +back to the scene of Podmore's capture just a few days ago. It was +enough to say merely that the young lady accidentally had fallen off +the step of the train and he had jumped off after her. + +But Thorlakson was only anxious to show that he was grateful for the +young man's recent generosity in connection with the fifty dollar +reward. He nodded as he listened. + +"Yaow, that vould be other side Spruce Walley. Yaow. She slow opp +down thar. Wery good, Meester Kendrick. Ve glad to have you stay so +long as you like. Sit down thar. Planty wittles." + +But Mrs. Thorlakson willed otherwise, bustling about as she spoke. + +"My voman--she say vait avile," he explained. "Planty more--nice and +hot." + +Phil thanked him and smiled across at his companion who was cheering up +wonderfully under the benign influence of the stove. + +"Yaow, that vill be tventy-five cents--each vun, tventy-five cents. +Yaow, that vill be suffeecient." + +Having thus dismissed further responsibility in the matter, the foreman +got up from the table and spoke to his men, who followed him outdoors +to the day's work. Svenson lagged behind to gulp the remainder of his +coffee and as his heavy boots clumped noisily across the rough wooden +floor he ventured to look again timidly at the very pretty young lady +who sat beside the stove. Her friendly nod and smile sent him +stumbling clumsily out over the doorstep with reddened face and a huge +grin of ecstatic delight. + +"Delicious!" she laughed softly. + +"Snf! Snf! Well now, you're saying something, Miss Lawson," enthused +Kendrick who had been watching the frying-pan with fascination. "I'm +as hungry as a bear." + +Such an unusual breakfast as that was! Such wonderful home-made bread! +Fried potatoes straight from the stove, piping hot and done brown; +sizzling pork and eggs that were fresh laid by those hens they could +hear clucking outside; buns and molasses; even doughnuts and +good-natured looking wedges of pie with the knife-cuts far apart--a +wonderful meal of the substantial sort favored by those to whom eating +at any hour is a serious business. And they ate it with hunger for +condiment, chatting and laughing in their enjoyment. + +Mrs. Thorlakson beamed. It was the finest compliment they could have +paid her. Afterwards with many duckings of tongue and shakes of the +head she bathed the swollen ankle in cold water, put some liniment on +it and bound it up. She was an adept in such matters. + +During these ministrations Phil strolled down to the water-tank; but, +as he half expected, he found the fungus gone from the top of the +hollow stump and no sign of the envelope inside. Somebody had been +there before them, Podmore probably. He would question Thorlakson +about that later. Not that it mattered greatly. The sagacious Hughey +was due for a severe jolt when he opened the precious envelope to which +he was devoting so much attention. + +On returning to the house he found that Miss Lawson very sensibly had +retired for much needed sleep. He climbed the hill to the woods behind +the log shanty and stretched out luxuriously on a fragrant heap of +spruce boughs with the idea of indulging in pleasant retrospection. + +The sun was well past its zenith when he awoke and his watch told him +that it was nearly three in the afternoon. He rubbed his eyes, knotted +his muscles in a satisfying stretch and leaped to his feet with a +laugh. He found the girl in equally good spirits, the injured foot +encased in a mocassin that belonged to one of the foreman's children. +It was not a bad sprain; the pain and swelling had subsided, but it +would be well to rest it for two or three days, Mrs. Thorlakson had +told her. If they could put up with roughing it, she would be glad for +them to stay as long as they liked. + +"I've promised to show her a new crochet pattern and knit a pair of +pullovers for little Skuli," smiled Cristy. "The poor thing is +lonesome and I've half a mind to make a little visit for a few days. +Do you know, she hasn't seen a white woman to talk to for six months?" + +"You couldn't do a more charitable act, Miss Lawson, and I hope you'll +allow the bell-boy to linger within call. I happen to know that +Wolverine River down there has some fine trout in it and I confess I'd +like awfully to rustle an Indian canoe somewhere and do a little +exploring. Isn't this air simply great?" + +They had wandered to the edge of the embankment and seated themselves +for a sunning. She searched quickly for his expression, but he had +turned and was gazing far up the track, his tanned face alight with +boyish enthusiasm. + +Time never passed so swiftly for Phil Kendrick as it did during the +next two days. In the big roomy birch-bark canoe that Svenson had +built he went fishing and exploring to his heart's content--with Miss +Cristy Lawson. He initiated her into the mysteries of speckled trout +and helped her to land triumphantly a three-pounder. She was +interested in botany and he climbed all sorts of inaccessible places to +pick strange plants for her. On these expeditions they took Mrs. +Thorlakson and the children along; there was room for them all in the +big canoe and with the men absent all day it was possible for them to +make a picnic of it. He even enjoyed the evenings with the men while +they smoked their pipes in the doorway through which it was possible to +see Cristy, her sleeves tucked above a charming pair of dimpled elbows, +helping Mrs. Thorlakson with the dishes. + +But on the afternoon of the third day as they sat out at the edge of +the clearing on a pile of balsam that he had gathered for her she began +to talk of leaving. They would be wondering back there on the paper +what had become of her and there was work to be done. + +He could not take his eye off the diamond ring on her finger as she +spoke. "They" she had said; but it was probably "he" that she thought, +and he chucked a stone clean down to the water-tank, surprised that he +could throw that far. The injured ankle was no longer an excuse for +delaying their departure. So they planned to leave next day, boarding +a chance freight and riding down the line to some station where they +could catch the Toronto Express. + +Several trains passed every day each way. Even as they sat there they +heard the familiar rumble somewhere far off among the low hills +westward. They listened to the growing noise of its approach. +Presently the smoke of the engine became visible and around the curve, +far up the track, the train trailed into view, a freight, the cars +swinging into line and hiding behind the black front of the locomotive. +The engineer was bowling her down towards them full "lickety-belt" with +no intention of stopping to take on water--a through freight apparently. + +With a deafening roar she swept in, the engineer jogging laxly on his +cushions. Kendrick stood up and hollered at him. The salutation was +acknowledged with a friendly wave of the hand. The long string of +brown and yellow cars followed rattle-de-bang over the switch and +rocked away eastward. The roar dropped off abruptly into diminuendo, +punctuated by the rattle of a loose truck at the rear of the caboose. + +From the cupola a brakeman with a dirty blue bandana knotted about his +brown throat, waved to them and shouted something which they could not +hear. He held aloft a white stick from which he had peeled the green +bark, pointed to it, then cast it back towards them and pointed to it +significantly. + +"There's a paper of some kind fastened to it," said Phil as he +signalled that he understood. + +They gazed after the end of the caboose until the fluttering green +flags faded out in the swirl of dust that pursued into the distance. +Then Kendrick scrambled down to find the message. It was in a sealed +envelope, bound around the stick with twine. One glance at the yellow +telegram inside sent him back up the embankment towards the girl as +fast as he could climb. + +"Of all things, Miss Lawson!" he called out. "It's a wire from the +Chief. I left a note for him, telling him where we were going, and +just read this, sent down from the operator at Indian Creek. What do +you make of it?" + +She read it aloud, frowning in perplexity: + + +Philip Kendrick, Toronto, July 27. + at Thorlakson Siding, + via Indian Creek. + +Is Cristy safe? Wire immediately you receive this. McAllister +anxious. Send Cristy back but remain there yourself till McCorquodale +arrives. Important work for you there. McCorquodale will explain. +Jimmy Stiles missing since day you left. Did you take him with you? + +WADE. + + +"I should have sent a wire before this, I guess," admitted Kendrick +slowly. "But I thought we'd be back before Wade returned to town. I +didn't think to send it to McAllister. He's your--editor, isn't he? +I'll get Thorlakson to send one of his men----" + +She interrupted him with a gesture of impatience. + +"The question is, Mr. Kendrick, what's happened to Jimmy Stiles?" + +"Yes, and what's happened to make Wade send McCorquodale up here? +What's this important work he's talking about?" + +"If Jimmy Stiles has disappeared, it hasn't been of his own free will. +I'm sure of that, Mr. Kendrick,--positive!" She looked at him with +anxious eyes. + +"He was all right the day we had lunch together," mused Phil. "The +wire says he's been missing since the day I left the city; so he must +have gone that night. You know him a lot better than I do, of course; +but from what you told me the other night he got away with fifty +thousand dollars once before in pretty slick fashion." + +"That suspicion does you no credit, Mr. Kendrick," said Cristy in quick +resentment. "Jimmy hasn't absconded. He's been abducted!" + +"You have a ready imagination," smiled Phil. + +"I know Nickleby," she retorted. + +Kendrick shook his head. + +"Abduction brings to mind closed cabs and chloroform. Do they pull off +stunts like that nowadays--in Toronto? It sounds too melodramatic, +Miss Lawson." + +"What about that assault in the park by Nickleby's hirelings the other +night? You saw that yourself. I don't say Nickleby would dare to harm +Jimmy Stiles; he's no fool. But I do think that he's had a hand in +Jimmy's disappearance." + +"Have you any special reason for thinking that?" + +"Yes," she replied after a moment's hesitation. "We--the +_Recorder_--Mr. McAllister has been expecting Nickleby to attempt a +clean-up of some kind, preparatory to dropping out of sight completely. +His present position with the Interprovincial Loan & Savings--control +of the stock and all that--will come to a sudden end as soon as Mr. +Bradford, the explorer, returns to civilization. Nickleby won't wait +for that, will he? It looks as if he were getting ready to pull out +and had found Stiles in his way. Jimmy knows too much." + +"Well, speculating about things won't get us a hundred yards from +Thorlakson Siding," said Kendrick philosophically. "What's needed is a +train." + +"There's no telling what may be going on back there while we sit here, +twiddling our thumbs." She got up and walked to and fro restlessly. +"Oh, if only we'd been able to go on that freight that just passed." + +"We? Instructions are that I'm to wait here for McCorquodale and send +you back at once. We'll flag the first train going the right way and +you ought to get off by to-night. I'd better get busy and write out a +reply to the wire. Mr. McAllister is anxious about your safety and +it----"' + +"Oh, drat McAllister!" cried Cristy impatiently. + +"I beg your pardon, Miss Lawson," said Phil, "but please say that +again." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +MCCORQUODALE EXPLAINS + +On the heels of the message from President Wade came Detective +McCorquodale an hour before sundown. He did not arrive on a train from +the east, as expected, but by way of the old Indian trail that wound +back for half a mile to Wolverine River, the trail once used by Indian +hunters to go north into the game country. Kendrick happened to be +lounging on the embankment in front of the section shanty, waiting for +Thorlakson and his men to come pumping down the track on the handcar, +while Cristy was helping indoors with the dinner. He recognized the +detective the moment he saw the familiar chunky figure emerge from the +woods and come out onto the track and he went down to meet him on the +run. + +"Well, well, well!" was the greeting McCorquodale launched. "He tore +the false beard off his chin an' there--stood--Tom! How are you, +Kendrick?" + +Phil eyed him anxiously as they shook hands. + +"Drop out of the clouds, man? I just got the Chief's wire this +afternoon. In heaven's name, McCorquodale, what's the meaning of all +this?" + +"Heaven aint sittin' in on this hand, 'bo," grinned the C.L.S. +detective cheerfully. "It's devils I'm trailin'. Hell's broke loose +an' spilled 'em all over the map." + +"What do you mean? What's happened? Is my aunt----?" + +"Oh, y'needn't worry' bout y'r auntie none. She's all hunky-dory. +It's those booze birds we're goin' after, you'n'me, see. Chief's +orders, kid. An' oh boy! it's goin' to be some party, believe me! +Let's sit down here an' I'll wag m' jaw." + +Phil lighted his pipe; but it went out again as he listened with +breathless interest to McCorquodale's recital. Up to four days ago he +had had a very quiet and uneventful time of it at Sparrow Lake with +nothing happening which seemed to justify his presence there at all. +Then a stranger had put in an appearance and took to watching the +Waring cottage--no less a person than this man Weiler who already had +aroused McCorquodale's suspicion when the detective had worked as a +Brady Agency operative. The German, however, contented himself with +reconnoitring the vicinity between trains and asking a few casual +questions about the Waring household over at the station. He took the +first train back to the city. So did the "Iron Man." + +On arrival in the city the detective trailed his man to a cheap little +hotel on a back street, to a rear room on the top floor, where a second +man appeared to be awaiting him. By climbing out a hall window onto +the fire-escape McCorquodale had reached the flat gravelled roof and +wormed himself along into a position where he could hear what +transpired in the room. He had not listened long before he was +satisfied that Weiler had been sent on this spying expedition by the +man in the back bedroom and was reporting the result of his +investigations; in fact, he was drawing a rough map of Sparrow Lake and +marking the location of the Waring cottage when the detective found a +small hole in a skylight and looked cautiously down upon the pair. The +second "gink" was a big flabby-looking "duck," and when he had +descended quietly the detective had no difficulty in finding out that +the man was registered at the hotel as John Harrington. + +"Rives!" breathed Phil in suppressed excitement. + +McCorquodale nodded. By good fortune President Wade had just returned +to the city and to him the detective at once reported the full +circumstances. The Chief had been greatly interested and after +congratulating McCorquodale on his discretion had despatched him back +to the hotel with instructions to shadow Weiler no matter where the +trail led. It was then that McCorquodale had learned of an expedition +that was being planned by the bootlegging gang the railroad was anxious +to locate, and got concrete evidence that Weiler was the Eastern agent +of the whisky runners. The leader was a notorious character named Red +McIvor and this man had arranged to meet Weiler at a rendezvous near +Indian Creek. + +Cranston and McCorquodale had held a consultation with Wade and it was +decided that Cranston would watch things at the Toronto end while +McCorquodale was sent out to follow developments at Indian Creek. +McCorquodale had told Mr. Wade what Kendrick had suggested to him at +Sparrow Lake--that the two of them work together on this bootlegging +case, and the railroad president had then mentioned Phil's letter and +his whereabouts and told McCorquodale to make for Thorlakson Siding and +pass on instructions. + +Weiler bought a ticket for North Bay. There he had hung around for a +day, apparently waiting for somebody. At last three more fellows had +come in on a train. Weiler met them at the station and the whole party +took the train west that night, with McCorquodale trailing along. +Their destination was Indian Creek and on arrival they unloaded from +the express-car a Peterborough canoe, a tent and a lot of supplies. As +soon as the train pulled out they got ready for a trip into the woods. +Down on the riverbank, a few hundred rods through the bush back of the +station, a half-breed guide was waiting for them. He had a big +birch-bark canoe and the five of them began to hustle their belongings +off the platform. + +McCorquodale was forced to keep in the background until they had gone +and he was afraid that he would lose them. He questioned the Station +Agent closely; but that official could tell him nothing about the +strangers except that they said they were part of a geological +expedition for the Government, heading towards Port Nelson on James' +Bay. McCorquodale pretended to accept this information at face value; +but if those "birds" knew anything about any "ology" except boozeology +he was prepared to swallow his suspenders, buckles and all. Included +in their "supplies" were several cases of liquor; McCorquodale knew a +case of liquor when he saw it, no matter if it was wrapped in canvas +and covered with misleading labels. + +It had taken him a little while to locate a canoe that he could hire +together with a camping outfit; but finally he had started on the trail +once more. He had overhauled them about fifteen miles back from the +railroad where Indian Creek and Wolverine River joined waters. From +there he had followed them up stream for a few miles, keeping his +distance, till they came to a portage where the entire party +disembarked. Instead of making the portage to a point farther up, they +had gone into camp at what appeared to be an old lumber camp that had +not been in use for a couple of seasons. It looked as if they intended +to stay there for a while. + +"I know that deserted lumber camp," Phil nodded. + +"Well, that's where I comes from just now an' that's where we both +makes for as soon's we rustles a bite o' grub," concluded McCorquodale. +"I hikes down here special to get you soon's I'm sure them guys is +anchored. Say, that there Wolverine's some river, aint it? I got my +canoe back here a ways." + +"Cork, are you quite sure that this bunch is the gang Wade's after? +Supposing they turn out to be a fishing party or something?" + +"Fishin' party me neck!" scoffed McCorquodale. "With all them cases o' +the real McKay?" + +"Fishing is often a thirsty business for more than the fish. Anyway, +you don't know for sure that it's booze----" + +"Don't, eh? They starts in on it las' night an' some of 'em was lit up +like a corner saloon, I tell you. Didn't I see 'em an' didn't I _hear_ +'em? Great snakes! they kep' me awake with their shouts an' singin' +las' night fer hours an' I'm campin' a good loud holler away from their +hangout at that. I crep' down clost to find out what they was +celebratin' an' I hears 'em gabbin', see. The gang aint all there yet. +They're waitin' fer the Main Squeeze--this here Red McIvor I was +tellin' you about. I hears 'em mention his name, see, an' besides +Weiler's there an'----" + +"You win," conceded Phil. "Whisky traders, eh? Heading in to peddle +the stuff to the Indians and around the camps." He smoked thoughtfully. + +"If they keeps on lappin' it up the way they's doin' las' night they +aint goin' to do much tradin' in anythin' but headaches. Say, what +about this here bundle o' phoney hid in a hollow stump? Wade was +tellin' me you's up here lookin' after it. Cranston was wonderin' if +Weiler'd got a line on it an' mebbe that had somethin' to do with the +gang comin' together in this neighborhood. Did you find it?" + +"No, it was gone. I'm pretty certain that Podmore was after it and got +here ahead of everybody. Thorlakson hasn't noticed anybody hanging +around. It dosn't matter. Did Mr. Wade say anything to you about +young Stiles having disappeared? Miss Lawson is greatly worried over +the last part of the Chief's message." He passed it across as he spoke. + +McCorquodale grinned. + +"Leave it to me, 'bo. Jimmy Stiles is the young gaffer I's trailin' +that afternoon with that tan satchel from the Alderson Construction +Company's office. No, the Chief didn't say anythin' to me 'bout him; +but I knows where he is." + +"You do?" + +"Sure Mike! An' I proceeds to dry them tears the Queen's sheddin' by +informin' her that the kid's within a few miles of her right now." + +"What? You mean he's----" + +"Yep. They got him prisoner back here at the lumber camp. He was one +o' the three what Weiler met at North Bay an' it didn't take me long to +tumble to the way they was watchin' him close. I slips him a note las' +night that friends was near an' to be on the lookout f'r us. We're +goin' to rescue the kid, see. He'll be our star witness." + +"Well, what next!" gasped the astonished Kendrick. He stared at the +detective. "You're not joking? If so, your levity is decidedly +ill-timed." + +"Yeah," agreed McCorquodale doubtfully. "Uh-hunh. On'y I don't happen +to be wavin' no wand an' floatin' horizontal in the air, see. I'm +handin' it to you straight up an' down. Stiles is there an' we gotta +get him away from those guys. As f'r any jokin'----" He drew out his +police automatic and patted it significantly. "This gun cracks ten +jokes without stoppin', see, if there's any funny work goin' on." + +Phil's surprise at the turn events were taking was only equalled by the +excitement with which Cristy Lawson received the news when presently +she was called outside and introduced to the C.L.S. detective. She +listened eagerly, interjecting a rapid question now and then as if her +mind were racing beyond the facts of the recital to a logical solution +of the mystery not apparent to the others. She nodded her head once or +twice and laughed a little. When McCorquodale had recounted everything +that he had observed she was silent for a moment, head bent in thought. + +"How soon are you going back to the camp?" she asked at last. + +"As soon as Mrs. Thorlakson will give us something to eat," replied +Phil. + +"Good. I'm ready." + +"But--You don't understand," objected Phil. "We can't take you along, +Miss Lawson. It wouldn't be----" + +"Of course you can. I certainly am going with you." + +"Impossible! Your injured foot----" + +"Nonsense, it's all right now. I'm going with you," she repeated. +"There are reasons why I must go; so please don't argue about it." + +"But that's exactly what I intend to do," declared Kendrick decidedly. +He shook his head. "There isn't room in the canoe in the first place +and besides there's liable to be trouble. Isn't that so, McCorquodale?" + +"Mr. Kendrick, as the representative of the _Recorder_ it is absolutely +necessary----" + +"I'm sorry, Miss Lawson; but I refuse to take the responsibility." + +"I'll assume all risk, Mr. Kendrick." + +"You would be in our way, to be frank. We'll be bringing Stiles back +here with us and you can wait till we come." + +Almost tearfully she appealed to the detective to that worthy's evident +embarrassment. Cap in hand, he made a profound and formal bow in an +attempt to be diplomatic. + +"Pardon me, lady, but you're crazy!" he stated politely. "Crazy as a +bed-bug! It can't be did!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +FURTHER STRANGE PROCEEDINGS + +The sun was dropping behind the wooded hills and only the golden rim of +it peeped above the tree-tops when they set out. Before long the +purple dusk came creeping in from the east where clouds were banking in +the sky. + +Kendrick expected to be back by daylight or at latest by noon next day. +As they paddled up stream against a strong current his thoughts were +busy with the events of the past few weeks, particularly those of the +last four days. He marvelled at their kaleidoscopic nature. It seemed +ages ago that he had fought a fist battle with this stalky, +good-natured chap whose muscular shoulders were swinging in rhythm with +his own; yet it was only a month. Now here they were, miles from +civilization, heading into the night-obscured depths of the wilderness +on an adventure of unknown hazard. + +And this girl with the wonderful eyes and wonderful hair, wonderful wit +and vivacity, wonderful--diamond ring on her engagement finger! + +"Steady, 'bo, steady!" warned McCorquodale. "Take y'r time. We got a +lot o' this to do." + +Their eyes were growing accustomed to the semi-darkness of the wooded +aisle through which the deep Wolverine River raced with a symphony of +water sounds. The stream was easy of navigation all the way to the +rapids below Kinogama Falls and it was a case of paddling without +pause. Kendrick and Cristy had gone as far as the deserted lumber camp +on their first day's jaunt in Svenson's canoe; they had been all over +the place, little dreaming that so shortly it was to be occupied by +these doubtful characters, or that he was to return to the spot on an +errand of such consequence. + +Not far from the portage at the foot of the rapids there was an old +logging road, if they could but find it in the dark. The last mile +could be covered more quickly by this route than by following the tump +trail past the rapids, and it would lead them straight to the camp. +The moon would not be up until after midnight and the tote road +promised a more noiseless approach for the preliminary reconnoitring +that was necessary to carry out the detective's plan. + +It was McCorquodale's suggestion that they creep down on the camp and, +if possible, get Stiles away first. After that they would go after +Weiler. If they waited until the four men were asleep or were lucky +enough to catch their man far enough away from the others to permit of +capturing him without too much commotion, it ought to be feasible to +carry him into the woods. There, as the detective put it, they could +"frighten the gizzard out of him" and learn the meaning of his trip to +Sparrow Lake and what Rives was up to; also they would make him tell +what he knew about Nickleby's dealings with Red McIvor. At any rate +they ought to be able to learn enough to decide on a definite course of +action in rounding up the bootleggers. To McCorquodale it was a +gratifying prospect. Lead him to it! + +The night was exceptionally still, without a breath of air stirring the +forest. In the deep hush that brooded over the wilderness small sounds +held sway that ordinarily would have been submerged in the paean of the +wind in the firs--the whisper of the Wolverine where it swept, deep and +strong; its strident chatter to a fling of gravel at occasional bends +in the stream; its sucking snarl over a sunken boulder. The movements +and whistlings of owls and bats in the dark, moss-clung corridors on +either side were quite distinct; so were the whines and snorts of +weasels and other small animals, noisy in the underbrush. And +undertoning all other sounds, unceasing, like a hidden menace, rose the +drone of insect life--the _hm-m-m-m-m-m-m_ of the muskeg swarms. + +After perhaps an hour and a half of hard paddling they reached the +little lake which marked the junction of Indian Creek with the +Wolverine. Beyond this point the stream narrowed and navigation became +more difficult. As the shores began to widen out at the forks +Kendrick, whose eyes long since had become focused to the twilight of +the stars, saw that McCorquodale had thrown up his hand and was +motioning for him to cease paddling. At the same time his ear caught a +new sound--a chant of voices rapidly growing louder. + +Cautioning silence, McCorquodale swung the nose of the canoe abruptly +towards the right bank and they slid noiselessly into the deeper +shadows, where the detective caught hold of an overhanging branch and +held the canoe stationary. Presently Phil was able to recognize the +familiar words of an old _voyageur_ chantey, a paddling song of the +French-Canadian rivermen: + + "_En roulant, ma boule, roulant; + En roulant, ma bo-u-le._" + + +With paddles swinging in unison to the rhythm came four men in a large +Indian canoe, speeding with the current down the centre of Indian +creek. Peering from their concealment, Kendrick and the detective +could discern the blacker outlines of the craft and its occupants as it +sped forth from the gloom of the forest into the starlit area of the +tiny lake. The great canoe was low in the water; for heaped in the +centre of it was what was evidently a pile of freight, with two men in +front and two behind. The steersman swung the prow around and on they +went up the Wolverine without a pause in the sweep of the paddles or +the swing of the song: + + "_Rouli roulant, ma boule, roulant, + En roulant, ma boule, roulant, + En roulant, ma bo-u-le._" + +"French half-breeds," guessed Kendrick when the singing modulated in +distance, "and they're heading for the lumber camp. What do you make +out of that?" + +"Looks like this 'Red' party them guys was talkin' about last night had +hit camp. I'll lay even money them fellas has been down to the station +fer another shipment o' booze," asserted McCorquodale. "We gotta do +some careful gumshoein', old man. Them birds is feelin' their oats." + +From the junction of the two streams it was only a matter of four or +five miles to the foot of the rapids, and after a while they could hear +the distant roar of the water. Paddling cautiously now and keeping +well within the deeper shadows close to shore, they finally reached the +spot where the tote road debouched on the river and without mishap +disembarked and hauled the canoe out of sight into the bushes. In +following the lumber trail there was the danger that they might meet +some of the men from the camp; but after a whispered colloquy they +decided it was a risk which had to be run. Since the old tote road had +received its last "swamping out" it had accumulated enough underbrush, +saplings and fallen limbs in spots to afford emergency concealment of a +sort. + +They had gone but a short distance into the woods, however, before both +of them stopped abruptly and listened to a strange sound which carried +to them eerily in the quiet night with all the mystery of the +unaccountable. It was like the beat of a distant drum, a hollow tattoo +that came and went at regular intervals: + + _Rumma-tumma-tum-tum . . . tum-tum!_ + _RUM-tummaty-tum-tum . . . tum-tum!_ + +"What is that?" said Kendrick in a low voice. + +"It's a new one on me," muttered McCorquodale in an awed tone. + +"Sounds like an Indian drum. Listen. There it is again." + +As they advanced the intermittent drumming increased in volume. +Presently above the trees they could see a glow in the sky. The +reflection of what seemed to be a huge bonfire grew so strong that they +left the logging trail for fear of discovery and stole forward +cautiously through the woods. + + _Rappa-tappa-tap-tap . . . tap-tap!_ + _RAP-tappety-tap-tap . . . tap-tap!_ + +A medley of many voices rose in a weird chant which struck across the +night like the wall of some stricken victim of the _loup garou_. It +fell away abruptly and the drumming noise renewed. + +Turning sharply to the right to get well away from the tote road, +Kendrick and his companion crept at last to the edge of the clearing +and took refuge in a hollow where a fallen tree hid them completely. +From behind this shelter they peered forth upon a strange scene. + +In front of the bunk house, cook shanty, stables, sealer's shanty and +other low log buildings that once had been a lumber-camp, was an open +space, about two acres in extent, lighted up like day by a bonfire at +each end. In the centre, alongside a stump, his figure boldly revealed +by the firelight, stood a man with dishevelled hair and a stubby growth +of black whisker. He wore the corduroys and Strathcona boots of a +shantyman; about his waist was a bright red scarf. Inverted upon the +stump was an empty wooden box and in each hand he flourished an empty +whisky bottle. + +Seated upon the ground in a semi-circle were nine of the roughest +looking men Phil ever had seen, each with a piece of broken pine box +across his knees and a whisky bottle or a short stick in either hand. +Some of them were undoubtedly half-breeds, swarthy of skin and very +unkempt; some bore the scars of knife wounds on their faces--riff-raff +of the cities mixed with the off-scourings of railway and lumber camps. +The whole motley crew were in various stages of drunkenness and it was +evident that the whisky-traders' song they were singing appealed to +them as about the funniest and most musical thing they ever had +enjoyed, for each man tried to outdo his neighbor in the vim which he +put into his efforts. The leader by the stump had cursed them into +realization of the grave importance of pounding the accompaniment in +proper unison, and after much practice had got them into some semblance +of accord. + +"Now fer the last time, fellers!" he shouted, and away they went: + + "Rum fer Injuns when they come! + Rum fer the beggars when they go! + That's the trick, my grizzled lads, + To catch the cash and snare the foe!" + + _Racka-tacka-tack-tack . . . tack-tack!_ + _RACK-tackety-tack-tack . . . tack-tack!_ + + +"This aint goin' to be no cinch, 'bo," came McCorquodale's serious +whisper in Kendrick's ear. "This mob's come in durin' the afternoon. +We better get back an' pick up a gang o' our own--some o' them guineas +from the railroad. Then we can clean this bunch up in proper shape." + +"Wait," muttered Kendrick. "What are they doing now?" + +One of the men was digging a hole while two others picked up a small +log which they presently up-ended in the hole, tramping the earth about +it firmly. The individual who acted as master of ceremonies gazed +expectantly towards the bunk house where a heavily built man with sandy +hair and whiskers had put in an appearance and was waving his hand. + +"There's Red and Weiler!" + +"Keep quiet!" commanded Phil. + +Corduroys had mounted the stump and was addressing the boisterous +crowd. Apparently he was looked upon as something of a wag, for he was +interrupted frequently by laughter. His voice carried distinctly. + +"Gents an' fel--ler citizens," he began, striking an oratorical +attitude, "we now comes to the next num--ber on the program, the which +is costin' a lot o' cold coin. Fif--ty thous--and dollars, gents, is +what it costs to have the Perfessor put on his little stunt. Fif--ty +thous--and dollars! We calls it 'The Double-Cross an' the Get-Away.' +The Perfessor has double-crossed our friend an' worthy leader, Red +McIvor, an' refuses to say where he has buried the hidden treasure. +Instead of fifty thousand good bucks, he hands over a wad o' phoney +bills. Instead o' fifty thousand genooine plunks we will now perceed +to have fifty thousand dollars' worth o' fun--the Perfessor's treat, +gents. He will now demonstrate his get-away. He is an insect an' to +the insects he goes from here. He has stung us an' it is now his turn +to git stung. I have grea--at pleasure in callin' upon the Perfessor." + +As he finished speaking there issued from the log shanty a struggling +group. Dragging between them in no gentle fashion a kicking, screaming +prisoner, came Red McIvor and the German. They kicked him forward into +the arms of the waiting men at the post, to which he was bound quickly +from feet to waist. The firelight played upon the prisoner's distorted +features as he begged them to let him go. His pleadings were greeted +with shouts of laughter. + +Kendrick clutched McCorquodale's arm in sudden excitement. + +"By the eternal, it's Hughey Podmore!" he gasped in disbelief. +"They've caught Podmore with that bogus money on him! That's what he +means." + +"There's Stiles--the one they're bringin' out now," whispered +McCorquodale, pointing to a second prisoner who was being hustled out +to witness the performance. His hands were tied behind his back and +the man who had him in charge shoved him roughly to a sitting posture +and pointed towards the post. + +Kendrick's face was tense at he watched. His eyes smouldered with cold +fire. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +A MAN OF MONEY + +McIvor, the leader of the crew, was holding out the envelope taken from +the stump and saying something to the first prisoner. They could not +catch the words at that distance. Podmore shook his head and renewed +his pleadings. The only response to these was an oath and a cruel blow +on the mouth from the enraged ruffian, who now issued a sharp command. + +Two of his men sprang at the prisoner and in a trice had stripped him +to the skin from the waist up. They tore his shirt to ribbons. A jerk +of McIvor's hand brought a third man on the run, carrying a tin can. +He began to smear the contents over the back and chest and arms of the +shrieking prisoner. While the onlookers rocked with drunken laughter +Red McIvor peeled bill after bill from the roll of stage money in his +hand and plastered them to the prisoner's naked body with resounding +slaps. + +"Tar an' feathers up to date--spruce gum an' greenbacks!" mumbled the +detective. "Hear that feller yell!" + +Kendrick's eyes were ablaze. He whipped out his revolver, his teeth +clenched. + +"McCorquodale, we can't sit here and see him killed in front of our +eyes. This thing's gone far enough. I'm going out there----" But the +detective grabbed him and with an oath dragged him back. + +"Y' gone clean nutty?" he protested furiously. "Wanta get croaked, y' +poor fish? Fat chanst y' got with them bohunks armed with rifles! +It's six to one!" + +"They're scaring the poor devil to death, I tell you. See, they're +getting ready to drive him into the bush! Man, don't you understand? +The flies! He'll be eaten alive!" + +McCorquodale carried his profanity pretty close to the surface at all +times, but the wellspring of it that gushed from him as once more he +dragged Kendrick off his feet sounded the depths of anxiety and formed +a lurid preface to angry argument. Had Kendrick forgotten Stiles? +They couldn't hope to save both prisoners at once. Get Stiles first +and they could organize a search-party for Podmore afterward. + +"The whole mob'll be chasin' off in a minute an' that's the chanst we +gotta lay for. Don't go 'n' spoil everythin' just as it's comin' our +way. For the love o' Pete, 'bo, stuff moss in your ears an' sit tight!" + +Kendrick had himself in hand again immediately. In an open fight with +that gang two men hadn't a ghost of a show. As it was, their situation +was desperate enough. The best that could be done for Podmore was to +let things take their course for the moment. Later---- + +The detective's prediction was being fulfilled rapidly. The last bill +had been stuck in place and the drunken gang had staggered to their +feet, jeering and laughing at the grotesque appearance of their victim. +They formed in two lines with sticks in their hands in preparation for +the moment when the prisoner would be released and forced to run the +gauntlet of their blows in his flight to the woods. + +Podmore's eyes were rolling in the agony of his terror. A crimson +slobber drooled from his swollen lips. As he was cut loose from the +cords that bound him to the post and the first stick thumped his back +he sprang away with a frenzied yell. + +There was but one path left him--straight down between those two lines +of hideous leering faces. Beyond he would be free and the woods for +him held no terrors to equal the panic of the moment. With arms hugged +over his head for protection he made his dash to such good purpose that +he leaped by the excited rows of man-baiters with only one or two bad +bruises. In their eagerness to achieve a good wallop some of his +intoxicated tormentors missed him altogether and succeeded only in +swinging themselves off their feet as he passed. Those who thus went +sprawling tripped up the others and the scramble enabled him to get a +good sprinting lead. Fear sped his feet. He seemed not merely to run; +he took wing and flew--a screeching, gibbering madman. + +And laughing loudly, yelling, brandishing their clubs, the whole crazy +howling mob took after him. + +Kendrick gnashed his teeth as he watched and waited. His throat was +dry, his fingers twitching with repressed rage. When at last he spoke +his voice was hoarse. + +"Ready, Cork? There's only one in sight. Come on!" + +"Leave'm to me!" growled McCorquodale huskily, grabbing up a stout +stick. "You look after Stiles." + +They dashed into the open at top speed. The man who had remained +behind to guard the second prisoner was still standing in the same +spot, holding Stiles by the coat-collar and listening to the receding +uproar and the wild screams of Podmore as he fled for his life. Both +the man and his prisoner were gazing off towards the tote road down +which the stragglers of the chase were just disappearing. McCorquodale +was within ten feet of them before the fellow turned. As the detective +scooted at him he let out a startled yell which was effectively chopped +in the middle by the descending blow. + +"Mr. Kendrick!" gasped the white-faced Stiles, his eyes bright. + +"Quick, Jimmy!" + +He cut the cords that pinioned the other's arms and hustled the +speechless youth across the clearing. + +"Hi, there! Stop!" + +Red McIvor at the door of the shanty had just caught sight of them. He +jumped back inside for a rifle. + +"Beat it!" yelled McCorquodale. "Under cover!" + +The bullets clipped twigs from the trees as the three plunged into the +woods. + +"This way. Quick! Follow me, you fellows," cried Phil. He jumped a +log and struck to the left at a sharp angle. "I know a place where we +can stand them off--if we can make it." + +They floundered on, barking their shins in the darkness that +encompassed them beyond the circle of the bonfires. Behind them McIvor +was hallooing to his scattered followers at the top of his lungs and +cursing impotently between hollers as he poked about at the edge of the +clearing. + +The bedlam which had broken loose when Podmore was freed had trailed +out to a scatter of noise in the distance. Far away the shrieks of the +half-demented man of money still rose above the shouting and cat-calls, +but they were growing less frequent and fainter. Podmore was making +good time apparently. There was a lot of hallooing going on from one +to another, while loud voices and laughter marked the return of +stragglers who had dropped out of the chase. + +With so many stumbling about in the dark Phil reckoned that the +unavoidable snapping of dry sticks in their scramble through the +undergrowth would pass unnoticed long enough to enable them to get well +away. Once or twice they crouched in silence to allow groups of men to +pass them; for Kendrick was now taking a course parallel to the tote +road. Every little while he paused to listen for the fresh outbreak +that would take place back at the camp as soon as Red McIvor had got +enough of his men together to start an organized pursuit. He grinned +presently as a chorus of hallooing flung wide upon the night to apprize +those farthest away that something had gone wrong and to recall them. +By this time, however, the three fugitives were almost within reach of +their goal and could afford to slacken pace in favor of stealth. + +The temporary refuge for which Phil was heading was a rocky elevation +which rose not more than a stonesthrow from the logging road. It +marked the end of a spur which jutted out from the ridge than ran +toward Kinogama Falls. Some by-gone age of upheaval had thrust skyward +a huge pillar of granite and the centuries had gathered about its base +a rubble of boulders and earth in which the forest growths had taken +root and spread up the slopes. On the top of this hill was a +basin-like depression which made a natural rampart for defensive +purposes and Phil had remarked as much on the day that he and Cristy +Lawson had climbed to it. They had stood looking around at the huge +broken slabs of granite and speculating upon the oddness of the +formation, while their conversation had taken on an academic flavor as +they discussed the nebular and glacial theories. They had discovered +at the bottom of a great cleft in the rock, a spring of sparkling +water, so cold that it was impossible to drink it without frequent +pauses. They had named the place "The Saucer," had eaten their lunch +there. He remembered how beautiful she had looked as she talked in +carefree animation and he had taken her hand to pilot her among the +rocks and---- That was just three days ago! + +"Easy now, fellows," cautioned Phil in a whisper. "It's just a short +climb, but watch your step. Give me your hand, Cork, and you take hold +of Jimmy's. For the life of you don't dislodge any stones. They'd go +down with a crash that could be heard a mile on a night like this." + +They reached the top without this misfortune, however, and dropped +behind the rocks with no little satisfaction. + +"Now Jimmy, what's the meaning of all this?" demanded Phil. "Keep your +voice down to a whisper. Podmore--what about him? And how in the +mischief did these toughs get hold of you?" + +It was only by the greatest effort that Stiles pulled himself together. +The excitement of seeing friends and of the escape had keyed him to the +required effort, but with the tension relaxed he was on the point of +collapse. None too strong at any time, the terrible experiences of the +past few days had weakened him greatly; he had had little to eat and +the strain of the last twenty-four hours had exhausted him. He covered +his face with his hands and shook as with an ague. + +"Well, never mind, just now, Jimmy," said Phil quickly as he noted this +condition with some anxiety. "There's a lot of talking to be done, but +it can wait. You lie down and get some rest, old man,----" + +"Can it! Can it!" whispered McCorquodale fiercely. He held up his +hand and listened. + +After the uproar of the past twenty minutes the sudden quiet in the +vicinity of the camp was ominous. There was no longer any sound of +Podmore or of the chase. But now and then a dry stick snapped and +there was a swishing of bushes. The sounds seemed to come from three +or four points at once. + +"They're searching the woods for us," whispered Phil. "They probably +figure we'd make for the river. After everything's quiet, we'll slip +away from here and try for the canoe, but not----" + +_Bang!--Bang!-Bang!_ + +The rifle shots shattered the quiet within a hundred yards of them, +down the tote road towards the river. The three fugitives leaped to +their feet and strained their ears to interpret the sudden renewal of +pandemonium that had broken out all around them. Men were shouting to +each other and plunging excitedly towards the sound of the guns. There +was a noise of pursuit rapidly approaching along the logging road. +Then came a bull-like bellow of rage and a woman's scream. + +Kendrick's face went white in sudden comprehension. + +"She's followed us!" he groaned. "Stay here, Stiles. Come on, Cork. +It's Miss Lawson!" + +Trailing profanity like an express locomotive trailing smoke, +McCorquodale followed down the hill in long stumbling jumps. Loose +stones showered after them and large rocks dislodged and crash-smashed +through the bushes. Without an instant's pause Phil went leaping over +fallen trees and tearing through the undergrowth like one possessed, +swearing at the occasional obstruction over which he tripped in the +dark. + +He broke through into the tote road just as the girl's fleeing figure +loomed dimly in the twilight. + +"Here, Cristy!" he shouted. "This way. The Saucer! Make for the +Saucer! Are you all right?" + +"Yes," she panted. "Oh, Philip,--Svenson--call Svenson!" Neither of +them gave thought to the familiar names by which they addressed each +other under the stress of the moment. + +"Here, Cork. Help her. Hustle back, the both of you." + +There was no time to lose. Members of the gang were plunging through +the woods towards the spot from several directions. Kendrick sped down +the tote road, revolver in hand. Svenson was not hard to locate, for +he was bellowing like a bull of Bashan in the middle of the trail, +shaking his fist in the air and hurling defiance at a cringing group +who were just picking themselves up from the ground where they had been +flung by the enraged Swede. + +"Come on, Svenson! This is Kendrick. Quick, man," called Phil. +"We've got her safe. But there's a million more of them coming through +the woods." + +They ran for it none too soon. Rifle flashes broke in the dark like +fireflies elongated. Bullets were whining past them and thudding into +the tree-trunks and plowing up the ground all around them as they dove +into the thicket; but it was blind guess work shooting in the dark. +They got through unscathed. + +At the foot of the hill they overtook McCorquodale and Cristy just as +the sharp bark of the detective's automatic sent three pursuers hastily +to cover. The big Swede swept the girl over his shoulder as if she had +been a sack of meal and started rapidly up the ascent while Kendrick +dropped behind a rock and joined McCorquodale in the fusilade with his +own weapon. + +The firing was bringing the whole gang about their ears and as soon as +he had given Svenson time to reach the top Phil ordered the detective +to beat a retreat. They tumbled in among their friends, all but winded. + +Svenson sat down and wiped away the blood that was trickling down his +face from a scalp wound. + +"_Yum_--pin' _Yim_iny!" he puffed with emphasis. "Vell, by golly!" + +"Y've said somethin', Goliath," approved McCorquodale with a grin. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +DOUBLE TROUBLE + +Inwardly raging, Kendrick crept about, making anxious inventory of +their hurts. + +There was little use in voicing his amazement that they had been fired +upon with unmistakable intent to do bodily harm--and for such trivial +cause. He had not dreamed that any gang of men would dare to carry out +such an attack in Northern Ontario in these days of established law and +order. These were not pioneer times and a dangerous situation like +this in which they found themselves was out of place except in a moving +picture. One could look for anything to happen in the photo plays +which staged bloody scenes in a corner of a city park, called it "the +Canadian wilds" and shot at least one man every thousand feet of film. +But here in Northern Ontario, a few miles from the luxurious +trans-continental passenger trains _de luxe_--! Scum and all as these +fellows were, they would not dare do this unless they were crazy with +liquor. + +There was ample proof that they were drunk enough for anything and in +the face of the real danger of the situation nothing was to be gained +by recriminations. It was through no fault of McIvor or his men that +their bullets had not caused serious wounds or several fatalities. +Phil was thankful to find that his little party had escaped. Their +clothes were badly torn, of course, and all of them bore various +scratches and bruises from contact with the forest undergrowth in the +dark; but beyond the gash on Svenson's head and another on Phil's +shoulder where a bullet had torn through his sleeve, they had escaped +for the time being. + +He found Cristy Lawson and young Jimmy Stiles in a nook behind the +rocks, exchanging confidences with breathless interest. She had +lighted a small candle and stuck it up in a recess where its feeble +rays were hidden from outside view. She had brought along a canvas +haversack into which she had thrust a number of things she had thought +might be useful in an emergency, including sewing materials, a bottle +of Mrs. Thorlakson's special liniment and a package of sandwiches. The +latter she had opened and Stiles had been munching away while she told +him all that had taken place since she left Toronto--nearly all, that +is. But it was Stiles who was talking when Phil joined them--talking +so rapidly and excitedly that he was almost incoherent. At sight of +Kendrick he stopped abruptly and when the girl turned, Kendrick noted +that she was scarcely less agitated. + +"Jimmy has something to say that you should know at once," she +explained hurriedly, averting her gaze. She seemed very much upset. + +He hastened away to post McCorquodale and Svenson to watch for further +demonstrations from the enemy. There was no sign of any intention on +the part of Red McIvor's men to assault the impregnable position. The +whole gang seemed to have drawn off, for the present at least, and it +would be impossible for any of them to creep up the hill without giving +ample warning of their approach. So, cautioning both to keep their +ears open and to call him at the first sign of further trouble, he +slipped back to hear what Stiles had to say. + +The story of the bookkeeper's strange experience was so absorbing that +it was not long before both his auditors completely forgot their +surroundings. The gang of toughs in the camp below were running a +consignment of cheap whisky and rum into the north country for +distribution among the camps and various unscrupulous traders who would +supply it to lumberjacks, trappers, construction gangs and even Indians +in due season. This Red McIvor was a notorious character who was known +in many an out-of-the-way corner of the North for the boldness of his +operations and his defiance of the law. + +But is [Transcriber's note: it?] was not just chance that had brought +him into this part of the country on his present expedition. It was +the money hidden in the stump. McIvor was open for any sideline in +dishonesty that gave promise of lucrative returns and his agent, +Weiler, had been very busy in Toronto recently. Somebody had tipped J. +C. Nickleby as to Podmore's underhand activities--Ferguson, the +lawyer, Stiles thought; but was not sure--and Podmore had been watched +closely and followed when he started West. Word had been passed to Red +McIvor, who had lost no time in getting on the trail of this +fifty-thousand-dollar pick-me-up, with the result that he had reached +out a hairy arm, twisted his fingers in Mr. Podmore's coat-collar and +calmly dispossessed him of the sealed envelope which he had recovered +from the stump. The chase which had ended thus had not been prolonged, +as the city man had been no match for the experienced woodsman in the +latter's own environment. + +When McIvor found that all he had for his efforts was a package of +worthless stage money he was furious. He at once concluded that +Podmore had tricked him and had hidden the real money. He trusted his +eastern agent implicitly and neither Podmore's own blank surprise when +the envelope was opened or his most desperate protestations could +change McIvor's idea of the situation. Knowing the truth of the +matter, Stiles had tried to save Podmore from the rough punishment +meted out to him at McIvor's camp, but his net return for his efforts +was abuse; he dare not reveal too close a connection with the envelope +as his own position already was too precarious. + +On the night following his luncheon with Kendrick Stiles had gone back +to the office to finish some work. He was in the habit of working on +the books at night occasionally. He had no sooner let himself in than +he became aware of a heated discussion that was going on behind the +ground-glass partition which separated Alderson's private office from +the general office. One voice was Nickleby's; the other he did not +recognize, but from the tenor of the remarks he felt sure that what was +going on was of vital interest to his friends. Instead of turning on +the light, therefore, he had crept close to the partition. + +He soon knew that the man alone with Nickleby in that office was +Harrington Rives, late of the penitentiary, and that Rives had known +Nickleby in the past. In fact, Rives was calmly advising Nickleby to +remember that the police had long memories, and that away down south in +the States was a certain institution which would be glad at any time to +welcome home a prodigal no matter how often he changed his name. After +this remark Nickleby had cooled down very quickly, as if realizing that +he was in Rives' power, and it was apparent to the eager youth in the +outer office that the pair understood each other thoroughly. Judging +by the clinking of glass and a certain recklessness of speech, both +were drawing heavily upon Alderson's stock of liquid "office supplies." + +Stiles had become so excited over his discovery that for the moment he +had forgotten the danger of his own position. Accidentally he knocked +his knee against the partition and the first thing he knew Nickleby and +Rives came into the outer office on the run. They caught him just as +he had reached the door. + +When they realized that he had overheard their conversation his life +had been in danger for an instant; for Nickleby was in a white-hot +passion and would have choked him. But the ex-politician took the +situation very coolly and dragged Nickleby loose somewhat roughly. +There was no use in getting excited, he had advised calmly; there were +other ways of taking care of this young man. Whereupon they had shut +him inside the vault while they discussed the matter of his discreet +disposal. + +It was perhaps half an hour later that a closed cab had driven up the +lane at the rear of the building. Two men were inside the vehicle, +waiting for him. It was too dark for him to get a good look at them +just then. They lost no time in tying a pocket-handkerchief around his +ankles and blindfolding him with another. Rives and Nickleby remained +behind at the office. Jimmy knew that his two custodians were "tough," +if their talk and manner meant anything, and whenever he tried to speak +to them they told him to "shut up or we'll knock your block off," +following up the threat with sundry kicks and blows. + +"There's your melodrama for you, Mr. Kendrick," Cristy could not resist +interpolating, "closed cab and all." + +They left the city and drove for most of the night along country roads. +About dawn they reached their destination and when the bandage was +removed Stiles found himself in an empty room that was so dusty and +musty he came to the conclusion it was an empty house on some little +travelled side road. As soon as it grew light enough to take an +inventory of his surroundings Stiles went to the window, but could see +nothing except hills, valleys and bushland. Not a single habitation +was in sight. He found out later that the place was down near +Stockton, somewhere back in Clam Creek Valley, many miles from the +city; it was from the Stockton station that they afterwards boarded the +train. + +Food was brought in to him regularly three or four times by a toothless +old woman who refused to talk. They watched him too closely for any +attempt at escape, one of his guards remaining in the room all day. + +The next night he heard voices and a general stirring about the place +and before long he knew that Rives had arrived. He came into the room +with the two men who had ridden in the cab and they tried to make +Stiles tell what he knew about the missing campaign fund money. It had +been a bad half hour that followed; but at last they decided that he +really knew nothing about the matter. + +Rives had sent the other two out of the room then and had adopted a +less truculent manner. He told Stiles that he had no desire to do him +any injury and that no harm would befall him if he did exactly as he +was told. It was necessary that Jimmy disappear completely for a +while, and accordingly they had arranged for him to take a little +holiday trip into Northern Ontario with the two "boys" who had ridden +with him the night before. If he agreed to go with them and to make no +attempt to escape or create a disturbance he would be treated with +every consideration. There was no reason, Rives said, why the trip +would not prove a genuine holiday jaunt; there would be canoeing, +fishing, camping out, plenty to eat and so on and he would be back +after a while with a fine coat of tan and, if he behaved himself, money +in his pocket. + +With his voice dropped suddenly to a strictly confidential tone, Rives +had then informed Jimmy that the missing campaign fund money had been +located--at a place called Thorlakson, west on the C.L.S. railway, +hidden in a certain stump beside a water-tank. Very carefully he led +up to the proposal that Stiles should attempt to secure this money +without the knowledge of his camp-mates. It was then that Jimmy had +learned from Rives about Red McIvor and the logging-camp where the +party was to gather; that the station at which they would leave the +train was called Indian Creek, and that it was the next station beyond +Thorlakson--just a few miles away. Rives said that both Red McIvor and +a man named Podmore were after the money and he was afraid that if they +secured it they would steal it whereas he, Rives, was anxious to +restore it to the rightful owner. If Jimmy would help him to do this, +get the money and turn it over to him, he would see that he was +suitably rewarded. If Jimmy refused to fall in with the plan outlined, +the alternative was a jail sentence; for it had been only with great +difficulty that he had persuaded Nickleby to refrain from putting +Stiles in jail on a charge of theft. + +Jimmy had pretended to be duly impressed and grateful to Rives. He had +agreed promptly to the proposal. The situation suddenly had become so +ludicrous that he had experienced great difficulty in maintaining the +proper solemnity. The opportunity of getting to Thorlakson where he +could report his discoveries to Miss Lawson was the thing he most +desired. + +But he had failed to reckon the possibility that he would be unable to +escape. It had seemed to be an easy thing to give his two companions +the slip; but when they detrained at Indian Creek he had been inveigled +into assisting with the unloading of the canoes, and on his first trip +to the creek a short distance from the station, he had found himself +forced into the Indian guide's canoe and carried beyond reach of help. + +He had planned then to escape after they reached the abandoned logging +camp, steal a canoe and come back to the railway line and down to +Thorlakson on a handcar or a freight train. But again he had not +reckoned on the number of men with whom he would have to deal at the +camp. McIvor's party proper consisted only of three men beside +himself; but the half-breeds and others who had been invited for a +spree began to straggle in till escape became almost impossible. They +caught him the first time he tried it and after that he had been +guarded more closely. It was plain to him that Nickleby, knowing of +this McIvor expedition, had paid McIvor's agent to carry him into the +heart of the wilderness with them and to keep him away from +civilization. + +In the light of this recital of the facts the presence of Jimmy Stiles +was no longer an unbelievable coincidence, but a logical outcome. +Nickleby, having made a dicker with McIvor's man to recover the money +from the stump before Podmore could get it, had attempted to kill two +birds with one stone by having McIvor take Stiles with him on his +expedition beyond the outposts of civilization. In doing that Nickleby +had no means of knowing that he was defeating his own ends by putting +Stiles within reach of friends. + +The end of the narrative found Kendrick full of eager questions. The +definite knowledge that Nickleby had a police record, that Rives knew +this and had looked him up on the strength of it, that the two had +their heads together--all this boded no good, as Phil saw it. +Nathaniel Lawson and Benjamin Wade apparently had been justified in +their worst suspicions of Nickleby. Kendrick asked Stiles for further +details of the conversation he had overheard between Nickleby and +Rives. Had he been able to catch all that was said? Was there any +indication that the two were planning further mischief? + +"They dropped their voices pretty low once or twice," replied Jimmy +with some hesitation, "but I got the most of it." He looked across at +Cristy Lawson and cleared his throat in such evident embarrassment that +Phil glanced quickly at the girl. + +"What is it, Miss Lawson, please? You and Jimmy are keeping something +back. Why? Is there something you think I ought not to know?" + +She looked up at that and he was surprised at the diffidence reflected +in her manner. + +"It isn't that it is anything you should not know," she said with an +effort to choose her words carefully. "On the contrary, you should +know it. But it is never pleasant to be the bearer of--bad news." + +"'Nothing is ever so bad that it might not be worse,'" he quoted, +endeavoring to cover his anxiety by a smile. "What is it, please?" + +"It is about your uncle, Mr. Kendrick." She turned to face him +squarely and spoke rapidly. "We have undeniable proof that the +Honorable Milton Waring is in collusion with Nickleby--and, +incidentally, Rives--and they are planning to misuse the funds of the +Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company. They are meeting about +midnight on the twenty-seventh at your uncle's house--over on the +Island--to close a deal which involves control of Interprovincial +stock. Nickleby has agreed to dispose of his holdings and those of his +clique at grossly inflated prices and to provide the money for the +purchase by a large loan with very inadequate collateral security. In +plain language it is a huge steal which may mean, possibly, that the +loan company will have to close its doors." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +LOWERING CLOUDS + +Phil gazed gravely at the girl's flushed, excited face; then at the +pale, serious Jimmy Stiles. He could not smile at this startling +statement as an out-and-out absurdity when it was so apparent that both +of them were sincere in their belief that it was the truth. + +"That is a pretty serious charge you are making, Miss Lawson," he said +quietly. "You speak of undeniable proof that my uncle is in collusion +with Nickleby. I think we may eliminate Rives as impossible in this +connection. As you know, my uncle was the man who put Rives in jail, +where he belonged. Just what do you mean by 'undeniable proof'?" + +"It is true that Rives was jailed through your uncle's efforts, but +that was twelve years ago, Mr. Kendrick. Twelve years is a long +time--in office. Political brooms have an unfortunate tendency of late +years to lose their splinters very rapidly once they are sure of a +place inside the door and it isn't a great while before they no longer +sweep clean." + +"'Undeniable proof,' I believe you said," persisted Phil. + +"Jimmy overheard Nickleby and Rives calmly discussing the meeting with +the Honorable Milton Waring, which is to take place on the night of the +twenty-seventh, and while he was unable to obtain the full details of +the scheme which is being hatched with your uncle's co-operation, he +learned enough to show that their plans are pretty near maturity. + +"If that were all, I would be inclined to say that Jimmy must have been +wool-gathering and have misunderstood what he heard; but, unfortunately +it isn't all--not by any matter of means." + +She paused and looked up at him bravely. + +"Mr. Kendrick, several times in the past few days our conversation has +wandered to political topics and once or twice you mentioned with some +resentment the personal attacks which are made upon our public men by +political opponents in the heat of electioneering. You said it was +enough to drive all thought of taking part in the government of the +country from the minds of decent citizens. You were pretty severe on +the newspapers, the party organs anyway, for some of the things they +have ventured to say about your uncle from time to time. I endeavored +to change the subject whenever you got going along this line for fear I +would say something which would hurt your feelings. I assure you it is +not easy for me to do that now. I am a newspaper woman, as you know, +and loyalty to my paper demands that I speak plainly. Also the +situation in which we find ourselves requires me to give you facts in +advance of publication--facts which have been very closely guarded by +the _Recorder_--and I am trusting to your discretion under most +difficult circumstances." + +"I understand, Miss Lawson. It's scarcely necessary to assure you that +your confidence will be respected." + +"I told you the other night that my editor had grown suspicious of the +Alderson Construction Company and that we had been gathering up +evidence for a graft exposure that would shock the country. I regret +very much that the Honorable Milton Waring is involved in these +charges, along with Blatchford Ferguson and Nickleby. Alderson himself +is merely a figurehead of Nickleby's; for, as I told you before, the +Alderson concern is ninety per cent. J. C. Nickleby. It was +immediately after a secret meeting between these four men that the +campaign fund contribution of fifty thousand dollars was made by the +Alderson Construction Company. You know what happened to it. +Photographs of this money are now in the _Recorder's_ possession. + +"But before this meeting took place at all we had run down the proof of +a real-estate transaction in connection with the proposed new Deaf and +Dumb Institute that was traceable finally to your uncle and Nickleby +and Ferguson. The three of them secretly formed a little syndicate. +Nickleby advanced the wherewithal to purchase the land, Ferguson bought +it up quietly and shrewdly through different agents at half its value, +and the Honorable Milt's contribution was to engineer the Government's +purchase of the site. In fact, we obtained the proof that it was he +who proposed the whole deal to Nickleby in the first place. The site +was purchased piecemeal, at sacrifice prices, from individual lot +owners for a total of $50,000. Its market value was $100,000. It was +sold to the Government for $200,000. The profit of $150,000 was split +three ways between your uncle, Ferguson and Nickleby. These are facts, +Mr. Kendrick, which have been established beyond question by my editor, +Mr. McAllister, by personal investigation." + +She paused and looked away from him to escape evidence of the pain +which she knew her words were giving him. His face seemed haggard in +the feeble flicker of the candle. Stiles had sat silent throughout, +poking some dried pine-needles into a little heap with a stick. He +continued carefully to poke them together and scatter them again, poke +them together and scatter them again. + +"You are quite sure--of the proof?" + +"I'm awfully sorry, Mr. Kendrick," and he looked up at her sympathetic +tones to find tears in her eyes. "There is no mistake. The _Recorder_ +has the sworn affidavits to prove its charges in connection with the +real-estate deal and Mr. McAllister has shown me photos of the cheques." + +Phil sat as if dazed. He could not trust himself to speak. He fought +against belief in his uncle's dereliction, but there seemed no loophole +of escape from such evidence and he knew that Cristy Lawson could have +no object in attempting to deceive him. She was telling him the truth. + +This, then, was the sort of thing Ben Wade had had in mind when he said +there was nothing to be gained by shutting one's eyes to the fact that +many a good man had found the political game as it was played these +days too many for him. He knew what McAllister had up his sleeve +perhaps. Was it part of the puzzle which the railroad president was +trying to piece together? What had Wade done with the stolen money +that Cristy had given him? He had had it photographed, for one thing, +and turned the photos over to McAllister! He had been helping Cristy +in her work! At the same time he had been trying to save Aunt Dolly +from--what? The suffering she would undergo under the disgrace of the +very exposure which Wade was helping to bring about? + +It was a muddle which was hard to penetrate. What a beautiful line of +talk Blatch Ferguson had handed him the other day! According to Blatch +the Honorable Milton Waring was one of the hardest-working, most +conscientious and high-principled men of the day and Blatch had had +greater opportunity of knowing that than most, he had said. He could +say that, knowing the facts, being one of the principals himself in the +graft that was going on!--could say that and follow it up with a homily +upon honesty in public life--say it with an exalted look upon his face! +How completely a bit of unsuspected truth could alter an entire +perspective! How easily he had been fooled when he became too +inquisitive! + +And his uncle? Had his uncle talked to him that foggy night only for +the purpose of fooling him too? "Even one man against a pack of wolves +can put up at least some kind of a fight, even though he knows that +sooner or later he is doomed to go down." His uncle knew, then, that +sooner or later discovery must come? He had talked about having tried +to do his duty and wanted his nephew to believe it no matter what +happened. But, as Cristy had pointed out, new brooms had time to +become worn and inefficient in twelve years of use. His uncle had been +talking in the past tense! He _had_ tried to do what he thought was +his duty--at first, when he swept into politics, inspired by the +victory over the Rives crowd. Twelve years apparently was a long time +to expect an inspiration to burn in the face of besetting temptations. + +Phil looked up at last, aware that the girl was speaking, tense with +eagerness. + +"I wanted you to know the truth, Mr. Kendrick," she was saying, "if +only that it will help you to understand how serious I consider the +news which Jimmy brings--this new deal that is pending, I mean. The +_Recorder_ must act at once to stop it. It is better that your uncle +face the charges as they now stand than to have this last and blackest +mark against him. I hope you agree with me?" + +"Decidedly," nodded Kendrick. "What you have told me, Miss Lawson, +has--well, kind of knocked the wind out of me. I can scarcely credit +it. Even yet, I am hoping against hope that it is not as bad as the +evidence seems to indicate. But one thing is certain, there is no use +in attempting to do anything but face the music. If my uncle is +guilty, he will have to pay the price; there can be no compromise +between right and wrong. On the other hand--well, false accusations +never yet downed an honest man." + +He was entirely unconscious that he was quoting Blatch Ferguson. +Impulsively Cristy held out her hand, her eyes glowing. + +"I am glad to hear you say that," she said softly. "Somehow, I felt +that you would take it--that way." + +"There is one thing I cannot force myself to believe," he asserted +confidently, "and that is that Uncle Milt would have any dealings with +this man, Rives. That seems to discredit----" + +"I think perhaps you have misunderstood part of it," interrupted +Stiles. "Miss Lawson didn't mean that Rives was mixed up with your +uncle. He's in with Nickleby, but I don't think Mr. Waring knows that +for a minute. From what Rives and Nickleby said I think they're +planning to give the deal away and get Mr. Waring into trouble--after +they get away themselves to a safe place, y'understand. The deal's +between Nickleby and your uncle, Mr. Kendrick. It was Rives who told +Nickleby they'd leave Mr. Waring 'holding the sack.' That was the way +he put it. I don't know whether Rives is going to be at this meeting +or not; but't aint likely." + +"And when did you say this meeting was?--the twenty-seventh?" + +"About midnight--that was exactly what Nickleby said." + +Phil turned quickly to the girl. + +"And do you know what day this is?" he demanded. + +"Wednesday--the twenty-seventh," she said calmly. + +"Then, to-night--Listen, Miss Lawson. Do I understand that you believe +an actual transfer of cash or negotiable securities will take place in +connection with this thing--_to-night_?" + +"Unless the date has been changed--yes. Jimmy overheard Nickleby say +he had arranged it that way. It is not likely that the date has been +changed, once Jimmy was safely out of the way; Nickleby and Rives would +be only too keen to get it over with before some hitch occurred." + +"Then we're too late!" cried Phil in excitement. + +"I do not expect you to help me, Mr. Kendrick, but I do expect that +your sense of fair play will prevent you from attempting to detain me." + +"Detain you? I don't understand, Miss Lawson. I am ready to help you +in every way I can to prevent this thing. I would be anyway, but with +these two criminals planning deliberately to get my uncle--why, there's +nothing we can do at this late date----" + +"There's the telegraph wire. What time is it now?" + +"Not quite ten o'clock," answered Phil, glancing at his watch. + +"If I could get away from here immediately, I could make it--wire the +story to the _Recorder_ with instructions to communicate with the +police--to-night, I mean. The paper doesn't go to press until after +three-thirty. But there's no time to lose." + +"Hey, 'bo!" called McCorquodale sharply. "Here comes the torchlight +parade. Get a wiggle on. Looks like they was goin' to set the woods +on fire!" + +All three sprang to their feet in consternation. For the time being +they had forgotten all about the McIvor gang. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE FIGHT + +Kendrick joined McCorquodale on the run. It needed but a glance over +the rock to observe two members of the gang approaching the base of the +hill through the woods, one carrying a flaring pine-knot torch, the +other a piece of white canvas tied to a stick. They were coming for a +parley. + +Phil summoned his little party around him for a hasty council of war. +It looked to be as good an opportunity as they were likely to have for +attempting to reach the river. Unless somebody had a better suggestion +to offer, let Miss Lawson, Svenson and Jimmy slip away, while +McCorquodale and he talked to these fellows on the opposite side of the +hill. + +"We'll jolly them along as well as we can to give the rest of you as +much time as possible. How does it strike you, Miss Lawson? Is the +ankle bothering you at all?" + +The girl was quite sure of herself. The ankle was all right and she +could handle the canoe. When she got to the section shanty she would +have Thorlakson get out the handcar and run her down to the nearest +telegraph operator and that was all there was to it. + +"In that case I can be of greater service as a rearguard," said +Kendrick. "Svenson's canoe is plenty large enough for the three of you +without overcrowding. It's really built for four, isn't it, Svenson?" + +"You bet you life Ay ben smart fallar," grinned the big Swede. "Das +ben gude yob, y'batcha. Das har canoe, she ride avay vith seven, den +take nodder vun. Yaw, das' rite, alrite." + +"What about you and Mr. McCorquodale?" asked Cristy. + +"Don't worry about us. We'll try to follow you as soon as possible, +but on no account are you to wait for us, once you reach the river. We +may be--delayed somewhat. If you watch your step and get any kind of +an even break on the luck, you'll get through O.K. + +"Svenson, listen to me carefully, now. You are to make it your first +business to protect Miss Lawson--at any cost. If you are discovered by +a sentry, silence him before he makes a noise. If you can't find your +own canoe, take any one you see; you'll find ours drawn up in the +bushes to the left of the trail, not far from the flat rock. It'll +only hold two; so you get Stiles and Miss Lawson afloat, then hump back +here. You understand, now? If they haven't touched the big canoe you +are to go along with the others; you are to come back only if the canoe +is too small to take you also. And if you get into trouble--fight!" + +"Ay goin' tew rase hell," grinned Svenson, growling with delight as he +swung the big club with which he had armed himself and tapped the +hunting knife in his belt. "Don't Ay toll you dat Ay ben gude smart +mans? Veil, by golly, das no yoke! Yust vatch may rase hell an' soak +dem on da hed!" + +"Not unless you can't possibly get away without a fight, remember," +warned Phil. "If it comes to a showdown, Miss Lawson,--if you are +discovered--you are to slip out of sight into the woods immediately. +And that means _immediately_, please. Don't wait for anything. Stiles +and Svenson will hold them back long enough for you to reach a canoe. +And for God's sake, get in and away as fast as you can go. You are the +one on whom most depends, remember. You _must_ get away without fail, +no matter what happens to the rest of us. + +"Jimmy, you are to stick with Svenson if there's a fight and help him +all you can. In an emergency your help might just turn the whole +trick. Get hold of a club as soon as you get down the hill. If we +only had some more guns! There's only the two revolvers and Cork and +I'll need those to put up a front. We'll join you as fast as possible +if you get into trouble. Miss Lawson is an expert canoeist and the +river is not difficult; so she'll be all right. Stick with Svenson, +Jimmy." + +Satisfied that all of them understood their parts, he told them to wait +for his signal to creep down the hill, and turned to the side that +faced the camp. The two men, carrying the torch and the white flag, +had almost reached the foot of the hill by this time and as they showed +no indication of halting, Kendrick stopped them with a sharp command. + +"That's close enough!" he called in warning. "What do you want?" + +"Red sent us over to find out what'n hell you fellas means by grabbin' +off one o' our men." + +"He's not one of your men," denied Phil. + +"You're a liar!" cried the man who was carrying the flag. "He belongs +to our party an' we want him back damn quick or we'll come an' take +him. What're you holdin' him prisoner fer? You let him go, Mister, +an' there won't be no more fuss about it." + +"All right. If he wants to go back to the camp, he can go. Wait a +minute and I'll ask him." + +He made a pretense of doing so. + +"Away you go now! Don't step on any loose stones. Good luck, Miss +Lawson," was what he whispered. + +The girl ran over to him and caught his hand. + +"I think it's great of you, Mr. Kendrick," she murmured. "Good-bye, +and good luck to you also," and with that she was gone; but he thrilled +at the farewell pressure of her fingers. + +"Hi, you, up there! We can't wait here all night." + +"There seems to be a slight misunderstanding, old man," placated Phil. +"He says he prefers to stay here. He says you kept him prisoner over +there and didn't give him enough to eat." + +"Aw, he's full o' _hooch_!" cried the spokesman with a loud guffaw. +"He'll be gittin' a heluva lot less grub where he is. Say, are you +guys goin' to be good sports or aincha? Red told me to invite the +bunch over to camp fer a snort. C'm on over an' hev a drink on us an' +cut out the shenanigans." + +"Now, that sounds pretty decent of you," approved Phil. "Wait till I +see what the rest say." + +He ducked down again to find McCorquodale crossing from the opposite +side of "The Saucer," where he had been keeping eyes and ears open for +a surprise attack in case the white flag was but a treacherous ruse. + +"Everythin' jake so far, 'bo," whispered he with elation. "They's down +to level ground 'thout a peep--slick as a whistle." + +"Good," breathed Phil. He climbed again into view. "Listen, boys. My +friends say to thank you for the invite, but they aren't thirsty. Did +you know that we had a spring of cold water up here?" + +The fellow grew angry. + +"If youse don't come youse'll be damn sorry, Mister. You've plugged a +couple o' our fellas pretty bad an' y'aint goin' to git away with +nothin' like that." + +"Why, what will you do?" + +"We'll damn soon show you, Mister. We've got you surrounded right +now." Phil's heart sank; he had been hoping that the sound of an +accordeon and singing at the camp meant that most of them were over +there. "If we can't do no better, we'll starve youse out in a couple +o' days." + +"You can't do that," scoffed Phil. "We've got water right here and a +big package of concentrated food tablets that will keep us going for +weeks. Besides, let me tell you something you don't know. The rest of +our Government survey party is due to join us here to-morrow morning, +and I'd advise the whole bunch of you to clear out by sunrise or you'll +regret it. You're breaking the law, firing at us the way you have." + +"Yah! that bluff don't go, Mister." + +"We have the law on our side," retorted Kendrick, "and we'll shoot to +kill in self defense if you don't leave us strictly alone. We've +got----" + +He never finished that sentence; for rifle shots and hallooing off +towards the river apprized the two anxious defenders of "The Saucer" +that the worst had happened. Kendrick crossed to the opposite side in +two bounds and found McCorquodale already on top of the rocks, reaching +down for his leader's hand. + +"We're in for it, old man," said Phil coolly. "Make straight for the +trail. We've got to beat them to it." + +McCorquodale only swore as he tightened his belt and for the second +time they went down the hill in long jumps that sent loose stones +crashing through the brushwood. Once on the level they ran for the +sounds of trouble as fast as they could make headway through impeding +undergrowth. They broke through at last into the tote road and ran at +top speed down a straight stretch of it that was like a long aisle +between the flanking trunks of spruce and hemlock. There was a sharp +turn in the trail at the end of this aisle and judging by the glow of a +fire that someone had lighted and the shouts of men in combat, it was +just around the turn that the issue was being fought. + +"Left, Cork--into the bush!" panted Phil as he heard a shout behind +them. + +They cut straight through for the bonfire, against the glow of which +the tree-trunks began to stand out black. As they approached, Kendrick +threw out his arm to stop the detective, and they dropped to the ground +and crawled the remaining distance on hands and knees. + +Against the firelight towered the black bulk of the giant Swede in the +centre of a wild hand-to-hand fight against five of McIvor's men. They +were attacking him from all sides at once, and if any of them had been +armed with rifles they had thrown these aside in favor of knives and +clubs. The fighting was too close for the use of firearms. A sixth +man had got it on "da hed" before they had succeeded in knocking the +club out of the Swede's hands; he lay, sprawled and still, near the +edge of the woods. The sheath in which the sectionman had carried his +hunting-knife swung empty as if the knife had been plucked out by one +of his assailants; for he was defending himself only with feet and bare +hands. + +But it was all Svenson needed. He was putting up the fight of his +life. It was a beautiful demonstration of Scandinavian defense +methods--one man unarmed against five with knives and clubs! His huge +arms were working like flails. His powerful, supple body bent and +heaved this way and that with powerful sweeps as he met the incessant +attack. As fast as they came at him he sent them hurling off their +balance. + +He seemed to have a defense for every kind of attack. As Kendrick and +McCorquodale first got sight of him three of the gang were rushing him +simultaneously. He knicked the knife spinning from one man's hand with +his heavy hob-nailed boot, grabbed the fellow by the waist and tossed +him backward over his head, grabbed a second one and whirled him across +his hip clean into the bushes; number three he laid out with a knee in +the stomach and an uppercut that must have broken his jaw. All this +like lightning. Svenson was indeed proving himself "gude smart mans," +and that was, in very truth, "no yoke." Svenson was making good his +promise "tew rase hell." + +"Oh boy! Oh _boy_!" McCorquodale kept muttering to himself, pausing an +instant in amazed admiration. + +One glance assured Kendrick that the girl was nowhere in sight. +Evidently Cristy was carrying out instructions to the letter. + +Stiles! Where was Stiles? Jimmy had "stuck," but he had gone under +early. He lay prone in the foreground, his face ghastly with a smear +of blood across the cheek. The fellow who had done it was still +standing there, looking down at the inanimate form. + +Distant shouts and the noise of reinforcements approaching through the +timber announced the gravity of the situation. In another moment the +whole crowd would be upon them. + +"I eats this guy up, 'bo," whispered McCorquodale, pointing to Stiles' +victor with his thumb, "'n'en I helps Swedie, see. You grabs Jimmy on +your back an' beats it fer the canoes. The girl's away already an' +Swedie an' me'll join you in a jiff an' the whole bunch of us vamooses, +see. You grabs Stiles----" + +Kendrick silenced him with a look and together they leaped into the +fray. Phil knocked out the man standing beside Stiles with one blow on +the head from the butt of his revolver. Shouting encouragement, +McCorquodale went to the hard pressed Svenson's assistance--Iron Man +McCorquodale, former near middleweight champion--and the light of +battle was in his eye. + +A man ran out of the bush, his yellow teeth bared in a snarl of rage. +He wore a bandage across his forehead and came at Kendrick, levelling +his rifle. Just as he pulled the trigger he tripped on a root and +pitched full length into the open, the gun exploding harmlessly into +the ground. Phil had him by the throat in an instant. + +"Kom on! Kom on, by Yiminy!" bellowed Svenson exultantly as he shook +his tawny head and blew the blood from his mouth. "Yust took a look at +may! Ay ben give you nodder bellyful, y'batcha!" He ducked low to +avoid the vicious sweep of a heavy stick, grabbed the assailant by the +ankles and swung him around his head as if the man had weighed but +twenty pounds. Only two were left facing him now and they fell back +before this terrible antagonist, swearing impotently. + +McCorquodale had met a new arrival on the scene with a fierce uppercut +that felled him like an ox and was slowly pressing a second arrival +back into the bush with right and left swings to the face that landed +so swift and sure that the fellow literally was blinded by the blows. +It was Weiler, and the detective growled as he fought. + +The tide of battle gradually was turning. So many of the enemy were +down and out that it was beginning to look as if Kendrick and his +friends would win through to the river if they could but keep up the +terrific pace for a few minutes longer. This, however, was reckoning +without the sudden reversion of the odds against them by the arrival of +Red McIvor and two more men from the camp. They came running into +sight around the turn in the tote road and McIvor was cursing like a +wild man as he bore down on the struggle. + +If the others had neglected the advantage which fire-arms gave them, +not so Red McIvor. Within fifty paces he stopped short, dropped to his +knee and deliberately raised his rifle. + +"You ---- ---- fools!" he yelled. "Clear away from them!" + +He was aiming at the big Swede; but as Phil finished choking the +halfbreed who had attacked him and sprang to his feet, McIvor swung his +rifle. + +Kendrick dropped in his tracks. + +McCorquodale turned quickly at sound of the shot, just in time to see +his leader go down. He fired from the hip and at the bark of his +automatic Red McIvor pitched over sideways. + +For a moment the two men beside him stood gazing down, awe-stricken and +dismayed. Then they turned and ran as hard as they could go, back up +the logging trail. It was the signal for the retreat of every member +of the gang who could slip out of sight into the woods; but not before +Svenson had gathered together every weapon they possessed. + +With an oath McCorquodale started towards Kendrick; but he stopped when +he saw Phil sitting up, grinning at him cheerfully. At the first move +of McIvor's rifle in his direction he had thrown himself flat, +disconcerting the man's aim. + +The detective's bullet, however, had found its mark. Red McIvor lay +sprawled grotesquely where he fell. A moment later McCorquodale looked +up from his examination. + +"Y' can't kill this bird with no thirty-two," he grinned. "He'll be +around after a bit, cussin' a blue streak. The bullet bumped him on +the bean an' glanced off like it was solid ivory. I slips the +bracelets on him, see, an' we takes him along with us. I miss my guess +if he aint wanted bad in 'bout every place he's been." + +It was an odd procession which filed out on the riverbank twenty +minutes later. First came Svenson, carrying across his great shoulder +the still unconscious form of the bootlegger. Behind him walked Jimmy +Stiles, supported by Kendrick. McCorquodale brought up the rear, +loaded down with confiscated rifles. + +They found Svenson's big canoe unharmed. The small canoe was gone from +its place in the bushes beside the flat rock. In the soft earth at the +water's edge they discovered a spare paddle stuck upright and to it was +tied a bit of cambric, her handkerchief. + +Phil struck a match and examined it carefully, making out a dim "O.K." +which she had marked on it with a lead-pencil. + +He heaved a breath of relief and smiled as he wrapped it carefully +about a dollar bill and tucked it away in his card-case. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE RACE BEGINS + +It was just a few minutes past eleven o'clock when Cristy Lawson +climbed to the railroad track out of breath and hurried towards the +section shanty. She had made good time in the canoe with the swift +current of the Wolverine in her favor, and she was elated at her +progress. The remaining stage of the journey should not present much +difficulty, once she had persuaded Thorlakson of the urgency of her +mission. + +The place was in darkness and she tapped loudly on the window-pane of +Mrs. Thorlakson's bedroom. After a little while she heard the woman +stir and call out. Cristy shouted in to her and with many strange +Icelandic expressions of astonishment Mrs. Thorlakson came to the door +and let her in. + +The kind-hearted woman's appearance in a flaming red canton-flannel +nightgown, her hair comically "done up" for the night, was grotesque. +But Cristy did not laugh. Instead, she asked for Thorlakson and cried +out in dismay to learn that he was not there--that he had taken the +handcar and had gone off with the two Norwegians to visit Bilodeau, the +foreman on the section below. + +Cristy poured out her story, at least as much of it as she thought +would convey the urgency of the situation; but it was rather difficult +to make the woman grasp it, Mrs. Thorlakson's English being somewhat +limited, while the girl had no knowledge whatever of Icelandic. At +last she gave it up. + +"May I have some biscuits or something from the pantry?" she asked, and +at the woman's nod she rummaged around among crocks and pans in search +of portable edibles. She stuffed a handful of stale doughnuts inside +her shirtwaist, together with a lump of cheese. + +Mrs. Thorlakson stood at the door with the lamp held high in one hand, +peering in upon these operations in dumb wonderment. When she finally +realized that the girl purposed setting off along the track on foot, +she became loud in her protests. Cristy made out that she was anxious +about the sprained ankle; but this was so entirely better that it had +given her no trouble at all so far and she merely laughed away the good +woman's fears and, with a hasty good-bye, ran out of the house and +disappeared in the dark. For several minutes Mrs. Thorlakson continued +to stand in the doorway, the lamp above her head, her face shining in +the mellow glow with a queer mixture of apprehension and mystification. +These city people were beyond her comprehension. + +Cristy hesitated a moment as to which direction she should take. She +knew that Indian Creek was west and she knew also that she and Kendrick +had walked that eastern stretch of track for miles and miles. She +turned west. + +At first she ran, experiencing a thrill of satisfaction that her ankle +seemed to be almost as good as it ever was. Lack of breath soon +slackened her pace to a walk. There was a long trudge ahead of her +before she could hope to reach the station above and the wisdom of +conserving her energies was evident. She had no idea how far away the +station might be--possibly a couple of miles; more likely many more. +She had heard the foreman say his section was about nine miles long, +but she was ignorant as to how much of it lay west of the shanty. She +hoped devoutly that the station was not too far away. Time was +precious. Time was everything. + +The night had grown cloudy and dark. She could not see more than a few +feet away; but that was nothing. All she had to do was to keep on +walking as fast as she could until she got to the next station up the +line. After that she merely had to sit down at a table in the +station-agent's room and write up the whole story for her paper. The +operator and the _Recorder_ would do the rest. She would send a flash +wire to notify Brennon, the night editor, what to expect and she would +send a special message to McAllister that would send him jumping for +the Chief of Police. + +The _Recorder_ was a morning paper. It did not go to press until about +four a.m., and they could hold it beyond that hour if necessary. That +part of it was all right if they could only get the police into action +in time to catch the scoundrels who were plotting at Waring's house. +If all went well she might expect to reach the wire by midnight. They +would have her story in type in plenty of time if there was no wire +trouble. That was a chance which she would have to take. It might be, +of course, that Nickleby and Rives had acted already; but hardly +likely, she thought. + +She could not afford to fail. She MUST not fail! There was no use in +trying to rake up obstacles until she came to them. All sorts of +possibilities for failure at the Toronto end occurred to her; but she +shut her lips tight together and thrust these doubts aside angrily. + +Just then she tripped on a cross-tie, stumbled and fell. Her heart +leaped in fright at thought of the ankle and she tested it anxiously; +but it seemed all right. She would have to pay more attention to her +feet. Here now she had gone and skinned the palm of her hand for +nothing and lost two doughnuts out of her waist! There was comfort in +the knowledge that there were no cattleguards to tumble into in this +lonesome stretch of wild Algoma. + +She hurried on, straining her eyes at the barrier of gloom that rose a +few yards ahead. And out of it kept springing faint grotesque shapes +that changed themselves slowly, resolving into dim rocks and bushes, +telegraph poles and high embankments, finally melting away behind her +and losing their identity in the gloom from which they came. But +through it all, ever the same, the never-ending length of track +undulated in slow measure beneath her feet. Overhead the sky was +filled with drifting shadow hosts. + +The night blackened. The heavens seemed to draw down upon her and +fantastic ghost creatures of her disordered fancy crept hungrily in. +The warm air hung heavy and still between the flanking forest walls and +she might have been lost in some unreal world but for the rough +insistence of the roadbed through the thin soles of her shoes. + +She stopped. A loud rustle of the bushes a few feet away in the dark +set her pulses beating foolishly. Some animal was there, she knew, and +breaking into a run, she fled from the spot, halting only when her +breath gave out. She found herself walking rapidly, agitated and +alert, shuddering with a nameless fear that was getting on her nerves. +She caught herself looking over her shoulder, haunted by the idea that +she was being followed. There seemed to be stealthy, padded footfalls +behind her in the enveloping darkness and numberless eyes that peered +as she passed--small, glowing dots in pairs, close together, that were +gone when she looked a second time. Was it only imagination or were +the soft steps behind her increasing in number? She recalled stories +of wolf packs that had tracked down human beings and had torn them to +pieces! She stood still and listened. But there was nothing--nothing +but blackness and infinite silence. + +Very sharply she took herself to task. She must not become nonsensical +like this. There had been noises in the underbrush the other night +when she and he--"Rabbits," he had said. And who ever heard tell of a +rabbit attacking a person? They were given big ears to hear well, so +that they could use their long legs for running away from everything. +The idea of her being afraid of a rabbit! + +She laughed nervously. If only she had a revolver or some weapon. Off +the track she was in an instant, groping about in the ballasting for a +large stone. She found two and walked on more confidently, carrying +one in each hand. + +A fine drizzle began to fall intermittently. She hoped it would not +rain hard, though after all, what difference did it make whether it did +or not? She would be wet through anyway by the time she got there. + +How much longer would that be? She must have come quite a distance +now, and the thought cheered her. The ankle was beginning to give an +occasional twinge and growing a little weak; in fact, it was feeling +rather numb. Nothing to be alarmed about, she told herself. What else +could she expect? It was sure to be hurting before she reached her +destination. + +Something struck her knee and she found that it was one of the +doughnuts. She went on, munching the food she had brought along. The +doughnuts were very dry. The cheese was hard, too; but it was old +cheese that nipped the tongue, the kind she liked. + +Time dragged. The girl plodded on painfully. There was no use in +trying any longer to deceive herself into the belief that the injured +ankle was holding out; it was not! She was hobbling now, as she had +done the other night; but there was no strong arm to lean on now. + +She would get there all right. That station could not be so very much +farther on and she simply had to succeed. It was not that the "story" +would be a feather in her own cap, nor yet was it the success of her +paper which was at stake; not even the restoration of her father to his +place in the financial world--not even that was the main result that +hung in the balance. But the prevention of a great wrong, the meting +out of rogues' deserts, the saving from suffering of the "every-day" +people, thousands of them, to whom life meant little more than a grind +for bread--these were the things that mattered; for chiefly upon these +poor people whose all was entrusted to the keeping of the +Interprovincial Loan and Savings would fall the disaster of the +company's failure if it were forced to close its doors because of a +swindle of trust funds. + +Faces began to float about in the darkness--faces of careworn clerks; +of factory workers, lined and lean; child faces with great gaunt eyes; +old men, old women--she MUST not fail! + +The fitful drizzle settled down steadily, blotting them out. The girl +dropped the stones she had been carrying and struggled on bravely, +fears lessened by discomfort. She was wet through and began to feel +chilly, shuddering as she stumbled forward. Perhaps after all it might +have been better to wait--but she cried aloud in anger at the thought. +This had been the only way and she must do what she had set out to do. +Time was everything. She wondered what time it was now. Surely the +station could not be much farther away! + +Her mind wandered back to this strong, broad shouldered young man who +had shared with her all the strange experiences of the last few days. +Three days? Four days? Was that all? It seemed as if she had known +him for years. And he had had his arm around her the other night! She +laughed, forgetful of everything else for the moment, in a funny sense +of belated dismay. + +He had been very good to her. And he was handsome. Above all, he was +manly--a gentleman. She knew that now. Her woman's intuition told her +he was a fine, splendid boy, sincere, brave. Now that she had come to +know him, she realized that her former suspicions had been based upon a +misunderstanding of the situation. He was not to be held responsible +for the kind of man his uncle was. How quickly he had taken the right +attitude when he found out the truth about the Honorable Milton Waring. +He had urged her not to lose a minute, to get away without fail, even +when he knew that her success meant a family disgrace which would be +very bitter to bear. Oh, but he was a dear! + +That kiss, the night of the fog? How angry she had been! Yet who was +to blame for it? Hadn't she invited it? Hadn't she dared him to it? +Phil would take no dare from anybody! She laughed softly as she +thought of it all, her cheeks blush-burning in the dark. + +Time passed. She halted suddenly, aware of a huge shadowy something +directly opposite, looming out at her unexpectedly. With a cry of +delight she recognized it as a water-tank; she could make out the spout +overhanging the track, a stick of pallor in the darkness. + +And the station? Eagerly she ran forward--then stopped again, +perplexed. There ought to be lights of some sort; but where were they? +A day station, maybe, with the operator asleep not far away. She would +have to waken him. She did not think to look for switch-lights, and +when she discerned the dark mass where the station stood she ran to it +gladly and began pounding on the door. + +The echoes resounded hollowly through the little building. They seemed +strangely loud--with emptiness! She started for the nearest window and +broken glass crunched beneath her feet. + +Her sharp cry of consternation fell upon the unresponsive night and was +swallowed up in blackness, solitude, dead heavy silence. The windows +were full of broken panes! + +Frantically she hobbled around to the side of the building, only to +find the doors boarded up! The truth laid a cold hand upon her. This +was one of those stations she had heard Phil tell about, built during +construction of the road, but afterwards closed up as unnecessary in +the depths of the wild country. Not even a flag station! Not even +used by section men! Deserted, abandoned! + +And there was no operator here!--nobody who could come to her +assistance! + +Cristy sank upon the rotting boards, trembling and sick at heart. Her +long walk had been for nothing. She was still miles and miles and +miles from the goal, with no possible chance of making the distance +with an ankle which was swollen now and becoming very painful. + +Wet and chilled through, miserable and dazed, she crouched in a huddle +of fear. She was utterly alone, miles from help of any sort. The +silence throbbed, it was so deep. She imagined faces again, grinning +at her from the blackness--the leering faces of Nickleby and others; +her father's, pleading; the working people's, the disappointed face of +Philip Kendrick! The hour was late already and all the issues which +hung at stake----? + +"Oh, what can I do? Whatever can I do?" she sobbed. + +But the night held no answer to her despair. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF + +The little sweet-toned French clock that stood on the mantel above the +fireplace in the library chimed the half hour after midnight as the +Honorable Milton Waring replenished the decanter and pried the cap from +a fresh bottle of plain soda. + +"Even if all the servants have been dismissed for the night, that is no +reason why we can't have another little drink, gentlemen. J. C., old +man, say 'when.' Help yourself to another cigar, Blatch." + +As a host few could outshine the Honorable Milton in geniality, and +there was little room in any man's system for pessimism in company with +four glasses of the Honorable Milt's special brand of Kentucky Bourbon. +J. Cuthbert Nickleby's manner was one of open enthusiasm. Elation +possessed him. His laugh was frequent and boisterous. Any doubts he +may have entertained at midnight that the deal was going through had +been dispelled within the half hour during which the meeting had been +in progress. Brazen as the whole thing was, its very boldness +apparently had captured the imagination of Waring and Ferguson. +Nickleby felt a huge satisfaction in his own perspicacity; he had not +cultivated these two men during the past few months for nothing. He +knew them and he was about to convert that knowledge into cash and bid +them farewell. + +It was a good time to be moving along. Nickleby had made money during +the past year. His temporary control of the Interprovincial Loan & +Savings Company had enabled him to manipulate to considerable personal +advantage; but he was quite aware of the fact that his methods were +liable to be questioned sooner or later, and the next annual meeting of +the shareholders was not far away. Besides, the unexpected arrival of +Harrington Rives on the scene and his very evident intention of getting +on his feet by hanging on to Mr. Nickleby's coat-tails compelled a +change of plans and the seeking of pastures new. Friend Rives knew too +much and was himself too well known to be a safe companion in their +present location. Rives and he could work together to mutual +advantage, beyond doubt; but it would have to be in some new territory +where the limelight had never played upon either of them in the past. + +Accordingly when Nickleby discovered that Rives had some valuable +mining concessions in Mexico, it had seemed very desirable for them to +become partners and try their fortunes in a country where wealth +awaited a pair of up-to-date filibusters like them and where political +disturbances held forth untold opportunities for their peculiar +abilities. To carry out their plans they needed all the capital they +could scrape together. Hence the present proposal to unload all the +Nickleby interests as quickly as possible for as much ready cash as +might be. + +The logical victim was the Honorable Milton Waring. Already Nickleby +felt that his cultivation of the honorable gentleman had proceeded far +enough to justify some boldness. He had succeeded in getting the +Honorable Milt pretty well entangled in speculative investments and +under his thumb by way of certain personal loans, protected by personal +notes. In addition, there was the little flyer in real-estate which +the Honorable Milton and his satellite, Blatchford Ferguson, had put +through with Nickleby's assistance. That little transaction would cost +the honorable gentleman his portfolio with the Government if it became +known. So that, taking everything into consideration, Mr. Nickleby +felt quite confident that he could persuade the Honorable Milton Waring +and Blatchford Ferguson to fall in with the somewhat ambitious plans +which President Nickleby had conceived for disposing of his stock in +the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company at a satisfactory figure. + +These plans amounted practically to theft; but this was something which +Nickleby would not admit, even to himself. He preferred to call it +"high finance," "clever dealing," "sharp practice" perhaps. But he had +no intention of overstepping the law. If, after he was safely away, +trouble developed as a result of the situation which he left behind +him, that would be the least of his worries. The "mismanagement" of +his successors in the control of the loan company would be responsible, +not J. Cuthbert Nickleby. + +The old Abercrombie farm, outside the city limits, had been a happy +discovery. The property really was a valuable one and before many +years went by it was destined to rise in value rapidly as the city +grew. The place had dropped into neglect of late and the old lady who +had fallen heir to the estate was a non-resident. Rives had discovered +that this spinster, Miss Patience Hollinsworth, was in her dotage and +for a man of Rives' ability the rest had been easy. He had secured an +option on the farm at a ridiculous price. Nickleby thereupon had had +it subdivided into blocks and streets and building lots, and the +beautiful new residential suburb of "River Glen" had appeared in blue +print. + +At the moment these very blueprints, mounted on beaver-board, were +propped in convenient position about the library. On the Honorable +Milton's desk reposed sundry legal documents pertaining to the transfer +of the Abercrombie property and certain other papers awaiting signature. + +"I've seen Fawkner, of Suburban Trolleys Ltd., and it will be a simple +matter for them to extend their line as soon as you're ready to put +'River Glen' on the market," remarked Nickleby. "Properly advertised, +gentlemen, that subdivision will net a clean half million. I'm getting +quite excited about it myself and I only wish I was going to be on hand +to handle it personally." + +"I'm sure you do," commented Ferguson. "With things moving as they are +at present, it ought to go, Milt." + +"It looks good to me," was the Honorable Milton Waring's ready response. + +"The proposition is certainly an exceptional one," went on Nickleby. + +"Very exceptional," grinned Ferguson, running his hand up along the +bald streak on top of his head. "So much so, J. C., that you've got to +convince us that this 'control' of the Interprovincial you are to hand +over to us is _bona fide_ beyond question. We'd be in a fine mess if +we lost out at the annual meeting, wouldn't we?" + +"Yes, that is important, J. C.," nodded Waring. "You might just go +into that end of it a little more fully. Why not begin at the +beginning and tell us exactly how you got yourself elected President +and how you propose to cover up?" + +And with an easy laugh, Mr. Nickleby did so. Because when one is +talking to "friends" whom one has under thumb and who are about to +shoulder heavy responsibilities one can afford to talk freely; because, +also, whisky loosens the tongue and enables one to vizualize a flock of +poultry out of a basket of eggs! Then, too, there is inspiration in +nods of approval and expressions of admiration, and both Honorable +Milton Waring and Mr. Blatchford Ferguson were prodigal of these as the +recital progressed. + +Certainly it was an amazing confession. With considerable gusto did J. +Cuthbert Nickleby explain the various moves by which he had dethroned +the Lawson interests and usurped control of the Interprovincial Loan & +Savings Company. The quiet gathering together of proxies, the +appointment of dummy directors, the "purchase" of others, the "personal +loans" which silenced others still, the failure of "Old Nat" to produce +his authority for voting the Bradford block of stock--all of these +factors Mr. Nickleby set forth with a lucidity and frankness which +aimed to convince his two auditors that when they and their associates +assumed "control" it would be absolute, with no possibility of failure +in swinging the annual meeting to suit themselves. + +"By heaven, Nickleby, you're a wizard!" cried Ferguson at last, unable +longer to restrain his enthusiasm. "You've got the situation tied up +in a pretty knot and no mistake. Hasn't he, Milt? Take it from me, J. +C., if you'd been cruising the high seas in the days of Captain Kidd, +you'd have given him a run for his money! Some buccaneer, believe me!" +and he went off into a peal of laughter born of sheer admiration. + +"Quit your kidding, Blatch," grinned Mr. Nickleby modestly as he +reached for the decanter, quite unconscious of the pun. "But I hope +you're now convinced that this proposition is feasible and quite in +order." + +"I don't know about that," objected the Honorable Milton slowly. "It's +clear enough that you've got things in your own hands just now, J. C., +and can shove through this deal O.K. But your whole control rests upon +the fact that the Bradford stock is side-tracked. Supposing Nat Lawson +locates that missing power-of-attorney? What then?" + +"I give you my word that he can't do it," chuckled Nickleby. + +"That's all very well. But supposing he does? How do you know he +can't?" + +"Because I do." Nickleby set down his glass triumphantly. "I don't +mind letting you into a little secret, gentlemen. That +power-of-attorney has been destroyed." + +"Are you sure?" gasped Ferguson. + +"I ought to be. I burned it myself!" + +"No! You're stuffing us, J. C. You may be clever; but you're not as +clever as that! Say, will you swear to that?" + +"Here's a bible, Blatch. Make him swear to it and the deal's on." The +Honorable Milton handed a small bible across the desk as he spoke. "If +that's the situation, I guess it's safe to go ahead." + +"You son-of-a-gun!" cried Ferguson, when Nickleby had duly taken his +oath. "I don't mind admitting that when I first heard your proposition +I thought it was impossible to get away with it. You buy a farm, turn +it into a subdivision, hand it over to us, then we hand it back to you +as collateral for a loan of $250,000, with which we purchase from you +the subdivision and all your stock in the company, which gives us +control of the transaction--Phew! give me air!" + +"You understand, Nickleby, that we've got to be mighty careful how this +thing is handled," said Waring gravely. "It's taking chances." + +"'Nothing venture, nothing win,'" quoted Nickleby. "But I'll cover it +up. Leave that to me." + +"Lawson has a lot of friends, remember. There's Ben Wade, for +instance----" + +"You needn't worry about him, Milt. He hasn't been able to get +together more than thirty per cent. of the votes." + +"And there's Timothy Drexel--He's a director, isn't he?" + +"That old fool! Yes, he's a director; but he's putty! Hand him some +taffy and you can pat him into any shape you like. You should have +heard his speech when he nominated me for president last year," and +Nickleby laughed heartily at the recollection. + +The Honorable Milton Waring got up and began to pace the room. It was +evident that there were certain aspects of the deal which disturbed him. + +"If my connection with this thing ever got out, Blatch," he said, +pausing in front of the lawyer, "it would mean--the finish!" + +"Oh, hang the political end of it, Milt!" exclaimed Ferguson +impatiently. "Between us, J. C. and I will see that you are protected +legally. And anyway, what's the use of being in politics if you don't +get a share of the loaves and fishes while you've got the chance? All +politicians are supposed by the public to be feathering their own +nests, and you might as well feather yours when you've got to come +under the accusation anyway. It's all in the game. If you've got the +sponduliks you can do anything these days. It's every man for himself +and the devil take the hindmost!" + +"There's a lot of truth in what you say, Blatch. Well, let's get down +to business and get it over with," sighed the Honorable Milton Waring. + +Abruptly he sat down at his desk and reached for the papers. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +NIP AND TUCK + +Engine No. 810 was running free through the night with a big string of +box-cars and gondolas tossing along behind her, dim shadows in the +dark. Her powerful electric headlight threw a beam, long and bright, +that burrowed into the black void far in front. But for this and the +few red-glowing chinks in her firebox and the thunder of the wheels, +the freight might have been some phantom reptile rushing through the +land with two red eyes in its tail. + +Evans, the fireman, kicked impatiently at the slash-bar and hooked the +fire. The lurid glare from the white fires that curled and writhed +under the crown-sheet flung wide upon flying right-of-way and the woods +on either side, and played with the swirling ribbon of steam that was +hissing back from the dome. Bathed in the blinding light, the fireman +stood for a space, swinging his scoop with pendulum precision from +fire-box to coal-tank and back again; then the whole scene went out +suddenly. + +Engineer Macdonald, leaning out over his armrest, chafed at the delay +as he choked her head for the Spruce Valley grade. The line was clear +as far as Indian Creek; but up there somewhere they would have to take +the siding for the first section of the Limited, eastbound. + +With a glance at the indicator and the guages, the fireman jerked a +blackened thumb over his shoulder towards the coal-tank. Macdonald +shook his head. + +"We'll fill her at Number Seven," he shouted. + +They were bearing down upon the switch lights opposite Thorlakson. But +Macdonald was in a hurry and too anxious to take advantage of the grade +to stop for water there. The few scattered lights flicked by and they +were off again into the blackness ahead. + +On the time-card No. 7 was a "blind" water tank farther on up the line, +the loneliest tank on the division. The surrounding country was wild +and uninhabited save for the isolated groups of loyal track-men who +stuck to their lonely but important posts during the blizzard months +with the same persistence that carried them through the fly season. +Engine 810 would take water there. + +Fifteen minutes' run and Macdonald drew in his head, shut off steam, +opened the sander, threw the brakeshoes against the drivers and brought +everything to a shuddering standstill with the pilot slipping just past +the tank, while his fireman was scrambling back amongst the coal to +haul down the overhanging spout. And all of this was quite within the +prosaics of the night's work. + +What immediately followed was not. There was nothing in the locality +to prepare them for it, while the hour was late and the night damp and +disagreeable--nothing to account for the flying figure of a girl +dashing wildly up the headlight's path, straight for the engine, arms +waving frantic signals. + +The engineer's wondering profanity scarcely had begun to flow freely +before she was on top of them. Panting, wild-eyed, hair in riotous +disorder, this beautiful young woman climbed up into the cab with the +agility of an overpowering excitement, pouring out upon the astonished +enginemen a wonderful stream of incoherent "explanations." + +Evans, who never before had seen a girl on the verge of hysteria, swore +deep and long under his breath, staring as if in a trance. He came to +himself only when the water overflowed the manhole, and he let go of +the spout with a carelessness that earned him a wetting as it lifted, +dripping, back into place. + +No sooner had the girl set foot on the deck than she clambered into the +head brakeman's seat, nestling in alongside the boiler-head as far +forward as she could get, her feet on the fireman's lunch-pail, her +knees drawn up in clasped fingers and her eyes looking straight ahead +out of the narrow cab window. That it might be against the rules of +the road for strangers to ride on an engine apparently had not occurred +to her, for she seemed to take it for granted that she was entirely +welcome as long as she did not get in their way. + +The fireman stared across at Macdonald and surreptitiously tapped his +forehead; the engineer stared back at Evans and winked knowingly. The +whole thing had taken but a few moments. A light was swinging out from +the top of the cars at the rear and Macdonald opened the throttle. +They were moving ahead before either of the two men could think of +anything but several variations of the word "damn." + +In this manner did Miss Cristy Lawson come to take her first ride on an +engine. The night had been crowded with nerve-wracking excitement; but +in the elation which she experienced over this unexpected way out of +her difficulty, she felt renewed strength and confidence that surely +would see her through. Half an hour ago she had been lost in a welter +of despair; but she was all right now. Everything was all right now. +The story would get through yet; nothing could stop it now. And, +protected by the roar of the wheels, she cried a little in relief. + +Just a moment of this, however. She was not ordinarily the crying +kind. The furnace glare presently filled the whole cab as the fireman +shovelled in more coal, and the novelty of her surroundings pressed +upon her to the temporary exclusion of everything else. + +Wasn't the din something awful? She had no idea that a locomotive was +such a noisy place. She soon found herself getting more used to it and +watched the engineer with wonder and interest. Her idea of an +engineer, she found, had been formed by the illustrations in the +magazines; she had pictured him in her mind as a man who sat with hand +constantly on the throttle or the levers or whatever it was, bent far +forward, peering keenly and steadily from beneath the visor of his +greasy cap with eyes riveted unswervingly on every yard of track ahead. +She was surprised, therefore, to find that this engineer seemed almost +careless of attitude, leaning back in his cushioned seat, body jogging +loosely to the motions of the great machine. It was only occasionally +that he seemed to arouse enough interest to lean out of the window, and +scarcely ever did he touch the levers in front of him. Once he +actually got down from his seat and came over to the fireman's side to +shout something in that grimy individual's ear, and all the while they +were thundering along without any lessening of speed. What if +something should appear suddenly on the track in front of them? Her +heart leaped at the thought. She was sure he could not get back in +time to stop, and it was all very surprising to her. + +Curiously her eyes roved over all the levers and queer instruments. +Certainly an engineer must have to carry a terrible lot in his head to +know how to manage them. There was a little knob, for instance; if she +were to give it a pull, something would happen somewhere, an explosion +perhaps,--dear knows what! She watched the hand of the indicator on +the boilerhead fluttering around the figure 190. She studied the +liquid in the glass tubes. A little apparatus, too, that looked like a +small whistle. Was it a whistle and when did they blow it? Steam was +bubbling out of a joint in a pipe right at her side; the hot water +dribbled on her dress once when she leaned too far over and she caught +the fireman grinning at her. + +She laughed light-heartedly, taking a child-like joy out of this new +and thrilling experience. She could not help marvelling at the +unconcern with which these men attended to their work; they were +perfectly at home on this rolling engine. + +Didn't it rock and jerk about, though? It was enough to tear out the +rails almost, it seemed to her, and her pulses quickened at the thought +that if anything should break! But it did not seem to, somehow. + +The fireman's gloved hand seized the chain on the feed-door again and +jerked it open. She watched him toiling with his scoop, the white +glare beating upon the rugged lines of his face till it was a wonder he +could stand that fierce heat. There was a funny black smudge running +across his nose, and when he bent his back she saw that a buckle was +missing from his overalls and he had substituted a piece of coarse +twine. Was he married? If he was, why didn't his wife look after +those buckles? He worked hard enough to deserve to have little things +like that looked after for him. Why, she'd heard they even shovelled +as much as a whole ton of coal on a single trip! + +The lurch of the engine as they swung around a curve drew her attention +to the track which was sweeping in upon them with dizzy continuity. +Out there, ahead of the big black body of the locomotive, the funneled +path of the headlight streamed away into the unknown. Far up the track +the white mile-boards on the poles caught it, ran toward them, flashed +at them and skipped out of sight behind. Tall weeds nodded in it as +they swept past. It poured out along the wet rails, which glistened in +the bright bath and let go only when the beam plunged away at a curve +and went exploring in the woods or rioted across a valley into panorama +on the other side. + +Once a little rabbit sat in the middle of the track, staring the great +light in the eye with a fascination that threatened its life. The tiny +creature seemed to be paralyzed by the glare and they almost ran it +down before it tore away in sudden fright and its cotton-white tuft +vanished in the long grass. + +But as the novelty of all this wore off, her mind reverted to the thing +that she was trying to do. The speeding engine, the flying track, +became merely the accessories which were carrying her nearer and nearer +her goal--a telegraph operator. + +The fireman's watch hung on a hook alongside and the hands showed +twenty-five minutes past midnight. It was standard time both here and +in Toronto; so that would be the time at the _Recorder_ office +also--12.25 a.m. They would be well into the rush of the night's work +by now. The boys would be in from assignments and pounding out "copy" +in the city room. The wires would be warming up and the "flimsy" +arriving at the telegraph editor's desk in bunches, and old man +Jeffreys would be reaching in the left bottom drawer of his scarred old +desk for his little package of bread and cheese with an apple or a +banana to top it off; he always ate that twenty-five minutes after +midnight, just before the linotype men and the rest of the +composing-room staff, who ate at the all-night restaurant around the +corner, straggled back to their work. + +Cristy began to go over the things she must do and to arrange them in +the order she must do them. The very first thing would be the messages +to McAllister and Brennan; there must be no delay in getting the police +into action. If they could surprise their quarry over at Waring's +house on the Island--catch them in the middle of it--it would provide a +dramatic climax to the sensational story. She could trust her editor +not to overlook any such opportunity and her eyes sparkled as she +pictured the uproar that would follow those messages in the _Recorder_ +office. The old place would be buzzing and the whole staff on the jump +like a bunch of excited kids! + +Impatiently she peered out ahead, looked for lights down the track, +glanced continually at the hands of the watch. She ran hastily over +the strong features of the sensation, marshalling her facts, getting +the general scheme of the story into her head in proper newspaper style +and planning a strong "lead." + +She became so engrossed in this that not until a vibrant shudder passed +through the engine did she notice. The engineer was leaning out the +window on his side of the cab, one hand on a lever. She threw a quick +glance out the narrow window in front of her and saw that they were +bowling down a straight stretch of track and that far ahead in the +darkness were little specks of light. + +A station! It must be the station at last! + +Anxiously she watched the far-away dots arrange themselves slowly into +switch lights beside the track. The larger lights on the right--those +would be station windows. Another light, a red one--the order board +was out against them and the train would have to stop! + +She cried out in her excitement and satisfaction. She felt like +opening the narrow window, rushing out along the running-board to the +front of the engine and cheering! + +They were beginning to slow up now. A man came out and stood on the +platform, some papers in his hand. She could see him quite plainly in +his shirtsleeves in the glare of the powerful headlight. That must be +the night operator--the Mecca of all her hopes. + +The hands of the fireman's watch indicated 12.30. + +They rolled in beside the platform and the long string of freight cars +bumped, groaned, squeaked and stopped. A lantern came bobbing along +the tops of the cars from the rear. The conductor dropped off the +caboose and jogged forward beside his train. + +Macdonald drew in his head and looked across the cab. But the seat was +empty. The girl had slipped away already and presently he caught sight +of her, disappearing into the station. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +CLOSE QUARTERS + +Brennan, Night Editor of the _Recorder_, scribbled a two-column head, +folded it in with a sheet of "flimsy," dropped it into the dumb-waiter +box and yanked the string that shot it aloft to the composing room. He +reached for his long scissors, snipped off a fresh piece of the +typewritten C.A.P. report, fastened it with a daub of paste to a sheet of +copy paper and marked it for a single-column "box," Page 1. The whistle +blew in the speaking-tube at his elbow and he answered the foreman's +question while scribbling his initials to the slip which a newly arrived +messenger boy from one of the telegraph companies was holding flat for +him. + +"'Phone, Bren," called Chic White, Sporting Editor. + +Brennan took down the receiver as a reporter laid a wad of new "copy" on +the desk and hurried out again. Then Brennan opened a drawer in his desk +and took another bite out of a ham sandwich before tearing the envelopes +from the newly arrived telegrams. + +Up until now things had been very quiet all evening, so quiet that the +lay-out of a decent front page was a problem. The Chief had gone home +early to-night and had paused on his way out to ask Brennan how the news +was breaking and instruct him to "boil everything down." If there was +anything that McAllister detested it was a thirty-six point head on a +twelve-point item. + +"Kerr! Jackson! Brock!" + +Every typewriter in the city room stopped clacking and the three +reporters jumped. They crowded together in the doorway as Brennan +snapped his instructions. + +"Get the Chief on the 'phone and hold him for me, Jackson. Here, Brock, +sit in at the desk and keep everything down to a couple of sticks. Call +a taxi, Kerr." + +He glanced at his watch as he made for the stairs. It was ten minutes to +1 a.m. Up in the composing-room he went over the forms with the foreman, +asking questions, "killing" perfectly good "stories" with rapid decision, +clearing space for the biggest "scoop" which the _Recorder_ had achieved +in many months. + +"Chief's not home and they don't know where he is," came Jackson's +anxious voice through the speaking tube. + +"Find him! Find him!" cried Brennan impatiently. "Try the National +Club. Use your head, Jackson!" + +But when Brennan hurried downstairs a few minutes later McAllister had +not been located yet. + +"He went out somewhere with Wade, of the C.L.S., and left no word at the +house as to when he'd be back," explained Jackson. + +"Call up Wade, then." + +"I did, but he's out too, and nobody seems to know where." + +Brennan swore. + +"Get me Nat Lawson on the 'phone. Say, Chic, where's Pardeau? What? +Not back from that assignment? Then see if you can find him for me. The +rest of you chop your stuff. Cristy Lawson owns the front page!" + +Briefly he answered their eager questions, then turned to listen to +Jackson, talking to the Lawson residence. Apparently Nathaniel Lawson +was not at home either. + +Brennan fiddled with the stem of his watch for a moment. He was in a +quandary. He had been taken into McAllister's confidence, of course, +regarding this graft exposure story which had been nursed along so +carefully. The cuts to illustrate it were locked up in McAllister's +desk, he knew. It was unlike the Chief to leave no word of his +whereabouts. That it should happen on this of all nights! No doubt +they'd locate him after a bit; but in the meantime--? It was nearly one +o'clock and Cristy Lawson's wire brooked no delay. + +There was only one thing to do--go ahead on his own initiative. Brennan +went into McAllister's private office and closed the door while he talked +to the Chief of Police on the private line. He came out hurriedly, +called Kerr, and went down in the elevator to the waiting taxi. Next to +Pardeau, Kerr was the fastest shorthand man on the staff. + +They stopped at the Central Police Station to pick up a couple of +plainclothes men who were waiting for them and the taxi sped through the +almost deserted streets at breakneck pace, heading for the waterfront. + +A few minutes later the harbor police launch was streaking across the +quiet waters of the bay. It threw a wake that curled and widened, and in +it danced the broken reflections of the harbor lights. + + +The Honorable Milton Waring ushered them into the library with a smile. +He was quite calm as he cleared away the blueprints and invited them to +find seats. + +"You are just in time, gentlemen, to witness the end of the comedy," and +he pressed a button beneath the edge of his desk as he spoke. "Pass +around the cigars, Blatch, like a good fellow-- Well, upon my word!" + +"Arrest that man!" cried Ferguson, springing after J. Cuthbert Nickleby, +who had made a dash towards the French doors which opened on the verandah. + +"It's all right, sir. I've got him," assured one of the detectives who +was waiting without for some such move. As he came through the doorway +the click of the handcuffs was quite audible to the startled group within +the room. + +"What's the meaning of this, Waring?" shouted Nickleby, his face +distorted with rage. "Are you trying to frame something on me? Take off +these bracelets, damn you!" + +"I'd advise you to sit down, Nickleby, and keep quiet. You are under +arrest and you'll know all about it in a few minutes. Ah, good evening, +gentlemen, I'm afraid there aren't chairs enough to go around; but make +yourselves at home please." + +From the hallway they filed into the library--McAllister, of the +_Recorder_; President Wade, of the Canadian Lake Shores Railway; +Nathaniel Lawson, ex-president of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings +Company; Timothy Drexel and another director of the same concern. +Detective Sainsbury from Headquarters and Parsons, official court +stenographer, brought up the rear with Pardeau, star reporter for the +_Recorder_. Their faces were serious and their entry partook of the +solemnity of a jury bringing a verdict into court. + +A brief whispered colloquy with his editor quickly smoothed the +perplexity from Brennan's face. McAllister had picked up Pardeau on the +street and had sent a belated message to the office. It was a big +"story" that was breaking and he ordered Brennan and Pardeau back to +their desks with instructions to hold the galleys till he arrived +shortly. Kerr could handle the present end of it. He waved his hand +impatiently and focussed his undivided attention upon what was +transpiring. + +A silence had fallen upon the crowded room and as the Honorable Milton +Waring allowed his gaze to rove upon their tense, expectant faces he +smiled reassuringly. He began with an explanation of the circumstances +leading up to the present situation. It was not merely to adjust +Interprovincial Loan Company affairs by the exposure of its official head +that he had brought them together. His integrity as a public servant had +been questioned and there were certain features that in the interests of +clean government required official enquiry. He was prepared to move for +the appointment of a royal commission to investigate and report upon +conditions vitally affecting financial institutions, election laws and +other matters. It was something with which he had concerned himself +seriously for several years, and it was partly to prove his theories in +this connection that with the assistance of Mr. Blatchford Ferguson he +had taken advantage of the situation which had developed in the affairs +of the Interprovincial. As a result of their investigations they stood +prepared to prove gross mismanagement, falsification of the returns +required by the Federal authorities, misuse of trust funds for private +ends, attempted corruption of government officials, et cetera. + +The Honorable Milton was frank in his admission that during the recent +orgy of speculation into which the discovery of new mineral wealth had +led the public, he had become personally involved. He was only human and +the general excitement had induced him to make several disastrous +investments which had left his personal affairs in a precarious tangle +for a time. But it was an ill wind that blew nobody good. The financial +crisis through which he had passed had brought him in touch with J. C. +Nickleby, and it was not long before his eyes had been opened to the +unscrupulous methods that were being followed by the president of the +Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company. He had called in his learned +friend, Mr. Ferguson, and as a result of their consultations it had been +decided to make a few experiments in high finance with the object of +uncovering the whole system. + +To this end they deliberately had cultivated Nickleby's confidence. It +was apparent from the first that the man was utterly devoid of common +honesty. It was his idea that government graft was an established method +of revenue and he seemed to be obsessed with the belief that no Minister +of the Crown would allow his oath of office to interfere with the +acquisition of personal wealth. As their relations had ripened he had +grown bolder and had organized a construction company with the object of +using his "connection" to swing certain tenders for public works into the +graft column. Nickleby had felt so sure of himself by this time that he +even had proposed a contribution of $50,000 to the party campaign funds +in return for "privileges." He had been told quite plainly that he would +make such a contribution at his own risk. Nevertheless he had gone ahead +with it on his own initiative. The money had mysteriously disappeared +between the office of the construction company and its destination; it +had never reached the party exchequer. + +Which brought the Honorable Milton Waring to the point of paying high +compliment to the editor of the _Recorder_. He bowed to McAllister. He +had never before quite realized, he said, what a debt all lovers of clean +government owed to the press. No man with designs upon the public +treasury could go very far without some journalistic watch-dog being on +his trail, and it was so in the present instance. + +The Alderson Construction Company had aroused the suspicions of Mr. +McAllister shortly after it became active. In some way he had learned of +the proposed campaign fund contribution and, as it turned out, it was due +to the zeal of a _Recorder_ reporter that Nickleby's contribution had +been intercepted and photographed. It had then fallen into the hands of +Mr. Benjamin Wade by accident and Mr. Wade had deposited the $50,000 in +trust, pending proof of ownership. + +A few days ago Mr. Wade had come to him with these facts and also to warn +him that the _Recorder_ was preparing to accuse him of being implicated +with Nickleby and Blatchford Ferguson in a certain doubtful real-estate +transaction. Not until then had he realized the risk which Mr. Ferguson +and he had assumed in attempting to follow their own line of +investigation in secret. The possibility that the hunter might in turn +be hunted--and quite legitimately hunted on the face of it--had not +occurred to them. They had taken Mr. McAllister into their confidence as +soon as they realized the extent of his knowledge, and only his patience +and co-operation had enabled them to carry their investigations to +fruition. + +The real-estate transaction in question had been planned by Mr. Ferguson +for the purpose of quieting suspicion in the mind of Nickleby. It was a +case of fighting the devil with fire; for had Nickleby not believed that +he was dealing with men who were as greedy as himself they would never +have succeeded in uncovering the evidence they were after. + +As part of their plan, therefore, they had gone to Nickleby with the +proposal that the three of them--Nickleby, Ferguson and himself--form a +little syndicate on the quiet to buy up a tract of land on which the +Government had its eye as a prospective location for the new Deaf & Dumb +Institute. The land had a market value of $100,000 and this sum the +Government was quite ready to pay. Nickleby had advanced the loan to +negotiate the deal and Ferguson had bought up the land in small lots at +sacrifice prices from individual owners for a total of $50,000. The +Honorable Milton had told Nickleby that he was acting for the Government; +but the cheque with which he had "purchased" the land from the syndicate +of three had been his personal cheque. The amount was $200,000. The +syndicate's profit, therefore, was $150,000 and this sum they had divided +in three, $50,000 each. But Nickleby did not know--nor McAllister, +either--that the whole thing had been juggled for a purpose, with the +sanction of the Attorney General, and that the "profits" which had gone +to Mr. Ferguson and himself had been thrown back into the deal when the +site had been turned over to the Government, which therefore obtained the +land at its legitimate market value, $100,000. + +No doubt the whole thing had been indiscreet; but by this time both +Ferguson and himself had got so interested in the little game they were +playing with the salvation of the loan company as the stakes that they +had overlooked the surface appearances. The discovery that every move +they had made had been watched by the lynx-eyed McAllister had instilled +in them a profound respect. + +To bring things to a head and to justify their actions Ferguson and he +had undertaken to prove their case against Nickleby by exposing him and +his methods to the gentlemen who had last entered the room. These +gentlemen had been placed where they could listen to the evidence for +themselves and, to make doubly sure, a dictaphone had been installed and +an official court stenographer had taken down the whole thing. It was +almost incredible that a criminal of this man's type had been able to +engineer himself into a place of trust in an institution of such +influence as the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company, to play fast and +loose with its credit as he had done, and to bamboozle its directorate. +The fact that he had been made to convict himself must plead excuse for +the subterfuge in which they had been forced to indulge. It had been a +most disagreeable experience and the Honorable Milton Waring was glad +that it was over. + +"I have only this to say, further, gentlemen," he concluded. "It is no +sinecure to hold public office and administer a public trust and I am +moved to protest most earnestly against the public tendency to discredit +politics and the men who are devoting their energies--frequently at great +personal inconvenience and loss--to the government of the country. There +are those who cannot seem to admit that it is possible for a man to enter +the political arena and remain as honest and sincere in public life as he +has been as a private citizen. Such a condition of the public mind is to +be deplored, even as the past events upon which the condition is based +are to be deplored. If the people look upon government as a joke, the +joke is on them; for their government is what they make of it or permit +it to be. + +"It is my belief that below all government, like the sure-rock foundation +of a worth-while edifice, must lie the spirit of fair dealing and a +law-abiding citizenship. Let the people determine that corruption in +politics will spell political ruin instead of personal aggrandizement and +see how swiftly every political yacht will trim its sails. The cry that +politics are so rotten that the men who count most in their communities +will have nothing to do with active participation in government will then +cease and we will have genuine public service. + +"I did not intend to make a political speech; but many times of late I +have felt like resigning. As long as party success and corporation +support dictate our political standards, so long will we have men like +Nickleby there attempting corruption, so long will political leadership +be forced to dance for its balance upon shifting platforms. + +"I thank you, gentlemen, for your attention. The facts I have given you +can be substantiated readily by Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Wade and Mr. +McAllister; but no doubt the demonstration of the attempt to misuse the +loan company's funds to the extent of a quarter of a million dollars--the +interview that has taken place in this room tonight--is sufficiently +conclusive in itself." + +"Conclusive?" piped old Timothy Drexel, unable longer to contain himself. +He elbowed his way towards the prisoner and shook a bony finger in front +of his nose. "You miserable scoundrel!" he exploded. "Old fool, eh? +Putty, eh? You hand me taffy and pat me into any shape you like, eh? +You confounded thief! You--you--!" + +"Aw, you shut up!" snarled Nickleby, who had sat through it all with that +cynical sneer of his. He knew when he was beaten. With no further word +he followed the detectives from the room. + +They crowded about the Honorable Milton Waring and Blatchford Ferguson +with congratulations. Nathaniel Lawson could not say much; but his grip +was tight when he shook hands and his gratitude was evident. McAllister +was not given to expressions of sentiment, but as he bade adieu there was +an unaccustomed enthusiasm in his keen eyes. His editorial in the +morning paper would be strong, very strong; he would call it "The Mantle +of Disraeli," or something like that. + +Ben Wade stood to one side, watching them take their leave, and his +tanned face was alight with satisfaction. There would be a tremendous +sensation when the _Recorder_ came out. It would be a bully spread--not +one of graft charges, as originally planned by Mac, but even a better +story of the fight which an honest politician had been forced to put up +in order to remain honest, of the Honorable Milt's investigations and his +announcement regarding a royal commission to probe conditions, the escape +of the Interprovincial from the criminal activities of its president, the +dramatic arrest of Nickleby, the work of Cristy Lawson. Trust Mac not to +miss any of it. + +And Ben Wade, whose faith in the Honorable Milton Waring had remained +unshaken when things looked blackest, smiled as he watched. His advice +to McAllister, his faith in Waring, had been vindicated; but he was not +thinking of this. He was thinking of another's steadfast faith that had +been sorely tried. It would be a happy morrow for Dolly Waring. + +"So long, Milt," he said heartily. "We're proud of you, old man." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +SOUVENIRS + +Because the world is such a very big place and there are so many people +busy with so many different things, life goes on as usual with little +time for more than a brief pause of wonder at the experiences of +others. The metal which casts the page of to-day's events goes back +into the melting-pot of the stereotyper to appear to-morrow with new +announcements. + +During the weeks that followed the _Recorder's_ sensation routine +resumed its sway and only among those directly concerned did memory +linger. There was a very lively meeting of irate shareholders in the +offices of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company and a unanimous +demand for the return of Nathaniel Lawson to the government of its +affairs. Upon Old Nat's recommendation the new secretary appointed was +a reliable and loyal young man by the name of James Stiles. + +Nickleby's attempt to secure bail was unsuccessful, and while awaiting +trial upon several charges he had plenty of time to philosophize. +Thanks to the work of Bob Cranston, Chief of the Special Service +Department of the Canadian Lake Shores Railway, Nickleby's past record +stood revealed and there was talk of extradition. + +After a conference between Wade and the Honorable Milton Waring it was +decided to prefer no charges against Harrington Rives, who pleaded to +be allowed to carry out his plan of going to Mexico to look after his +interests there. He departed for the south, where he could bestride a +burro and lose himself among the Mexican hills. + +Ben Wade had nodded his approval. Rives had learned his lesson and was +not fool enough to come back. Knowing the calibre of the man, he had +regarded Rives as a dangerous breeder of mischief and when Mrs. Waring +had confided her fears that the Honorable Milton was in difficulties, +Wade had been afraid that Rives would seek some revenge on his old-time +enemy through Aunt Dolly. That he was preparing for something of the +kind in sending Weiler to Sparrow Lake was apparent. Placing +McCorquodale at the summer resort had seemed a Quixotic thing to do; +but Benjamin Wade was not given to over-looking bets. He was glad to +see the last of Rives. + +And McCorquodale? The "Iron Man" had scored official notice when he +brought the notorious "Red" McIvor to trial. He had had several +flattering offers as a result of it; but all of these he had refused at +the request of President Wade. Bob Cranston had decided to accept a +place with another railroad, and McCorquodale took over his duties as +Chief of the Special Service Department for the C. L. S. + +Another promotion that took place about the same time affected a "gude +smart mans," named Svenson, who became foreman of an important section +of the line, with a shanty of his own and six-foot Olga Olafson as his +brand new bride. The couple went on a wonderful honeymoon trip to +Niagara Falls, all expenses paid by President Wade no less, and when +they got back to their new home they found certain bulky packages and +boxes piled on the big deal table that Svenson had made. Cristy +Lawson's gift was a complete set of beautiful dishes and a bolt or two +of dress goods and curtain material; there was a brand new, latest +model repeating rifle from Phil and a gold watch, monogramed; +McCorquodale sent a case of assorted tobaccos and a fine hunting-knife +in a leather sheath, while from Jimmy Stiles came a big box of +groceries. When everything lay open before them Mr. and Mrs. Svenson +stared at the array, speechless. + +"Yumpin' Yudas!" yelled the big fellow at last. He grabbed his +six-foot smiling wife and kissed her with a loud smack. + +The selection of these gifts had been the outcome of many consultations +between Mr. Philip Kendrick and Miss Cristy Lawson. It was surprising +how much serious thought was necessary in order to decide on the weight +and pattern of a set of dishes or the color scheme of window drapes. +Almost every evening in the week Kendrick had found it necessary to go +up to the Lawson home to discuss something or other and they had gone +shopping together for two whole afternoons--excursions which had +extended to motor spins into the country and dinners down town and so +on. And when the Svenson wedding presents no longer furnished excuses, +for the very good reason that they had been shipped to their +destination, there was always something else that needed consultation, +such as President Wade's flattering offer to Phil to join the executive +of the Canadian Lake Shores Railway or the very exceptional investment +opportunity that presented itself in connection with a certain choice +suburban villa with a wonderful lake frontage. + +It was surprising, too, the way the gasoline consumption of the Waring +motor launch increased. The Honorable Milton even took occasion to +mention the matter to Aunt Dolly in Phil's presence at dinner one +night; he thought there must be something wrong with the engine, but +there was a twinkle in his eye that betrayed him. + +"Here's a clipping that I got to-day from Billy Thorpe," said Phil, +quite irrelevantly. "It's from the North Bay paper and concerns our +friend, Hughey Podmore." + +He read it aloud. It cited the particulars of a strange case which had +reached the hospital at North Bay some weeks ago--a man who had been +found wandering in the woods with bits of what appeared to be +bank-notes sticking to his skin. His skin had been scratched and +bleeding in many places and the man when taken in hand had been +delirious. Later, when he had become rational apparently and his +condition had improved, he had refused positively to reveal his +identity or to make any statement as to the circumstances which had led +to his condition; so that he had been discharged as a "mystery." He +had expressed an intention to go West, take up a homestead and +eventually go in for pure-bred stock. It was presumed, therefore, that +he was a young farmer who had been working in some lumber camp and on +his way out to civilization had got lost in the woods and had become +temporarily deranged by the experience. + +Having successfully sidetracked the conversation, Phil excused himself +from the table and hurried to his room. Here he dressed with +scrupulous care. He unfolded a small cambric handkerchief and a dollar +bill to make sure that the little hand-painted pin was quite safe; then +he folded the articles together again and placed them in an inside +pocket with a care befitting the important part they were about to play. + +He now unlocked a drawer in the cheffonier and took out a very small +square box, morocco leather, velvet-lined. The stone was a beautiful +white one and he stood off a pace or two and admired it. It certainly +made that other solitaire she had been wearing on her engagement finger +look like thirty cents! And to think that the "engagement" had been +merely a detail of her masquerade in Fergey's office! To-night----? + +With a sigh of satisfaction he pocketed the little leather box. Then +he slipped out the back way, taking a latch-key with him. They were +going canoeing to-night and he knew that it would be late, very late, +when he returned. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF*** + + +******* This file should be named 21644.txt or 21644.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/6/4/21644 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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