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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8bc86e6 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #50792 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50792) diff --git a/old/50792-0.txt b/old/50792-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index d991601..0000000 --- a/old/50792-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6930 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Great Oakdale Mystery, by Morgan Scott, -Illustrated by Charles L. Wrenn - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - - -Title: The Great Oakdale Mystery - - -Author: Morgan Scott - - - -Release Date: December 30, 2015 [eBook #50792] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GREAT OAKDALE MYSTERY*** - - -E-text prepared by Stephen Hutcheson, Rick Morris, Rod Crawford, Dave -Morgan, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) - - - -Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this - file which includes the original illustrations. - See 50792-h.htm or 50792-h.zip: - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/50792/50792-h/50792-h.htm) - or - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/50792/50792-h.zip) - - -Transcriber’s note: - - Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). - - Small capitals have been rendered in full capitals. - - - - - -[Illustration: - - “POINT, ROY—POINT!” CALLED SAGE, SOFTLY.—Page 11.] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - -THE GREAT OAKDALE MYSTERY - -by - -MORGAN SCOTT - -Author of “Ben Stone at Oakdale,” “Boys of Oakdale -Academy,” “Rival Pitchers of Oakdale,” -“Oakdale Boys in Camp,” etc. - - - - - - - -[Illustration] - -New York -Hurst & Company -Publishers - -Copyright, 1912, -By -Hurst & Company - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - I. THE HUNTERS 5 - II. THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER 17 - III. THE HOME OF THE SAGES 28 - IV. A MAN “WANTED” 40 - V. BY THE LIGHT FROM THE WINDOW 54 - VI. CAPTAIN QUINN’S MONKEY 68 - VII. ANNOYING ATTENTIONS 79 - VIII. HOOKER HAS A PLAN 89 - IX. THE CAMP IN THE WOODS 99 - X. A PERPLEXING QUESTION 109 - XI. THE HIDDEN SPORTSMEN 118 - XII. DISAPPOINTED DUCK HUNTERS 132 - XIII. THE TARDY QUARTERBACK 141 - XIV. THE FIRST QUARTER 151 - XV. THE PLAYER WHO BLUNDERED 159 - XVI. REMARKABLE BEHAVIOR OF SAGE 169 - XVII. WORK OF THE YOUNG DETECTIVE 176 - XVIII. SLEUTH’S ASTONISHING THEORY 187 - XIX. THE NIGHT ALARM 197 - XX. IN THE BANK 204 - XXI. WHAT SLEUTH LEARNED 213 - XXII. FOLLOWING THE TRAIL 222 - XXIII. THE CAPTURE 235 - XXIV. SUSPICION 245 - XXV. THE BOY WHO ACTED GUILTY 255 - XXVI. ANOTHER CAPTURE 265 - XXVII. THE TWO PRISONERS 271 - XXVIII. THE SHREDS OF HOPE 279 - XXIX. A CONCESSION FROM SLEUTH 291 - XXX. THE TRUTH AT LAST 301 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - ILLUSTRATIONS - - -------------- - - - “Point, Roy—point!” called Sage softly. _Frontispiece_ - - PAGE - - Aaron Quinn hobbled back toward the hut, - carrying the monkey. 74 - - The fullback came charging across, - forcing Rodney toward the side line. 156 - - “Here he is! Come on; we’ve got him!” 242 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - The Great Oakdale Mystery. - - - - - CHAPTER I. - - THE HUNTERS. - - -Two boys, each carrying a gun, came out of a strip of woods and paused. -They were followed by a short-haired pointer dog. One of the boys, whose -gun was a single-barreled repeater, bore a game-bag suspended from his -shoulder by a strap, and he spoke to the dog with an air of authority -that proclaimed him the animal’s master. He was a pleasant-faced, -blue-eyed chap, and his name was Fred Sage. - -The gun of the other boy was a double-barreled hammerless. The boy had a -slightly undershot jaw, and his eyes were a trifle too small. This was -Roy Hooker. During the months of the past summer these two fellows had -become exceedingly friendly. - -“There are the Hopkins woodcock covers down yonder, Fred,” said Roy, -pointing across the open strip of pasture land. “Old Hopkins doesn’t -like to have anyone gun there, but I’m for giving those covers a try, as -long as he will probably never know it.” - -“Has he posted ‘No Trespass’ signs?” asked Sage. - -“Guess not; I haven’t seen any. He doesn’t do any shooting himself, but -being a cranky old bear, he doesn’t like to have anyone else gun on his -property.” - -“Well, as long as there are no warnings posted and he hasn’t personally -notified us to keep off, we’ll see if we can find any birds there. The -covers look attractive to me. Here, Spot; heel, sir.” - -With the first indication that the boys intended to proceed, the eager -dog had started forward, but he turned at the command of his master and -once more fell in behind. - -The forenoon of this clear, sunny autumn day was not far advanced, the -young hunters having set forth shortly after breakfast. Although the air -was clear and almost warm, there was a certain suggestion of crispness -in it, which, together with the flaming leaves of the deciduous trees, -plainly betokened that the early autumn frosts had been at work. The -stubble of the open pasture land was brown and dry. Behind the boys, in -the woods they had just left, squirrels were chattering and bluejays -screaming, but Fred and Roy were after bigger and more legitimate game. -Thus far their hunt had proved disappointing. - -“If we don’t find anything down yonder,” said Hooker, “I’ll get mad and -shoot the next squirrel that barks at me. I was tempted to pop over one -big gray fellow that leered at me from a limb.” - -“You don’t eat squirrels, do you?” - -“Oh, no.” - -“What would you do with them if you should shoot ’em?” - -“Nothing; just throw them away.” - -“Then don’t shoot them, Roy. It’s not good sport to kill practically -harmless creatures simply for the sake of killing something. I’d rather -never shoot anything at all than do that.” - -“Oh, you’re deucedly finicky about some things, old fellow. You won’t -have many chances to gun this fall, for football is going to keep you -busy. When I proposed it last night I hardly thought I’d get you out -to-day.” - -“And I came out with the understanding that we are to get back in time -for practice this afternoon. Next Saturday, a week from to-day, the team -plays its first game.” - -“And will be beautifully beaten,” prophesied Hooker. - -“What makes you think so?” - -“Why shouldn’t I think so? The eleven is going to be weak this year. -With Roger Eliot for captain, it made an unexpected success last fall; -but Eliot is gone, and Stone, who was chosen to follow him as captain, -never can be such a crafty, far-sighted general. The team was weakened -fifty per cent by the loss of Eliot.” - -“Perhaps you’re right,” admitted Sage; “but you seem to forget that we -ought to receive some strength from the development of new players. For -instance, there’s that fellow from Texas, Rodney Grant——” - -“Oh, yes,” nodded Roy quickly, “I suppose he’ll help some, but it takes -time to make a football player, and Grant has had little experience at -the game. Stone realizes he’s going to be shy of material, and he’s -coaxing everybody to come out for practice. He’s been at me.” - -“You’re going to come out, aren’t you?” - -“I don’t know. Never did care a great deal about football. You know it’s -my ambition to be a baseball pitcher, and a fellow can’t do everything.” - -“Baseball is over now, and there’ll be no more until next spring. For -the good of the team you ought to take hold and do your best to become a -player and fill one of the weak spots.” - -“And maybe get a broken leg or arm or collar-bone to set me back. A -baseball player is taking chances when he goes in for football.” - -“But if none of our ball players went in for football,” reminded Sage, -“we’d have no eleven. Our school isn’t big enough for the two teams to -be made up of distinct and independent bodies of players. You’re quick, -active and strong, Roy, and, if you choose to take hold and work hard, -it seems to me you might become one of the valuable members of the -eleven.” - -“Oh, possibly,” admitted Hooker, attempting to conceal the fact that he -was somewhat flattered. “I fancy I could do as well as some other -fellows, Piper, Cooper or Tuttle, for instance. In a way they are mere -makeshifts; none of them is a bang-up good football man.” - -By this time they had crossed the pasture land and reached the edge of -the covers, the dog betraying a restless desire to get to work. Sage -permitted the animal to go forward, directing his movements now and then -by a word of command, and, with the guns held ready for quick use, the -young hunters advanced slowly, keeping their eyes on the pointer the -most of the time. They separated somewhat and went forward with the dog -at the apex of an imaginary triangle. Nearly all the time the boys could -see each other through the scrub growth, which made it unlikely that -either would place his friend in danger by careless shooting. - -Moving hither and thither, sniffing, pausing, advancing, every hunting -instinct alert, the dog did his work beautifully. Suddenly, with one -foot uplifted, tail horizontal and rigid and muzzle thrust forward, the -pointer became a statue of stone. Directly ahead of him, a few feet -away, was a thick cluster of low bushes. - -“Point, Roy—point!” called Sage softly, his repeater held in both hands -and half lifted, ready for a quick shot. - -Immediately Hooker swerved toward the dog and advanced as swiftly and -noiselessly as possible, in order to obtain a position for a shot when -the bird should flush. Reaching a favorable spot, he placed himself in -position to shoot and waited for the rise. - -The seconds passed slowly—so slowly that to the anxious boys they seemed -more like minutes. A chickadee flitted through the bushes, lighted on a -branch within five feet of Roy, performed some surprising horizontal bar -evolutions and applauded himself in a ludicrously hoarse voice. -Something rustled at a distance, like a creature running swiftly along -the ground. Far away, so far that it was but faintly heard, the gun of -some other hunter spoke. - -With a sudden whirr of wings a woodcock rose straight up from the -further side of the cluster of bushes. The butt of Sage’s gun came to -his shoulder, his eye caught the sights, and he fired. - -Hooker was a trifle slower, but ere Sage, realizing that he had shot too -quickly and therefore made a miss, could fire again, Roy’s weapon spoke. - -Down came the bird into the midst of the thicket. - -“Good work, old man,” cried Fred approvingly. “You got him. I shot -under; didn’t wait for him to make his full rise. Go fetch, Spot.” - -The dog, released from the spell that had chained him motionless, -plunged forward, sniffing around in search of the bird. In a few moments -he brought the dead woodcock and placed it at his master’s feet. - -“A plump fellow,” laughed Sage, holding the kill up for the other lad to -see. “That’s the first blood for you, Roy. Shall I put it in my bag?” - -“Sure; I haven’t any. There’s likely more of them near by.” - -There were more, and Sage evened things up by bringing down the next -one. After this both boys missed a shot, and, though they had tried to -“mark” their birds when they lighted, they beat back and forth for more -than half an hour without getting another flush. - -“Come on,” said Roy at last; “I’m tired of this. There’s some good -partridge timber near by, and I’d rather shoot one partridge than half a -dozen woodcock.” - -“Every fellow to his taste,” laughed Sage. “I prefer the sport of -woodcock shooting, and I certainly hate to leave without getting either -of those two birds up again.” - -He yielded, however, to Hooker’s urging, and they left the low covers -for the adjacent timber, in which partridges might be found. - -The partridges were there, too. Roy put one up almost beneath his feet, -but the timber was so thick at that point that he could not get even a -chance shot with the slightest hope of success. While he was grumbling -over this, Spot made a point and the partridge rose with a booming of -wings before Sage could give his companion warning. - -Fred fired. - -“Did you get her?” called Hooker. - -“I think I hit her,” was the answer. “I saw her go down. Come, Spot, we -must dig that bird out.” - -Hooker started to follow, but had not advanced thirty feet before still -another partridge rose and went sailing away in another direction. This -time Roy fired, but he did so under such a disadvantage and with so much -haste that he had little hope of bringing down the game. - -“Confound it!” he muttered. “Are all these birds going to get away?” - -For a full minute he stood still in his tracks, peering into the woods -on all sides and listening keenly. Then he removed the empty shell from -his gun and slipped a loaded one into place. - -“I’m going to follow that old bird I banged at,” he decided. “I don’t -believe she went beyond the road that runs through these woods. If I can -get her without the assistance of the dog, it will be a trick worth -turning.” - -Having hurried after the partridge until he fancied he had reached a -point where the bird might have alighted, he began creeping forward with -the utmost caution, pausing every few yards to listen and use his eyes. -Once an acorn, clipping down through the leaves and striking the ground, -gave him a start, but it seemed that the partridge had flown farther -than he thought, for presently, without again sighting the game, he -approached the road. A short distance from the highway he stopped in his -tracks and flung the gun to his shoulder, the barrel levelled toward -some roadside bushes, near which he had heard a slight noise. - -Beyond the bushes a man rose into view from a stone on which he had been -seated, and found himself looking straight into the muzzle of Hooker’s -gun. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER. - - -Roy was tremendously startled. The gun had an easy pull, and his bent -finger was gently touching the trigger, yet so astonished was he by the -unexpected appearance of the man that for some moments he stood rigid -with the weapon leveled at the stranger’s head. - -On the other hand, the man was no less dismayed. Not more than -twenty-six or seven years of age, he was somewhat roughly dressed and -decidedly in need of a shave. His eyes opened wide at sight of the -threatening weapon, and a wave of pallor swept over his bronzed face. -Not a word escaped his parted lips. - -Presently, with a catch of his breath, Hooker lowered the gun. - -“By Jove!” he cried, with a touch of resentment. “You came near getting -shot, bobbing up that fashion from behind those bushes.” - -No longer menaced by the gun, the stranger seemed greatly relieved. -Gradually the color returned to his face, and, his eyes searching the -young hunter keenly, he gave a short, nervous laugh. - -“It’s pretty serious,” he said, “when a chap can’t sit down by the -roadside to rest without being in danger of getting himself peppered -from a shotgun. You should make sure of the kind of game you’re banging -at, before you fire.” - -“If I hadn’t done so,” returned Hooker, still feeling slightly -resentful, “I’d probably blown your head off. I was following a -partridge. Did you see one fly across the road a short time ago?” - -“No, I didn’t; but I haven’t been here more than four or five -minutes—perhaps not that long.” - -The man had a pleasant, agreeable face, and Hooker thought that, were he -shaved and better dressed, he would be a rather good-looking chap. -Apparently he had not wholly recovered from the start which the sight of -the armed boy had given him, for he was still a bit nervous and uneasy. - -“Maybe,” said Roy, “it took me longer than I thought to follow that old -bird to this point. Perhaps she flew across the road before you came -along.” - -“Are you alone?” asked the man. - -“I’m with a friend. He’s back in the woods somewhere with his dog.” - -“Of course you live near here?” - -“Yes, in Oakdale.” - -The man seemed interested. “Oakdale; that’s a small town near by, isn’t -it?” - -“You must be a total stranger in these parts,” said Roy, as he stepped -out into the road. “Oakdale is not more than three or four miles from -here. It’s a country village.” He was wondering if the man could be a -tramp, but closer inspection made this seem quite improbable, despite -the stranger’s rough clothes and somewhat shabby appearance. - -“No, I don’t belong around here,” said the man. “I’m looking for work. -Anything a fellow can do in Oakdale?” - -“I don’t know about that, but I presume one could find some sort of work -if he wasn’t too particular. There are two mills and some lime quarries, -but the men who work in the quarries are mostly foreigners. What are -your special qualifications?” - -“I haven’t any,” was the frank confession. “I’m ready to do any sort of -work to earn an honest living.” - -“In that case, it shouldn’t be hard for you to find something.” - -“It’s not as easy as you might think. You see, employers usually like to -know something about the workmen they engage, and they are apt to be -suspicious of a total stranger who looks a bit rough and down in his -luck.” - -“Of course you’re ready to tell anyone about yourself and give -references?” - -The young man shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t happen to have any -references,” he answered. “Of course I can answer questions about -myself, but who would know I wasn’t lying?” - -“If you stated your last place of employment, it would be a simple -matter to investigate your story.” - -Again that quick shrugging of the shoulders. “Yes, but supposing that, -for reasons of my own, I didn’t care to tell where I’ve been employed?” - -“Reasons? What sort of reasons could you have, unless——” - -“It might be the case, you know, that I had had trouble with my former -employer. Perhaps,” he went on hastily, “we quarreled over something for -which I was not at all to blame, and that quarrel led to my leaving -without giving due notice. You see, that would deprive me of references -and would make it impossible for me to hope for any benefit by stating -where and for whom I had worked.” - -“Yes, I see,” nodded Hooker slowly. “That would put you in bad. In such -a case, unless someone was in great need of a man, I doubt if you could -find employment.” - -The stranger made a quick gesture with one hand. - -“There you are,” he said; “or rather, there I am. Until you get up -against it yourself, you’ll not be able to understand such a -predicament, and I hope you’ll never have the misfortune to face such a -situation.” - -Now Hooker had been led to believe that the misfortunes which usually -befall a person, barring ill health, were almost always the result of -incompetence, carelessness or dishonesty, and the fact that this -stranger was wholly indisposed to make known his past history led the -boy to regard him with doubt and suspicion. Perhaps the man understood -something of what was passing in Roy’s mind, for suddenly he said: - -“You can see how it is; even you would hesitate about giving me work. -That’s the way with everybody. They demand to know a person’s past; they -want to pry into his private affairs. But I tell you,” he added, a -trifle bitterly, “I feel that it’s none of their business, and I resent -their impertinence. The man who gives me a job at which I can earn an -honest living will find me ready to do my work, and do it well. Why -should he insist on probing private matters concerning me, any more than -I should demand to know about his personal history? In fact, in many -cases it would be to the advantage of the laborer if his employer were -compelled to lay bare such secrets. A great many would be shown up as -grinders of the poor, bloodsuckers living and growing fat upon the -life-toll of others, unfeeling despots paying their workmen a mere -pittance while they piled up riches by what those workmen produced. And -some would be branded as dishonest rascals from whom their neighbors -would shrink in abhorrence.” - -“Jingoes!” exclaimed Hooker, fancying himself enlightened by the -vehement words of the stranger. “I guess I know what’s the matter with -you. You must be a Socialist.” - -The man laughed. “That’s the usual term applied in these days to those -who have courage enough to question the honesty and fair dealing of a -certain greedy, selfish brand of employers. But I’m not claiming that -all employers are of that sort. If they were, conditions in this country -would be desperate indeed. But what’s the use in talking to you of such -things; you’re simply a boy, and at your age problems of that nature had -never troubled me for a moment. At your age,” he continued, something -like a dreamy look of sadness creeping into his blue eyes, “I was as -carefree and thoughtless as you are to-day. I’d give a great deal if it -were possible for me to go back to that time.” - -This statement served to convince Hooker that the stranger was carrying -a secret locked in his heart, and that the secret was one which gave him -no small amount of regret and remorse. Otherwise, why should a man in -the very prime of his youth and vigor, a time to which Roy looked -forward with eager anticipation, desire to blot out a portion of his -life that he might return to the days of his boyhood? - -The sad and dreamy look was gone in a moment, and the stranger asked: - -“Have you lived long in Oakdale?” - -“Brought up there,” answered Hooker. - -“Then I presume you know nearly everyone in town?” - -“Sure. In a little place like that everybody knows everybody else.” - -The man’s next question gave the lad a start: “Do you know any people by -the name of Sage?” - -“What? Sage? I should say so!” - -“Ah!” breathed the man. “There is a family by that name in Oakdale?” - -“Yes.” - -“How long have they been there?” - -“Let me see. About three years, I think.” - -“Where did they come from? Do you know?” - -“Not exactly, though I believe they came from somewhere in New York -State. Why, Fred Sage is my chum.” - -“Oh, is he?” The stranger’s eyes were now bright with interest and his -manner eager. - -“You bet he is,” nodded Roy. “He’s a fine chap, too. We’re gunning -together to-day. He’s the fellow I spoke of. I left him back yonder with -his dog. Do you know the Sages? If you do, perhaps they might give you a -recommendation that would help you get work.” - -At this moment the report of a gun, only a short distance away, rang -through the woods. - -“That’s Fred—that’s him now,” cried Hooker. “I’ll bet he bagged that old -biddy.” Then he lifted his voice and shouted: “Hey, Fred! Here I am, out -in the road. Did you get anything?” - -“I didn’t miss that time,” came back the triumphant answer. “It’s a -partridge.” - -“The one I was after, I reckon,” said Roy, with a touch of chagrin. “She -must have run on the ground so that I lost track of her. Here comes Fred -now.” - -There was a sound of someone pushing through the underbrush, and Roy, -facing the woods, waited for his chum to appear. In a few moments, -followed by the dog, Sage came out of the woods, triumphantly holding -aloft a dead partridge. - -“The other one fooled me and I lost her,” he said; “but I got a good -open chance at this old biddy. She didn’t get away.” - -“She got away from me,” said Roy. “I’m sure that’s the one I chased, but -she gave me the slip all right. I was so hot after her that I came near -shooting——” - -He stopped abruptly, his mouth open as he looked around for the -mysterious stranger. To his astonishment, the man had disappeared. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - THE HOME OF THE SAGES. - - -“Well, what do you know about that?” muttered Hooker wonderingly. “He’s -gone.” - -“Who?” questioned Fred, reaching the road. - -“The man—the man I was talking with. He was sitting right here on this -stone when I came sneaking down through the woods, and I almost shot his -head off. He rose up into view just in time. Where the dickens has he -gone?” - -In both directions a strip of road lay in plain view, but, save -themselves, there was no human being to be seen upon it. - -“When did he go?” questioned Sage. - -“After you fired; while I was watching for you to come out of the woods. -He was right here within five feet of me. I can’t understand how he got -away so quickly without my knowing it. He must have put off into the -woods on the other side.” - -“What made him do that?” - -“You’ve got me. He was a stranger around these parts, and said he was -looking for work. There was something queer about him, too. He was a -good, healthy looking specimen, and he didn’t seem like a hobo, though -his clothes were rather rough. He talked like an educated man. Say, -Fred, he asked about you.” - -“About _me_?” exclaimed Sage in surprise. “Why, how was that?” - -“Don’t know. He asked if there was a family by the name of Sage in -Oakdale and how long they had been there. He must be someone who knows -you, Fred.” - -“Describe him.” - -Roy did so as well as he was able, but his friend did not seem at all -enlightened. - -“I can’t imagine who he was,” said Fred. “The description doesn’t seem -to fit anyone I know. Did he give his name?” - -“No; I forgot to ask it. He talked like a Socialist or an Anarchist, -although he didn’t look to be a very desperate character. And he seemed -nervous and troubled about something or other, but perhaps that was -because he fancied he had come so near getting himself shot. When he saw -me, with the gun leveled straight at him, he turned pale.” - -“I don’t wonder,” said Fred, with a laugh. “It was enough to give anyone -a start. I don’t see what made him run away, and I wish he’d waited -until I could have taken a look at him.” - -“Perhaps he was somebody who knew you before you came to Oakdale.” - -Sage frowned a bit. “It doesn’t seem likely, and yet, of course, it may -be so. Well, we can’t fret ourselves about him. Let’s go on with the -hunt. Spot is getting restless.” - -For some time the pointer had been running back and forth in the road, -turning at intervals to gaze inquiringly at his master and whine -beseechingly. Apparently the dog was wondering why the boys should -linger there, with the woods all about them and their success thus far -giving ample evidence that there was plenty of game to be had for the -hunting. - -Absorbed once more in the search for birds, both lads seemingly -dismissed all thoughts of the stranger and his puzzling behavior; but, -had he possessed the faculty of reading his companion’s mind, Hooker -would have been surprised to discover that, far from dismissing such -thoughts, Sage was not a little troubled by them. Indeed, so deeply -plunged was he in mental speculations that he failed to note when the -dog next made a point, and he flushed the bird unexpectedly by the -careless manner in which he stumbled forward through the underbrush. -Taken thus unawares, he could not recover his self-possession in time to -shoot, and, Hooker being in no position to fire, the game got away -untouched, not a little to the disgust of Spot. - -“What’s the matter with you, Fred?” called Roy sharply. “You almost -stepped on that one. Didn’t you see Spot point?” - -“No,” was the regretful confession, “I didn’t notice it.” - -“I started to call to you, but I thought you knew your business and were -ready to pepper away when the bird flushed.” - -Later, when they ran into a covey of woodcock, Fred was astonishingly -slow about shooting, and Hooker brought down two birds to his one, which -seemed rather remarkable, as Sage was much the better wing shot. It was -Fred, too, who, seeming the first to tire of the sport, finally proposed -that they should go home. - -“There’s time enough,” objected Roy. “Practice doesn’t begin until three -o’clock, and it’s not yet noon.” - -“But I’ll need to rest up a bit after this tramp. I’ve got enough, -anyhow.” - -On the way back to the village Sage suddenly asked Hooker once more to -describe the stranger, and when Roy had complied he again asserted that -he had not the least idea as to the man’s identity. - -It was nearly one o’clock when Sage reached his home, a comfortable, -well-kept story-and-a-half house on the outskirts of the village, but he -found that his mother had kept dinner waiting for him, for which he -scolded her in a laughing fashion. - -“No need to put yourself to so much trouble, mother,” he said. “I could -have done just as well with a cold lunch from the pantry.” - -“It was no trouble, my boy,” she replied, affection in her tone and in -the glance she gave him. “We knew you would be home, for you said there -was to be football practice this afternoon, and it was your father who -suggested that we should wait for you.” - -She was not an old woman, but her hair was snowy white, and there was -something in her face and the depths of her gentle eyes which indicated -that her life had not been wholly free from care and sorrow. - -Fred’s father, who had been reading in the sitting-room, put aside his -newspaper and came into the dining-room, rubbing his hands together as -he peered at the boy over the gold-bowed spectacles that clung to his -nose. - -“Well, what luck, young man?” he asked. “Did you find any shooting worth -while?” - -“We got seven woodcock and three partridges,” answered Fred; “but Roy -shot the most of them, though he insisted on dividing them. I made him -take the odd partridge, though, keeping only one for mother, as she -doesn’t care for woodcock.” - -“H’m!” nodded Andrew Sage slowly. “How did you happen to let him -outshoot you, Fred? With that new gun of yours, I thought you’d make a -record. Doesn’t it shoot as well as you expected?” - -“Oh, the gun is all right. I suppose I was a bit off form.” - -He was on the point of telling them of the unknown man who had -questioned Hooker about the Sages living in Oakdale and then run away in -such a perplexing manner on Fred’s approach, but something seemed to -caution him to remain silent, and he did so. - -Like Roy Hooker, the people of Oakdale knew little about the Sages, save -that they had lived in the place for three years having moved there from -some distant state. Andrew Sage was a man nearly sixty years of age, -with the speech and bearing of a person of education and refinement. He -had purchased a tiny farm of some twenty acres, the buildings of which -were promptly repaired, remodelled within and thoroughly painted. The -grounds in the vicinity of the buildings were cleared and graded, with -the exception of a picket-fenced front yard, where an old-fashioned -flower garden had been choked out by weeds. Of course the fence was -straightened up, repaired and given several coats of paint, and the -flower garden was restored to its former state of blooming fragrance and -beauty; but this work was done at the direction of Mrs. Sage, who seemed -to find in that garden something to occupy her mind and give her many -hours of pleasure. Her knowledge of flowers and their proper care was -much superior to the knowledge displayed by her husband in the vegetable -garden, which he planted and attended. The neighbors often remarked that -it was plain enough that Andrew Sage had never turned his hand to such -labor before coming to Oakdale. - -That the Sages possessed an income sufficient to support them modestly -was likewise evident, for they lived comfortably and paid their bills -promptly, although Mr. Sage worked upon his own property only, and, as -conducted, that brought in practically no revenue whatever. - -The little household was held together by strong bands of understanding -and affection which would have been apparent enough to anyone who could -have watched them this day at their belated dinner. Into their pleasant -conversation there entered no jarring note, and their thoughtfulness and -consideration for one another was of the finest sort. The atmosphere of -that home was truly such as it should be, comfortable, homelike, fraught -with an indescribable something that always makes such a place the -best-loved spot on earth. - -It was natural that Fred’s mother should speak of football and its -dangers and express her regret that he should care to take part in such -sport. And in supporting Fred’s arguments in favor of the game, it was -diplomatic of his father to seem, in a way, to favor both sides of the -question, while all the time he was cleverly reassuring the apprehensive -woman. Andrew Sage’s skill in this form of controversy not only made it -much easier for Fred, but checked, in a great measure, the worriment of -the boy’s mother. - -When he reached the football field that afternoon Fred found Roy Hooker -telling a group of boys about the encounter with the mysterious -stranger. Of those boys Billy Piper, familiarly known as “Sleuth” on -account of his yearning desire to emulate the feats of detective heroes -of fiction, appeared to be the most deeply interested. The others showed -a disposition to treat the affair as something of minor importance or no -importance whatever. - -“Through what I can gather from your statements, Hooker,” said Sleuth, -“I am led to infer that this unknown party may have been a red-handed -criminal fleeing from justice. Or, perchance, to look at the matter in -another light, he was a person deeply wronged, seeking to visit -retribution on the head of one who had injured him. I say, Sage,” he -called, catching sight of Fred, “have you any reason to suppose that you -or any of your immediate relatives may have a bitter and remorseless -enemy who seeks reprisal for some fancied injury in the dark and buried -years of the past?” - -“As far as I know,” answered Fred, “we have not an enemy in the world.” - -“And you haven’t a notion as to the identity of the mysterious stranger -who made inquiries about you and then ran away before you could get a -look at him?” - -“Not the remotest idea.” - -“Hah!” breathed Piper in deep satisfaction. “The plot thickens. I scent -a mystery of deep and terrible significance. The clues are faint indeed, -but they shall not baffle me. If this unknown stranger lingers in the -vicinity of Oakdale, I’ll yet lay bare his foul designs and foil him in -his fell purpose.” - -“Oh, slush!” cried Phil Springer. “You’ve got another bad attack, Pipe. -You bub-better forget it. Here comes Stoney. Let’s start practice, -fellows.” - -The group dissolved, leaving Piper, his arms folded, his eyes fixed upon -the ground, in profound meditation. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - A MAN “WANTED.” - - -Captain Stone, who seemed to be amazingly conversant with the new -football rules, which of late he had studied faithfully during all his -spare moments, tried hard to impart an understanding of them to the -other boys, the most of whom were eager to learn, their willingness -keeping them at practice until the gathering darkness finally forced -them to stop. - -Upon the occasion of his son leaving Oakdale Academy for the purpose of -taking a final college preparatory year in one of the leading prep -schools of the country, Urian Eliot had contributed five hundred dollars -for the purpose of carrying out a plan for certain improvements of the -Oakdale gymnasium. These improvements had been made, and now in one end -of the former bowling alley there were heated dressing rooms and a -number of shower baths. This made it possible for the boys to take their -showers after practice or games, and then rub down and dress in comfort. - -Hurrying to the gym, Fred Sage lost no time in stripping off his soiled -and sweaty football clothes and making a dive for one of the shower -compartments. The rooms resounded with the voices of the boys, and from -some of the showers rose whoops and boos and strange gasps mingling with -the hissing rush and drip of water. - -“Hey, there, Cooper!” called a voice. “What are you doing? Turn on the -cold. You’ll parboil yourself in a minute. Look, fellers—look a’ the -steam coming out of Chipper’s cell!” - -“Aw, go on and mind your business,” came from the steaming compartment. -“I always start with it warm and turn off the hot gradually till it’s -cold enough to suit me.” - -“And that’s abaout cold enough to bile aigs,” chuckled Sile Crane, a -lanky country boy who talked through his nose. “Hurry up there, Chipper, -and give a feller a chance. Tuttle’s treatin’ on peanuts, and you won’t -git none if you don’t git a move on.” - -“Somebody can have my place,” said Sage, as he shot out of the -compartment, dripping icy water from every part of his shining body. -“Where’s my towel? I left it right here. Somebody has swiped my towel.” - -In a moment he had found the towel and was using it vigorously. A -thorough scrubbing set his firm flesh aglow, and he jumped into his -clothes feeling as fresh and vigorous as if he had not tramped the -forenoon through, carrying a gun, and followed that up by an afternoon -of strenuous football practice. He was almost fully dressed when he -observed Sleuth Piper, still adorned in football togs, standing a short -distance away and regarding him through half closed lids. In some story -Sleuth had read that whenever he wished to concentrate his mind on any -perplexing problem the hero of the yarn always gazed fixedly at some -object through partly closed eyelids. - -“Hi, there, Pipe!” called Fred sharply. “Going to sleep? Wake up. Going -to wear those rags the rest of the evening?” - -“Hush!” said Piper, frowning and lifting a reproving hand. “Don’t -interrupt me that way when my mind is at work upon a problem.” - -“Forget it,” advised Fred. “You’ll be late for supper. Cæsar’s ghost! -but _I’m_ as hungry as a bear.” - -He was the first one to leave the gymnasium, and he strode away -whistling. In a few moments, however, he ceased to whistle and proceeded -with his head slightly bent and his hands sunk deep in his pockets. -Finally, with a shake of his shoulders, he tossed back his head, -muttering: - -“Confound Sleuth, anyhow! He’s always trying to make a deep, dark -mystery out of any unusual occurrence. It was _queer_ that the man -should ask about the Sages and then run away when he knew I was coming, -but it isn’t likely he’ll ever be seen again by anyone around here, so -what’s the use for me to addle my brains over it?” - -Truly, Fred seemed “hungry as a bear,” and the manner in which he swept -the food from the supper table made his mother gasp and caused his -father to chuckle. - -“One thing about football,” said Mr. Sage, “boys who play the game -aren’t apt to be finicky about their food. How did you get along at the -field this afternoon, son?” - -“First-rate, everything considered. Of course the new rules are going to -bother us a little, but Stone seems wise to them, and I fancy he’ll be -able to do pretty well with the team, though of course we’re going to -miss Eliot.” - -“A fine boy, Roger Eliot,” nodded Andrew Sage. - -“Sure thing,” agreed Fred instantly; “and his father comes pretty near -being the real thing, too. When we first came to Oakdale people were -saying that Urian Eliot was cold and close-fisted, but look what he did -for the school. We’ve got a new gym now, heated and lighted and fitted -out with shower baths, like a first-class place. I tell you, the fellows -take off their hats to Mr. Eliot these days.” - -“Oakdale people are just beginning to realize that Eliot has done a -great deal for the town,” said Mr. Sage. “He’s one of our solid, -reliable citizens. Only for him, we’d still be without a bank.” - -After supper Andrew Sage lighted his pipe, and Fred, feeling no desire -to go out, settled down to a book before the comfortable open fire in -the sitting-room. - -An hour had not passed when there came a ring at the door-bell, and Fred -himself rose at once to answer. On the steps stood a dark figure with -coat collar upturned and cap pulled well down. Blinded a little by the -sudden change from light to darkness, the boy failed to recognize the -caller. - -“Good evening,” he said. - -“’St!” came back a sibilant hiss. “It’s me, Piper. Why don’t you ask a -feller in? Almost cold enough to freeze to-night.” - -“Oh, come in, Sleuth,” was the invitation, and the visitor lost no time -in stepping out of the chilly wind that swept round the corner of the -house. - -“What brings you up here at this hour?” questioned Fred. - -“Hush! I’m doing my duty. I’m gathering up the scattered threads one by -one. The skein shall be untangled.” - -Piper was known to Mr. and Mrs. Sage, who spoke to him pleasantly, -although both were somewhat surprised by this, his first, visit to their -home. Having removed his cap and jammed it into the side pocket of his -coat, Sleuth deported himself in his usual mysterious manner when -“investigating,” and suddenly the other boy began to fear that he would -speak of the stranger in the presence of the older people. - -“I’m glad you dropped around, Pipe,” said Fred. “I suppose you want to -talk football? Come on up to my room; we can chin there as much as we -like.” - -The caller was more than willing, and they mounted the stairs to Fred’s -room, which was large, comfortable and exceedingly well furnished. But -Piper, still bearing himself “professionally,” gave little heed to the -aspect of the room. - -“I’ve come,” he announced, declining to sit down, “to propound a few -vital questions, which I trust you may see fit to answer without evasion -or subterfuge.” - -“What’s this?” laughed Sage. “Is it a court of inquiry?” - -“Not exactly. Of course there is no compulsion in the matter, but, -assuming that you have nothing to conceal, there should be no reason for -refusing the information I require.” - -“Oh, say, Sleuth, don’t you ever get tired of it? It must be wearisome, -searching for these deep, dark mysteries in a quiet, uneventful country -town like Oakdale. Of course I know what you’re driving at, and in this -case I think you’re trying to make something out of nothing—and that’s -impossible.” - -Piper shook his head. With his hands locked behind his back, he slowly -paced the floor. - -“You are like the usual order of persons who lack the analytical mind,” -he retorted. “You fail to see the true significance of apparently -commonplace events. I am different. At this moment I feel assured that -we are face to face with one of the most perplexing mysteries on record. -I’ve interviewed Hooker this evening, and from him I obtained a certain -amount of information concerning the mysterious man he encountered in -the woods beyond Culver’s Bridge. According to his statement, that man -was about twenty-six years of age, and apparently something like five -feet and ten inches in height. Hooker judged that this person should -weigh in the neighborhood of one hundred and sixty pounds. His -complexion was medium, and he had hair slightly curly. His eyes were -blue, his teeth white and even, and his smile pleasant. His voice was -agreeable, but he showed traces of nervousness and anxiety. He spoke -with some bitterness of people who had wealth and employed laborers. Roy -states that, as far as he could see, the man bore no peculiarly -distinguishing mark, like a scar or deformity.” - -“Well,” said Fred, lounging on the Morris chair, “why should the -appearance of such a stranger interest you so deeply?” - -“Wait,” said Piper, halting in front of Sage’s chair. “This man made -inquiries concerning your family. He must have known you.” - -“We’ve lived in Oakdale only three years. There are people outside of -this place who know us.” - -“Quite true; but when he learned that you were near at hand, and when he -heard you approaching, the man disappeared in a most astounding, -inexplicable and unaccountable manner. He didn’t wait until you should -come forth to meet him face to face.” - -“That was rather odd,” admitted Sage. - -“And, furthermore, you have stated that you have no idea who the person -can be.” - -“Not the slightest.” - -“Is there anything connected with your past or that of your parents -which, for good and sufficient reasons, you wish to conceal?” - -Fred sat up suddenly. “Why should you imagine anything of that sort?” he -retorted sharply. “Of course it’s nonsense.” - -“H’m!” said Sleuth. “It’s a rare family closet that doesn’t contain a -skeleton.” - -“Well, Piper, if you’ve come here to pry into private family affairs, -you may as well chase yourself at once.” - -“Restrain your annoyance, Sage; check your angry resentment. If you -choose to unbosom yourself to me in my professional capacity, you may do -so with the assurance of my honorable intention to hold inviolate any -secret with which I may be entrusted.” - -Fred’s face was flushed and he betrayed annoyance, which, however, he -endeavored to restrain. - -“Cut out that fol-de-rol, Piper. There’s no reason why I should tell you -any family secrets, if we happen to have them. As you’ve just said, -doubtless there are few families who do not have some minor secrets they -choose to keep hidden; but, as a rule, such things concern no others -than those personally interested. Again, let me repeat that you are -trying to make something out of nothing, and it’s extremely ridiculous.” - -“Perhaps so,” retorted Sleuth. “But tell me, did you ever hear of a man -by the name of James Wilson?” - -“Never. What has he to do with the matter?” - -The visitor drew a folded newspaper from an inner pocket of his coat. -“It’s my custom,” he said, “to take special note of the records of crime -and criminals as contained in the press of the day. I never overlook -anything of the sort. Here in this paper is the description of one James -Wilson, _alias_ ‘William Hunt,’ _alias_ ‘Philip Hastings,’ but known -among his pals as ‘Gentleman Jim.’ This man is described as twenty-six -years of age, five feet, ten inches in height, and weighing one hundred -and sixty pounds. While there are no distinguishing marks upon his -person, he has blue eyes; a medium complexion; hair slightly curly; -white, even teeth; a pleasant smile; an agreeable voice; and white, -shapely hands, which show evidence of recent arduous labor. This labor -was performed in prison, from which Jim Wilson has but lately been -released. He is a confidence man and safe-breaker, and it seems that his -prison experience has done little to cure him of his criminal -proclivities, for it is suspected that since his release he has been -concerned in certain unlawful operations. One week ago he was arrested -in Harpersville, which is just over the state line, and placed in jail -to await the arrival of officers who wanted him. But Mr. Wilson, _alias_ -‘William Hunt,’ _alias_ ‘Philip Hastings,’ _alias_ ‘Gentleman Jim,’ is a -slippery customer, and he didn’t remain in that insecure jail. Instead -of doing so, he broke out of his cell, cracked the guard’s skull, and -made good his escape. The guard is not expected to live, and the -authorities have offered a reward of five hundred dollars for the -capture of the murderous scoundrel.” - -“Well!” breathed Sage, who had listened with swiftly increasing -interest. “Do you think this James Wilson and the stranger Hooker talked -with this forenoon are one and the same?” - -“I haven’t a doubt of it,” declared Sleuth. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - BY THE LIGHT FROM THE WINDOW. - - -“But that,” said Fred, “is practically a matter of supposition with you; -you have no real proof.” - -“Proof?” returned Piper reprovingly. “Why not? The circumstances are -significant, and it’s only the bigoted person who denies the value of -circumstantial evidence in criminal cases. The description of James -Wilson applies perfectly to the mysterious stranger with whom Hooker -conversed.” - -“If you’ll think it over a bit, that description might apply to a great -many persons. Wilson seems fortunate in having practically no personal -characteristics by which he might readily be identified. It seems to me, -Piper, that, casting aside your professed caution and acuteness, you -have jumped at a conclusion. Simply because you happen to read about an -ex-convict who has recently broken jail in a neighboring state, and the -description of this convict, although in a way indefinite and -unsatisfactory, apparently applies to a stranger in these parts, you -immediately decide that the convict and the stranger are one and the -same. I’m surprised at you, Sleuth.” - -“Wait a moment,” said Piper, holding up his finger. “Let me ask you a -question. Since you came to Oakdale, how often have you seen strangers -in these parts who looked like tramps, talked like educated men, and -deported themselves in a manner which, without the least stretch of -fancy, could be called mysterious?” - -“Seldom,” admitted Sage. - -“Never before,” asserted Piper. - -“And, because this happens to be the first instance of the sort, you -feel confident in your hasty conclusion. I’m afraid you’ll never make a -great detective, Sleuth, for in stories, at least, they never jump at -conclusions, and they always make sure they’re right before forming a -definite opinion.” - -Piper was not pleased by these words. He frowned heavily and shook his -head. - -“You can’t deny,” he retorted, “that it was most strange that the man -should inquire for your family and then take flight when he learned that -you were about to appear before him.” - -“That, I admit, was odd indeed. Nevertheless, I do not think it -justifies you in seeking to connect us with the ex-convict, James -Wilson. It’s scarcely necessary for me to tell you that we have never -known such a man.” - -“It gives me no small amount of satisfaction,” said Sleuth, “to hear -that statement from your lips, even though it may, in a measure, make my -work more difficult.” - -“Your work? What do you propose to do?” - -“I hope to lay this safe-cracker by the heels. I hope to enmesh him in -the toils and turn him over to the stern hand of justice.” - -“In which case it seems to me that your proper course would be to notify -the officers. Why don’t you go to Deputy Sheriff Pickle?” - -“Haw!” cried Sleuth, contemptuously snapping his fingers. “That would be -the height of folly. These rural officers are blockheads in ninety-nine -cases out of a hundred, and William Pickle is no exception. For -instance, recall the bungling mess he made of it when he arrested your -friend, Benjamin Stone. Only for me, Stone might have been convicted of -a crime he never committed.” - -“You helped get Ben out of an unpleasant predicament,” admitted Sage; -“but in that case Pickle did his duty, according to instructions. If you -are so positive that you’re not bungling in this case, you’ll require -the assistance of Mr. Pickle, for you can’t expect to capture James -Wilson unaided.” - -“And so you would advise me to apply to Pickle? You would advise me to -tell him my deductions, through which he would be enabled, perhaps, to -capture this jail-breaker and get the reward of five hundred dollars? -That’s what would happen if he made the capture; he’d claim the reward, -and get it. Oh, I know Bill Pickle!” - -“If you gave the information on which the man was arrested, doubtless -you could claim and obtain a portion of the reward money.” - -“Perhaps so, and perhaps not. I tell you I know Bill Pickle. He’d get it -all if he could.” - -“But, having talked with Roy Hooker of this matter, how do you expect to -keep it secret long enough to do anything yourself?” - -“I didn’t tell Hooker about James Wilson. I simply questioned him -regarding the stranger, and learned enough to satisfy me that he and -Wilson must be the same man.” - -“Well, how did you happen to tell _me_ so much?” - -Sleuth hesitated. “You see, I—I thought it might be—well, different in -your case,” he stumbled. “I fancied there might be reasons why you -wouldn’t care to say anything about it.” - -Sage rose to his feet. “You make me tired, Piper,” he said, with a touch -of angry reproof. “It’s evident that you _did_ think my family was -somehow connected with this criminal, whom we might be inclined to -shield. Just to show you what a bungler you really are, I think I’ll -tell Pickle myself.” - -In a moment the visitor was thrown into the utmost consternation. -Seizing Fred by the arm, he cried: - -“Don’t do that—don’t! Why, if you did, and Pickle should happen to catch -the man and he turned out to be the right one, you’d get part of the -reward! That wouldn’t be fair to me, Fred, and you know it. Give a chap -a square deal, old man.” - -“If you’re right in your suspicions, Piper, it’s a bad thing to have -this jail-breaker prowling around Oakdale, and it’s your duty to notify -the local officers.” - -“But supposing,” protested Sleuth, “that, by some unusual chance, I -should be mistaken? You can see what that would mean. I might get the -wrong man arrested and make an awful mess of it. I might become the -laughing stock of the village. My professional reputation might be -blasted.” - -“Oh, then you’re not nearly as confident as you pretended to be? It -seems to me like a huge joke, Piper, and if you’ll take my advice, -you’ll stop cramming your head with foolish detective yarns and abandon -the idea that you possess any special talents in the way of detecting -criminals or fathoming mysteries. The last I heard about you, you were -trying to write stories, and, by the way of amusement, I advise you to -rely upon that occupation. Not that I imagine you’ll ever write anything -printable, but it might serve to keep you from the rather obnoxious -habit of poking your nose into affairs which don’t concern you.” - -Thus reproved, Sleuth found it difficult to restrain his indignation and -resentment. - -“You’re like everybody else around here,” he cried. “But you should -remember the old saying that a prophet is never without honor save in -his own country. Some day I’ll show these people a thing or two, see if -I don’t. I’ll make them sit up and take notice. They may think Billy -Piper’s a fool, but I’ll show them. Say, Sage, give me a little time on -this case; don’t run straight to Pickle with what I’ve told you. Promise -me you won’t do that.” - -In spite of himself, Fred laughed. “If I really thought there was one -chance in a hundred that you had guessed right, I might insist on -telling Pickle, providing you refused to do so. Not having the slightest -confidence in your so-called ‘deductions,’ I’m willing to keep still.” - -“Thanks,” said Piper. “Some fellows I wouldn’t trust, even on their -promise; but I know you, and I’m sure you’ll do nothing without first -consulting me. I think I’ll be going.” - -Sage descended and bade Piper good-night at the door, watching Sleuth -slouch away toward the distant lights of the village, a few of which -gleamed through the darkness. Andrew Sage glanced up as the boy returned -to the sitting-room. - -“Well,” he said, “been discussing football, son?” - -“Not exactly,” answered Fred. “Piper had something else on his mind.” - -“Isn’t he a bit queer?” asked Mrs. Sage, who was employing herself with -some needlework in front of the open fire. - -“Most persons think he is.” - -“He behaves so oddly. Does he always act like that?” - -“Oh, it’s Piper’s way. The fellows don’t pay much attention to it, -though they josh him sometimes.” - -Fred attempted again to interest himself in his book, but in spite of -his efforts, his mind wandered from the story, and he repeatedly found -himself thinking of Sleuth and the matter they had discussed. There was, -of course, a remote possibility that Piper had not made a mistake in -fancying the stranger in Oakdale was James Wilson, for whose capture a -large reward had been offered; and only for his promise to remain silent -Fred might have told his parents. He was inclined to regret that -unconsidered pledge. Presently, his eyes drooping, he decided to go to -bed, and bade his father and mother good-night. - -In his room he paced the floor, thinking it all over, his perplexity -increasing. - -“I can’t understand why that man ran away after asking about us,” he -muttered. “That’s what gets me. If I hadn’t been afraid of giving mother -uneasiness, I’d have told about it when I first came home. Piper can’t -be right, for certainly we don’t know any convicts and jail-breakers.” - -As if his final words had given him a shock, he stopped in his tracks, -his lips parted, his face paling somewhat, and for some moments he stood -thus, without moving. Presently he resumed his walk up and down the -room, his brows knitted, his manner absorbed. At last he stopped and -laughed shortly as he thought of Piper pacing the floor in almost -precisely that same way. - -“Oh, he’s a joke. I’m going to bed.” - -The strenuous diversions of the day had given him a healthy weariness -which he was now feeling, and it did not take him long to undress. He -had put out the light when he remembered that his window was still -closed, and he turned to open it. - -With his hand on the sash he paused, an electric thrill shooting through -his body. Directly beneath his room the light from a lower window shone -forth into the darkness, falling upon the dimly seen figure of a man, -who, with his hat pulled down over his eyes, was standing where he could -look into the sitting-room. - -For some seconds Fred remained rigid, watching the motionless man. In an -instant he had become convinced that it was the stranger with whom -Hooker had talked, but the baffling hat-brim prevented Fred from seeing -the fellow’s face. - -Suddenly, as if becoming aware that someone was near who had no right to -be there, the dog barked in the room below. Immediately the man drew -hastily back from the border of light and retreated into the darkness. - -In a twinkling Fred Sage was leaping into his clothes. The dog, quieted -by a word from Mr. Sage, did not bark again. The deep darkness beneath a -tree near the house had enfolded the man. - -Fred did not strike a light. With his hastily donned clothes barely -clinging to him, he caught up a pair of rubber-soled “sneakers,” thrust -his feet into them, opened the door of his room quickly but quietly, and -crept down the stairs. He could hear his father and mother talking, but -they did not hear him as he turned the key in the lock of the door and -let himself out. - -Quivering with excitement, the boy reached the corner of the house and -peered round it. He could see no one, although the tree beneath which -the man had vanished was only a short distance away. - -“If I can find him, I’ll demand to know what business he has around -here,” thought Fred. “If mother knew, she’d be badly frightened.” - -Summoning all his courage, he stepped out boldly and advanced toward the -tree, but when he reached it there was still no living creature to be -seen. - -Twice Sage circled the buildings without result, and he became satisfied -that the unknown had lost no time in departing. - -“But it’s mighty queer,” he muttered—“mighty queer. I don’t understand -it. Perhaps I ought to tell father, but if I do I know mother won’t -sleep to-night.” - -Silently though he reentered the house, Spot barked again, and Fred’s -father opened the door into the hall. - -“Just stepped outdoors for a minute,” said the boy. “It’s going to be a -good day to-morrow, I think.” - -“Oh, is it you?” said Mr. Sage. “Spot barked, and your mother thought he -heard something. We had an idea you were abed.” - -“I’m going now. Good-night. Good-night, mother.” - -“Good-night, Fred,” called his mother in response, and Mr. Sage closed -the door. - -For more than half an hour Fred watched from his unlighted window. He -heard his parents retire, and the light no longer shone forth from the -sitting-room. His eyes had become accustomed to the darkness and he -could see certain objects in the vicinity of the house, but they were -all familiar objects, and amid them no strange shadow moved. - -“I’ll have to tell father and mother to-morrow,” decided the boy, as he -finally got into bed. - -Again and again during the night he dreamed of the mysterious stranger, -and once he awoke panting from a terrific hand-to-hand struggle with the -man. It brought him up to gaze once more from the window, through which -came the chill air of the autumn night. - -“I’m a fool,” he whispered, his teeth chattering with the cold. “I’m -going to sleep now, and see if I can’t dodge those silly dreams. -Confound Sleuth Piper, anyhow! Still, I’d like to know what that man was -doing here.” - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - CAPTAIN QUINN’S MONKEY. - - -Fred’s parents were regular church attendants, and Fred himself rarely -failed to appear with them at morning service on the Sabbath day. It -must be regretfully confessed that church had little attraction for many -of the youths of Oakdale, and among those who seldom sat through a -sermon was Roy Hooker. - -Roy, however, was waiting on the sidewalk in front of the church when -Fred came out. It was a mild, sunny day, and the outside world looked -most attractive. In response to a covert signal from Hooker, Sage joined -him. - -“Come for a walk, old man,” invited Roy. “Gee! you must be dopey, -sitting in that dark old church and listening to a dry sermon.” - -“I did get a bit sleepy,” Fred confessed. “You’re not going to walk far, -are you?” - -“Oh, you can suit yourself about that. What time do you have dinner?” - -“Around two o’clock.” - -“That will give us a couple of hours. It’s mighty pokey loafing around -all day Sunday, with nothing for amusement. If you’d only go gunning——” - -“Not on the Sabbath. Too many fellows do that around here.” - -Fred’s parents had lingered to exchange a few words with some friends, -and as they finally came down the walk he told them he was going for a -short stroll with Roy. - -“Be home to dinner, surely,” urged his mother. - -He promised, and set off with Hooker, turning down the street. At the -square, in the center of the village, they turned on to Lake Street and -proceeded eastward, passing the new bank, a small, square building of -brick and stone. - -“That makes a great improvement on this street,” commented Fred. - -“Oh, yes,” nodded Hooker; “but it would have looked better had they been -able to purchase that little old hut and the land belonging to Aaron -Quinn. That shanty, squatting right there almost under the rear eaves of -the bank, is a regular eyesore, but I understand old Quinn refused to -sell at any price.” - -The building in question was a tiny old house that stood some distance -from the street, partly hidden by two large oak trees and a straggling -growth of lilac bushes. It was sorely in need of repairs and paint, and -some of the broken windows had been patched or stuffed with rags. - -Aaron Quinn, the owner of this disreputable little shanty, was a surly, -blustering old sea captain, who had given up his calling on account of -age and rheumatism and returned to spend the latter days of his life at -his birthplace in Oakdale. His irascible temper and general crabbedness -made him more or less unpopular among the villagers, and especially so -with the boys of the town, who seldom lost an opportunity to jibe or -annoy him. - -As the two friends were passing beneath the spreading limbs of one of -the oaks, something struck Roy on the shoulder and bounded to the -sidewalk. It was an acorn, and Hooker might have thought that it had -fallen in a natural manner from the tree had it not been followed almost -immediately by another, which clipped the edge of his cap-visor. - -“Hey!” he exclaimed, looking up. “Who’s throwing them? Oh, I see; it’s -that confounded monkey.” - -Grinning down at the boys from one of the branches, a large monkey let -fly another acorn with surprising accuracy. The creature belonged to the -old sea captain, being, apparently, Quinn’s only congenial companion; -and, like his master, the monkey had learned to detest the village lads. - -“Ah! ha! Mr. Jocko,” cried Hooker, as he quickly stepped off the -sidewalk and found a stone. “Two can play at that game.” - -“Don’t,” said Fred. - -But before he could interfere Roy had sent the stone whistling and -clipping through the branches of the tree, causing Jocko to utter a -chattering scream of mingled dismay and defiance as he quickly mounted -higher. - -In a moment there came a roar from the hut beyond the lilac bushes, and -forth from the door, which had been standing ajar, issued Aaron Quinn -with his stout cane. At one time, although rather short of stature, he -had been a sturdy, husky man, who commanded the respect, if not the -liking, of his sailors. Now the bushy fringe of whiskers beneath his -chin seemed to bristle, his lips were drawn back from his teeth, and his -eyes glared with rage. - -“You young lubber!” he shouted, as he came hobbling down the path, -flourishing the cane. “I’ll teach ye! I’ll larn ye to stone my monkey! -If I ketch ye, I’ll break your back!” - -With a mocking shout of laughter and a taunt, Hooker took to his heels. - -“Run, Fred!” he cried. “The old gink will swat you if you don’t!” - -But Sage did not run. Instead, he remained calmly facing the wrathy old -sailor, who seemed bent on using the stout cane over the boy’s head. - -“Why don’t you skedaddle?” snarled Captain Quinn. “Ain’t you got sense -enough to run?” - -“I didn’t do anything, and I sha’n’t run,” was the quiet retort. “I -don’t believe you’ll hit me.” - -The man paused with the cane uplifted, surprise written on his face. - -“Oh, it’s you, is it?” he said in a milder tone. “You’re about the only -brat around here who hasn’t tried his tricks on me. You seem to be -different from the rest of these unmanly cubs. No, I won’t crack ye, but -if ever I get my hands on that other rascal, he’ll have to take to his -bed.” - -“Aw, you couldn’t catch a snail,” taunted Hooker. “Somebody will shoot -that monkey of yours some day.” - -“If anybody hurts him, they’ll sartain wish they hadn’t,” retorted -Quinn. “He knows more than half the people in this town, and that ain’t -giving him a great deal of credit. Here, Jocko—here, come down.” - -Chattering a little, the monkey slowly swung himself down to the lower -limbs and dropped to his master’s shoulder, where he perched in evident -assurance of security, making faces at the boys. - -Fred laughed and rejoined Hooker, while, assisted by his cane, Aaron -Quinn hobbled back toward the hut, carrying the monkey. - -“It would be a good thing if that old pirate would get out of town,” -said Roy. “He’s no benefit to the place.” - -“He’s harmless enough if people will let him alone,” retorted Fred; “but -he’s been pestered so much that he seems to have it in for everybody. At -the most, it’s doubtful if he lives many years, and when he dies the -bank people will doubtless get his little place for what it’s really -worth.” - -They proceeded on their way, the conversation soon drifting into other -channels, football for a time being the main topic, as, to Sage’s -surprise, Hooker betrayed considerable interest in the game. - -“You’re right about old Stoney,” he said. “He knows the new rules. Why, -he must have studied them until he has every word by heart. Perhaps -he’ll make a fairly good captain, after all, though he never can come up -to Roger Eliot.” - -[Illustration: - - AARON QUINN HOBBLED BACK TOWARD THE HUT, CARRYING THE MONKEY.—Page - 74.] - -“Perhaps not,” admitted Sage. “Eliot certainly was a natural leader at -anything he undertook. I’m glad you came out yesterday.” - -“Oh, it isn’t likely I’ll get a chance to play.” - -“I’ll guarantee you will if you pitch in. Why, there’s Piper, the last -fellow one would ever suppose could make good at the game.” - -“That’s right,” agreed Roy. “Say, he came round and interviewed me last -night. He’s got another bug in his bonnet. Asked me all sorts of -questions about the strange man I saw in the woods. What do you suppose -he thinks he’s up to?” - -“He’s struck a trail,” laughed Fred. “He was up at my house to see me, -too.” - -“Well, it would give me some satisfaction if he could find out who the -man was. Don’t suppose you were able to enlighten him any?” - -“Not a bit. I told you yesterday that I hadn’t the remotest idea who the -stranger could be.” - -“I know you did, but I thought you might have placed him since.” - -Down the river on the road to Clearport they entered a grove and sat -chatting for some time on a fallen tree. Roy was anxious for another -gunning expedition, but Fred feared that school work and football -practice would give him little time for it. Finally they returned to the -village, and Roy walked up Main Street to accompany his friend part of -the way toward home. - -On the sidewalk in front of Urian Eliot’s house they saw Mr. Eliot -talking with Lucius Timmick, the cashier of the bank. Timmick was a man -under thirty years of age, thin, smooth-faced, save for some high cut -“siders,” and a trifle sanctimonious in his manner. He was dressed -wholly in black and carried a Bible in his hand. - -Mr. Eliot spoke pleasantly to the boys as they passed, and Timmick gave -them a grudging nod. - -“That dried-up shrimp makes me tired,” muttered Hooker. “Just because -Urian Eliot took him into the bank and made him cashier, he thinks he’s -something. I know him; he always was a sneak. Why, he used to watch the -boys nights and blow on them every time they had a little fun. He caught -us hooking apples once, and made an awful fuss about it. Talked of -having some of us sent to the reform school. Now he teaches a class in -Sabbath School, and butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth.” - -“It is evident,” smiled Fred, “that you don’t love Mr. Timmick much.” - -“You wouldn’t think much of him either, if you’d lived long in Oakdale. -He has too much dignity now to sneak round nights trying to find out -what the fellows are doing, but he’s just as much a fox as he ever was. -If I was president of a bank, I’d never trust him to handle the cash.” - -“Evidently Mr. Eliot trusts him thoroughly.” - -“Oh, yes, he’s got Urian Eliot fooled. Well, guess I’ll hike for home, -as Rod Grant would say. Bye, bye, old man.” - -Thus far Fred had found no good opportunity to tell his father privately -about the mysterious stranger and about what he had seen from his window -the night before, nor did he find such a chance that day. The following -morning he dismissed the matter from his mind, fancying it improbable -that the man would again be seen around Oakdale. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - ANNOYING ATTENTIONS. - - -Sleuth Piper seemed to develop a sudden remarkable fondness for Fred -Sage, upon whom he persisted in thrusting himself whenever possible, -although he endeavored to make his actions seem natural and -unpremeditated. At the academy he hung around a great deal in Fred’s -vicinity, usually near enough to hear and understand anything Sage might -say. Time after time he engaged Fred in conversation, which he usually -brought about by speaking of school matters or sports in which the most -of the boys were interested. - -Monday morning, as he was making his way to the academy, Fred had been a -bit surprised to encounter Sleuth in the vicinity of the Methodist -church, for Piper, if also bound for school, had come a considerable -distance out of his way. This action seemed to be explained, however, -when the queer fellow betrayed a certain amount of anxiety lest Sage had -broken his promise to maintain secrecy regarding the Saturday night -interview at Fred’s house. - -“What do you take me for, Piper?” exclaimed Fred, annoyed. “When I get -ready to tell about that, I’ll let you know in advance.” - -“No offence, old fellow,” said Sleuth hastily. “You understand anyone -can let such things leak unintentionally.” - -That night, after the shower in the gym following practice on the field, -Sleuth was waiting to join Fred and persisted in walking all the way -home with him, maintaining a confidential atmosphere, which seemed to -invite confidence and trust on the part of the other. This effort was so -palpably apparent that, although inwardly annoyed, Sage could not help -laughing over it when Sleuth finally set off for his own home. - -“The chump!” he muttered. “He thinks he’s clever, but it’s easy enough -to see through him.” - -But when, on the following morning, Sleuth again joined Fred on the way -to school, Sage could scarcely restrain his annoyance. Succeeding, -however, he tried the effect of joshing and banter. - -“Say, Sleuth,” he laughed, “you’ve certainly taken a sudden pronounced -liking for my society. I never dreamed you entertained such deep -affection for me.” - -“Oh,” returned Piper, with pretended carelessness, “I’ve always liked -you, Fred, ever since you came here from—from—. Let me see, where did -you come from? I’ve forgotten.” - -“Perhaps you never knew.” - -“That’s right, perhaps I didn’t. Seems to me, though, I’ve heard it was -somewhere in New York State. Is that right?” - -“Let it go at that; it’s near enough.” - -“Oh, if there’s any reason why you don’t care to tell, of course you’ve -a right to decline to answer.” - -“Do you know, Sleuth, I always feel a natural disinclination to gratify -the unwarranted curiosity of people who try to pry into affairs that are -of no concern to them.” - -“Oh, piffle, Fred! I’m not prying. What’s the matter with you? I was -just thinking that probably before coming here you attended a school of -more importance than Oakdale Academy. You knew as much about football as -any fellow in this town when you appeared here, and that’s how you -happened to get on the team as quarterback last year. Eliot said you -were the fellow best adapted for the position, and you proved that he -was right by the way you filled it.” - -“Thanks for the taffy. Your generosity in handing it out has got me -going. What do you want to know next? Ask and ye shall _not_ receive. -Rubber and you’ll get it in the neck.” - -“Oh, all right, if you’re going to take it that way,” muttered Piper -sourly. “Still, I don’t see why you should be so thundering suspicious. -That is, I don’t see unless——” - -“Unless I’ve some dark and terrible secret to conceal. You’re still -making a jack of yourself trying to connect the Sages with your -desperate jailbird, Gentleman Jim. It doesn’t seem to me, my astute -detective friend, that you’re making much progress on your latest case. -Apparently that reward is keeping well beyond the reach of your grasping -fingers.” - -“Even Sherlock Holmes required a certain amount of time to solve his -problems,” reminded Piper, causing his companion to laugh loudly. - -“As an imitator of the great Sherlock, you’re a merry jest, Pipe. Go -ahead and amuse yourself playing your little farce, but don’t bother -me.” - -It was difficult, however, to escape Piper, who again persisted in -hovering about in Fred’s vicinity throughout the day. - -That night, shortly after four o’clock, Mrs. Sage, at work in her -kitchen, was surprised and a little startled when Billy Piper came -walking in through the door, which chanced to be standing open, as the -day had been unusually warm for the season. - -“Good evening,” said the boy. “I just ran up to see Fred a minute. Is he -around?” - -“No, indeed,” was the answer. “He never gets home now until after dark. -Football practice keeps him. Don’t you play on the team?” - -“Oh, yes,” answered Pipe easily; “but I don’t have to practice all the -time. You see, I’m pretty well up on the game. If you don’t mind, I’ll -wait for Fred.” - -“Of course I don’t mind, though it’s likely he’ll not be home for more -than an hour.” - -“Oh, well, I’ll just make myself comfortable till he comes. Thought -perhaps he might have a book for me to read. I’m a great reader.” - -“There are some magazines on the sitting-room table.” - -“Thanks,” said Sleuth, entering the room indicated. “I reckon they will -do first-rate. Don’t mind about me, Mrs. Sage. Here’s a nice, -comfortable chair, and I’ll be all right.” - -Although she wondered that he should have come there expecting to find -Fred at that time, Mrs. Sage attributed it to the boy’s eccentricity, -though occasionally she glanced into the sitting-room when passing the -open door. Sleuth seemed to be interested for a time in the magazines, -but presently she discovered him gazing around the room, although he -remained seated near the table. A few moments later she saw his face -brighten up as his eyes discovered an old-fashioned family photograph -album within reach of his hand. In a moment he was looking through the -album, apparently deeply engrossed in the pictures it contained, and for -some time he remained thus occupied. Mrs. Sage had almost forgotten the -visitor when he reappeared in the kitchen. - -“I don’t believe I’ll wait for Fred after all,” said Sleuth. “I think -I’ll go home. Tell him when he comes that I was looking for a good book, -but I don’t believe he has anything of the kind that would suit me.” - -It was verging on twilight when Sleuth departed, and something like half -an hour later Fred reached home. On being told by his mother of Piper’s -visit, the boy betrayed some surprise and a singular amount of -annoyance. - -“Confound that fellow!” he exclaimed. “I’d like to know what he means. -Did he try to pump you, mother?” - -“Pump me? Why, no, I don’t think——” - -“Didn’t ask you a whole lot of foolish questions, did he?” - -“I don’t think he asked me any questions at all.” - -“Well, what did he do while he was here?” - -“Entertained himself by looking at some magazines in the sitting-room.” - -“He didn’t go prowling around over the house?” - -“He went no further than that room.” - -“Still, he had no business around here.” - -“He said that he came for a book. He wanted something to read.” - -“Bluff. He knows the stories I read wouldn’t interest him at all. -Furthermore, he knew when he came that I wasn’t here. He got excused -from practice to-night by saying that he had a cracking headache and -felt ill.” - -“He didn’t mention anything of the sort to me, and I’m sure he did not -appear ill. I’m afraid there’s something wrong with that boy, Fred. You -admitted yourself that some people thought him queer.” - -“I’ll queer him, if he doesn’t behave,” muttered Fred. - -On Wednesday morning Piper was not waiting for Sage on the way to -school, but Fred found him with some other fellows at the academy. -Straightway Sleuth was called aside by the vexed youth. - -“Look here, Piper,” said Fred grimly, “I want to know why you showed up -at my house last night and asked for me, when you knew I was at practice -on the field?” - -“Why, didn’t your mother tell you I wanted to borrow a book?” asked -Sleuth innocently. - -“Now don’t try any of that on me,” advised the other boy. “You knew I -wouldn’t have anything you’d care to read. Besides that, you pretended -that you expected to find me home.” - -“Who said so?” - -“My mother.” - -“Oh, she misunderstood me.” - -“But _I_ don’t misunderstand you, and I’ll tell you now to keep away -from me and my home in future. I mean it, too. This business of playing -the detective may be amusing and interesting to you, but it’s infernally -annoying to anyone you happen to pester. I’ve had enough of it, and I -won’t stand any more. Get that?” - -“Of course I get it,” replied Sleuth sulkily. “I’m no fool.” - -“Then don’t act like one. That’s all I have to say.” With which Fred -turned sharply and walked away. - -“Those who have guilty secrets,” muttered Piper to himself, “are always -annoyed by too much attention.” - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - HOOKER HAS A PLAN. - - -On Thursday afternoon the Oakdale football team put in the last -strenuous practice before the first real game of the season, which was -to be played Saturday on the home grounds, the contesting eleven coming -from Barville. As far as possible Captain Stone had drilled a knowledge -of the new rules into the heads of his followers, and although, like a -good captain, he was not wholly satisfied either with their advancement -or his own, he decided that stiff, strenuous practice work on Friday -would not be advisable, considering the possibility that someone might -get hurt, with insufficient time to recover before the Barville contest. -Therefore he simply notified his teammates to come out Friday for a -little brushing up in signals. - -Encouraged by Sage, Hooker had practiced faithfully, and had made a -fairly good showing in the line of the scrub team when it played short -periods against the regulars. Fortunately, Roy’s “condition” had been -excellent when he began this, and therefore, save for a few minor -bruises and sprains, which caused temporary soreness or lameness, he -escaped injury. He was feeling somewhat elated over this when he left -the gymnasium in company with Fred. - -“It doesn’t seem to be such a tough old game, after all,” said Roy. “Of -course a fellow gets pounded around a lot, but it doesn’t hurt him much -if he’s good and hard.” - -“That’s the point generally overlooked by people who put up a holler -against the game,” said Fred. “Football isn’t for babies and weaklings, -and the fellow who goes into it should be in perfect health and hardened -by training that will enable him to stand up under pounding and jolts -which would put a feeble chap all to the bad in no time at all. Observe -how quickly fellows in fine condition recover from injuries on the field -which would seem sufficient to put them under the doctor’s care for -weeks or months. When some foolish chap who is soft as mush or has some -chronic weakness attempts to get into the game, notice how often it -happens that he’s the one seriously injured; and of course this gives -people who do not understand the circumstances and who are opposed to -the game a chance to raise a great to-do.” - -“My folks have never wanted me to play.” - -“Well, mine are not enthusiastically in favor of my playing, although my -mother is the chief objector. But she’s always worrying about me of -late, no matter what I do. It has been that way ever since——” He checked -himself suddenly. - -“Ever since what?” asked Roy. - -“Oh,” answered Fred evasively, “ever since I got old enough to go in for -such things. She doesn’t like to have me go gunning, and she actually -cried when father bought me my gun.” - -“Oh, say,” exclaimed Hooker quickly, “that makes me think of something. -Why can’t we get in a little shooting Saturday morning? There ought to -be ducks over in Marsh Pond, and we could try ’em Saturday, and arrange -to get home by the middle of the forenoon--by half past ten or eleven, -at the latest. That would give us plenty of time to rest up before the -game.” - -“But Marsh Pond is nearly five miles from here, and, in order to get -there early enough to pick up any ducks in the morning, we’d have to -turn out in the middle of the night and make a stiff tramp of it. I’m -afraid that would be a little too much, Hooker.” - -“Now listen to me; I have a plan. I’m not in favor of rising at two or -three o’clock and hoofing it all that distance for half an hour’s -shooting after daybreak. You’re as wise to the signals as any fellow on -the team, aren’t you?” - -“I think so,” nodded Fred modestly. - -“Think so! Why, you’ve got them down pat. You can reel ’em off like hot -shot, and you know every time just what you’re firing at. A little -signal practice to-morrow wouldn’t do you any good, and, as I’m only a -scrub man, it isn’t worth my while bothering. I know where we can get a -good set of decoys to use on that duck hunt, and if you’ll go I’ll agree -to get ’em. We can start right after school to-morrow, and I’ll bet I -can hire Abe Hubbard to take us over to the pond with his old horse and -wagon. It won’t cost a great deal, for Hubbard isn’t doing much of -anything, and he’d be glad to pick up a dollar. It wouldn’t surprise me -if the sight of a whole dollar would hire him to tote us over there and -come for us any time we might set on Saturday. If I can fix it,” he -concluded eagerly, “will you go?” - -They had paused in front of the post-office, and Fred meditated a moment -over the proposal. They were standing there as Sleuth Piper came up, -passed them and entered the building, turning to cast a swift glance in -their direction. - -“It listens good, Hooker,” said Fred, tempted; “but where are we going -to stay all night? Have you thought of that?” - -“You bet I have. Why, don’t you remember there’s an old camp over there, -which nobody ever uses nowadays? It has a stone fireplace, and if we -take an axe along to cut wood we can be as comfortable as you please.” - -It was not remarkable that the temptation grew, for what real boy would -not be lured by the prospect of a night in an old camp in the woods? - -“It listens good,” repeated Fred, smiling a bit; “but how about a boat? -Without a dog to do our retrieving, if we shoot anything we’ll certainly -need a boat. Spot is no water dog, and he’d be practically useless for -us.” - -“There isn’t any boat,” admitted Roy; “but I know where there’s an old -raft on the shore within twenty rods of the shooting blind some hunters -made last fall. I know the raft ought to be there, for I used it when I -was over there fishing once this summer. I saw the blind and inspected -it, too, and it will be all right for us without doing a thing to it. -It’s close by the feeding grounds at the western end of the lake and -will serve us much better than a new one, as the ducks are thoroughly -accustomed to the sight of it by this time. You know how they shy -sometimes at a newly built blind they’ve never seen before. With that -raft near by for our use, we can pick up any ducks we knock down. Come -on, Fred, of course you’ll go.” - -“I’ll speak to Stone about it in the morning.” - -“That would be rather late, for you know I’ve got to see Hubbard and fix -it with him. Why not see Stone to-night? Give him a good game of talk. -Tell him you feel the need of something like this to brace you up. Hard -study, regular practice, monotony, anxiety about the game—you know the -sort of argument to put up. He’ll be a chump if he refuses. Why, if I -was on the team I’d simply see him and tell him I was going to go -anyhow.” - -“And you’d put yourself in bad with old Stoney. He’s an easy-going -fellow in some things, but when it comes to football matters he believes -in discipline and enforces it, too.” - -“Yes,” nodded Roy, “he’s a little too stiff to suit me; something of a -tyrant, it seems.” - -“Not a tyrant; simply a captain who knows what is right and demands it -of his followers. If Stone says he doesn’t think I should go, of course -I won’t, that’s all.” - -“But you will if he’ll agree?” cried Hooker exultantly. “Say, old man, -leave it to me; let me talk to Ben. I’ll tell him you want to go, but -don’t like to ask the privilege.” - -“And that would be the truth.” - -“Sure. No need to lie about it. Think perhaps he can put a substitute in -your place, same as he would have to do if you were hurt in a game, and -that will be a good thing, as it will brace the sub up on signaling. -Will you leave it to me, old chap?” - -After a little hesitation, Sage agreed. “Go ahead; have your own way -about it. If Ben says it’s all right, I’ll go ducking with you.” - -“I’ll let you know this very evening,” promised Hooker, as his friend -started up the street toward home. - -Sage did not see Piper come quickly out of the post-office and hasten -after Roy. Having observed the two boys in earnest consultation, -Sleuth’s curiosity was at white heat. - -Near eight o’clock that evening Hooker came to see Fred at the latter’s -home. - -“It’s all right,” he announced in enthusiastic triumph. “I brought Stone -round nicely, and he says you may go. I’ve seen Hubbard, too, and fixed -it up with him. He’ll be ready to start right after school to-morrow, -and he’ll come for us at half past nine Saturday morning.” - -Fred’s mother was listening with sudden interest. “What are you -planning, boys?” she asked. - -Fred explained, observing that her face took on a shade of anxiety. - -“Now don’t begin to worry, mother,” he begged. “You know Roy and I are -both careful with guns, and there isn’t a bit of danger. I don’t want to -fret you, but I hope you won’t object.” - -She sighed a little. “I suppose it’s foolish, but I can’t help feeling -anxious about you when you go gunning. However, your father bought you -the gun, and, now that you have it, it wouldn’t seem reasonable for me -to seek to prevent you from getting some pleasure through the use of -it.” - -“All boys love a gun,” smiled Andrew Sage, “and the right sort of a boy -rarely gets hurt with one.” - -“Then it’s all fixed,” laughed Roy. “Get everything ready to start right -away after school, Fred. Take along a blanket, for you’ll need it in the -old camp. If we have any luck at all, we ought to bring home some -ducks.” - -Roy had been gone some time when Fred’s mother came up quietly behind -his chair, bent over him and put her arms about his neck. - -“Don’t think me foolish, my dear,” she said in a low tone. “You -understand why I can’t help worrying. You’re the only boy I have left, -now.” - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - THE CAMP IN THE WOODS. - - -Something over four miles from Oakdale Abel Hubbard reined his horse -into an old road which led from the main highway into the depths of the -woods. Fred and Roy, with their outfits, were in the wagon, and, the -time being short ere darkness must come on, they urged Hubbard to make -haste. - -“Can’t hit any high places along this old road,” answered the fat little -village constable. “If I tried it, I’d bounce ye both out in no time. -’Tain’t fur to the pond now, so what’s the use to be in such an -all-fired rush? All I want to do is git back on to the main road before -it sets in dark.” - -“But we’ve got some things to do ourselves,” said Roy. “We’ve got to -find the old raft and have it ready for use in the morning, besides -cutting firewood and getting settled down for the night.” - -“That hadn’t orter take ye long. I’ll git ye there as soon’s I can. It’s -sort of an accommodation, anyhow. I wouldn’t think of making both trips -for anybody else unless they paid me twice as much.” - -“You’re not very busy these days, are you, Mr. Hubbard?” asked Fred, -smiling a little. “It seems to me an easy way for you to pick up a -dollar.” - -“Oh, I could be busy,” returned the man, “if I wanted to work for Lem -Hayden in his quarry or kilns, and I guess I could find a job in the -mills; but, as a regular commissioned officer, it’s my duty to be -unhampered and ready for anything that may turn up. If I was workin’ and -Sheriff Pickle happened to need me, I’d have to knock off.” - -Real work had never seemed to have much fascination for Abel Hubbard. - -“Then there are plenty of jobs a man might get around Oakdale,” said -Roy. “If a stranger should show up with references, he could find -something to do, couldn’t he?” - -“Reckon he could, such as it was. I don’t cal’late them Dagoes in the -quarries bring many references.” - -“You haven’t seen any stranger around town recently looking for work, -have you?” - -“No, don’t think I have.” - -“I didn’t know,” said Roy. “Last Saturday, while gunning with Fred, I -met a man who said he was in search of a job, and he asked me about the -chances in town. I haven’t seen anything of him since.” - -“I generally take special notice of everybody that comes inter Oakdale,” -asserted Constable Hubbard. “I cal’late it’s good policy to do so. Ain’t -nobody new showed up lately, so I guess your man didn’t stop around -here.” - -“I don’t believe he did,” said Roy. - -Presently they reached the old camp, from which, through the trees, they -could get a glimpse of the pond. It did not take them long to jump out -and unload their belongings, which were carried into the camp, the door -being fastened merely by a wooden peg thrust through a staple. Hubbard -backed his wagon round, bade them good luck and drove off into the -shadows which were gathering in the woods. - -“Well, here we are, Roy,” said Fred. - -“Yes, and it’s up to us to hustle. Let’s look for that raft while it’s -light enough to find it. We can get together firewood later. Come on.” - -Leaving their property in the camp, they hurried to the pond, and Hooker -led the way along the marshy shore. The water-grass and rushes stood -thick and rank at this end of the lake, and soon Hooker pointed out a -mass of dead brush in the midst of the reeds some distance from the -marshy shore. - -“There’s the old blind,” he said. “You can see it is located so it -commands the cove beyond, and that’s where the ducks coming in to feed -usually ’light.” - -“How does a fellow get out to the blind?” - -“Wade. The water won’t come up to your knees. There’s a sort of little -knoll or island out there, and the brush has been built up and woven -into the branches of an old fallen tree that may have grown on that -knoll before the water was so high. It’s a fine chance all right. But -come on, we must dig that raft out.” - -They went forward again, and suddenly, with a splash and a sound of -throbbing wings, a small duck rose amid the rushes and went flying away -over the bosom of the lake. - -“Hang it all!” exclaimed Roy in vexation. “Just look at that! If we’d -brought our guns, we might have knocked her down. That’s a young duck, -or it would have flown before we got anywhere near. Young ones always -hide if they can, until they get thoroughly used to the idea that their -wings will serve them better. We’ll get some shooting here in the -morning, mark what I say.” - -The raft was found where Hooker expected to find it. It was a small -affair and would support only one of the boys, but would be sufficient -for their use in picking up such ducks as they might shoot. With the -raft there was a long pole and a piece of board that had been roughly -hewn into the shape of a paddle. - -When the raft was floated Roy got on it and poled it around into the -little cove near the blind, where he succeeded in concealing it quite -effectively amid the grass and reeds. Then he waded ashore in his -water-tight boots without sinking nearly as much as he had thought he -would. - -“That’s done,” he said. “Now we’ll get back to the camp and chop our -firewood while we can see to do it. There are no signs to indicate that -anyone has shot from the blind this fall, and therefore the ducks ought -to come up to it without fear.” - -Soon the strokes of an axe were ringing through the gloomy woods as Sage -worked at the trunk of a dry fallen tree. Hooker carried the wood into -the camp and piled it beside the old stone fireplace. Sunset’s faint -afterglow faded from the sky, and with gathering darkness the atmosphere -took on a sharp, nipping chill, which, however, was little felt by the -active boys. Sage continued chopping, while Hooker found time between -armfuls to build a fire. Through the open door of the camp Fred saw the -welcoming glow of the flames, and it gave him a feeling of buoyancy, of -keen relish, of intense satisfaction in life and the pleasures thereof. -It was good to be there with his chum in those dark and silent autumn -woods, making ready to spend the night together in that old camp before -the duck hunt that was to come in the crispness of gray dawn. - -Hooker’s figure was silhouetted in the open doorway. - -“I say, old man,” he called, as he came out, “there has been somebody in -this camp lately.” - -“That so? I thought you said you were sure no one had used the shooting -blind.” - -“I am; I’ll bet on it. I looked to see, and I could tell that no one had -been there. They would have left tracks and marks and probably empty -shells. Whoever it was that stopped in the camp, they did not try any -shooting from the blind. And say, I’ll bet somebody was in that camp -last night. I thought I caught a smell of tobacco smoke when we first -opened the door, but it was so dusky inside that I didn’t notice -anything else. There’s fresh-cut boughs in the bunk, and the ashes in -the fireplace were hardly cold. I found crumbs on the floor, too, and -part of a newspaper not quite two weeks old.” - -“Then I reckon you’re right,” agreed Sage, “though I don’t quite see why -anyone should stop in the old camp this time of year, unless he came -here to shoot ducks. We’d have been in a scrape if we’d found someone -here ahead of us to-night.” - -They bore the last of the wood inside and threw it down on a heaping -pile beside the now merrily blazing fire, which illumined the entire -interior of the camp. Hooker had thoughtfully brought a can of water -from a nearby spring, and, thus prepared, they were ready to settle down -to the supper of sandwiches and doughnuts put up for them by their -mothers. - -Roy closed and fastened the door with the inside hasp. - -“You can see,” he said, with a gesture toward the old bunk at one side -of the room, “those boughs on top are fresh cut.” - -“That’s right,” nodded Sage, after examining them. “Hacked off with a -jackknife, I should say, and not two days old. Well, somebody was kind -enough to help make us comfortable, for, with our blankets and a fire -going, we ought to find that bunk all right to-night. I’m really much -obliged to the unknown person or persons. I presume there may have been -more than one.” - -“Here’s that part of a newspaper,” said Roy, taking it from the small -rough table that had been nailed against the wall opposite the bunk. -“The date on it is enough to show that someone has been here lately.” - -Fred took the paper and glanced at it carelessly. In a moment, however, -a queer expression flashed across his face, his eyes opened wide, his -lips puckered, and he gave a long, low whistle. - -“What is it?” questioned the boy. - -“By Jove!” muttered Sage wonderingly. And then, after a moment of -silence, he repeated with greater emphasis: “By Jove!” - -“What is it?” exclaimed Hooker. - -“This paper,” answered Fred, staring at some headlines in bold-faced -type. “It’s either a part of the same one or a duplicate of an issue I -saw in the possession of Billy Piper last Saturday night.” - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - A PERPLEXING QUESTION. - - -The black headlines which had attracted Fred’s eye told of the five -hundred dollar reward offered for the capture of Jim Wilson, who had -escaped from the Harpersville jail after a murderous assault on the -guard. The manner in which the paper had been folded indicated that this -sensational article had been left outermost, and the blurred ink and -wear in the creases of the folds bespoke the fact that the paper had -been carried around in someone’s pocket. - -“Piper?” muttered Hooker. “Why, it isn’t likely that he has been here.” - -“It doesn’t seem at all likely,” agreed Sage; “but still——” - -“What was he doing with the paper, anyhow?” - -Fred turned sidewise, so that the bright light from the open fire fell -full on the page, and his finger indicated the news article which had -held such deep interest for Sleuth. - -“See that?” - -“Yes,” said Roy, peering over his chum’s shoulder. “‘Five hundred -dollars reward. Desperate character breaks jail after murderous assault -on keeper.’ Oh, yes, that’s the sort of stuff that would interest old -Sleuthy.” - -“I’ve kept my promise to Piper to say nothing about his wild theory,” -said Fred, “and, a full week having passed with no result, I don’t fancy -it will do him any good for me to continue a clam. I was sure there was -nothing in it, anyhow. You see, Piper had a crazy notion that this -escaped criminal and the stranger you talked with last Saturday might be -identical. It’s rather odd that the printed description of James Wilson, -as given here, corresponds with your description of the man who talked -with you and ran away at my approach. Here it is.” - -His eyes puckered, his lips pursed a little, Hooker read the description -of Gentleman Jim. - -“Why, that’s right,” he said slowly. “It does sort of fit, and no -mistake. But Pipe didn’t say anything about this to me. You know I told -you how he came round and asked me a lot of questions, some of which I -couldn’t answer, and the most of which seemed more or less foolish. He -tried to find out everything I knew about you and your folks, seeming -especially anxious to learn where you came from when you moved into -Oakdale. Now what’s that got to do with this stuff in the newspaper?” - -Fred laughed shortly. “You see,” he explained, with a touch of scorn, -“Sleuth was trying to connect us somehow with the notorious and -desperate Mr. Wilson.” - -“How could he do that?” - -“Have you forgotten that your stranger made inquiries concerning the -Sages in Oakdale? Now you tumble; you’re on. If that man was Wilson, he -would not make such inquiries without some knowledge of us, and, if he -knew us, it was natural to suppose that we knew him. I informed Piper -that I had never heard of such a man.” - -“That should have ended it.” - -“Not with Sleuth. Doubtless he reasoned that if we had ever known this -criminal we would, most naturally, be sure to deny the fact.” - -“But you never did know him?” - -Sage shot his friend a quick, resentful glance. “Do you think I’d lie, -even to Piper?” - -“Of course not.” - -“I never heard of this James Wilson, _alias_ Gentleman Jim, until Sleuth -told me about him. My denial, however, had little effect on Piper, who -hinted at family skeletons hidden away in closets and then proceeded to -watch me in true dime novel detective style. For a day or two I couldn’t -shake him; he hung around me all the time. At last I got tired of it and -gave him to understand flatly that he’d better let up.” - -“By Jingoes!” laughed Roy. “He was watching you last night. After we -fixed it up for this little expedition and you had started for home, -Piper overtook me and casually did a little pumping. Reckon I was easy, -for I told him all about it. Say, you don’t suppose——” Roy paused, as if -wondering over an idea that had flashed into his mind. - -“What?” - -“You don’t suppose he came here to this camp after that? Perhaps he -dropped the paper himself.” - -Following a moment’s thought, Sage shook his head. “It was after dark -last night when he found out what we had arranged to do, Roy. Piper was -at school to-day, and we left him starting out for practice with the -rest of the team. While it’s not impossible, it’s most improbable that -he visited this place after learning we were coming here, and got home -in time to attend school. The signs of a recent fire in the fireplace -and the fresh boughs on the bunk we may accept as positive assurance -that someone spent last night here. Under any circumstances, Sleuth -wouldn’t do that—alone.” - -“Never,” agreed Hooker, with conviction. “This piece of newspaper must -have been left here by someone else. It’s a mere coincidence that it -happens to be the same issue shown you by Piper, and it isn’t worth -bothering our brains over any further. I’m hungry. Let’s eat.” - -“All right,” agreed Fred, putting the newspaper into his pocket. - -Their lunch was opened up and placed on the table. Two old boxes served -them as chairs. The warmth of the fire made the camp quite comfortable, -and its light was sufficient for their needs. Sitting there and chatting -after the manner of bosom chums, they thoroughly enjoyed their supper. - -After supper there was much to talk over, things of mutual interest -which kept them for a time wide awake and in excellent humor. As it was -required, they placed fresh wood on the fire, reserving the heavier -sticks for the long hours of the night, when they would need a slower -blaze. - -The guns were looked over and fondled affectionately, while they -discussed their hunting experiences, laughing with relish over blunders -and failures which had seemed most annoying at the time of their -occurrence. They examined the decoys Hooker had borrowed, making sure -they were properly “strung” and ready for setting. Football and school -affairs also furnished topics for chatting and laughter and the -expression of more or less dogmatic opinions. At times in the lulls of -their talk they heard the night wind in the trees outside, and -occasional puffs coming down the chimney blew a little smoke back into -the camp, the odor of which did not, however, become strong enough to be -offensive. - -Behind them the firelight flung their shadows, huge and wavering, -against the camp wall, and, looking round once by chance, Sage was -startled to observe those shadows hovering there like something silent -and sinister and menacing. Although he did not refer again to the -strange man Roy had encountered, he was wondering who that man could -have been. - -“Whoo!” cried an owl from the blackness of the woods. - -Their chatter grew less; at last it ceased. They sat silently gazing at -the fire, with its bed of glowing coals. Hooker moved, stretched and -yawned. - -“It’s me for the sleeps,” he announced drowsily, producing a dollar -watch and beginning to wind it. “We’ve got to be up and in that blind -ready for business before peep o’ day, you know.” - -“I’m ready to turn in,” said Fred. - -“Fellow who sleeps on the front side of the bunk will have to replenish -the fire once in a while. We can change round in the night and take -turns at it. How are you about waking up?” - -“Pretty good. I’ll take my turn first.” - -Some heavy logs were placed on the fire, and Roy rolled himself into his -blanket, an example which Sage soon followed. In a few moments Hooker -was sound asleep, as his breathing indicated, but for a long time Fred -lay thinking and wondering. He could not rid himself of the conviction -that the discovery in that old camp of the newspaper containing the -account of Gentleman Jim’s jail-break bore a significance unexplained -and uncomprehended. If that paper had not been left there by Piper, who -had left it? - -“Whoo!” again cried the owl. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - THE HIDDEN SPORTSMEN. - - -Taking turns, the boys rose several times during the night and -replenished the fire. At best, the bough bed was none too comfortable, -but toward morning both lads slept soundly for some time. - -Awaking suddenly after this period of slumber, Sage lifted himself to -his elbow and listened, impressed by the hazy conviction that he had -been aroused by an unusual sound. The fire had sunk to a mass of coals -and embers, from which emanated a faint glow that barely reached across -the stone hearth of the fireplace. Beyond that dim gleam of light the -interior of the camp was wrapped in dense darkness. The wind no longer -roamed amid the treetops, and not even a breath came down the chimney to -disturb the gray ashes in the fireplace. - -Fred’s heart thumped annoyingly, while his ears were reaching out for a -repetition of the sound that had awakened him; and, when he had begun to -think it must have been a creation of his imagination or dreams, it came -again. - -It was like footsteps—stealthy, cautious footsteps, which, however, -seemed to move a bit uncertainly in the darkness. It seemed like one or -more persons walking in the woods a short distance from the camp and -occasionally stumbling a bit, although moving slowly and with -considerable caution. The sounds were receding. - -“It must be some straying animal,” thought Fred. - -Fainter and fainter grew the sounds. Once or twice there came a -cracking, as of dead branches beneath a heavy foot, and at last the -listening lad heard something that sent a shock through him. It was like -the suppressed murmur of human voices, and was followed immediately by a -low, soft, short whistle. - -Sage grasped Hooker and gave him a shake. - -“Hey? What is it?” mumbled Roy, awakened. - -“Hush!” breathed Fred excitedly. “There’s someone prowling around this -camp. Don’t make a noise. Listen.” - -Breathless, they listened for a full minute, but now the woods seemed -silent and lifeless, and not a thing could they hear. - -“Guess you’re mistaken, Fred,” said Roy in a low tone. “You must have -been dreaming.” - -“I wasn’t dreaming,” asserted Sage positively; “I never was more wide -awake in all my life. Keep still a little longer.” - -For a long time they remained silent, gradually growing tired and -cramped by the rigid tensity of their bodies. - -“They’ve gone,” decided Sage at last. - -“They?” questioned Roy. “Was there more than one?” - -“Two, at least. I heard them talking.” - -“Oh, say, Fred, you must be mistaken. Who would come prowling around in -these black woods at this hour?” - -“I haven’t an idea who it was, but I’ll stake my life on it that it was -somebody. Nothing in the world could convince me that I was mistaken.” - -“Oh, well, if you’re so positive——But it seems ridiculous, impossible, -preposterous. It’s pitch dark, and no one would be wandering through -these woods under such circumstances.” - -Fred threw off his blanket and got up. “I don’t blame you for thinking -so, and I would say the same if I had not heard them. What makes it all -the more unaccountable is the fact that they were sneaking. They were -using the utmost caution in their movements, Hooker, and when a person -sneaks he’s up to something.” - -“Perhaps,” said Roy, with an attempt at persiflage, “it was their design -to murder and rob us for our vast wealth.” - -“Whatever their design may have been,” said Sage, putting some small dry -wood on the coals of the fire, “it was not honest and open. People do -not creep around through the night like cut-throats unless they’re up to -something that won’t bear inspection.” - -“If I didn’t know you as well as I do,” said Roy, “I’d say you had a bad -attack of nerves. What time is it, anyhow?” - -A little flame leaped up from the dry wood, and by the light of this -Sage looked at his watch. “It’s almost five o’clock,” he answered in -surprise. - -“Jingoes!” exclaimed the other boy, rising with a bound. “It’s time we -were getting out. With sunrise an hour away, we’ve got to do some tall -hustling.” - -Fred agreed to this, and, although still disturbed and perplexed over -what he had heard, he imitated Roy in losing no time about the -preparations to set forth. They pulled on their boots, gray sweaters and -coats, and gathered up the guns, ammunition and decoys. Then the door -was opened, and they went out into the blackness of the last hour of -night. The sky must have been overcast, for above the treetops there was -no gray hint of light to suggest the coming dawn. The air was still and -impregnated with the coldness that suggested Thanksgiving, turkey, plum -pudding and skating. - -“I know the best way,” said Hooker. “Follow me close.” - -Even though Roy knew the way, as they proceeded toward the pond Sage was -impressed by the conviction that they made at least double the noise -that had been made by the unknown prowlers. Reaching the pond, they -hurried forward toward the blind, but only for Hooker, they would have -passed it. Ankle deep, they waded out through the swishing grass and -reeds, and found the old raft where it had been left. - -“Only one of us can work on the raft,” said Roy. “You take the guns into -the blind, while I set the decoys.” - -With no time to waste, Roy worked as swiftly as possible. From the blind -Fred could see the dark figure of his chum, kneeling on the raft, as he -spread the decoys out so that they would float upon the water in a -natural manner and anchored them with the weights. As soon as this was -done, Hooker poled the old raft back into the cover of the reeds and -hurried to join Sage. - -“Barely made it,” he chuckled. “There’s one thing we have to thank your -prowling friends for; if we’d slept half an hour longer, it’s likely we -would have gotten out here too late for the first flights. It’s getting -light now in the east.” - -It was true that far over the eastern end of the pond a dull, grayish -light was beginning to make itself apparent low down upon the horizon, -and as this slowly spread it was reflected on the glassy, unrippled -surface of the water. - -“Get ready for shooting,” said Hooker eagerly, as he broke his gun and -thrust two shells into the barrels. - -“I’m loaded up already,” stated Fred, settling down with his repeater in -a position which would enable him to shoot toward the decoys as well as -watch the open stretch of the pond, up which the birds were expected to -come from the eastward. - -Hooker knelt and tried aiming over the top of the blind, swinging his -gun to follow the movements of some imaginary ducks. - -“All right,” he laughed softly; “let ’em come.” - -With each passing moment the grayness in the east continued to spread, -until they could see the wooded outlines of the shores, bordered by deep -shadows. Morning did not break with a blush, but seemed to awaken -reluctantly and heavily, like a person aged and weary. Its chill bit -their noses, and would have benumbed their fingers, only for the heavy -protecting gloves they wore. - -Suddenly Fred gave a low, electrifying hiss. “Birds!” he whispered, -snatching the loose glove from his right hand. “Here they come!” - -Their nerves atingle, they crouched low, peering forth from the blind. -Against the eastern sky they could see some small, black, swiftly moving -specks, which they knew were ducks coming up the pond and doubtless -headed for the feeding grounds at the western end. The guns were held -ready for quick use, while the boys watched those black specks coming -nearer and nearer, skimming through the air slightly higher than the -treetops on the shore. - -“They’ll come in here sure!” breathed Hooker. “Be ready to nail them -when they settle. Fire when they discover the decoys aren’t the real -thing and start to rise again.” - -But barely had he uttered the words when, from a mass of swamp bushes on -a low point that thrust itself out into the pond a short distance away, -two puffs of smoke leaped upward, followed by the reports of two guns, -and, short-stopped in their flight, two of the ducks came tumbling -downward to splash into the water. Immediately, with quacks of alarm, -the others rose higher and whirled away. A third shot was fired from the -point, but apparently it was a clean miss, as not one of the frightened -and fleeing ducks betrayed a symptom of being hit. - -Thunderstruck, Sage and Hooker stared dumbly toward the cover from which -the unknown hunters had fired. After a time Roy savagely exclaimed: - -“What do you think of that! Wouldn’t it kill you dead!” - -“It killed our chance at those birds,” returned Fred, as he regretfully -watched them disappearing above the tree tops. “Who the dickens can it -be?” - -“We ought to find out pretty quick. They’ll have to pick up those two -ducks.” - -Eagerly and wrathfully they continued to watch, and after some moments -they saw a small object moving out from the point toward the floating -ducks. - -“They’ve got a retriever,” growled Sage, with increased disgust. -“They’re lying low and sending the dog to bring their game.” - -“Confound their hides!” raged Hooker. “They’re going to spoil our fun, -just as true as you live. I’d like to punch their heads!” - -“It would be a great satisfaction,” said Sage bitterly. - -“Look here, old man,” said Roy, smitten by a thought, “there are your -sneaking prowlers. They are the gentlemen who woke you as they passed -the camp. I’ll bet anything they had just come in by the old wood-road.” - -“I’m inclined to think you’re right,” admitted Fred. “But why were they -so careful about making a noise? Hook, they must have known there was -someone in that camp.” - -“Wouldn’t surprise me if you had stated the reason for their caution. -Furthermore, they must be wise to the way the ducks usually fly here, -and they have the advantage of us by hiding on that point.” - -One after another, the dog retrieved the dead birds and carried them to -the point, finally disappearing from view. - -“If some of the birds will only keep far enough from that point, we may -get some shooting yet, old man,” said Roy hopefully. - -In a short time another flock, larger than the first, was seen coming up -the pond, and, to the great satisfaction of the boys, they were flying -over the exact middle of the water, and would therefore pass beyond -gun-shot of the unknown hunters, unless they should change their course. - -“It’s our turn now,” exulted Roy. “I think that bunch will come in here. -Something doing in a minute or two, old chap.” - -There was—something tremendously provoking; for, as the flock came -opposite the low point, both of the unseen sportsmen fired, although, -with any reasonable amount of judgment, they must have realized that -there was not one chance in a thousand that they could make a kill. -Those shots, however, were sufficient to cause the flock to swerve, -swing about in a half circle, and go speeding off into the distance. - -Hooker said something violent, while Sage ground his strong teeth -together. - -“The chumps! The miserable, sneaking idiots!” raged Roy. “If they have a -bit of sense in their bone-heads, they must have known they couldn’t -start a feather at that distance. Why do you suppose they were foolish -enough to try it?” - -“I can’t imagine any reason, unless they were determined to spoil our -chance,” answered Fred, who was now furious enough to fight. “If they -keep that addle-pated business up, we won’t get a shot this morning.” - -“Slim chance of it now, anyhow. It’s broad daylight, and we’ve lost our -opportunity at two flocks. There may be other birds coming in, but those -that have heard the firing will be likely to keep away from this end of -the pond. It’s rotten, that’s what it is.” - -“With good luck, we might have knocked down half a dozen out of that -last big bunch. Whoever those chaps are, they’re poor sportsmen.” - -“They’re nasty sneaks; that’s my opinion.” - -In the course of ten minutes three ducks, evidently a remnant of a -flock, came winging close to the point, and with four shots the hidden -hunters tumbled the trio of birds into the water. One was wounded, for -it flopped about after splashing into the pond, but soon another shot -from the bushes finished it. Then the dog swam out and did the work of -retrieving. - -“It’s all off,” sighed Sage. “Our morning’s sport is ruined.” - -“Hardly a doubt of it,” agreed his companion. “That is, as far as -shooting ducks is concerned. I propose to have a look at the gentlemen -who have tricked us in this brilliant and commendable manner. They -aren’t going to get away before I see them and tell them a few things. -Come on; we can gather up the decoys later.” - -“You don’t think it’s any use to wait a little longer, Roy?” asked Fred, -loath to release the skirts of hope. - -“Not a bit. Besides, I’d rather face those chaps now than to kill one or -two stray ducks.” - -Leaving the blind, they hurried to the shore and turned their footsteps -toward the point upon which the rival duck hunters were ensconced. -Realizing it was wholly probable that their movements had been observed, -they lost no time in plunging forward through the woods and thickets, -fearing that the ones they sought might take alarm and depart. - -Bursting forth from the bushes side by side, they halted as they reached -the point, beholding two boys leaving the shelter in which they had been -hidden, burdened by guns and the slain ducks and followed by a -water-spaniel. These boys stopped as Sage and Hooker appeared before -them. - -One was Jack Nelson; the other Sleuth Piper. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - DISAPPOINTED DUCK HUNTERS. - - -“Well, I’ll be switched!” exclaimed Hooker, in mingled astonishment and -anger. - -Nelson, whose dog had done the retrieving, beamed pleasantly on the -disappointed and wrathy young sportsmen. “Good morning,” he said. -“You’re out for a little shooting, I see. Had any luck?” - -“Yes—rotten,” flung back Hooker. “Confound you fellows! you spoiled the -morning for us.” - -“Really?” chirped Nelson, in pretended surprise, elevating his eyebrows. -“How was that?” - -“You know how,” grated Sage hotly. “You did it purposely, too. But I -suppose it was that pestering, sly, conceited, cheap imitator of -Sherlock Holmes who is really responsible.” - -Piper looked aggrieved. “If you’re referring to me,” he said, “permit me -to inform you that I’m not at all pleased by your insulting language.” - -“I didn’t intend you should be,” Fred flung back; “and you’d be less -pleased if I could find appropriate words to express my opinion of you. -It was a miserable, low-down trick you fellows played on us this -morning, and you know it.” - -“Now hold on,” Nelson commanded, his cheerful manner vanishing. “We -won’t stand for any of that. We’ve as much right to shoot ducks on this -pond as you have.” - -“Of course we have,” Piper backed him up; “but Sage seems to have an -idea that he owns the earth—that’s what’s the matter with him.” - -Fred levelled his finger at the speaker’s face. “You have annoyed me to -the limit recently,” he grated. “After getting a crazy notion into your -head, you’ve dogged me around constantly. You found out that Roy and I -were coming here to shoot ducks this morning, for, without suspecting -your design, he let you pump him. Straightway, in a highly commendable -manner, you arranged to sneak in here some time in the night, and you -planked yourself on this point, where you could bang away at the ducks -as they flew past, knowing perfectly well that every time you’d fire -into a flock you’d frighten them so that they would not come to our -decoys. A fine piece of work!” - -“I say, Sage, you take it hard, don’t you?” laughed Nelson. “Even if we -knew you were coming to the lake, we had a right to do so ourselves. And -as long as you had not possession of this point, which is the only -place, besides the old blind, from which any successful shooting can be -done at this end of the pond, it surely was our privilege to grab it. -Come, come, don’t be a squealer. I’ve always considered you game, but -you’re showing another side.” - -“Once,” said Fred, “you deliberately fired at a passing flock when you -must have known the birds were beyond gun-shot. If you did not do that -to frighten them from coming to our decoys, why did you do it?” - -“Yes,” cried Hooker, “explain that.” - -“We took a chance on bringing one down, that’s all,” said Nelson. - -“Oh, don’t bother yourself to explain,” Piper put in quickly. “It’s no -use; they won’t believe you. We’ve got to get home. Let’s not stand here -chewing the rag.” - -“A good punching is what you deserve,” snarled Hooker, “and I think we -could hand it to you, too.” - -“Permit me to express doubts,” said Nelson. “If you want to try it, -you’ve a splendid opportunity.” - -It was a tense moment, for both Fred and Roy had been striving hard to -hold themselves in check, and the insolent defiance of the other pair -was almost too much for them to swallow. It was Sage’s level head that -averted the clash. Knowing someone might be seriously hurt in a -hand-to-hand fight, and remembering that the first football game of the -season would take place that afternoon, he put forth a hand and grasped -Hooker’s sleeve. - -“We won’t scrap with them,” he said in a low tone. “They have shown what -they are; let them get as much satisfaction out of it as they can.” - -Piper, who had not really relished the prospect of a fist-fight, braced -up wonderfully, while Nelson laughed again. - -“You’re showing a little sense now,” said the latter, “which, doubtless, -you’ll realize when you come to think it over. The joke is on you, and -you may as well accept it in that light. It’s too bad you didn’t get -even a shot at anything, but you can’t expect to go home loaded with -game every time you hunt. Some rather pretty birds we have got, eh?” He -held them up tantalizingly, which caused Hooker’s teeth to snap together -and his hands to clench. - -“Come, Roy,” urged Sage, “let’s go back and gather up our decoys.” - -Reluctantly Hooker permitted his chum to swing him about, and he -muttered under his breath: - -“Sometime I’ll even it up with this pair. They’ll get what’s coming, all -right.” - -As they were returning for the decoys they heard for a time the voices -of Piper and Nelson, who seemed to be in high spirits, for they burst -into frequent peals of laughter. Finally the irritating sounds died out -as the triumphant duck hunters receded into the distance, following the -old wood-road toward the main highway. - -Grimly the disappointed lads gathered up the decoys and returned to the -old camp. Sage was the first to show signs of reviving good nature, -which symptoms at first caused Hooker more or less irritation. - -“Perhaps you can take it that way, Fred,” said Roy; “but I can’t. It was -a dirty piece of business, although it may seem very shrewd and humorous -to Piper and Nelson.” - -Their blankets being rolled up and everything made ready for the -appearance of Abel Hubbard, they still had some time to wait for the -village constable, and this time they spent discussing the affair. -Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, Fred clapped his hand to his pocket -and drew forth the remnant of a newspaper that had been found in the -camp. - -“By Jove!” he exclaimed; “that’s queer. I wish I’d questioned Sleuth -about it.” - -“What are you driving at now?” asked his companion. - -“It just occurred to me that, after all, this paper may have been -dropped here by Piper, although I don’t quite understand how it could -have been. If so, he must have come here recently—as recently as -yesterday or the day before.” - -“Nothing to it,” declared Hooker positively. “He was at school both -those days, and he has practiced regularly with the teams every night. -He had no time to come here.” - -“Unless he did so in the night—night before last. But I don’t see why -he——” - -“You couldn’t hire him to come here alone at night,” asserted Hooker; -“he’s too big a coward. A great detective should have plenty of courage, -but a rabbit is a lion compared with Sleuthy.” - -“He may have had someone with him.” - -“If so, it was some fellow we know, and we’ll find out about it. But I -don’t think there’s the remotest chance that it can be so, for he would -have announced the fact when we caught him face to face a short time -ago. It would have served as an excuse for his presence this morning. -Why, he could have claimed that he had come here ahead of us to look the -ground over and plan for a duck hunt. He could have accused us of being -encroachers. Forget it, Fred; Sleuth never dropped that paper in this -camp.” - -“Which,” said Sage regretfully, “leaves us just where we were before, up -against a mystery. I’m not going to puzzle my head over it any more.” - -“A sensible decision.” nodded Roy. “I’m inclined to fancy you’ve placed -too much importance on that particular scrap of a newspaper.” - -Shortly before nine o’clock, as they were sitting on an old log in front -of the camp, they heard the creaking of Hubbard’s wagon, and directly -the constable appeared with the conveyance. - -“Mornin’, boys,” he saluted. “What luck?” - -“Nothing but bad luck,” answered Hooker. “Some other chaps spoiled our -shooting for us, and we didn’t get as much as a feather.” - -“Sho! Now that’s too bad. I cal’late I seen them other chaps. Met ’em on -the road almost to town. They was Jack Nelson and Billy Piper, and they -had some birds. Seemed to feel purty nifty and chipper, too, for they -laughed when they spied me. Told me I’d better get a stouter wagon to -haul in my load, but I didn’t know just what they meant.” - -“Those chaps have a perverted sense of humor,” rasped Roy. “They’ll get -it taken out of them some day. Come on, Fred, let’s throw our dunnage -aboard and set sail. I’m anxious to get home to rest up before that game -this afternoon.” - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - THE TARDY QUARTERBACK. - - -The members of the Oakdale football team were gathering at the gymnasium -to dress and prepare for the game. Singly and in groups they came -hurrying in to open their lockers and drag forth suits, cleated shoes, -shin guards, head pieces, nose protectors and other paraphernalia. Some -were in high spirits, while others, as if impressed by the importance of -the approaching contest, appeared somewhat serious and grim. Chipper -Cooper, always volatile and lively, persisted in perpetrating some very -bad puns, being finally given a call-down by Sile Crane, who was wearing -an almost funereal face. - -“Oh, cut it aout,” remonstrated Sile. “Yeou’ll make us all sick with -yeour senseless slop. If yeou’ve got an idee it’s goin’ to be any picnic -trouncin’ them Barville fellers this arternoon, yeou’re away off yeour -base.” - -Chipper’s retort was particularly atrocious. “I would not _debase_ -myself by such a thought,” he said. - -Harry Hopper let fly a shoe, which Cooper deftly dodged. “You’ll be -murdered some day if you don’t quit it,” declared Harry. - -“It wouldn’t be murder,” said Chub Tuttle, carelessly spilling peanuts -from his pocket as he flung his coat aside; “it would be a noble deed -for the general public good. No jury would ever convict a feller for -killing Coop in a frenzied moment, following one of his alleged -witticisms.” - -“The assassin sure would escape on the plea of temporary insanity,” -laughed Rodney Grant. - -“I tell yeou, fellers, we’ve got to play some if we trim Barville,” said -Crane. “I’ve got it straight from Len Roberts that they’re goin’ to chaw -us up.” - -“In the name of a good old English poet, let them Chaucer,” snickered -Cooper, flinging himself into a defensive attitude. “Come on, you base -scoundrels; I defy you.” - -“Roberts is a big wind-bag,” was the opinion of Jack Nelson. “He’s -always blowing about what Barville is going to do.” - -“But they’ve got a coach,” said Crane. “Last year we had one, but this -season, without Roger Eliot to raise the spondulicks, we couldn’t git -one. They’ve got some new players, too, that are said to be rippers. I -tell yeou, boys, I’m worried.” - -“It’s just as bad to worry as it is to be overconfident,” said Ben -Stone, the captain of the eleven, appearing among them. “It’s my opinion -they’ve been trying to get our goat by setting afloat a lot of hot air -about the strength of their team and their wonderful new players. If we -go onto the field feeling a bit shy of them, which is doubtless what -they want, they will try to get the jump on us at the start. But we’re -not going to let them work that trick. Has anyone seen Sage? I wonder -where he is.” - -Fred Sage, who was usually one of the first to be on hand, had not -arrived, and when, a short time later, he still remained absent, the -captain’s wonderment took on a touch of anxiety. - -“Here, Hooker,” he called to Roy, who, as a substitute, was getting into -his armor, “do you know anything about Sage? He isn’t around.” - -“I’ve been wondering where he was,” confessed Hooker. “I haven’t seen -him since I left him in front of his house this forenoon.” - -“Perhaps,” suggested Jack Nelson maliciously, “he’s suffering from an -attack of indigestion. Wild duck is pretty heavy food, you know.” - -“Look out,” retorted Roy, “that you don’t have to eat crow yet.” - -Another five minutes passing, and the quarterback failing to arrive, -Stone decided to send out for him. - -“Here, Tommy,” he called to Tommy Shea, the mascot of the team, “you go -find Sage and tell him to get a move on. We must have our regular -warming up before the game, and I’ll guarantee Barville is on the field -now. I can’t see what’s happened to keep him away. Stir yourself, -Tommy.” - -As the little fellow dusted out of the gymnasium there came through the -momentarily opened door the sound of a hearty Barville cheer, which, -doubtless, proclaimed the advent of the visitors on the adjacent field. - -“They must have plenty of confidence in their team,” said Bob Collins, -“for they’ve certainly sent over a big bunch of rooters. People have -been coming from Barville in all sorts of turnouts for the past two -hours.” - -“All the more gate money for us,” exulted the optimistic Cooper. “In -fancy I can hear the merry jingle of their quarters. They can give us as -many as they please, but we’ll give them no quarter to-day. -Nevertheless, without Sage we’d be a quarter short, and we’d feel it -before the end of the first half. Mercy! I surrender! Spare me!” - -No one paid the slightest attention to him, however, which led him -disgustedly to mutter something about casting pearls before swine. - -In a short time Tommy Shea returned, followed closely by Sage, whose -face was flushed and who betrayed some tokens of unusual excitement. At -least, this was what the watchful Piper thought, and he became, if -possible, more watchful than ever. - -“Met him on the way, captain,” the mascot reported to Stone. - -“You’re late, Fred,” said Ben sharply. “We’re ready to go out now, all -but you. Anything the matter?” - -“No—no, nothing the matter,” was the somewhat faltering answer, as Sage -began ripping off his clothes, having given Tommy Shea the key to open -his locker. “I had—some things to do at home, and I didn’t—I didn’t -realize it was so late.” - -“Lame excuse,” whispered Piper to himself. “Something has happened, -sure. He’s in a perfect stew.” - -While Fred was hurriedly preparing for the field, Stone called the -others around him and talked to them earnestly, laying out a plan of -campaign for the first quarter. At first he addressed them all in a -general way, after which he singled out individual members of the eleven -and gave each one advice and instructions. Ere he had gone through the -list Sage was completely dressed for the game and apparently drinking in -the captain’s words, although to Piper it seemed that he listened with a -distinct effort which betrayed a tendency of his mind to wander. - -“Just a word to you, Sage,” said Stone in conclusion. “Keep things -moving on the jump. Don’t waste any time over your signals when we’re on -the offensive. I have an idea that Barville will try to rush us off our -feet at the start, and we mustn’t let them do that. We’ll hammer them -hard as we can with straight football to begin with, and hold back our -trick plays for use in emergencies. Of course if we quickly get within -striking distance of their goal, and they hold us for a down that -doesn’t give us a proper gain, you may see fit to try a trick or to work -the forward pass. Now come on, everybody; let’s go out with a snap and -show that we’re alive.” - -From the gymnasium to the players’ entrance of the field was only a -short distance, and Ben led his sturdy followers at a swift pace. The -visitors were practicing at one end of the field, watched and encouraged -by the surprisingly large gathering of Barville supporters who had -followed them to Oakdale. As the shocky-haired locals dashed out into -the open space they were given a lusty cheer by the majority of the -assembled spectators. At once two footballs were put into use by them, -and they went at the work of warming up with commendable method and -ginger. - -It was a hazy autumn afternoon, the sky being overcast with a filmy -veil, through which the sun shone with a muffled orange glow. A tempered -southwest wind was blowing steadily, but not with sufficient vigor to -give much advantage to the defenders of the western goal. For the -spectators on the seats, light outer wraps were needed, even though the -air was not crisp enough to make first-class football weather. - -With their coach watching them closely, the Barville lads were making an -impression by their snappy practice, in which short dashes, every man -starting fast and running low, seemed to be a particular feature. - -Stone took this in at a glance, even while he did not appear to give the -rival team as much as momentary attention. It was a reminder, however, -that for the past week he had striven constantly to drill into the heads -of his teammates the necessity for rapidity in both assault and defence, -and the advantage of hitting the opposing line low and hard. - -Among the followers of professional sports there can be no such genuine -loyalty and enthusiasm as that shown by the adherents of school and -college teams; for, as a class, the supporters of such teams are, like -the players, heart and soul in the game. In most cases the contestants -they are backing and on whom they pin their hopes are known to them -personally, which fact establishes between them such friendly personal -relations as seldom exist between masses of spectators and -professionals; and always a well-earned victory is a thing to be -rejoiced over by the satisfied supporter of the triumphant team, like a -piece of personal good fortune. - -The referee for this game came from Clearport, and was equally -acceptable and satisfactory to both teams, having demonstrated in other -contests his absolute impartiality and fairness. At the proper moment he -walked briskly out upon the field and held a low-spoken consultation -with the two captains. A coin was tossed, and, Oakdale obtaining the -choice, Ben took the western goal. - -The cheering of the spectators sank to a murmur, and was followed by a -few tense moments of silence as the youthful gladiators spread out over -the outlined chalk marks and made ready for the kick-off. Barville had -been given the ball, and the referee placed it carefully upon a little -soft mound of earth formed by his own hands at the exact center of the -field. A short distance away Copley, the fullback, who was to make the -kick, balanced and steadied himself, his eyes fastened on the huge -yellow egg. The referee retreated; the whistle sounded. With tensed -muscles, the players crouched a bit, ready for the dash. - -Copley advanced, quickening his steps. With perfect judgment, he came -into position with the proper stride, swung his lusty right leg with -vigor, and, following the plunk of his foot against the ball, the -pigskin went sailing and soaring far into Oakdale’s territory. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - THE FIRST QUARTER. - - -Warren and Forest, the Barville ends, raced along in a desperate dash, -closing in as the ball began to fall. Rodney Grant was waiting for the -oncoming pigskin, balanced ready for action, his arms outstretched. He -made a clean, fair catch, and was off like a broncho of his native -state, quirt-stung and spur-jabbed. On one side Warren was blocked off, -but on the other Forest came in like a charging fury and flung himself -at the Texan. Down they went on the thirty-yard line, with the other -players converging toward that spot. - -Remembering Stone’s admonition to hustle and line up without loss of a -moment, the Oakdale boys strained every nerve to get quickly into -position for the first scrimmage. This was their opportunity to show -Barville right off the reel what real snappy aggression meant. - -“Lively! lively!” urged Stone; and, ere the line of the locals seemed -fully formed, Sage began barking the signal. He spat out the numbers -sharply, every one clear and distinct, and Oakdale went into Barville -like a whirlwind before the visitors were fully set for defence. The -result was a gain of eighteen yards, made in a style which seemed to -carry the Barville boys completely off their feet, with the exception of -the sturdy fullback, Copley, who yanked down the runner and prevented -what had promised to be a clean break through the defence, and what -might have given the man with the pigskin a running chance to score. - -The home crowd went wild over this apparently demoralizing attack of the -Oakdale boys, and there were many who, forming a hasty judgment, -declared their conviction that the locals outclassed the visitors. - -Sanger, who knew Stone as a rather slow and methodical chap, had not -imagined for a moment that the Oakdale captain would spur his team to a -point of such rapid aggression. The Barville leader, however, was not -slow to grasp the fact that he had made an error in judgment, and his -voice was heard calling sharply to his somewhat disorganized men as he -ordered them to get into position to stop the next charge. Copley came -up somewhat dazed by the shock of the collision with the runner; but the -latter was even more dazed, and was so long about finding his place in -the formation that Barville was given sufficient time to make ready for -defence. - -Three stingy yards were all Oakdale could make on another line plunge; -and when, following this, a round-the-end run promised more satisfactory -results, the argus-eyed referee dismayed the shrieking adherents of the -team by penalizing the locals for holding. - -Barville took heart at once and fought Oakdale tooth and nail, until the -latter team was compelled to kick rather than take the chance of losing -the ball on downs. Stone, who had a lusty leg, booted the pigskin into -the enemy’s territory, where Larry Groove, the left halfback, scooped it -on the jump, dodged Hopper, and came all the way back to the center line -before he was slammed to the turf. Of course this gave the Barville -crowd its chance to cheer madly, and their cries mingled with the -Oakdale plaudits for the tackler. - -“Ginger up! ginger up!” Lee Sanger was calling, as he crouched behind -Bart Rock, the center. “Signal! signal!” Then he reeled off a few sharp -numbers, and the youthful contestants leaped at one another like tigers. - -Again and again they crashed together, but Oakdale stubbornly held its -ground until an unexpected fluke—a bad pass and a muff—gave Sage a -splendid opportunity. The ball came bounding to his very feet, with -Rollins and Tuttle blocking off two of the enemy, the only ones who -seemed to realize just what had happened, and Fred had time to scoop the -ball up and a fine chance to get away with it for a run. - -Instead of doing so, Sage stared for a moment at the pigskin, as if he -did not realize what it was. And when he awoke from this brief spell of -numbness and started into life and action, it was Nelson who flung -himself on the oval, to be pinned down by Hope, who had finally bucked -Tuttle aside. - -In this manner, through the faltering of Sage, Barville, although she -lost the ball, stopped what might have been a gain of ground by the -locals. - -Piper, who seemed to see everything, saw this, although he was too far -away at the time of the fumble to get his hands on the pigskin. Sleuth -glared at Sage. - -“Something wrong,” he panted to himself. “First time he ever did a thing -like that.” - -“Wake up! wake up!” Stone was calling sharply. “Positions! Get ready! -Come on, Sage, give us the signal.” - -“Signal!” said Sage, and then he paused, as if collecting his thoughts. -“Signal!” he repeated. “5-11-16-24.” - -It was the former line-bucking play, which, through experience thus -quickly obtained, Barville was ready to meet. Instead of a gain, the -result was a loss of two yards, the visitors actually bearing the line -of the home team back. - -As the tangled mass of men untwined, following the blast of the whistle, -Sage heard Stone calling in his ear: - -“Vary it, Fred. Something else; something else, quick!” - -The quarterback gave himself a shake. The men were hopping into the -line-up, and the Barvilleites, now equally alert and ready, were -planting themselves for defence. Straight old-fashioned line-bucking, -with no varying plays, had already become ineffective, and Sage gave the -signal for the double pass and the criss-cross. The ball went to Nelson, -who shot toward the right, Grant closing in as if to support him, but -passing across his very heels and taking the pigskin as he passed. -Cooper blocked the right end off. Piper put his body into the right -tackle and bore him in the opposite direction. A hole was opened at -precisely the proper moment, and through it went the Texan at full -speed. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -[Illustration: - - THE FULLBACK CAME CHARGING ACROSS, FORCING RODNEY - TOWARD THE SIDE LINE.—Page 156.] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -The main body of the enemy’s back field had been led into starting in -the wrong direction. The right halfback, who was one of these, saw -through the play a moment too late to reach Grant. The fullback, -however, came charging across, forcing Rodney out toward the side line. -It seemed that the Texan would be run out of bounds, but ten feet from -the border of the field he deceived the charging fullback by a sudden -half-pivoting swerve, and the would-be tackler’s fingers barely scraped -his canvas jacket as he shot by. - -The crowd rose and roared, for Grant was flying over the chalk marks -with giant strides, followed by the players of both teams. Head thrown -back, nostrils expanded, Rodney covered the ground as if his very life -depended on it. - -“Touchdown!” howled the excited Oakdale spectators. “Touchdown! -touchdown!” - -There was no preventing it. Over the Barville goal line went Grant, -planting the ball favorably for a goal. He did not seem to hear the -school cheer, which, with his name tagged at the end, came rolling -across the field. His manner was grim and businesslike; his attention -was entirely centered upon the matter in hand. - -There was no need to punt the ball out. Brought forth properly by the -referee, it gave Oakdale a most favorable chance to boot it over the -bar, and Stone performed the trick. - -As the teams changed positions on the field, the Oakdale captain found -time to rest his hand for a moment on the shoulder of Sage and speak a -few low, hasty words to him. In response Fred nodded. - -Soon they were at it again, but Barville, apparently nothing -disheartened, resumed the struggle more fiercely and grimly than ever. -The tide of battle ebbed and flowed, neither side gaining any great -advantage, until presently a long, shrill blast of the whistle announced -the end of the first scrimmage. - -As the boys jogged off the field, Chipper Cooper gave Piper a slap on -the back, crying: - -“Well, we put one across on ’em all right.” - -“Yes,” nodded Sleuth; “but Sage lost an opportunity for us before that. -He isn’t right to-day. There’s something the matter with him, or I’m a -dunce.” - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - - THE PLAYER WHO BLUNDERED. - - -The elation of the Oakdale players over making a touchdown and goal in -the first quarter was quickly subdued by their captain, who, in the -privacy of the gym, sternly informed them that they should have done -much better. - -“It was a lucky stab, nothing less,” said Ben. “Only for the -resourcefulness and speed of Grant, they would have held us scoreless. -We threw away fine opportunities, one splendid chance in particular; -and, although we got the start on them to begin with, we made nothing by -it. Unless we do better, we’ll be outplayed in the next quarter, mark -what I say.” - -After this bit of general talk, he selected several of the players for -special advice and criticism. Lastly he spoke to the quarterback, whose -eyes, although fixed on Stone, held a far-away look, which seemed to -indicate lack of attention. - -“Sage,” said Ben sharply, “Sage, listen to me.” - -“Yes, sir,” said Fred, with a start. - -“Several times you were woefully slow with your signals, and you know -that the swift aggression of a team depends mainly upon the quarterback. -No matter how prompt and ready the players may be, they can’t play fast -when a quarter dawdles over his signals. It’s not like you to be slow, -and I fail to understand it. You missed a fine chance to take advantage -of a Barville fumble, and, only for Nelson, those chaps would have -obtained possession of the ball after losing it on a bungling pass and -letting it bound to your very feet. Are you sick?” - -Fred’s face was crimson. “No, sir, I’m not sick,” he answered. “I’m all -right.” - -“Then it’s up to you to get into the game and play as if you were all -right.” - -“I will, depend on it,” promised the quarterback. - -Before the boys returned to the field Roy Hooker found an opportunity to -speak privately with his friend. - -“Get a brace on, Fred—get a brace on,” urged Roy. “If you don’t, they’ll -blame it on our little outing last night. I never saw you so punk -before. Your wits seem to be wool-gathering.” - -“I guess that’s right,” acknowledged Fred regretfully. “I’ll get into -gear now. Watch me.” - -“Has anything happened to worry you?” - -“Nun-no,” faltered Sage, “not a thing.” But, somehow, Roy felt that his -chum had not spoken the truth. - -The second quarter opened quite as fiercely as the first, but with -Barville plainly prepared for quick, savage work and ready to contribute -her part of it. Indeed, the visitors seemed the more aggressive, even -though Oakdale improved all the opportunities that were offered; and, -presently, after some eight minutes of play, the home team found itself -making a desperate defence on its own thirty-yard line. Right there, -after a first down had yielded no gain, Barville tried the forward pass -and executed it successfully, cutting down the distance to the home -team’s goal by fully one half. - -“Hold them, boys—you’ve got to hold them!” was the cry from the Oakdale -crowd. - -“Got ’em going!” came from the visiting spectators. “Keep it up, boys! -Put the ball over for a touchdown! You can do it!” - -Barville had found a weak spot in Oakdale’s line, and, mercilessly -buffeted and battered, Bob Collins, the left guard, showed signs of -grogginess. With only fifteen yards to gain, the visitors followed the -forward pass with another assault on Collins, which, although they made -only a slight gain, left him groaning on the ground. Promptly attended -by a doctor, Collins pluckily tried to stand on his pins and resume his -place in the line; but the moment he was released by supporting hands he -staggered, being prevented from falling only by the quickness of Nelson -in catching him. - -Stone saw that Collins could not continue and ordered him to the side -line, at the same time calling for Hooker. Surprised that he should be -selected from the waiting substitutes, Roy promptly responded. - -“Get in there at left guard, Hooker,” directed Stone, “and see if you -can stop that hole.” - -Fresh and exultant, Roy took his place in the line, and, when Barville -tried the quality of the substitute, the hole was found to be stopped -effectively. Not another foot could the visitors gain through Oakdale’s -left wing. - -Blocked and held, Barville apparently decided to try for a field goal, -even though success at that would leave the home team still in the lead. -It was Stone, however, who suspected a fake and hurriedly warned his -players; and Ben’s perception baffled the smashing charge of the -visitors, who were held for the final down, thus losing the ball. - -Of course no time was lost in booting the pigskin away from that -dangerous point. - -Nothing daunted over this failure, Barville resumed the battering -process, occasionally varying it with an end run or some peculiar piece -of strategy of her own concoction. But the locals, stronger on the -defence than the offence, refused for the time being to let the enemy -regain the lost advantage. - -In the last minutes of the quarter, with Oakdale in possession of the -ball, Sage once more betrayed surprising slowness and even symptoms of -confusion in giving the signals. This was true to such an extent that -finally, in desperation, Stone went in at quarter himself, letting Fred -play fullback. And even then Sage was slow about getting into the plays. - -The quarter ended with the score unchanged. - -In the second period of rest the Oakdale captain drew the quarterback -apart from the others and talked to him with great earnestness. Of those -who watched the two, Piper took special note of the fact that Sage -seemed discouraged and downcast, and it was evident that Stone was -seeking by every possible manner of encouragement to brace him up. With -Fred at his best, no one else on the team could fill his position nearly -as well, and for this reason Ben was extremely loath to make a change. - -Collins, having recovered from the gruelling he had received, was -anxious to get back into the game, and he made an appeal to Stone the -moment Ben finished his talk with Sage. Hooker, however, had done -surprisingly well, and the captain told Collins that he would have wait -until, during the course of the play, an opportunity offered for him to -return. - -The Oakdale boys were now showing few signs of elation, for the second -quarter had led them to realize that the two teams were more evenly -matched than they had supposed, and that, doubtless, they had been -rather lucky in securing six points in the first quarter, to say nothing -of their success in holding Barville in check after that. - -In the last minute before they returned to the field, Stone called all -the players around him and hastily gave them a plan of action. As soon -as the ball came into their possession, unless they should chance to get -it so close to their own line that a kick would be necessary, they were -to line up and attempt a series of three varied plays, without waiting -for signals. He was careful to make them all understand precisely what -those plays were to be, and in what order they would be carried out. -Having made certain that no man misunderstood these directions, he led -them back to the gridiron. - -It was Barville’s kick-off, but Copley’s effort was somewhat weak, and -Nelson ran the ball almost to the forty-five yard line before he bit the -dirt. This made it especially favorable for the carrying out of Stone’s -plans, and the Oakdale players lined up, eager to get the start on their -antagonists then and there. - -Tuttle, with the ball between his feet, took one quick backward glance, -and, seeing the others springing into position, prepared to snap it. -Just as he was on the point of doing so, he was astounded to hear Sage -cry: - -“Signal!” Following which, Fred rattled off some numbers which called -for a play entirely different from that agreed upon. - -A bit confused, Tuttle snapped the ball to Sage, who passed it instantly -to Grant. The confusion of the center was likewise felt by every member -of the team, which led to faltering and gave the enemy a chance to -overwhelm them and bear them back for a loss of more than five yards. - -In the midst of the untangling mass Stone reached Sage, grasped him by -the shoulder and almost snarled into his ear: - -“What’s the matter with you? What made you do that? You know we had -arranged to work three plays without signals.” - -“I—I forgot,” said Fred. “I’m sorry, but I forgot, captain.” - -“Well, you messed things finely! It’s too late now. Get into action and -see if you can make up for the blunder somehow.” - -Apparently Sage tried hard to atone, and for a time he displayed a -return to his best form. His blunder, however, had greatly disturbed the -others, and the entire team betrayed such uncertainty and lack of -cohesive, united action that the home crowd was dismayed. In a few -moments Oakdale was compelled to surrender the ball on a kick. - -After this the quarter was heartbreaking in many ways. Twice the -visitors threatened Oakdale’s goal, and twice they were repulsed. In her -turn Oakdale had an opportunity that set her supporters into a frenzy of -hope and enthusiasm. An end run that netted thirty yards was followed by -a trick play that yielded ten more, and then came a forward pass which -placed the locals within striking distance of the enemy’s goal. - -Right there Sage once more dashed Oakdale’s hopes. The team had two sets -of signals. This was necessary to enable them to switch from one set to -the other in case their opponents should get wise to the signals in use. -Now, however, Sage put them all into confusion by mixing the signals -himself in such a manner that it was impossible to tell which of two -plays he had called for. Then he made a bad pass, which was followed by -a fumble, and Barville, coming through Oakdale like water through a -sieve, got the ball. - -Immediately Stone ordered Sage out of the game. Nelson was placed at -quarter, and his position was filled by a substitute. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - - REMARKABLE BEHAVIOR OF SAGE. - - -Crestfallen and deeply chagrined, Sage attempted to watch the game from -the side line. He gave no heed to the substitutes, who stared at him and -muttered among themselves. His face, at first flushed, gradually lost -its color until it became almost ghastly and haggard. He saw the -exultant, confident Barville team, with the ball in its possession, -tearing to pieces the defence of the locals in a manner that promised -disaster for Oakdale. - -“They’ll seek explanations in the next intermission,” he whispered to -himself. “I can’t answer their questions.” - -Turning suddenly, he left the field. Having passed outside, he made a -dash for the gymnasium, in which he began ripping off his sweat-soaked -football togs in a manner that was almost frantic. He did not pause for -a shower, knowing that there would be no time for it if he wished to get -away before his teammates appeared. Dully he seemed to hear the cheering -of the crowd upon the field, taking notice in a benumbed way that the -Barville cry was swelling stronger and more triumphant. - -Leaving his playing togs as he had dropped them, he dashed bareheaded -from the gymnasium, flinging himself into his coat as he ran. Round the -corner he darted, scudded down Lake Street until the entrance to the -academy yard was reached, ran panting across the yard and settled into a -rapid walk when his feet were presently on the path that led across lots -between Middle and High Streets. - -He had made his escape none too soon, for barely was he out of sight -when the third quarter ended and the Oakdale players came hurrying -toward the gymnasium. They were a soiled, battered, weary-looking band, -and more than one seemed to totter in his stride. In the gym they flung -themselves down upon benches and blankets, some even sprawling upon the -floor. - -“Cripes!” groaned Sile Crane. “Them fellers sartainly made us fight. We -barely held ’em.” - -“If they’d had another minute they’d have scored,” sighed Harry Hopper. -“They’re better trained than we are. They’re like iron. That’s what a -coach does for a team.” - -Two chaps were rubbing Chipper Cooper’s left ankle, which he had -wrenched in a scrimmage. The smell of witch hazel and arnica filled the -room. - -“Look at the confounded thing,” snapped Chipper, his face contorted by -grimaces of pain. “You can almost see it swell. I’ll be as lively as a -toad on that bum peg.” - -“If Sage hadn’t messed things up!” muttered Rodney Grant, as if speaking -to himself. “What was the matter with him, anyhow?” - -“Where is Sage?” asked Stone, looking around. “I don’t believe he came -in from the field. Here, Shea, go bring Sage.” - -Piper touched Ben on the arm. - -“Don’t bother to send for him, captain,” he advised. - -“Why not?” - -“You won’t find him out there. He’s gone.” - -“Gone—where? Why——” - -“I don’t know where,” said Sleuth; “but he’s gone. Here are his field -clothes just as he dropped them. He didn’t even stop to put them away.” - -Astonishment was plainly revealed in Stone’s face. - -“I don’t understand it,” he finally said in a low tone. “I can’t see why -Fred should desert us like this. What will we do if——” He checked -himself abruptly. - -“He’s run away! He’s quit!” cried Nelson. “What do you know about that, -fellows?” - -Hooker rose to the defence of his chum. “I’m dead sure Fred is sick,” he -said. “There’s no other explanation for his actions. He wouldn’t -acknowledge it, but he must be sick. You all know what a football -enthusiast he is, and you never before saw him put up such a numb, -bungling game.” - -“At least,” said Stone, “if he had to quit, he might have let me know.” - -The inexplicable action of Sage seemed to cast a heavier shadow upon the -team. Desperately though Stone sought to rally his players, he could not -help feeling that the effort was profitless. They returned to the game -in a spiritless, almost sullen humor, which made them, although they -fought stubbornly, quite unable to cope with the persistent, determined, -undaunted visitors; and, with the opportunity in their grasp, the -Barvilleites presently hammered out a touchdown and kicked the tying -goal. - -Oakdale made a mighty effort to hold the game to a draw, and for a time -it seemed that such would be the result. In the very last minute of -play, however, getting within the home team’s twenty-five yard line, the -visitors made a field goal. - -As the ball soared over the crossbar a groan of dismay came from the -Oakdale spectators. - -“That settles it,” declared a keenly disappointed man. “Our boys are -beaten.” - -He was right; the game ended with Barville victorious and jubilant. - -It was a sore and disgruntled bunch of fellows who took their showers -and rubdowns in the gymnasium. With scarcely an exception, they were -disposed to place the blame of their defeat entirely upon Sage. Vainly -Hooker tried to defend his friend. - -“He ran away without a word,” reminded Grant. “There’s sure no excuse -for that.” - -“Nary bit,” agreed Crane. “He done us a dirty turn to-day, and it’ll -take a whole lot of explainin’ to put him right with the bunch.” - -Roy was the first to leave the gymnasium, and he started almost at a run -for Sage’s home. - -“I don’t understand it myself,” he muttered, as he hurried along. “I -can’t imagine what threw Fred into such a pitiful condition. I hope he -can explain.” - -As he came within view of Fred’s home he discovered his chum and Mr. -Sage standing near the open stable door, apparently engaged in -conversation. At the same moment Fred seemed to espy Roy, and -immediately, with a quick word to his father, he darted into the stable -and disappeared. - -Mr. Sage walked out to meet Hooker. There was a strange expression on -the man’s face, and Roy fancied that he seemed somewhat nervous and -distraught. - -“I’d like to see Fred a minute,” said Hooker. - -“I’m sorry,” was the answer, “but he’s not feeling well. He can’t see -you.” - -His perplexity greatly augmented, Roy stared at the man. - -“Is he ill?” - -Andrew Sage seemed to hesitate. Lifting a hand to his lips, he coughed -behind it. - -“Well, not—er—not exactly ill,” he answered; “but he isn’t feeling well -enough to talk with anyone, Roy. I hope you don’t mind?” - -This treatment from his comrade piqued Hooker. “I didn’t suppose,” he -said, “that Fred would refuse to see me unless he was dangerously ill in -bed—and I know he isn’t that. It’s all right, though. Will you please -tell him that Barville won the game?” - -Turning, he walked slowly away, his brow knitted with perplexity. - -“I can’t understand it,” he told himself once more. “It’s too much for -me. He isn’t sick, that’s sure; and still, his father says that he -doesn’t feel well. Possibly,” he added resentfully, “the information -that Barville trimmed us will make him feel better.” - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - - WORK OF THE YOUNG DETECTIVE. - - -That evening a group of somewhat doleful-looking boys gathered in front -of the Oakdale post-office and shivered as they discussed the game. -Without a single dissenting voice they blamed Sage for their failure to -win from Barville. - -Sleuth Piper appeared, hurried into the post-office and presented -himself at the delivery window. - -“Look a’ the businesslike bustle of the great detective,” said Crane, -watching Piper through the window. “Anyone would sorter s’pose he -expected to receive about a bushel of important mail. I bet he don’t get -a thing.” - -“You lose,” said Hunk Rollins, as a letter was passed out to Sleuth. -“He’s got something.” - -Before opening the letter, Piper was seen eagerly scanning the postmark -upon the envelope, and the watchers fancied there was an expression of -mingled excitement and satisfaction upon his face. Coming forth, Sleuth -paused in front of a lighted window a short distance from the others and -tore his letter open. In a moment he was eagerly intent upon the -contents. - -“Hi! Who’s the girl, Sleuthy?” called Jack Nelson. “Let us read it, will -you?” - -“’Sh!” sibilated Chub Tuttle, spluttering forth munched peanuts with a -hissing sound. “The great detective has a scent.” - -“Huh!” grunted Cooper, with a forced laugh. “If that’s so, he’s better -off than I am. I bet on the game, and I haven’t a cent.” - -“Look,” urged Nelson—“look at Sleuthy’s face! He’s excited. By Jinks! -that letter must be rather interesting.” - -“I’ll get a peep at it,” said Harry Hopper. “I’ll tell you if it’s a -girl’s writing.” - -But, although he tiptoed forward with great caution, Sleuth detected his -approach, and, having finished reading the letter, hastily folded the -missive and thrust it into his pocket. - -“Go chase yourself, Mr. Sly Boy,” he said, waving Hopper off. “Rubbering -will give you a cramp in the neck sometime.” - -Roy Hooker, looking decidedly glum, came slouching along, his hands -thrust deep into his pockets. Immediately Sleuth pounced upon him. - -“Just the man I’m looking for,” said Piper, in almost tragic tones. - -Roy drew away, seeking to shake Sleuth’s hand from his shoulder. - -“Well, I’m not looking for you,” he retorted. “I’ve no particular use -for you, Piper.” - -“Come now,” said Sleuth, “I wish to hold a private consultation with you -on a matter of immense moment.” - -“Run away and consult with yourself,” snapped Roy. “I don’t like your -company, and you know the reason why.” - -But Sleuth grabbed at him again as he made a move to pass on. - -“Wait,” whispered Piper. “Perhaps you’d like to know what was the matter -with Sage to-day? I can tell you.” - -“The deuce you can!” - -“I can,” insisted the other boy. “I’ve solved the mystery.” - -“Well, if you know what ailed him, why don’t you tell? I’m sure I’m not -the only one who would like to have the matter cleared up.” - -“It’s not a subject for the public ear, Hooker; it’s something to be -talked over privately and discreetly between ourselves. If you want to -know what I know, you’ll just take a little walk with me to some spot -where we’ll be all by our lonesomes. If you don’t want to know, if you -haven’t got any interest in Sage and his affairs, you needn’t bother.” - -To say the least, Roy’s curiosity was aroused. - -“I’ll wager it will be a waste of time,” he said; “but I’ll listen. What -have you done, concocted some sort of fool deduction about it?” - -“I have the straight, solid, indisputable facts right in my inside -pocket. I can tell you something about the Sages that will make your -hair curl. Where shall we go?” - -“You say.” - -“Down to the bridge. There’s not likely to be anybody around there.” - -It was somewhat chilly upon the bridge which spanned the river below -Lake Woodrim, and Hooker’s teeth were inclined to chatter as he leaned -against the railing and invited his companion to “divulge.” - -“To begin with,” said Piper, “I want to ask you a question, and I hope -you’ll give me an honest answer. You’ve been mighty chummy with Sage, -and I have a notion that he gave me away by telling you that I was -trying to make a ten-strike by capturing a certain criminal for whom a -large reward is offered. Am I right, or not?” - -“Whatever Fred has told me in confidence, I’ll not blow on him. If it -was your object to pump me, Piper, you’re wasting your time—and mine.” - -“You don’t have to answer,” said Sleuth instantly. “Your failure to give -me a fair and square reply is sufficient. Sage told you. I knew he -would. Well, I don’t care. I’ve got something to tell you now, and, as I -said, it will make your hair curl.” - -He paused impressively, apparently desiring Roy to urge him to go on; -but Hooker, shrugging his shoulders a bit, waited the promised -revelation. - -“I want to ask one more question,” said Piper, “and you’ll not betray a -confidence by giving me an answer. Saturday, one week ago, while out -hunting with Sage, you encountered a certain mysterious stranger in the -woods beyond Culver’s Bridge. You talked with the man face to face and -had a fine opportunity to look him over thoroughly. Tell me, did he bear -any personal resemblance to your friend, Sage?” - -“Huh!” grunted Roy. “Resemblance? What do you mean?” - -“Did he look as if he might be a relative?” - -“Why, I—I don’t know. What in the world are you trying to get at, Pipe?” - -“That man professed to know the Sages and made inquiries about them. -Nevertheless, at the approach of Fred he ran away, and, although he -pretended to you that he was looking for work hereabouts, as far as I -can learn he has not attempted to obtain employment, and has not been -publicly seen since that day.” - -“If you have an idea that he was some relative of the Sages, the mere -fact that he has not been seen seems to knock your theory into a cocked -hat.” - -“When I place you in full possession of the facts,” returned Piper, in a -lofty and superior manner, “you’ll perceive that the man’s care not to -attract public attention strengthens the foundations of my theory. You -have not answered my question. Did he look like Fred Sage?” - -“In some respects he may have borne a slight resemblance. He had blue -eyes, and Fred’s eyes are blue. But that’s nothing. Come across with -your dope that’s going to make my hair curl.” - -“Doesn’t it occur to you as very singular that so little is really known -about the past history of the Sages? This family, consisting of father, -mother and one son, came to Oakdale something like three years ago and -settled here. Yet who is there in this town that can tell where they -came from and how they happened to come? You’re chummy with the -before-mentioned son, Hooker. How much has he ever told you about his -past?” - -“Oh, say, Sleuth, if you’re trying to fasten a dark and terrible past -upon Fred Sage, you’ll do nothing but make yourself ridiculous. Why, -anybody knows that he’s been one of the openest, frankest fellows in the -world.” - -“Huh! Is that so?” sneered Piper. “Really, he may appear to be all that -you claim, Hooker, but appearances, you should know, are often most -deceptive. Mr. Andrew Sage has the bearing of a country gentleman in -moderate circumstances. Mrs. Sage is apparently a most estimable lady. -These people are regular churchgoers, and have the respect of their -townsfolk. Nevertheless, since living here they have never become -especially intimate with anyone, and you must admit that they are rather -reserved.” - -“Aw, rot!” exploded Roy in exasperation. “Simply because people don’t -choose to go about telling everybody their business and all their past -history, you get the notion that they must have some guilty secret they -are trying to cover up. That comes from reading the kind of trash with -which you stuff your mind, Piper.” - -“In a very few minutes,” retorted Sleuth, “I’ll make it necessary for -you to take back some of your slurs, Mr. Hooker. You know what country -people are. You know that gossip is one of their chief delights. As a -rule, let a strange family move into a town like Oakdale, and within -thirty days more than fifty per cent of the inhabitants of that place -are conversant with the history of those people as far back as it can be -traced. When the Sages came here the usual curious gossips attempted to -learn things about them. They failed. To me that’s a guarantee that the -Sages, for good and sufficient reasons, desired to keep their family -history from being probed. This thought has occurred to me more than -once, and many a time I’ve told myself that a little investigation of -the before-mentioned Sages might prove interesting to a sensational -degree. Recently I decided to investigate.” - -“In other words, you decided to pry into affairs which did not concern -you in the least. Poor business, Piper. The fellow who persists in -poking his nose into a crack is sure to get it pinched some day.” - -Not the least ruffled, Sleuth retorted: “The person who puts himself to -extreme trouble to hide his past must have a guilty secret. Sometimes -there are wolves in sheep’s clothing, and for the public weal they -should be exposed. In order to obtain information regarding the Sages, -it was necessary to learn where they came from when they moved to this -town.” - -“And you found out?” - -“Having decided on a course of action, I never permit anything to baffle -me.” - -“How did you do it?” - -“Oh, one day I dropped in on Mrs. Sage for a little social call. Fred -wasn’t home, so I waited for him; and, while waiting, I made myself -comfortable, at the lady’s invitation, in the sitting-room. I knew there -must be in that house something which would give me the clue I sought. -It was not long before I discovered the very thing, a family photograph -album. While seemingly amusing myself by looking at the pictures in that -album, I slipped several of them from their places and looked for the -imprint of the photographer. There were pictures of Mr. and Mrs. Sage, -and also of Fred, taken some years ago. Those pictures, I found, bore -the name of a photographer in the town of Rutledge, State of New York. I -lost little time in writing a letter to the postmaster of Rutledge, New -York, making inquiries concerning the Sages. I asked if they had ever -lived in that town. In case they had, I politely requested information -concerning the entire family. To insure an answer, I enclosed a stamped -and addressed envelope.” - -“And did you get an answer?” - -“Sure,” exulted Piper. “I received it to-night. I have it in my pocket -now. The information it contains is of the most sensational character. -It clears up the mystery of the Sages, and also, I firmly believe, fixes -the identity of the mysterious man you met beyond Culver’s Bridge.” - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - SLEUTH’S ASTONISHING THEORY. - - -Curiosity is one of the most powerful traits in human nature, and in -youth, being to some extent unrestrained, it often reaches its highest -development. It was chiefly curiosity that had led Hooker to listen thus -far to the words of Piper; but now, as if suddenly realizing the full -significance of Sleuth’s self-confessed and shameless prying into the -affairs of others, and remembering at the same time his familiar and -friendly relations with Fred Sage, Roy suddenly seared his companion -with the red-hot iron of contempt and wrath. - -“You miserable, sneaking puppy!” he cried. “Under pretence of making a -friendly call, you play a miserable trick like that, do you? I’ve a mind -to give you the finest drubbing you ever had.” - -Indeed, so savage and threatening was his attitude that Piper fell back -precipitately, lifting his hands as if to ward off a blow. - -“Now you hold on!” he cried. “You hold on, Hooker! You hadn’t better hit -me. Perhaps you think that would be a good way to make me keep still -about what I know concerning the Sages. I’m not going to blow this thing -round to everybody. I chose you because you’re Fred’s chum.” - -“Oh, is that so?” scoffed Roy incredulously. “You’ve begun blabbing with -me, and it isn’t likely you’ll stop there. I don’t know what you’ve -found out, but I do know that the way you’ve gone about it to obtain -your information was dirty—just plain dirty.” - -“It was thoroughly legitimate,” asserted Sleuth in self-defence. “These -people are living here in our town and associating with our citizens. If -they’re the right sort, there can be no harm in finding out about their -past history. But perhaps you’ve misunderstood me, Hooker. I’m not -making the claim that there’s anything wrong with the Sages we know.” - -“Oh, aren’t you?” said Roy in surprise. “I thought you were. If you -haven’t found out that there’s something wrong about them, what the -dickens _have_ you found out that was so wonderful? What is this -sensational thing that’s going to make my hair curl?” - -“If you’ll give me a chance and not get fighting mad over it, I’ll tell -you. You know it’s often the case that there’s a black sheep in the most -respectable family.” - -“Huh! There are only three persons in this particular family. Where’s -the black sheep?” - -“Only three of the family are known at the present time to the people of -Oakdale,” Piper said hastily. “Have you never thought that there might -be at least one other member of this family?” - -“Can’t say such a thought ever occurred to me.” - -“Listen,” urged Sleuth, “and keep your temper under check until I’m -through. The information I’ve obtained does not reflect upon Andrew -Sage, his wife or his son Fred.” - -“Well,” breathed Roy in relief, “there’s considerable satisfaction to be -derived from that statement.” - -“The postmaster of Rutledge states that Mr. and Mrs. Sage and their -younger son, Fred, are most estimable people.” - -“Whew!” whistled Hooker. “Their younger son, eh? Oh, do you mean that -there’s another—another son we don’t know anything about?” - -“There’s another son, of whom we’ve known nothing whatever up to the -present date. I know something about him now, and he’s the black sheep. -It was the criminal act of this elder son, Clarence Sage, that doubtless -added many gray hairs to his mother’s head and led the family, weighted -by the shame of it, to leave Rutledge and seek another home, where no -one would know of their disgrace. Now if you don’t care to hear any more -about the matter,” said Sleuth craftily, “I’ll close up.” - -Roy’s aversion to hearing the information Piper had secured was -completely swept away. - -“Oh, go on,” he invited, once more leaning against the bridge rail. -“What did this Clarence Sage do?” - -“Robbed a bank.” - -“In Rutledge?” - -“Yes. He was employed in a bank there, and he pilfered fourteen thousand -dollars from the institution.” - -“Jove!” muttered Hooker. “I don’t wonder Fred never has mentioned his -brother.” - -“The crime was discovered, as such things always are, and Clarence Sage -was arrested, tried, convicted and sent to Sing Sing for a term of -years.” - -“My hair curls!” exclaimed Roy. “So Fred has a brother in prison. That’s -a shame!” - -“He _had_ a brother in prison. Clarence Sage isn’t there now.” - -“Oh, his term has expired?” - -“No.” - -“Was he pardoned?” - -“No.” - -“Cæsar’s ghost! What happened then? Is he dead?” - -“Well,” answered Sleuth, “in my mind, at least, there is a doubt at this -point. He is supposed to be dead. With two other prisoners, he broke out -of Sing Sing in midwinter and tried to escape by crossing the Hudson on -the ice. The other two convicts were both recaptured. The trio had -separated immediately after getting out of the prison, and neither of -the recaptured rascals knew what had become of Clarence Sage. For more -than two months detectives sought everywhere for Sage, whose apparent -success in avoiding them was both astonishing and perplexing. Eventually -the body of a man was recovered from the river, but in such a condition -that identification was difficult. There were reasons, however, to -believe that the body was that of Clarence Sage. Andrew Sage viewed the -remains and decided that it was his recreant son. The body was buried in -Rutledge, and the grave is marked by a stone bearing the name of -Clarence Sage.” - -“Well, then, why do you doubt that he’s dead?” - -Piper tapped his forehead. “I believe I’ve got a little gray matter up -here,” he said boastfully. “After reading this letter, it took about -thirty seconds for me to form a theory in which I have the utmost -confidence. My conviction is that Clarence Sage is still alive. I think -he did make good his escape and succeeded handsomely in baffling the -officers who tried to follow him. The body that was taken from the river -and buried under the name of Clarence Sage was that of some other man, -as yet unknown. Perhaps it will continue to be unknown. When this -identification and burial had taken place, danger for the escaped man -was reduced to a minimum. Mind you, I’m not making the assertion that -Andrew Sage knew the body was not that of his son, but what would be -more natural than for him to identify it as such in order to give -Clarence a better chance for freedom? Perhaps, at the time, he really -believed it to be the unfortunate young man. Possibly, through some -means, he has since learned that his son is alive.” - -“If you hadn’t read so much detective stuff, such an improbable idea -could not have found lodgment in your crazy garret,” said Hooker. “I -understand you’ve even tried to write stories yourself lately. Say, -Sleuth, if this matter wasn’t so serious, it would be laughable.” - -“Your words,” returned Piper, “betray the narrow limits of your -reasoning faculties. I’m not basing my suspicions on mere guesswork, -Hooker.” - -“Then, for the love of Mike, what do you base them on?” - -“One week ago you met a stranger who behaved in a most peculiar manner. -Apparently of some education and refinement, this man seemed to be -somewhere near the age of Clarence Sage, if Sage still lives. He made -inquiries of you concerning the Sages in Oakdale, and when he learned -that Fred Sage was approaching he took to his heels and got away. He -didn’t dare remain to face Fred in your presence. Why, Hooker—why? -Simply because he knew that in his amazement Fred would call him by name -and give the whole thing away. What do you think about that?” - -For a moment or two Roy shook his head. “I don’t believe it. It can’t be -true, Piper. If that’s all you have to base your belief on——” - -“Did there seem to be anything especially wrong with Fred last night?” - -“No, not that I observed.” - -“Well, there surely was something the matter with him to-day. Something -had happened to upset him completely.” - -“What do you think it was?” - -“It was something tremendous, or it never would have led him to bungle -and blunder the way he did in that game. It was such a tremendous thing -that he could not get it out of his mind so that he might concentrate on -the game. Whenever he dismissed thoughts of it, he played in something -like his usual form for a few minutes, but it kept coming back at him -and putting him on the blink. He denied that he was sick. He denied that -anything had happened to upset him. All this is precisely what would -have happened had he made the amazing discovery to-day that his brother -Clarence was alive.” - -“Gee whiz!” breathed Hooker. “I’ll own up that you’ve got me staggered. -If you’re right, Piper, you certainly have got a head on your -shoulders.” - -The darkness masked the smile of satisfaction that Sleuth could not -repress. - -“You can’t dodge the force of my deductions,” he declared. “Let me give -you a further illustration of my reasoning ability. As an escaped -convict, is it likely that Clarence Sage would lead an honest life? I -admit that he might, but the germ of dishonesty must have been virulent -in his blood, or he, the apparently promising son of highly respectable -parents, would never have committed his first crime. Once a man has -taken a crooked step, he’s almost sure to take others. Supposed to be -dead, Sage surely traveled under a fictitious name. A certain crook, -called James Wilson and known among his pals as Gentleman Jim, bears a -strong resemblance to the young bank-looter who was sent to Sing Sing. -This crook was arrested in the town of Harpersville a short time ago, -but made his escape from the jail, nearly killing the guard as he did -so. A big reward has been offered for Wilson’s capture. The last peg in -my argument is that this Gentleman Jim is none other than Clarence Sage -himself.” - -“If that should prove to be right,” said Hooker, “I’ll admit that you’ve -got all the detectives of real life or fiction beaten to a froth.” - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - - THE NIGHT ALARM. - - -On Sunday night, or, rather, Monday morning, within a few minutes of the -hour of three (Captain Aaron Quinn afterward swore it was at six bells -precisely) occurred the explosion which, although muffled and faintly -heard by two persons only, was of sufficient importance to shake Oakdale -village to its very foundations. The only person actually to hear the -explosion, besides the old sailor, who could not sleep well on account -of his rheumatism, was Jonas Sylvester, the fat and pompous village -night-watch. With the establishment of the bank the town authorities had -decided that a night guard must be employed to patrol the streets, and -Sylvester, whose qualifications may be summed up briefly by the -statement that he weighed nearly three hundred pounds and had no regular -employment, was chosen for the job. - -With his greatcoat brass-buttoned tightly to the chin, Officer Sylvester -had paused at the end of Main Street bridge, the southern limit of his -beat, and was stamping his feet and thumping his mittened hands together -when, as he stated later, he heard something like the closing of a -distant heavy door, which seemed accompanied by a slight shock or -jarring of the ground. Wondering vaguely what it was, and recalling that -he had heard that earthquakes, however slight, almost always manifested -themselves by several recurring detonations, Jonas ceased stamping and -thumping and stood quite still in the muffling darkness, his lips parted -as he listened. - -“Hokey!” he muttered presently. “What was it? ’Twasn’t thunder, for it’s -out of season, and I’m too fur away to hear a horse kicking up in the -livery stable. The bank——” - -Immediately he started puffingly up the street toward the new bank -building. - -The clock in the steeple of the Methodist church struck three. - -In the meantime, Captain Quinn had been further aroused by his monkey. -Chattering excitedly, the creature leaped upon the old sailor’s breast -and began tweaking at his hair. - -“Quit it, ye swab!” rasped the old salt, thrusting the monkey away. -“Back to the fo’cas’le, you imp of mischief. Leave me alone, you scrub, -or I’ll give you a douse of bilge-water.” - -But Jocko refused to be repulsed by his irascible master. His chattering -rose to a squeaking shriek as he returned with a bound and gave a -distressing tug at the captain’s whiskers. - -“Keelhaul me!” roared Quinn, struggling up and casting the animal to the -floor. “I’ll throw you into the hold and keep you under the hatches for -the rest of the voyage if you try it again, you spawn!” - -Even though he now kept beyond his master’s reach, the monkey persisted -in such a chattering uproar and dashed about the dark room in such a -frantic manner that the wondering man, groaning at the necessity, -hoisted himself out of bed, struck a match and looked at the brass-bound -ship’s clock which hung near at hand upon the wall. - -“There’s something the matter,” decided Quinn, dropping the burning -match as the flame threatened to scorch his fingers. Then, forgetting -that he was undressed, from force of habit he placed his bare foot upon -the match to extinguish it. - -The racket made by the monkey was nothing in comparison to the roar that -broke from the lips of the now thoroughly awakened man, and had anyone -witnessed the tremendous jump which Captain Quinn made he would have -fancied the old tar suddenly cured of his rheumatism. The language which -burst in a torrent from Quinn’s lips was of a decidedly sulphurous -nature. - -“You imp of the Old Nick!” he bellowed, making a dive and a grab for the -elusive monkey. “I’ll wring your neck if I get my two hooks on it!” - -Jocko, however, bounding over the furniture, skimming the length of a -shelf, and seeming to swing himself along one of the bare walls of the -room, perched on a window ledge beyond immediate reach. If possible, -Captain Quinn was further aroused and enraged by barking his shins upon -a chair. - -“Furies!” he breathed. “Where’s my gun? I’ll blow a porthole in the hide -of that infernal pest!” - -As if realizing the peril to his very life, Jocko yanked away a mass of -old rags which had completely filled the opening left by a broken -windowpane, and darted through the aperture. - -At about this moment Officer Sylvester, hastily approaching the front of -the bank, fancied he saw a dark figure dart around a corner of the -building and disappear. Shivering, more from excitement and exertion -than from the cold, the night-watch pursued that shadowy figure, weapon -in hand. At the back of the building he paused, hearing the voice of the -old sailor raging within the nearby shanty. - -“I s’pose it’s that old fool that’s made the disturbance,” muttered -Jonas doubtfully. “Still, I kinder thought I saw something.” - -Producing the electric torch he always carried while on duty, he flashed -the light around him, making almost a complete arc of a circle. Suddenly -the light stopped, bearing full upon an iron-barred window in the rear -of the bank building, and there it hung quivering, revealing to -Sylvester’s bulging eyes a most astounding and disturbing fact. - -Three of the bars had been cut completely off and bent outward, and -beyond them an entire section of the window glass was missing, leaving -an opening large enough to admit the body of a man. - -Almost paralyzed by this amazing discovery, Officer Sylvester felt his -thick knees growing weak beneath him. - -“Robbers,” he gasped—“robbers, by the jumping jingoes!” - -That very instant there was a flash in the nearby shadows, and, with the -report of a pistol, a bullet almost grazed the torch in Sylvester’s -hand. - -The night-watch did not hesitate upon the order of his going, but went -at once. With a yell of terror he took to his heels, and his wild shout -of “Robbers! robbers!” resounded through the main part of the village as -he dashed toward the public square near the post-office. Reaching the -square, he increased his efforts to arouse the townspeople by firing his -revolver several times into the air. - -“Marlin spikes and belaying pins!” spluttered Captain Quinn, still -groping for his shotgun. “There’s blazes to pay! The monk wasn’t such a -fool, after all.” - -Presently, gun in hand, he flung open his door and stood peering into -the night. He could hear the courageous night-watch shouting from the -square and firing his revolver. But what interested Aaron Quinn far more -was the sight of two figures which seemed to drop from the rear window -of the bank and run away into the darkness. - -“Shades of Neptune!” said Captain Quinn. “It’s piracy on the high seas!” - -Somewhat tardily, he got into action, lifting the gun and firing into -the darkness which had swallowed the fleeing figures. - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - - IN THE BANK. - - -Naturally, all this shooting and shouting in the early hours of the -morning was sufficient to arouse the villagers. In house after house -lights began to gleam, and ere long half-dressed men were running toward -the square, where, still lustily bellowing, Jonas Sylvester was seeking -with trembling hands to reload his revolver. Hyde, the livery stable -keeper, Stickney, the grocer, Lawyer Francis and others surrounded the -officer and demanded to know the meaning of it all. Others kept coming -from various directions as Jonas told what he had discovered at the rear -of the bank and how nearly he had paid for that discovery with his life. - -“Robbers,” cried the livery man—“robbers in the bank? Why didn’t you -capture them?” - -“Yes,” demanded the grocer in a high, quavering falsetto, “why didn’t ye -nab ’em? What are you doing here? What do we hire ye for?” - -“I tell ye they shot at me,” replied Jonas. “They banged right at me, -and I couldn’t see a soul. They had the advantage. Think of my size. -S’pose I was going to stand still and let them pepper me full of -bullets?” - -“Fellow citizens,” said the lawyer, who of them all seemed to retain the -most presence of mind, “if there are robbers in the bank they may escape -while we stand here wasting time in talk. Lead the way, Sylvester; we’re -with you.” - -Thus encouraged, the night-watch took the lead, accompanied by the -excited crowd. A few of the more timid ones either held back or hastily -returned to their homes to procure weapons. Some expressed doubts, -declaring their belief that Oakdale’s nocturnal guardian must be -mistaken. - -But a single glance through the front window of the bank convinced -Lawyer Francis that something was wrong there beyond dispute. With a -word he called attention to the fact that the light which burned by -night in front of the vault had been extinguished. - -“Show us that winder,” commanded Hyde, pushing Sylvester forward. - -“Yes, show us the winder,” tremulously urged Stickney, falling back -until nearly all of the crowd were ahead of him. - -“Git ready for a bloody encounter,” warned the night-watch. “They’re -desperate men, and they’ll fight to the last gasp.” - -“We’ll find there are no robbers in the bank now,” said the lawyer; “and -all this uproar has sent them scampering long before this.” - -As they were hurrying round to the rear of the building a voice roared -at them through the darkness. - -“Avast there, you lubbers!” it shouted. “You’re too late for action. The -scoundrels hoisted anchor and made sail long ago. By this time they’re -running before the wind under full canvas.” - -The old sailor came hobbling swiftly toward them, bearing his gun, his -cane forgotten for the time being. - -“Did you see them, Quinn?” asked Lawyer Francis. - -“I did that,” was the prompt answer. “I put my lamps on them just as -they got under full headway, and I’ll swear I hurried them some with a -double charge of buckshot.” - -“You fired at them?” - -“Both barrels at once, and it’s a mercy if I ain’t got a busted shoulder -to pay for it. The old gun near kicked my head off, confound it!” - -“How many of them were there? How many did you see?” - -“It’s dungeon dark a’most, but I’m certain sure I saw two, at least.” - -“Mebbe some of you thought I was lying or a fool,” cried Officer -Sylvester triumphantly. “Now I guess you’ll change your tune. Here’s the -winder. Just look at it.” - -The electric torch was again turned on the cut and bended bars, and the -group of men pressed forward, staring and exclaiming. - -“Which way did the robbers flee, Quinn?” questioned Lawyer Francis, -grasping the old sea captain’s arm. - -“Back that way toward Middle Street,” was the answer. - -“They must not escape,” said the lawyer. “They haven’t obtained much of -a start. Let every man arm himself and take up the search. Deputy -Sheriff Pickle and Constable Hubbard must be notified at once. They must -organize posses and scour the country. Will you see to it that this is -done, Sylvester?” - -“Yes, your honor,” assured the night-watch. - -At this moment a citizen joined the group and announced that Lucius -Timmick, the bank cashier, had arrived and was about to unlock the bank -door. This information led Lawyer Francis to hasten back to the front of -the building, where, pushing his way through the rapidly increasing -crowd, he reached Timmick as the latter finally found his key and -inserted it in the lock. - -Doubtless fearful of entering, the cashier hesitated a bit even after -the key had thrown the bolt. - -“I’ll accompany you, Mr. Timmick,” said the lawyer. “I think you need -have no fear of encountering any of the rascals within. They have all -fled.” - -“Thank you, Mr. Francis,” said Timmick, his voice husky and not quite -under control. “Doubtless you are right, but I think it best that I -should have a few reputable citizens with me when I investigate.” - -“I’m here, Timmick; I’m with you,” encouraged Stickney, the grocer, -boldly jabbing his way through the crowd with his sharp elbows. “You’ll -find me ready to back you up if you need assistance.” His courage had -revived amazingly with the assurance that the robbers had fled. - -Rufus Sprague, the jeweler, and Lemuel Hayden, a leading business man, -both of whom were directors of the bank, were on hand, and with those -four citizens at his back the cashier opened the door. Others who were -inclined to crowd in were commanded to stand back, but one there was -who, crouching low, slipped in unobserved and congratulated himself over -his cleverness as he heard the door relocked. This was Sleuth Piper. - -Timmick’s hand found the button and turned on the electric lights. Then -he opened the door in the grating-guarded partition, beyond which was -located the bank vault. - -An odor like that of a burnt explosive pervaded the atmosphere of the -place, and increased, if possible, the tingling excitement of the men -who pressed after the cashier, eager to learn just what had happened. -What they now beheld caused them to gasp with dismay. - -A number of full sacks of grain had been placed on the floor in front of -the bank vault. This grain had doubtless been brought in the sacks from -the old feed mill, a quarter of a mile away; and the full sacks had been -skilfully arranged in such a position that the outer door of the vault, -blown from its hinges, had fallen upon them. A leather grip stood open -upon the floor, and scattered about on all sides could be seen a full -set of up-to-date burglar’s tools. - -“Look,” cried Timmick, aghast, pointing with a trembling finger—“look at -that, gentlemen! Oh, the scoundrels!” - -Outside, the crowd, with noses pressed against the cold plate glass of -the big front window, could see everything, and the sound of their -agitated voices reached the ears of those within. - -“The bank’s been robbed!” cried Stickney. “The critters must have done -it in a hurry.” - -“I don’t think it has been robbed,” said Lawyer Francis. “The inner door -of the vault remains in place. The burglars were detected at their work -before they could complete the job.” - -“Let us hope,” said Lemuel Hayden grimly, “that you are right, sir.” - -“Open that inside door, Timmick—open it!” spluttered Rufus Sprague. -“Let’s find out if they got anything.” - -But the cashier shook his head. “I think, gentlemen,” he said, “we had -better wait until the president arrives. When I open that door I wish to -do so in the presence of Mr. Eliot. At any rate, I think it would not be -advisable to go ahead beneath the watching eyes of that crowd outside -the window. Mr. Stickney, will you draw the shade?” - -“Yep, I will,” said Stickney, rejoicing with a feeling of high -importance over the fact that he was one of those who had obtained -admission to the bank. “Whether the robbers got anything or not, it will -be just as well to proceed with our investigation in private.” - -Hurrying to the window, he drew the shade, greatly to the disappointment -of the gathered watchers, some of whom expressed their feelings with -considerable emphasis. - -There was one person, however, who was not thus deprived of further -knowledge of what was taking place within the bank. In the shadows of -the patrons’ side of the cashier window, Sleuth Piper congratulated -himself again. - - - - - CHAPTER XXI. - - WHAT SLEUTH LEARNED. - - -The excited chattering of the crowd in front of the bank was broken in -upon by the harsh voice of Captain Quinn. - -“Ahoy, you blatherskites!” cried the old sailor, appearing upon the edge -of the gathering. “Stow that jabber a minute and tell me if you’ve put -your peepers on my monkey. The little whelp has run away, and he’ll -freeze to death unless I find him. It would break my heart if anything -should happen to my monkey.” - -This statement aroused some laughter and provoked a few jeers. - -“Go crawl into your bunk, you old pirate,” advised one of the younger -men. “It would be a good thing if your monkey did freeze. The town -wouldn’t miss it—or you, either.” - -“Take twenty years off my shoulders,” snarled the old tar, “and I’d lay -you by the heels for that, you swab! You talk bold and sassy to a man -three times your age and crippled with the rheumatics, but I’ve scrubbed -the deck of my vessel with dozens of your kind in my day.” - -“Everybody knows that, you old man-handler,” was the retort. “You’ve -cracked the skull of more than one better man, but the law protected you -because you were the master and they were nothing but common sailors. -Oh, we know you here in Oakdale.” - -“Yes, and I know you, the whole common crew of ye. You’re brave as -dogfish chasing po’gies until you spy a shark, and then you run and -hide. What are ye doing here? Why ain’t ye off with the men that’s -trying to run down the burglars? You’re afraid. There’s not one of ye’s -got the courage of a squid.” - -“If you weren’t so old,” said one of the wrathy listeners, “we’d be -handing you a taste of your own high-sea methods before you could say -half as much.” - -“Never mind my age,” bellowed Quinn, squaring away. “Come try it, any -one of ye or the whole crew together. You’ll find it a bit lively while -it lasts, or my name is not Aaron Quinn. Hoist anchor, you blackguards. -Up with your sails, and come at me with every stitch set. What’s the -matter, you lubbers—what’s the matter? Why don’t you come on? Afraid, -eh?—afraid of old Aaron Quinn! A bold lot you are! You can wag your -tongues loud and talk bold, but not one of ye has as much gizzard as a -chicken. Bah!” - -With a derisive gesture, he disdainfully turned his back upon them and -slowly moved off into the darkness, seeming deaf to their jeers and -cat-calls. - -A few minutes later Urian Eliot appeared, made his way through the -throng that respectfully stepped aside from his path, and was admitted -to the bank. The door had not long been closed behind the president when -it opened again, for Stickney, the grocer, whose manner as he came out -betrayed that he was leaving the place with great reluctance and much -against his will. - -“How is it, Stickney?” called one of the gathering. “Did the robbers get -anything, or were they frightened away?” - -“Huh!” grunted the grocer, standing on the steps. “I don’t know. They -waited for Eliot before they opened the inner door of the vault, and -when he came he proposed, as I didn’t happen to be a director or some -high muckamuck connected with the bank, that I should leave. And I was -one who risked his life to follow Timmick into that place, not knowing -but we might have to face desperate burglars armed to the very teeth. -That’s the way they treat a fellow citizen who is ready to shed his -blood for them. But what can you expect of men who try to run a bank in -these days without a night watchman of their own? That’s their idea of -economy, perhaps, but it will be a mercy if it hasn’t proved expensive -economy. They take our money in trust and then fail to give it proper -protection. Timmick refused to touch the inner door until Eliot came. -Perhaps it was unlocked. It wouldn’t surprise me to learn that the bank -had been cleaned out of every dollar and every scrap of security it -contained. I have an account here myself; seventy-nine dollars balance, -too. If there has been a robbery, somebody will have to make good. They -can afford it, men like Eliot and Hayden and the others; but I can’t -afford to lose it.” - -His resentment seemed contagious, and there were others who began -murmuring about the bank officials. But, for the most part, those who -talked loudest had small accounts with the institution or none at all. - -“What have they done about catching the scoundrels?” asked Stickney. -“They ought to have ’em by this time.” - -He was told that armed squads were searching for the cracksmen, although -there had been no reports of a capture. - -“Oh, they’ll let ’em get away, I’ll guarantee,” sneered the grocer. “I -was opposed to the hiring of a night-watch by the town. I said it would -be an extravagant waste of money, and this night proves I was right.” - -“Only for him,” reminded some one, “the robbers might have finished the -job and got off without an alarm being raised. Likely nobody would ever -known it till the bank was opened at nine o’clock.” - -“He might have nabbed ’em, instead of running away and hollering like a -loon,” asserted Stickney. “He had the chance. If I’d been in his place, -I’d potted the whole bunch. Now it’s doubtful if any one of ’em is -caught. Well, I’m going home to get a little rest before breakfast.” -Apparently it did not occur to the courageous grocer that he might be of -service by joining one of the searching parties. - -It was growing light and a curious throng still lingered in front of the -bank hoping to learn if a robbery had actually taken place, when the -door of the building opened again, and this time Sleuth Piper was thrust -forth with such violence that he was saved from sprawling on the -sidewalk only by the quick hand of a man who stood on the lower step. - -“Hello, Piper,” said this man, gazing at him in astonishment. “How did -you get in there?” - -“Sh!” hissed Sleuth, pulling away. “Never mind, never mind. In pursuance -of my duty, I am liable to be found anywhere. Had they given me a little -time, I might have imparted some information of tremendous moment. But -let them go on. Let them work in the dark. They will need me yet.” - -“Tell us, has the bank been robbed?” - -“They are now going over the contents of the vault,” was the boy’s -evasive reply. “I’ll not forestall their report by a premature -statement.” - -Some one pulled at his sleeve, and, looking around, he saw Roy Hooker. -Willingly he followed Roy, who led the way to the rear of the bank, -where at least a dozen men were gathered outside the window by which the -robbers had obtained entrance. - -“You beat the Dutch, Pipe,” said Roy, in a manner bordering on respect. -“How the deuce _did_ you ever get in there?” - -Piper explained, taking to himself abundant credit for quick thought, -rapidity of action and amazing cleverness in keeping concealed once he -had slipped inside. - -“Well, what did you learn, anyhow?” questioned Hooker. “Did you find out -anything, or did you waste your time?” - -“I never waste my time,” retorted Sleuth with dignity. “It was through -my natural desire to learn all that could be learned that I was detected -and ejected. At the present moment the officers of the bank are in the -directors’ room at the rear, going over the securities. There’s a door -leading from that room into the outside corridor, and, in order to hear -and see, I had to open that door. They closed it once, but I opened it -again on a crack, and that aroused the suspicions of Rufus Sprague, who -stepped out quickly and nabbed me. Then, refusing to listen, they -chucked me outside. I was ready to throw a bombshell into their midst, -but I’m glad now that I was restrained from action.” - -“What did you propose to tell them, Sleuth?” - -“It was on the tip of my tongue to advise them to look for a certain -party known as ‘James Wilson,’ _alias_ ‘William Hunt,’ _alias_ ‘Philip -Hastings,’ _alias_ ‘Gentleman Jim,’ and furthermore and finally, _alias_ -Clarence Sage.” - -“Then you fancy——” - -“Fancy, Hooker? Nay, sir, this is no case of guesswork; I know what I’m -about. Doubtless Sage is as far from Oakdale as his feet could carry him -in the time since the would-be robbers fled.” - -“The would-be robbers!” echoed Roy. “Then they really didn’t get -anything?” - -“Right there,” said Sleuth, “you touch the one point that as yet remains -inexplicable to me. The inner door of the vault apparently has not been -broken open by the burglars. It was unlocked by Timmick in the presence -of Urian Eliot and the directors. They removed cash and securities to -that back room for investigation. At first everything seemed undisturbed -and they were congratulating themselves, when the discovery was made -that a package of securities amounting to twenty thousand dollars was -missing.” - -“Gee!” gasped Hooker. “Then there _was_ a robbery. But how can it be -possible, if the inner door of the vault had not been opened?” - -In the gray light of the morning a wise and significant smile flickered -across Piper’s face. - -“There’s but one explanation,” he answered. “The men who tried to rob -the bank last night did not get those securities. They were stolen at -some previous time.” - - - - - CHAPTER XXII. - - FOLLOWING THE TRAIL. - - -“Gee whiz!” exclaimed Hooker, astonished. “Who stole them?” - -“That question,” admitted Sleuth, “I’m not ready to answer at present. -I’ll focus my marvelous discerning intellect upon it after the would-be -bank robbers are securely in limbo. I’ll guarantee that the posses -searching for them are rushing hither and thither without rhyme, reason -or system. That’s no way to hunt the scoundrels down. Of course they may -blunder upon the fugitives by accident, but the trail should be taken up -and followed in a scientific manner.” - -“That’s easy enough to talk about,” said Roy; “but, without the aid of -bloodhounds, how is it to be done?” - -“To begin with, we know they fled in this direction, for old Quinn saw -them running from the back of the bank and fired at them. They must have -reached Middle Street a short distance away. It was impossible to follow -their tracks in the dark, but it’s now daylight, and I’m going to try to -pick up the trail.” - -“A fine job you’ll do at that,” scoffed the other boy. “Even if you -should find their tracks, you’d need the skill of an Injun to follow -’em.” - -“We’ll see,” said Piper—“we’ll see about that. There’s a cedar hedge -running from Main Street to Willow, and any person who dashed through -that hedge at full speed must have left some tokens.” - -“Let’s examine the hedge.” - -In less than a minute Piper found a place where the branches of the -trimmed cedars were bent and broken. He pointed at it exultantly. - -“There’s where one of them went through,” he declared. - -“Perhaps it’s where some one, hurrying to the bank, came in from the -other direction.” - -“Use your eyes, Hook. The manner in which the cedars are twisted and -bent shows that the person who passed through the hedge came from this -direction, and he was in a hurry, too. Look here! What’s this, Roy? It’s -blood—blood on the bushes!” - -No wonder Roy’s eyes bulged as he beheld the slight bloodstain at which -his companion pointed with a triumphant finger. - -“Blood!” he muttered. “Why, then——” - -“Old Quinn hit one of them, no question about it. There’s a wounded -bank-breaker fleeing for his life somewhere.” - -Both lads were now greatly excited, although Sleuth fought hard to -maintain such an air of coolness as he fancied would well become a great -detective. - -“By this trail of blood we’ll track him, Hooker,” he said. “If we -capture one of the rascals, perhaps he will squeal on his pals.” - -“If _we_ capture him!” spluttered Roy. “What are you talking about? Do -you think we could do it alone? He’s a desperate man, and he’d fight——” - -“Are you armed?” - -“No.” - -“Well, I am,” said Sleuth, displaying a small revolver. “It’s too bad -you have no weapon, but, nevertheless, you may be of great assistance in -capturing the man. If you’ve got nerve enough to stick by me, we’ll try -to run him down.” - -“Hadn’t we better get others? Do you think we ought to try it alone?” - -“If we call for assistance,” said Sleuth, “and the man is actually -captured, we’ll have to share the reward with others. You know there’s a -large reward offered for the apprehension of the man known as Gentleman -Jim, and it’s not impossible that the fellow who was winged by Aaron -Quinn is Gentleman Jim himself. If we take him, just you and I, we can -whack up on that reward money. I’ll agree to give you a fair share, -providing you stand by me through thick and thin.” - -“You’ve certainly got a nerve, Piper, to think of trying such a thing. I -don’t know about it, myself.” - -“Oh, well, if you’re scared,” said Sleuth, with no attempt to suppress -his scorn, “I’ll go it alone. I thought you had more sand, Hook.” - -“Well, nobody around here has ever figured that you were running over -with sand, yourself,” was the resentful retort. “I guess I’ve got as -much as you have. Go ahead and see what you can do at this job of -trailing.” - -Forcing their way through the hedge, they reached Middle Street, where -for a moment Piper hesitated, as if considering the probable course the -fugitive had taken. - -“About the time the man got here,” he said, “Jonas Sylvester was waking -people up by his yells and shouts from the square in front of the -post-office. Under such circumstances, fearing to encounter some citizen -of the town who had been aroused by Sylvester, the fleeing man would -avoid the streets as far as possible. I should say he kept straight -across the road here and struck across lots for High Street.” - -“Guesswork,” said Hooker. - -“Deduction, reasoning, sound judgment,” flung back Sleuth, as he hurried -to examine the top rail of the old slat fence upon the northern side of -the street; “and here’s my proof—a smooch of blood where the man grasped -the rail as he vaulted over the fence.” - -“Jinks!” breathed Roy, gazing at the sanguine mark. “You’re right; it’s -there.” - -Beyond the fence Piper continued northward, bending forward that he -might search the ground with his eyes. Again and again he pointed to -frozen blood-drippings upon the grass, and, at Sleuth’s heels, Roy felt -his pulse throbbing with a touch of the fierce excitement that -invariably seizes upon one who hunts fleeing men. For the first time in -his life he was beginning to believe that Piper had been underestimated -by those who had scoffed at his ambition to become a great detective. - -Across High Street and into the neglected, old-fashioned horse sheds at -the rear of the Methodist church the two boys followed the trail. In one -of those sheds there was a little pool of blood, surrounded by similar -drippings, at which Hooker stared in great fascination. - -“He stopped here,” asserted Sleuth. “Concealed by the darkness, he hid -in this shed for some little time. Perhaps he was led to do this through -exhaustion caused by the wound. Perhaps he did so because he heard -citizens running down Main Street toward the bank.” - -“Gee!” said Roy, giving himself a shake. “If he’s hurt bad, we’re liable -to come on him any minute. Why, we might have found him here, and -perhaps he’d filled us full of lead. It’s ticklish business, Pipe.” - -“He won’t be liable to fight unless cornered, and if we corner him we -must get him foul so he can’t pot us. Come on; time is precious.” - -As if the flow from the wound had been partly staunched, the trail now -became decidedly more difficult to follow. Nevertheless, Sleuth traced -it to upper Main Street, some distance below the home of Urian Eliot. -There it again led across the road and into the broad fields beyond. -Through the midst of these fields ran a tiny brook, the banks of which -were lined by scattering clumps of bushes. Here the brown grass was -rather tall, and the boys followed the man’s tracks with little -difficulty. At the point where the fugitive had started to cross the -brook a clay bank some three feet in height had caved beneath his feet. - -“He took a tumble here,” said Piper. “There’s where he got on his pins -again. See his tracks, Hook?” - -The prints of the man’s feet were plainly to be seen, and, it being no -more than a foot wide at that point, he had crossed the brook at a -stride. On the western side the trail again led northward, and before -long the boys paused within plain sight of the house of the Sages. - -“Ah! ha!” breathed Sleuth, with an intonation of deep exultation. “Now -you can see what he was doing. I’m sorry indeed for our mutual friend, -Fred Sage; but duty is duty, and we must not falter.” - -“It does look as if he made straight for the Sages’ place,” admitted -Roy. - -“No question about it,” nodded Sleuth, grasping his companion’s arm and -drawing him back. “Let’s preserve proper caution. We might be seen.” - -“I don’t see anyone stirring around the place.” - -“No, but you can see that the front door of the stable is standing open -a bit. That door was not left thus all night long, you can bet on it.” - -“I suppose they were woke up by the racket.” - -“But why should they go to the stable? If we locate our man there, -Hooker, I’ll stay and keep watch while you go for the officers.” - -“I don’t see how we’re going to——” - -“We’ll have to retreat a distance, cross the road out of sight of the -house and approach the buildings from the rear. That’s the proper -trick.” - -Hooker did not attempt an argument; he left the maneuver to be carried -through by Sleuth, whom he continued to follow without proffering -advice. - -Crouching low when the road was reached, they darted across it, one -after the other, circling until they could approach the stable of the -Sages from the rear. To their surprise, they perceived that the small -back door of the building also stood open. Their nerves taut and -tingling, they presently found themselves beside that door, where, with -one hand on his pistol and the other upheld as a signal for caution, -Piper listened intently. - -“Can you hear anything?” whispered Roy. - -“No,” admitted Sleuth, “nothing that seems significant to me. I’m going -to look in. Keep still.” - -Thrusting his head forward, he peered into the gloomy interior of the -building. After a few glances, reaching backward without turning, he -beckoned for the other lad to follow, and entered, walking on his toes. - -They were in the very center of the stable floor when a sudden stamping -and a snort caused them both to leap backward, Piper jerking up the hand -in which his nickle-plated revolver quivered tremulously. After a moment -he drew a breath of relief, turning a pallid face toward Roy as he -explained in a whisper: - -“Nothing but their cow in the tie-up yonder.” - -“Thunder!” sighed Sleuth’s companion. “She gave me an awful start. Don’t -look like we’ll find anything here, Pipe.” - -“Wait. I have a theory into which I’ve been led by the sight of the open -doors, but it’s best to proceed carefully and not overlook anything.” - -Ten seconds later, not five feet from the slightly opened front doors, -Piper discovered something that added in no small degree to his -self-esteem. Upon the floor near a small grain box was a pool of blood, -and beside that pool he perceived some shreds like ravellings from a -torn cloth. - -“Our man was here, Hooker,” he said. - -“_Was_ here?” muttered Roy. “Then you think he’s gone?” - -“I think his injury was bound up right here in this stable while he sat -there upon that box. I don’t believe he did the work of bandaging the -wound himself.” - -“He must be in the house.” - -“Don’t jump at conclusions. That’s the trouble with most people. That’s -how they lead themselves astray. The fellow came here. He must have been -pretty badly used up, too. Somebody tied up his injuries. Isn’t it -likely they realized the man would be traced by the blood-drippings? And -is it likely, in that case, that they would think of trying to hide him -here?” - -“Why, I don’t know——” - -“I don’t _know_, but I’m using logic, reasoning, horse sense. I saw -something as we entered by that open back door which makes me confident -that the fellow continued his flight in that direction. Beyond the -orchard, out there, lie the woods to the north of Turkey Hill.” - -“You think he hit out for those woods, do you?” - -“I think so, but unless I can find evidence to confirm my belief we’ll -not try to follow him haphazard.” - -They left the stable by the door through which they had entered, and -when they were outside Sleuth once more fell to searching the ground -with his eyes. - -“Tracks!” he muttered. “There were two of them—two of them! And here’s -the proof that our man was one!” - -He picked up a lump of half frozen clay which plainly had fallen from -the boot of a man. It was the sort of clay into which the fugitive had -slumped when the brook bank gave way beneath his feet. - -“You’re a wonder, Pipe,” declared Roy, his admiration unrestrained at -last. - -“Spare the compliments,” said Sleuth briskly. “We’re off again.” - -The trail led through the orchard, beyond which it was plain enough in -the hoarfrost which covered the ground. - -“And these tracks weren’t made so long ago, either,” asserted Piper. “It -won’t be so easy to follow them after we get into the woods. Too bad.” - -In truth, it was not an easy matter, and they were proceeding with -exasperating slowness when of a sudden Piper whirled and clutched his -companion, exclaiming in a hoarse whisper: - -“Hark! Some one coming! Get to cover, Hooker—lively!” - -Near by was a fallen tree. Sleuth cleared it with a bound, flinging -himself down behind the thick trunk. His example was followed by Roy, -and there, amid a mass of leaves which the wind had swept into a little -hollow, they knelt, peering over the fallen tree. - -Barely were they thus hidden when another boy came crashing at a run -through some bushes and appeared in full view. - -It was Fred Sage! - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII. - - THE CAPTURE. - - -Fred was panting, his clothes were torn, and his manner that of one -overwrought with tremendous excitement. He had come from the deeper -woods to the north of Turkey Hill, and was plainly hurrying homeward as -fast as his feet would carry him. - -Crouching behind the fallen tree, the two boys gazed in astonishment at -Sage as he passed them. They could hear his panting breath and see his -breast heaving, and into the minds of both leaped the strange thought -that only for his exertions his face would have been ghastly pale. There -was a wild expression in his eyes, like that of a person in great fear. - -Hooker remained kneeling, petrified, but Piper partly rose, his lips -open, as if he thought of shouting to the running lad. If this was his -intention, however, he changed his mind, not uttering as much as a -whisper, and stood staring after the hurrying boy, the crashing sounds -of whose movements could be heard for some moments following his -disappearance. Presently those sounds died out and silence fell upon the -woods. - -Shaking off his lethargy, Hooker rose. “Well,” he breathed, “what have -you got to say about that, Pipe?” - -Sleuth’s forehead was puckered in a momentary frown. Before answering, -he climbed to the bole of the tree and stepped down on the other side, -Roy following. - -“It simply confirms my theory,” announced Piper. “Fred is badly scared. -Somewhere yonder in these woods he lately parted from his brother, who -is wounded and a fugitive from justice. That’s quite enough to put -Fred’s nerves on the blink.” - -“But why is he running for home that fashion?” - -“For one reason, he doesn’t wish to be seen here in the woods by anyone -searching for the bank robbers. For another reason, he must remember -that there is a telltale pool of blood on the floor of his father’s -stable, every trace of which I’ll guarantee will soon be removed after -Fred gets home.” - -“I guess you’re right,” admitted Roy regretfully. “I’m sorry about this -business—mighty sorry.” - -“I, too, am sorry for Sage,” nodded Piper; “but in matters like this, -where justice and the rights of peaceable citizens are involved, -sentiment must be put aside.” - -“Fred’s a good fellow,” muttered Hooker. “We’ve been pretty chummy.” - -“Of course he’s a good fellow; nobody disputes that.” - -“But to think he has such a brother!” - -“That’s his misfortune, not his fault.” - -“And he’s trying to help the fellow escape.” - -“You’d do the same under similar circumstances, so don’t condemn him. -But while we’re gabbing here the fugitive is getting farther away. Of -course, if he’s badly hurt, as it seems he must be, he can’t cover -ground as fast as he otherwise might.” - -“We can’t find him in these woods; we might as well give up that idea.” - -“And give up all hope of copping the reward!” exclaimed Sleuth. “Not I. -The slope of Turkey Hill isn’t far away, and from it we can get a good -view of the swamp and the woods. Perhaps we’ll see something of the -fellow by climbing up there. Anyhow, it won’t take us far out of our -course, if we’re going to make for that old camp in the swamp, in which -I fancy our man, at Fred’s suggestion, may try to hide. Don’t quit. Come -on.” - -For a short distance Sleuth sought to retrace the trail made by Fred -Sage while hurrying homeward, but this was so slow and exasperating that -presently he abandoned the effort and made straight for Turkey Hill. -There the boys pantingly climbed the first steep slope, soon arriving at -a clearing upon the hillside where the timber had been cut away, leaving -an expanse of unsightly stumps. - -“From this spot,” reminded Piper, “Spotty Davis was seen when he shot -Berlin Barker’s hound. Use your eyes, Hooker. See if you can discover -anyone moving in the woods or the open places down yonder.” - -For some moments they searched the lower expanse of woods and clearings -with their eyes. - -“I don’t see a thing,” muttered Roy presently. “I don’t believe we’ll be -able to——” - -“Look at those crows yonder,” interrupted Sleuth, flinging out his hand. - -Some distance away, near the base of the hill to the westward, a number -of crows had suddenly risen into the air, cawing wildly. - -“We’re not hunting for crows,” reminded Hooker. - -“I’ve studied the habits of those birds,” asserted the amateur -detective, “and I’ll guarantee they’ve been suddenly alarmed by -something moving in the woods near by. Hear them cawing? Take it from -me, they are shouting in crow language: ‘Man! man! Here’s a man!’” - -“Oh, rot, Piper! You may be pretty wise about some things, but——” - -“_There he is!_” rasped Sleuth, suddenly seizing his companion’s arm and -pointing with the other hand. “I saw him—I saw him run across a little -opening! He’s coming back this way, too!” - -“Why—why should he do that?” wondered the bewildered Hooker. - -“Because, in all probability, he has discovered a posse of searchers -over yonder. He has been compelled to double back on his tracks. We may -be able to cut him off if we hustle.” - -Without waiting to see if Roy followed, Piper ran down across the -clearing, dodging hither and thither to avoid the stumps, and plunged -once more into the woods, setting a course calculated to intercept the -fleeing man. Once more he had drawn his revolver, which he carried in -his hand as he ran. - -Roy followed instinctively, although it must be confessed that he had -little relish for an encounter with a desperate criminal fleeing from -man-hunters. Sleuth was buoyed by excitement and a sort of fictitious -courage, which, possibly, might desert him in a twinkling when the -decisive moment came. On through the woods he darted, turning hither and -thither to avoid the denser thickets. His ears told him that Roy was -coming, and that was sufficient. Dead branches snapped beneath their -flying feet; in places fallen leaves were scattered with a swish and a -rustle; once or twice both lads felt their heart-strings tug as they -glimpsed black tree trunks, any one of which for a moment might have -been mistaken for a man. - -Suddenly they burst out into a rocky bit of pasture land, through which -ran a deep gully. And there, not thirty rods away, was the man! - -Evidently warned by the sounds they had made while running through the -woods, he was looking toward them when they appeared, and in every -respect his bearing was that of a creature hunted and nearly cornered. - -“Stop!” cried Sleuth, lifting the revolver and halting so suddenly that -Hooker nearly bumped against him. “Throw up your hands!” - -Instead of obeying, the man turned toward the gully and made a desperate -attempt to leap across it. Beneath his feet the ground gave way, and the -boys saw him disappear with one arm outflung, as if he had fruitlessly -clutched at the empty air. - -“Jerusalem!” burst from Roy’s lips. “He’s gone!” - -“And if that tumble doesn’t bump him some, I’m mistaken,” said Sleuth. -“We can get him before he recovers.” - -Nevertheless, he exhibited a certain amount of caution and apprehension -as he reached the gully and peered into it. - -“He may shoot,” called Hooker, holding back discreetly. - -“Not he,” exulted Sleuth. “Here he is! Come on; we’ve got him!” - -With seeming recklessness, Piper slid down into the gully, still -gripping his revolver in his right hand. - -“I never thought it of him,” said Roy, aghast—“never!” - -A moment later, peering downward, he saw the other boy bending over the -body of a man who lay amid some rocks at the bottom of the gully. - -“Come down,” called Piper chokingly, his voice husky and shaking with -excitement. “We’ve got him cold! He was knocked out, stunned by that -fall.” - -[Illustration: - - “HERE HE IS! COME ON; WE’VE GOT HIM!”—Page 242.] - -Hooker, his courage reviving, descended into the gully, bringing down -with him a small mass of loose earth and stones. He found Piper going -through the pockets of the unconscious man. - -“Here,” said Sleuth, passing over an automatic pistol, “take this thing, -Hook. We’ll render him helpless by disarming him so that he can’t do -much when he comes round.” - -“Hadn’t—hadn’t we better tie his hands behind his back?” faltered -Hooker. - -“If we have to, we will,” assured Sleuth; “but it will be liable to -cause him a great deal of suffering. You can see that he was shot in the -right arm and shoulder. That’s where old Quinn plugged him. His coat -sleeve is all bloody. The coat was removed while his wound was bandaged, -and his arm is hanging loose inside of it now. Certainly he couldn’t run -very fast that way. No wonder he didn’t get away.” - -“He isn’t—dead—is he?” whispered Roy, staring at the pale face of the -unfortunate wretch and noting a little trickle of blood which was -running down across the man’s temple from a cut higher up in the edge of -his scalp. - -“Oh, I guess not,” answered Piper, with an hysterical little gulp of -laughter. “He struck his head on the rocks down here when he fell, and -that put him to sleep for fair; but I’ll wager he’ll come round all -right pretty soon. This is a big piece of work for us, Hook, old pal. -Five hundred dollars for the capture of Mr. James Wilson, _alias_ -Gentleman Jim, won’t divvy up so bad between us. Eh? What?” - -“But is he—is he Gentleman Jim?” muttered Roy, staring at the man’s -face. “Have we got the right man?” - -“The right man?” echoed Piper. “He must be the right one, or Fred Sage -never would have tried to help him get away. Isn’t he the man you saw -and talked with in the woods beyond Culver’s Bridge?” - -“No, he’s not,” answered Roy positively. - -“Gee!” gasped Sleuth in dismay. “That’s queer!” - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV. - - SUSPICION. - - -“Not—not the man?” muttered Piper, still staring at the unconscious -captive. “Why, he must be the man—he must be! He can’t be anybody else.” - -“He’s not the one I talked with,” reiterated Hooker. “I never saw him -before. That man was larger, taller, better looking.” - -“Wait a minute,” said Sleuth, thrusting his hand into his pocket and -bringing out a clipping from a newspaper. “Here’s the description of -James Wilson. About twenty-six years of age, five feet ten inches in -height, weight one hundred and sixty pounds, hair slightly curly, eyes -blue, teeth white and even.” - -“Doesn’t come within a thousand miles of fitting this fellow,” asserted -Hooker. “This man is thirty-five, if he’s a minute. He doesn’t stand -more than five feet seven or eight, and he won’t weigh a pound over one -hundred and forty-five. His hair is coarse, black and bristly. Can’t see -the color of his eyes, but look at those teeth! You’d never call them -white and even, would you?” - -“I should say not,” acknowledged Piper, in a tone of profound regret. -“This isn’t Gentleman Jim, but it must be one of his pals. Do you -realize what that means, Roy?” - -“It means that we’ve caught the wrong bird and won’t get our fingers on -that reward money,” sighed the other boy regretfully. - -“It means,” said Sleuth grimly, “that Fred Sage was concerned in -assisting to escape a member of that gang, to whom he is in no way -related. It means that he’s an accomplice. There would be an excuse for -his aiding his brother, but not for rendering assistance to any other -member of the gang. It looks pretty bad for Fred.” - -“I can’t believe it,” muttered Roy—“I can’t believe he’d make himself -the accomplice of criminals.” - -“I don’t want to believe it, but what else are we to believe?” - -“I hope he can explain.” - -“_I_ hope he won’t have to.” - -“Look out, Pipe, this fellow is coming round.” - -The man’s breast heaved, and a faint groan issued from his lips, -following which his eyelids fluttered a bit and then lifted slowly. He -lay there staring dumbly at the two boys, each of whom menaced him with -a loaded pistol. For the time being he did not seem to realize what had -happened. - -“It’s no use to try to kick up,” Piper stated warningly. “We’ve got you, -and we’ll have to plug you if you try any tricks.” - -Slowly comprehension seemed to creep into the man’s brain, and presently -he made a weak effort, as if trying to sit up, but fell back with a -smothered cry that ended in a groan. - -“It’s pretty tough,” said Piper; “but you’ll have to make the best of -it, my man. Fellows engaged in your line of business have to take their -medicine when they run afoul of calamity. What’s your name?” - -Until Sleuth had repeated this question three times the man made no -attempt to reply. After the third demand he growled falteringly and -harshly: - -“None of your business.” - -“Thanks,” said Piper. “I guess your picture is in the rogues’ gallery -somewhere, and your identity will be learned all right when you’re -placed on trial. We’ve disarmed you so you can’t make any sort of a -fight of it, and we’re going to take you back to Oakdale. Our great -regret is that you’re not Gentleman Jim.” - -The man looked at them queerly. “Who’s Gentleman Jim?” he growled. - -“Bluff,” said Piper—“pure bluff. He’s your pal, and, doubtless, the -leader of the gang who broke into the Oakdale bank last night and blew -open the vault. Poor job, that. It’s tough to be pinched without ever -having lifted a dollar from that bank.” - -“You’re a wise young brat!” sneered the man. - -“Hark!” exclaimed Hooker at this moment, rising quickly to his feet. “I -hear voices. It must be some of the searchers.” - -“I hope so,” said Sleuth, who likewise could hear the sound of voices, -evidently approaching. “I’ll keep this fellow covered, Roy. See who they -are.” - -It proved to be a posse headed by Constable Abel Hubbard. From this -armed body of men the captive had fled, having discovered them ahead of -him in the woods. Hooker, seeing and recognizing the men, raised a shout -that brought them hurrying to the gully, and soon the two boys were -vainly trying to answer a score of questions hurled at them -promiscuously. - -“Well, I swan to man!” spluttered Constable Hubbard when he presently -understood the situation. “I swan to man, if these two younkers ain’t -ketched one of the rascals! That’s purty clever work for boys, feller -citizens.” - -With scarcely an exception they agreed that it was, and Sleuth and Roy -were showered with congratulations. - -“We’re rather glad you turned up, constable,” said Piper pompously. “It -relieves us of the trouble of marching this poor wretch back to the -lockup. We’ll turn him over to you with the understanding that we’re to -receive the reward, in case there’s one offered for his apprehension.” - -After a time the prisoner was lifted to his feet and boosted out of the -gully, to be marched away toward town by the rejoicing posse. The -shortest route was pursued, which led them down across the fields to the -Barville road and thence into Lake Street. - -Piper and Hooker followed. - -The appearance of the party in the village created a great sensation; -but when the citizens were informed that Sleuth and Roy had effected the -man’s capture, the sensation was even greater. The boys were plied with -questions. Hooker felt like running away, but Piper seemed to enjoy it -all hugely, and was tireless in describing how the man had been trailed, -although, for some reason, to the relief of his companion, he avoided -mentioning Fred Sage or speaking of the telltale pool of blood upon the -floor of Andrew Sage’s stable. - -The captive was confined under guard in the village lockup, and a doctor -was called to give his injury proper attention. - -The boys could not learn that anything further in connection with the -bank robbery had transpired. Several armed posses were still searching -in the vicinity of Oakdale, and the surrounding country and towns had -been warned by telephoning, which made it seem most improbable that the -associates of the captured burglar could escape. - -“I’m going home for breakfast,” Hooker finally announced. - -“I’ve just discovered that I’m hungry myself,” said Sleuth. - -At a street corner, having gotten away from the crowd, they paused a -moment. Piper, who had borne himself with no small amount of pride -beneath the eyes of the townspeople, now betrayed a disposition to be -somewhat downcast and gloomy. - -“Look here,” said Roy, “I took special notice that you didn’t mention -Fred Sage in connection with the matter. You dodged that, and so I kept -still, too.” - -“I was in hopes you’d follow my lead, Hook. Forgot to warn you until it -was too late.” - -“But what’s your idea in shielding Sage, if you think he’s guilty?” - -“Is he guilty?” - -“Why, you know it certainly seems that——” - -“It seems so,” nodded Piper; “but, still, I can’t bring myself to -believe that our respected schoolmate and comrade would make himself the -accomplice of criminals. I had this thing figured down to a fine point, -Roy, but I’m willing to admit that my calculations were decidedly upset. -I don’t want to make any charges against Fred until I talk with him face -to face.” - -“I’m glad,” breathed Roy—“I’m mighty glad of that. I thought you were -absolutely positive. I own up it does look queer for Fred, but perhaps -he can explain. I’m sure he can. I’ll go to him——” - -“No, you won’t,” interrupted Sleuth sharply. “You keep away from him, -Hooker. You let me do this. You’d make a mess of it. There are other -features of this affair that puzzle me a bit. For instance, there are -the missing securities. Queer business that a bank vault which was only -partly broken open should be discovered short to the extent of twenty -thousand dollars in negotiable securities.” - -“Haven’t you any theory at all, Sleuth?” - -“Only one. As long as I’ve trusted you this far, I may as well go the -limit. Swear silence.” - -“All right.” - -“Cross your heart.” - -“Here goes.” - -“Then listen,” whispered Sleuth, after an unnecessary glance around, as -if to make sure no one was within earshot. “I’ve never had much -confidence in that smug, smooth-faced, canting cashier, Timmick. I know -Urian Eliot trusts him, but I wouldn’t. I thought he acted queer while I -was watching him in the bank after the attempted robbery was -discovered.” - -“By Jove!” cried Hooker. “I’ve always said he was a sneak. I told Sage -so myself. You’ve hit it—I’ll bet you’ve hit it, Sleuth!” - -“Not so loud! Cautious! cautious!” warned Piper. “Now don’t forget your -oath. Don’t breathe this suspicion to a soul. If the robbers didn’t get -those securities last night, and it’s a certain fact that they didn’t, -someone removed them from the vault at an earlier date. The -investigation by the president and the directors led to the discovery -that they were gone.” - -“Timmick did it,” said Hooker. “He’s the man.” - - - - - CHAPTER XXV. - - THE BOY WHO ACTED GUILTY. - - -The bank officials were perplexed and mystified. With the arrival of -Urian Eliot the inner door of the vault had been opened by Timmick. It -was evident to them all that the looters had been driven away before -they could open this door, and therefore there was every reason to -believe that the contents of the vault would be found undisturbed. - -In order that a thorough examination might be made in the presence of -the president and the others, the cash and securities contained in the -various compartments of the vault had been removed and placed upon a -long oak table in the adjoining directors’ room. This done, the -officials gathered about the table and began the investigation, the -president, pencil in hand, checking everything off on a list that had -been furnished him by Timmick. - -Then it was that they were shocked to discover that twenty thousand -dollars’ worth of negotiable securities could not be found. The -suggestion that these securities had been overlooked sent Timmick and -one of the directors back to the vault, but without avail. In a few -moments the cashier and his companion returned, and Timmick’s face was -pale and his voice husky as he said: - -“Those securities must be here on this table. They’re not in the vault. -They must be here. They can’t be gone.” - -“We’ll go over the list again,” said Urian Eliot. “Let’s do it slowly, -carefully and systematically.” - -Their great care in this second inspection simply served to confirm the -fact that the securities were missing, whereupon Timmick collapsed upon -a chair, seemingly on the verge of fainting. - -“It’s awful—incomprehensible!” he whispered hoarsely, staring at the -faces of the other men. “I can’t understand it.” - -“Nor I,” snapped the little jeweler, rapping his knuckles sharply on the -table and facing the cashier with a piercing eye. “If you can’t explain -it, Mr. Timmick, I don’t know who can.” - -“Why—why,” faltered the distressed cashier, “I hope—you don’t mean, -sir——” - -“I’m sure Mr. Sprague will not be hasty with an insinuation,” -interrupted Urian Eliot. “I’m sure we all have the utmost confidence in -your integrity, Timmick.” - -It was noticeable, however, that none of the others said a word in -support of this assertion, and Mr. Lucius Timmick looked very ill indeed -by the white light of the shaded chandelier. - -It was some time after daylight before the officials came forth from the -bank and made inquiries concerning the search for the fugitive crooks. -Later they learned of the remarkable capture by two boys of the wounded -member of the gang, and when the prisoner had been attended by a -physician they sought to obtain some information from him by giving him -a mild sort of “third degree” treatment. The effort, however, resulted -most unsatisfactorily. The prisoner, stretched on a cot in the lockup, -grimly defied them and sullenly refused to answer a single question. - -“Aw, go on,” he growled. “You couldn’t make me snitch if you skinned -me.” - -“Your accomplices are certain to be captured,” asserted Lemuel Hayden. -“They can’t get away. It is your opportunity to obtain a little clemency -by confessing before any of the others do so.” - -“Bite it off,” advised the prisoner. “You’re wasting your wind, old -geezer. I never ties up with squealers.” - -About this time Roy Hooker, crowding down a breakfast rendered tasteless -by his excitement, was telling his astounded mother a story that made -her gasp and throw up her hands. - -“Mercy!” she cried, staring at him. “You caught one of the robbers—you -and Billy Piper? I never heard of such a thing! Two boys catching a -desperate burglar!” - -“We caught him,” laughed Roy, “though perhaps it wouldn’t have been so -easy, only he was pretty weak from his wound and the loss of blood.” - -“You’ll be killed some day, Roy,” prophesied his mother. “Now there’s -your father; I didn’t want him to go out with the men who are hunting -the robbers, but he just would go. I’m worried to death for fear he’ll -get shot or something.” - -“Wonder what he will say when he hears what Sleuth and I did,” chuckled -Roy, gulping down a final mouthful and pushing back from the table. “Bet -he don’t do as much.” He rose and grabbed his cap. - -“Where are you going now?” asked Mrs. Hooker apprehensively. “I won’t be -able to rest easy a minute.” - -“Oh, there’s something doing in Oakdale this morning. Only a dead one -could hang around home with so much going on. Don’t worry, mother; -nothing will happen to me. They ought to be marching in some of the -other crooks pretty soon, and I want to see ’em when they come.” - -Outside the house, however, he paused, as if doubtful concerning the -course he would pursue, and for some moments he seemed struggling with -contending desires. - -“Sleuth didn’t want me to see Fred,” he muttered. “He made me promise I -wouldn’t tell Sage anything. Fred’s my friend. If he’s mixed up in this -rotten business it’s a shame. I’d like to see him a minute; I must see -him. I won’t give anything away, but I’d like to see how he’ll behave. -I’m just going up to his house, that’s all.” - -Having arrived at this decision, he hurried up Willow Street, crossing -to Main only after the heart of the village had been left behind. As he -drew near the home of the Sages his pace slackened somewhat, and he -began to realize that he almost dreaded to meet Fred face to face. Even -when he had reached the proper point to turn in from the street he -hesitated and was almost tempted to retrace his steps. - -At that moment, as if he had seen Hooker, Fred came out of the house, -and Roy walked into the yard. - -“Hello, Hook,” said Sage. “What’s the latest? Have they caught any of -the robbers? My father is down town now.” - -It seemed rather singular to Hooker that Fred also was not in the -village, and, furthermore, Roy imagined he could perceive something -unnatural and distraught in his friend’s manner. - -“S’pose you’ve heard about Pipe and me?” said Roy. - -“No. I’ve been staying home with mother. She’s nervous. Father deposits -at the bank, you know, and he wanted to find out if there had really -been a robbery. What about you and Sleuth?” - -“We caught one of the gang,” announced the visitor proudly. - -“You—you did?” faltered Sage, seeming to stiffen a bit. “Really and -truly did you and Sleuth catch one of them?” - -“Really and truly, old man. We ran him down over behind Turkey Hill and -nabbed him. He’s in the lockup now.” - -“Back of Turkey Hill!” said Fred, a bit huskily, and the other boy -fancied his face lost color somewhat. “How—how did you do it?” - -“Oh, the fellow was wounded, and it wasn’t much of a trick. Old Quinn -blazed away blindly at the robbers when they ran, and he happened to hit -this one. Of course,” he continued, with a pardonable touch of pride, -“some folks seem to think we did quite a thing in nabbing him.” - -“I don’t wonder,” muttered Fred. “Tell me just how you did it.” - -With a sudden impulse, Roy strode past his companion, saying: “Come on -into the stable and I’ll tell you.” - -“We can talk just as well out here,” said Sage hastily. “Let’s not go in -there.” - -“But I want to go in there,” persisted Hooker, keeping on, although his -friend had grasped his arm. - -The sliding doors were now nearly closed, but Hooker thrust one of them -back sufficiently to enter, and Fred, ceasing to object, followed into -the building. - -At a glance Roy perceived a large damp spot upon the floor, where upon -his previous visit there had been a pool of blood. Every trace of the -blood stains was gone. Turning quickly to Sage, Hooker saw that he was -being watched narrowly, but instantly Fred’s eyelids drooped. - -“Sleuth was right in his suspicions, after all,” thought the visitor, -with sinking heart. “If there wasn’t something wrong, they’d never -removed those stains and kept still about it.” - -“Tell me,” urged Fred, “how you happened to find this wounded robber. -How did you trace him?” - -“I didn’t say we traced him.” - -“No, but I supposed—that is, I imagined you must have been led in some -way to search for him over by Turkey Hill.” - -“He’s in it—in it up to the neck,” thought Roy, almost bitterly. “It’s a -shame! He seemed like such a fine fellow!” - -“What’s the matter?” asked the other lad nervously. “Why don’t you tell -me all about it?” - -“Oh, yes, I—I will. You see, it was this way.” He began his story at the -point where he and Piper had discovered the fugitive from their position -in the clearing on the northern shoulder of the hill. In the midst of -the narrative, through which he was hurrying, the boys were startled by -the swift tread of feet, and a moment later several persons, led by -Constable Hubbard, entered the stable. - -“What—what is it?” demanded Fred Sage at sight of the men. “What are you -doing here?” - -“We’re a-looking for one of them there bank robber critters,” answered -the constable, “and for sartain reasons we’re led to believe he’s hiding -round these premises somewhere. The buildings are surrounded complete, -and he can’t git away.” - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI. - - ANOTHER CAPTURE. - - -Roy Hooker, interrupted in the midst of his narrative by the appearance -of the constable and the posse, was not a little startled, but his -dismay was nothing compared with that of Fred Sage. For a few moments -following the assertion of Abel Hubbard Fred apparently found it -impossible to speak, although he made an effort to do so. Recovering his -voice presently, he falteringly and huskily cried: - -“One of the bank robbers here? It’s impossible, Mr. Hubbard! You’re -certainly mistaken.” - -“Maybe so,” admitted the constable, rolling a quid of tobacco into his -plump cheek; “but we’ll see about that. I received notice that he was -here from a certain young feller that’s showed himself rather wise and -slick by ketching one of the bunch.” - -“By which,” said a voice, as Sleuth Piper stepped forward, “the worthy -officer refers to me.” - -“You!” gasped Fred, resentment mingling with his alarm. “You! I might -have guessed it! You’ve got a grudge against me, Piper, and you’ve made -all sorts of trouble for——” - -“I positively disclaim any personal animosity,” interrupted Sleuth. “I’m -simply doing my duty, that the ends of justice may be attained. I will -add, Sage, that I’m mighty sorry to see you involved.” - -Following this statement he turned somewhat savagely upon Hooker, to -whose side he quickly stepped. - -“You’re to blame,” he snapped in a low tone. “You forced me into this -sooner than I intended.” - -“_I_ did?” muttered Roy, astonished. “How?” - -“You broke your pledge to me. You forgot your solemn oath. I suspected -that you might, and, fortunately, I had my eyes open. I saw you skin up -here to tell Sage, and I lost no time in notifying the constable and -getting him to bring an armed party to search these premises.” - -“I’ll bet they don’t find anything,” said Hooker. “I hope not. If they -don’t, it will take some of the swelling out of your head.” - -“Time is val’able,” announced Abel Hubbard sagely, “so we’ll begin -s’arching right away. We’ll take the stable fust, and then we’ll go -through the house. Git at it, boys,” he commanded, with a wave of one -pudgy hand. - -The men started to obey, but before they could really begin the door of -the little granary at one side of the stable swung open, and a man -stepped out into view. - -“If you’re looking for me,” he said coolly, “you needn’t go any further; -but let me state right here that I was in no way concerned in that -attempted bank robbery.” - -“Clarence!” gasped Fred Sage. - -“The man I met in the woods!” burst from Hooker’s lips. - -“Gentleman Jim, or I’ll eat my hat!” exulted Piper. “Nab him, men! He’s -desperate! Don’t let him play any tricks!” - -Immediately the man, who was indeed the mysterious stranger with whom -Hooker had conversed, was covered by several loaded guns and commanded -to throw up his hands, an order which he disdainfully obeyed. - -“It won’t be necessary to shoot,” he said. “I sha’n’t offer the -slightest resistance.” - -“Keep him kivered,” fluttered Constable Hubbard—“keep him kivered till I -put the irons on him!” - -Producing a set of old-fashioned manacles, the excited constable -bunglingly snapped them upon the wrists of the man. - -“There!” he breathed in deep satisfaction; “we’ve got _you_, all right. -By golly! that boy Piper is a wonder.” - -“Constable,” said Sleuth, remindingly, “you mustn’t forget that it was -solely through information supplied by me that Mr. James Wilson, _alias_ -Gentleman Jim, was captured. I shall lay claims to the reward offered -for him.” - -“I guess you’ll git your share of it, if he’s the feller you think he -is.” - -“He’s nobody of the sort,” excitedly asserted Fred Sage. “He’s in no way -connected with the bank robbers. You’re making a dreadful blunder.” - -“Then what’s he doing, hiding here?” questioned Hubbard incredulously. -“Mebbe you can explain that.” - -“Yes, yes,” faltered Fred, “perhaps—I can.” - -“Don’t try it,” implored the prisoner quickly. “It won’t do any good, -Fred; they wouldn’t believe you. I should have gone away yesterday and -saved you all this trouble.” - -“It’s awful,” choked young Sage—“awful for you! Oh, what made you come -here at all!” - -“Simply because I was a fool and couldn’t keep away,” was the bitter -answer. - -“This ain’t no place to chin it over,” said the constable sharply. “It’s -my business to lodge this here gent in the lockup, and I’m going to do -so jest about as quick as I can.” - -“Wait a minute,” pleaded Fred. “My mother doesn’t know. She’s in the -house. Doubtless she’s in terror now because of all these armed men -around the place. Wait two minutes, until I can go inside and prevent -her from looking out of the window when you take Clar—this man away. -Won’t you do that much, Mr. Hubbard?” - -“I don’t see no reason why I shouldn’t. Go ahead, young feller, and -soothe down your mammy. I’ll give ye jest two minutes, and then we’ll -march this feller off to the caboose.” - -Flinging a final resentful look at Piper, Fred hurried into the house. -Sleuth, preening himself proudly, could not refrain from giving Hooker -another jab. - -“You did a good thing for yourself, Hook,” he sneered. “By going back on -me, you cut yourself out of any share in the reward money. We’ve got the -feller who calls himself James Wilson; there’s no doubt about that. -Furthermore, you must have observed that Fred called him Clarence, which -fully confirms my deduction that Clarence Sage is not dead, although an -unknown man was buried under that name.” - -“It looks as if you’re right, Pipe,” admitted Roy sadly; “but losing a -share of the reward don’t hurt me half as much as knowing what this -means to Fred and his folks.” - -“Time’s up,” announced Constable Hubbard, snapping shut the case of his -silver watch and dropping it into his pocket. “Come on, Mr. Crook; -for’ard, march!” - - - - - CHAPTER XXVII. - - THE TWO PRISONERS. - - -As the key rattled in the lock of the heavily barred door the wounded -prisoner looked up from the cot on which he was lying and saw the second -captive marched into the room by Constable Hubbard. - -“I guess,” said the constable, “I can chance it to take the irons off ye -while you’re in here, for we’ve got the place guarded by men who would -shoot ye quick as they’d spit if you ever did break out, which ain’t -nohow prob’le.” - -“Thank you,” said the man, as Hubbard removed the handcuffs. “I won’t -try to break out, I promise you that.” - -“And I’d be a fool if I took any stock in your promise,” said the fat -officer, as he backed out of the room, closing and relocking the door. - -With a grimace of pain, the wounded man lifted himself to a sitting -posture on the cot. The eyes of the two prisoners met. - -“So they nabbed you after all, Thirteen-thirteen,” said the first -prisoner. “Tough luck, old pal. I told yer to lay low.” - -The other man shrugged his shoulders. “I did,” he answered; “but they -surrounded the place and had me pinched, so there was no use trying to -make a run for it. If I’d tried that, the chances were a hundred to one -that the damage to your wing wouldn’t have been a patch compared to what -would have happened to me.” - -“Tough luck,” repeated the other. “But they can’t do anything to yer for -this job we made such a rotten mess of. I won’t forget how you tied up -this shoulder of mine, nor how the kid did his best to give me a show to -get away. I’ll swear you wasn’t mixed up in the job here.” - -The younger man smiled wearily. “It’s not fear of their nailing this -business onto me that gets me,” he said; “it’s the old case against me. -I was supposed to be dead and buried, you know. Yes, it’s tough luck. I -was born under an unlucky star on the thirteenth day of the month. In -prison I was ‘Number 1313,’ and that was a double sign of bad luck.” - -“You made a great break, you and your two pals. When they nabbed the -other pair and couldn’t find you, it seemed that all the luck was yours. -Course, arter I did my bit and was turned loose, I heard you had -croaked. When I was sitting on that box just at day peep trying to stop -the blood that was leaking out of me and you stepped out to give a hand -at the job, you certain looked like a ghost. I couldn’t believe you was -old Thirteen-thirteen till you owned up to it. Then the youngster come -on us, and we had to——” - -“That’s the thing I regret most. Look here, Riley, you owe me something, -don’t you?” - -“Anything you say, old pal.” - -“I bound up your wound the best way I could. My brother caught me at it. -Then we had to bring him into the business, knowing that the searchers -were likely to trace you to that place. If they did so, it was a sure -thing that I’d be nabbed, which must lead to the public knowledge that -Clarence Sage, escaped convict, had not been drowned in the Hudson. In -hopes of avoiding this, my brother guided you into the woods and helped -you as best as he could to get another start in your flight.” - -“The kid done his part all right, pal.” - -“Now I want you to do yours, Riley.” - -“Spiel it off. Lay it out. Put me on. What am I to do?” - -“Not one word about my brother and the part he played must escape your -lips. He did it for me, not for you, but you owe him this much: you must -protect him.” - -“Bank on it, cull—bank on it. They’ll never jimmy a word of it outer -me.” - -“Thanks,” said Clarence Sage, taking the single chair which the lockup -contained and seating himself near the cot. “That relieves my mind in a -measure. Fred’s a fine boy, and it would be a shame to have suspicion -fall on him. My misfortune has cast enough stigma on my unfortunate -family.” - -“Say, ’bo, there’s just one thing about you that I don’t like. You don’t -have to put up this misfortune bluff to me. Course it’s always hard luck -when we get laid by the heels on any little job, but seems to me you’re -throwing it out that you was on the level.” - -“I was,” asserted Clarence Sage grimly, almost fiercely. “I was -arrested, tried and convicted for a crime I never committed. If this -were not true, I wouldn’t think of saying so now. Somebody else looted -the bank, and I believe I know the man. It was on his testimony -principally that I was convicted. He saved himself, but the knowledge -that he sent an innocent man to Sing Sing may possibly have caused him -some uneasy and regretful moments.” - -“Well,” said Riley slowly, as he narrowly eyed his fellow prisoner, “you -spiels it like you was talking gospel. Mebbe it’s true.” - -“It _is_ true,” asserted Clarence Sage. “Think what it meant, Riley, not -only to me, but to my people. I have the finest mother a boy ever had. -The thought of her shame and suffering has been gall and wormwood to -me.” - -“My old mother,” said Riley, with a touch of sentiment, “was dead and -buried before I was pinched the first time, thank Heaven!” - -Sage bowed his head and spoke in a low tone, his gaze fixed upon the -floor. - -“It was to get another look at my mother’s face that I returned to -Oakdale. I was here a week ago, and I went away without obtaining a -glimpse of her. In all the years that I was supposed to be dead I have -carried her image in my heart, and it was the knowledge of her faith in -me—for she never believed me guilty—that kept me straight, I believe. -I’ve knocked about in many places and associated with all sorts of men, -some of them honest, but many more who were crooks. I’ve roughed it in -Alaska, sailed before the mast, starved and nearly died from fever in -the Philippines, tried my hand at coal mining in Australia; and through -it all the knowledge of my mother’s faith has kept me straight, even -though I’ve had many a chance to turn a good thing by crookedness. At -last, believing there was little danger, I came back and hunted for my -people. I found them here, and here I have likewise found my undoing.” - -“Tough luck,” said Riley again. “They’ll send you back to the jug.” - -“No doubt of it. I’ll have to serve out my term, with an additional -period hitched on to it because of my break. There’s water in my veins, -Riley; the dread of what I’m up against takes the heart out of me. -Perhaps you don’t know what it is to be sent to prison with the -knowledge that you’re innocent and serving time for the crime of another -man.” - -“It must be fierce,” said Riley sympathetically. “And you say he put it -on you at the trial? Pal, if I was in your boots, he’d get hisn some -day. When I’d done my turn and been discharged, I’d look the gent up and -hand him something he’d remember—if he was in shape to remember -anything.” - -“That would be poor satisfaction to me. It wouldn’t clear my name of the -crime. It might mean that I’d be sent up again for another, still -greater, crime. The only thing in this wide world that can ever give me -the least satisfaction is proof of my innocence. I’ve dreamed of -it—dreamed of it a million times. I’ve dreamed of standing before the -world free and exonerated. Of going to my old mother and feeling her -arms about my neck and her tears upon my cheeks, and hearing her glad -cry, ‘I knew it, my boy—I knew it!’ Nothing but that, Riley, can ever -satisfy me, and if there’s any justice under Heaven it will come some -day.” - -“I hope so, pal—I hope so,” said Riley, with genuine sympathy. “I’m just -a plain crook, and nothing else; but for an honest man to be marked as a -crook by the bulls and people in general—why, that’s blazes, sure.” - - - - - CHAPTER XXVIII. - - THE SHREDS OF HOPE. - - -During the time that Clarence Sage had been practically in hiding upon -the premises of his parents his mother had been wholly unaware of his -proximity. Resigned in her belief that her unfortunate son lay buried in -another state, Mrs. Sage had bravely endeavored to make the best of the -terrible affliction which had come upon her at a period of her life when -all things had seemed the most promising of happiness and prosperity. -Never for a moment, even after the jury had pronounced him guilty and he -had been sentenced to prison, had Mrs. Sage entertained a doubt -regarding the innocence of her older son. As far as possible the -newspaper reports of the young man’s escape from prison were kept from -her; but in time, when, many weeks later, Andrew Sage had viewed the -body of a man recovered from the Hudson and pronounced it that of -Clarence, it had been necessary to tell her the crushing and terrible -truth. - -For a time the poor woman was prostrated and under the constant care of -a physician. During that period the body of the drowned man was buried -and a tombstone bearing the name of Clarence Sage was placed over the -grave. - -With commendable knowledge of feminine nature, the physician, finally -perceiving that drugs or medicines of any sort would never help Mrs. -Sage, succeeded in rousing her by turning her mind from herself to her -husband; by leading her gradually to believe that the shock of the -tragedy had benumbed Andrew Sage and threatened to crush him entirely -unless something could be done to encourage him to brace up; by -convincing her that she alone could do this, and that it was her duty to -make the effort. - -The result was most surprising. The sick woman rose from her bed, and, -seconded by the younger son, set about the task of cheering and -encouraging the stricken father. She pleaded with him to turn his -thoughts from their dead son and to remember that Heaven had graciously -spared them another son, to whom they owed a duty which must not be -forgotten. She forced herself to smile, and in time the sunshine of that -smile, even though tempered a bit with the faintest cloud of sorrow, -which promised never wholly to leave her, drove most of the black -shadows of bitter resentment from the heart of old Andrew Sage. In time -they came to talk the matter over calmly, and decided to leave their -home in New York, where, were they to remain, they must be continually -reminded of that which they wished to forget, and move to some obscure -town in another state. - -And so it happened that, after many years of hardships and wandering and -constant yearning for the sight of his mother’s face, the young man who -was supposed to be dead traced them to that little town. Through a -window of the house he had tried to get a look at his mother, but had -been sent scurrying away by Fred, who, discovering the prowler, came out -and circled the buildings. - -That very night Clarence tramped onward to another village, resolved to -return no more to Oakdale. He had learned that his parents and his -brother were comfortably settled there and apparently peaceful and -happy, and he told himself that the knowledge was sufficient. - -But he had not seen his mother’s face, and each hour and each day the -yearning to do so grew stronger within him, until presently it made him -falter, broke his resolution and caused him to turn back. - -Fred, returning home from the disappointing duck hunt at Marsh Pond, was -seen by Clarence, who suddenly decided to let his brother know that he -still lived. The reader may imagine the state of mind into which this -meeting between the brothers threw Fred Sage. It was this mental -condition which caused his thoughts to wander in the football game that -afternoon and made him responsible for much of the bad playing and many -of the flukes which prevented the home team from piling up a bigger -score in the earlier stages of the game, and thus encouraged the -visitors to keep plugging with all the energy and aggressiveness they -could work up, until eventually they swept Oakdale down in defeat. - -For two nights Clarence Sage slept upon some blankets in the stable -granary. After seeing and talking with Clarence several times, Fred -decided that their father should be taken into the great secret—should -be told that the boy he thought dead was still living. - -“If I know father,” argued Fred, “and I think I do, it will do him a -heap of good. On the other hand, I’m just as sure that it would be a big -mistake to let mother know. She’d want you to stay near her, that she -might be able to see you, and she would live in constant terror lest the -truth become known and you were taken back to prison. She has struggled -hard to forget you in a way, Clarence—that is, to put you out of her -mind so that she might cease to brood over that dreadful thing.” - -Clarence agreed with Fred, and thus it came about that on Sunday old -Andrew Sage came to know the amazing truth that his unfortunate son -still lived. While Fred entertained his mother in the house the -bewildered father talked with Clarence in the stable. - -At first old Andrew had thought that his wife must be told, but it was -not difficult to convince him that this would be unwise. He spent as -much time as possible talking with Clarence, who told him briefly the -story of his experiences since escaping from prison, and together they -laid plans for the future. Only once did Clarence declare to his father -his innocence of the crime for which he had been convicted. Mr. Sage -checked him promptly, stating positively that such a protestation was -unnecessary, as he had never permitted himself for a single instant to -entertain any doubts upon that point. - -Clarence thought of going away Sunday night, but he had no money in his -pocket, and, learning this, his father practically commanded him to wait -until Monday, when he would draw from the bank and furnish the wanderer -with funds, which might be taken as a loan and repaid when convenient. -Thus it happened that Clarence lingered, finally to be captured as one -of the bank robbers by Constable Hubbard. - -As he had expected, when he hurried into the house to quiet her -apprehensions, Fred found his mother much disturbed by the presence of -the armed men whom she had seen through the windows. - -“What does it mean, my boy?” she asked, her face quite pale. “Why are -they here?” - -“They’re hunting everywhere for the bank robbers, you know,” was the -answer. “There’s no telling where the scoundrels may have taken refuge.” - -“But not here—they can’t expect to find any of them here!” - -“Perhaps they don’t really expect to find them, but they can’t afford to -overlook the possibility. Why, what’s happened out here?” As he uttered -this exclamation he hurried to a window at the back of the house and -peered through it, pressing his face against the glass. - -The little subterfuge was sufficient. His mother likewise hastened to -the window and looked forth, questioning him agitatedly. - -“Two of the men out there—I saw them running, I thought,” he answered. -“They were running toward the corner. I didn’t know but they had seen -something. Look, mother, at that big tree at the edge of the orchard. -Father had to prop the limbs up when it was loaded with fruit. It must -be pruned.” In this manner he kept her at the window until he was quite -certain that the men with the prisoner had vanished down the road toward -town. - -Afterward he waited with no small impatience for the return of his -father from the village. He did not contemplate for a moment leaving his -mother alone. Ordinarily he might have done so, but, now that she knew -of the attempted bank robbery and had seen the armed man-hunters, she -was pitifully pale and almost bordering upon complete collapse. Fred -knew that her mind had been led to thoughts of Clarence and what he must -have suffered in prison and as a fugitive with the armed guards hunting -him across the frozen bosom of the Hudson. - -Fred’s own mind was in a scarcely less tumultuous and painful condition, -but he tried his best to lead his mother’s thoughts into pleasanter -channels. All the while, having placed himself where he could watch the -road, he waited for the coming of his father. - -In time Andrew Sage appeared, walking briskly, although his shoulders -were a trifle stooped. At once Fred made an excuse and hurried to meet -his father. - -As the boy drew near, he became assured by the old man’s appearance that -he did not know that Clarence had been taken. - -“Father,” said Fred hurriedly, “I want a word with you before you go -into the house. Something has happened.” - -“What is it?” asked Andrew Sage, a sudden shadow of apprehension -clouding his face. “Uncle Ed Tower just told me that another one of the -robbers has been caught.” - -“Father,” said Fred, standing with his back toward the house, “what I am -going to tell you will be a shock, and it’s possible that mother is -watching us from the window. You must not let her see that you’re -affected.” - -The man’s face grew suddenly ashen. - -“Clarence?” he muttered hoarsely. - -“Do brace up,” urged Fred. “They came here to search for one of the -robbers. They had been told that he was hiding in our stable.” - -“And they found Clarence?” - -“Yes. He gave himself up when he realized that it was useless to try to -hide.” - -“But—but he had—nothing to do with the attempted robbery. They had no -right to touch him for that. Didn’t he tell them?” - -“What good would that have done, father? He was found concealed in our -stable, and he’s a stranger in this town. You can see that no -explanation he could possibly make would keep them from locking him up.” - -“But they have no right to touch him!” cried Mr. Sage, with a sudden -vehement gesture. - -“Steady, father. Remember about mother. She does not know. I kept her -diverted while they took him away. You must be strong. We must continue -as long as possible to hide the truth from her.” - -“But it will all come out now,” groaned the old man, his shoulders -drooping more than ever. “It’s my fault—my fault! Why didn’t I let the -boy go yesterday? I am to blame!” - -“No one is to blame, father. It’s just fate. It had to come.” - -“But—but if they find he’s not one of the robbers—if he can prove that -he’s not,” said Andrew Sage eagerly, “perhaps they will let him go.” - -“That’s my only hope, and it’s a slim one, father. We mustn’t base too -much upon it.” Even as he said this, Fred realized how futile that hope -was. For had not Sleuth Piper, by prying and spying, learned the truth, -which would mean full exposure for Clarence? Still, it was not best to -let Andrew Sage know at present how desperate the situation was. - -“I’m going into town and see what can be done,” said Fred. “You’re -completely upset, father, but still you must keep it from mother. If -they capture the other robbers there may yet be a chance—a very small -chance—for Clarence.” - -“It’s fate,” mumbled Mr. Sage, repeating the words the boy had spoken a -few moments before—“fate! It would have been better had he never come -here; better had he left us in ignorance that he was alive.” - -He swayed, and Fred clutched his arm, again entreating him to brace up. - -“I’m tired, tired!” sighed old Andrew Sage, his face drawn and haggard. -“I must rest.” - -Alarmed, Fred said, “I’ll help you to the house.” - -In a moment, however, Mr. Sage drew himself up and protested that he -needed no assistance. - -“Your mother, boy—your mother,” he murmured. “She will see and be -frightened. I’m all right now; I’m strong. You see what more you can -learn, and if it’s anything favorable let me know as soon as possible. -Look! You can see that I’m all right now. Go!” - -Bravely, sturdily he started onward toward the house, even turning to -wave his hand and throw the boy a mock smile, which at that distance -might deceive the eyes of the woman within the house. - -After watching the old man for a few moments, Fred turned toward the -village, breaking into a run ere he had passed beyond sight of his home. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIX. - - A CONCESSION FROM SLEUTH. - - -In a way, business in Oakdale was suspended, or, perhaps it should be -said that it had not really begun for the day. On the street corners -groups of men and boys discussed the recent exciting events and -speculated over the probability of quick capture of the robber or -robbers who still remained at large; for it was believed that at least -three men had been concerned in the effort to plunder the bank. Somehow, -it had leaked out that a part of the bank funds were missing, and of -course this created an additional volume of gossip and speculation. - -Fred, searching for Sleuth Piper, was hailed by various schoolboy -friends, but, further than to make inquiries regarding Sleuth, he had no -time for them. At last he found the boy he sought, who was on his way to -the office of the village lawyers. - -Sleuth turned and waited as Fred called his name and came hurrying up. - -“I want to see you, Piper,” said Sage. “I want a little private talk -with you.” - -“I’m pretty busy,” returned Sleuth; “but I presume I can spare you a -little of my valuable time. Of course I can imagine what you’re after, -but I’m afraid it won’t be any use, old fellow. I’m sorry for you, -but——” - -“Oh, yes, you are—_not_,” flung back Fred scornfully. “After what you’ve -done——” - -“Now wait; stop right there,” interrupted Sleuth. “I’ve simply done my -duty, although in your position you may not regard it as such. If my -brother was a bank robber and an escaped convict, perhaps I’d feel hard -toward anyone who tried to send him back to prison, but at the same time -I’m sure my sense of justice——” - -“Bosh! That sort of tommyrot gives me a cramp. Besides, my brother is an -innocent man.” - -Sleuth lifted his eyebrows and shrugged incredulously. - -“He’s innocent, I tell you!” panted Fred fiercely. - -“It looks that way, don’t it!” said the young amateur detective, unable -in spite of his professed sympathy for Sage, to repress a slight sneer. - -“No, it doesn’t look that way,” admitted the other boy. “I own up that -it must seem that he’s surely guilty. Here come some people, Piper. -They’ll stand around and listen. We can’t talk here. Won’t you come with -me some place where we’ll be by ourselves, with no rubbernecks around?” - -Sleuth hesitated a moment. “I can see the lawyers later,” he muttered -presently. “As long as it’s you, Fred, and you’re so badly broken up, -I’ll do what you want, though again I must say I’m sure it’s useless.” - -When Sile Crane and Chub Tuttle attempted to follow them as they turned -down the street Fred whirled and almost snarled: - -“What do you fellows want? Can’t you let us have a little private talk?” - -“Lordy!” gasped Tuttle. “Don’t snap anybody’s head off. Haven’t you had -breakfast? Here, take some peanuts.” - -Disdaining this placating offer, Fred strode away at Sleuth’s side. -Reaching the bridge, they paused. - -“I hope you’re not going to appeal to me from the standpoint of -friendship,” said Piper. “You must realize that it’s too late now, old -man. Your brother is captured, and I can do nothing. I expect to receive -the reward offered for his apprehension.” - -“The offer was withdrawn long ago, when it was supposed that he had been -drowned in the Hudson.” - -“Oh, I don’t mean that; I mean the reward offered for the party known as -James Wilson, or Gentleman Jim.” - -“Piper, you’re on the wrong track. My brother is not Gentleman Jim.” - -Again Sleuth shrugged. Slipping his hand into his pocket, he drew forth -the printed description of James Wilson which he had clipped from the -newspaper. - -“This fits him to a tee,” he said. “He must be the man.” - -“I admit that, in a way, the description of Wilson seems to fit my -brother, but still, I maintain that they are two different men, Piper. -You’ll find it out, too, if this Wilson was concerned in the attempt on -the bank last night and he does not escape the men who are hunting for -him. My brother had no hand in that business.” - -“How do you know that?” - -“How do I know? Why, he—he came here alone; came to get a glimpse of the -mother whose heart was so nearly broken over his terrible misfortune. -Oh, Sleuth, you can’t realize what you’ve done! You pried into our -secret. There are few families so fortunate that they have no secret -they wish to keep hidden from the general public.” - -“I won’t argue about that,” said Piper, returning the newspaper clipping -to his pocket, “for it can have no bearing on the situation. You say -your brother was not concerned in the attempt to rob the Oakdale bank. I -ask, how do you know? He was here, wasn’t he? He was hidden in your -stable. Of course he told you that he came here to see your mother. -That’s a plausible story. But how do you know he didn’t come here to -take a hand in that bank cracking? While you were asleep in your bed -last night, he was helping his pals cut their way into the bank and blow -open the vault.” - -“No—I tell you no!” contradicted Fred, his hands working convulsively, -as if he longed to choke the other boy. “Clarence never did a -dishonorable or criminal thing in his life. After his escape from prison -he fled to the West, and, while this man called Gentleman Jim has been -making himself notorious as a crook, Clarence has been in Alaska and -Australia. He has but lately returned to this part of the country.” - -“How do you know?” persisted Sleuth, unshaken in his position. “Of -course that’s the story he told you. Naturally, he’d lie to you.” - -Fred’s chest rose and fell; his teeth were set and his nostrils dilated; -his appearance was so ominous that Piper shrank away. - -“’Twon’t do you any good to jump on me,” spluttered Sleuth. “If your -brother wasn’t one of that gang, how did it happen that the wound of the -other chap who was captured was bound up in your stable? How did it -happen that you led him into the woods, in order that he might have a -chance to get away?” - -“I’ll tell you,” answered Fred, after exhaling a long breath that seemed -to relieve in a degree the tension of his nerves. “My brother knew that -man in prison. The man’s name is Riley. When Riley sought shelter in our -stable my brother saw him sitting there on a box and trying weakly to -staunch the flow of blood. Clarence came out and gave a hand to bind up -Riley’s wound. About that time some men searching for the robbers passed -our house, and we learned what had happened. I went into the stable and -came upon Clarence and Riley. Of course it was necessary for them to -tell me how matters stood. In a moment I realized the danger to my -brother—the terrible danger of having Riley traced there and captured on -the premises. I knew what I was doing when I guided the man into the -woods, but I did so for my brother’s sake.” - -Sleuth shook his head. “Too bad—too bad you had to do that, for it makes -you sort of an accomplice. However, Sage, even though you thought me -your bitter enemy and I knew just what you now own that you did, I -haven’t breathed a word that would bring suspicion of this matter upon -you. I’ve pledged Hooker to keep still. He’s your friend, and that fact -ought to help keep his mouth buttoned up.” - -“As long as you’ve done this much, why won’t you do something more? It’s -doubtful if the people here know anything of my brother’s history, and -so, if it’s shown that he was not connected with last night’s affair, he -may be released. They are still searching for the robbers who have not -yet been taken. Now if those men are captured and one of them proves to -be Gentleman Jim, you’ll see what a blunder you’ve made. It can do you -no good to expose my brother and send him back to Sing Sing. Before -telling what you know about him, won’t you wait to see if one of these -other burglars may not be Gentleman Jim? If you refuse to do that, I’ll -know that your behavior toward me was prompted by pure animosity, and -nothing else.” - -“You’re hanging on to a false hope, Sage,” said Sleuth, after a moment -or two of consideration; “but, seeing it’s you, I’ll agree to keep mum -for a while. That won’t hurt me, for your brother is safe in custody and -can’t get away. When the robbers are captured and you’re satisfied that -your brother is the only one of the bunch who could possibly be -Gentleman Jim, I shall tell the authorities everything. You can’t ask me -to do otherwise under those circumstances.” - -“You’ve agreed to do all I expected of you—and more,” acknowledged Fred -in relief. “I—I thank you, Piper.” - -“Don’t,” said Sleuth. “Some day you’ll understand that there was not an -atom of animosity or spite in my heart. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll go -see those lawyers. And don’t worry, I won’t blow until I’ve seen you -again.” - -A short time later Fred Sage presented himself at the lockup, where he -tried to get a word with Clarence, but admission was denied him. Ere -returning home, more from habit than otherwise, he called for mail at -the post-office and was given a letter addressed to his father. Not -until he had nearly reached his home did he observe that the envelope -bore the postmark of Rutledge, New York, and that the names of “Jorlemon -& Gates, Attorneys-at-Law,” were printed upon it. - -Jorlemon and Gates were the lawyers who had defended Clarence Sage at -his trial. - - - - - CHAPTER XXX. - - THE TRUTH AT LAST. - - -Old Andrew Sage uttered a choking cry and fell back on his chair, the -letter he had been reading fluttering from his nerveless fingers and -dropping upon his lap. - -Startled, Mrs. Sage hastened toward her husband, and Fred sprang -forward, crying: - -“What is it—what is it, father? What’s the matter? Are you ill?” - -No wonder he asked the question, for Mr. Sage’s face was white as chalk -and he was gasping painfully, as if he found it difficult to breathe. - -“Get some water quick, Fred,” urged Mrs. Sage, bending over her husband. - -In a moment Fred had brought a glass of water, and Andrew Sage took a -swallow or two, which seemed to revive him in a measure. - -“The letter,” he whispered hoarsely, peering from beneath his -spectacles—“where’s the letter?” - -“Here it is, father.” - -“Read it, boy—read it!” almost shouted the old man. “Read it aloud, that -your mother may hear. It doesn’t seem possible! It’s Heaven sent at this -moment!” - -Wonderingly Fred picked up the typewritten missive and began to read it -aloud: - - - “DEAR MR. SAGE: - - It is possible that you have not yet heard of the death of - George Barrows, late cashier of the First National Bank of - Rutledge. Mr. Barrows died yesterday, and, when he knew beyond - doubt that there was no hope for him, he sent for me to come to - his bedside and bring with me a stenographer. I complied, and in - the privacy of the unfortunate man’s death chamber I listened to - a most astounding confession which absolutely clears the name of - your unfortunate dead son from the stigma of the crime for which - he was convicted and sent to Sing Sing.” - - -At this point it was necessary for Fred to give his mother assistance -and aid her into her own special rocking-chair. The moment she was -seated, however, she begged him to go on with the letter. - - - “We have now in our possession (Fred read on), a full and - complete typewritten confession of the crime, in which Barrows - took the entire guilt upon his own shoulders. Before the man - passed away, we had this typewritten document read to him in his - presence and sworn to before a notary. The document is secure in - our private safe, and it can be made public at any time you - choose. Although, most unfortunately, this confession comes too - late to do your misjudged son any good, it, nevertheless, must - give you no small degree of satisfaction and happiness. If you - desire, Mr. Gates will come to you personally with the - confession and place it in your possession, it seeming unwise to - us to trust in the slightest degree to the uncertainty of the - mails. - - Permit us, my dear sir, to offer you and your good wife our - most heartfelt congratulations. - - Sincerely yours, - HENRY D. JORLEMON.” - - -The excitement and joy produced by the reading of this astounding letter -was unbounded. Amid tears and laughter the members of the little family -embraced one another again and again, and finally, when a little -calmness had come upon them, they knelt while Andrew Sage offered up a -prayer of thanksgiving which came from the deepest chamber of his -overflowing heart. - -The moment the prayer was ended Fred leaped to his feet, kissed his -mother, turned to his father and cried: - -“You tell her, father. I’m going back into the village. I’m going to -take this letter. You tell her the wonderful truth.” - -The door slammed behind him, and away he went as fast as his legs could -carry him. And thus it happened that the parents of the young man who -had been falsely convicted of a crime were alone together when old -Andrew Sage broke the marvelous tidings that Clarence Sage lived and was -even then in that town. - -Racing into the village in search of Piper, Fred was just in time to see -Sheriff Pickle and a large body of men conducting toward the lockup two -tattered and battered men, the associates of the wounded burglar, who -had been captured only after a hot pursuit and a desperate fight. - -The morning train had brought into Oakdale a slim, smooth-faced, quiet -man in dark clothes, who had seemed greatly interested in the story of -the attempted bank robbery. This man was also on hand when Pickle -appeared with the prisoners, and with an air of authority he forced his -way through the posse until he almost touched one of the captives, whom -he surveyed with no small amount of satisfaction. - -“Hello, Wilson,” he said. “You seem to have made a bad mess of this -job.” - -“Here! here!” cried the deputy sheriff, attempting to thrust the -stranger back. “None of that! Keep away! What do you mean, men, by -allowing anyone to approach the prisoners this fashion?” - -“Keep your clothes on, my friend,” advised the stranger, giving Pickle a -look in which disdain and amusement seemed mingled. “You’ll get your -share of the reward for capturing Gentleman Jim, but I’ll take him back -to York State.” - -“Who are you?” - -“My name is Burke Sheldon, and I’m a detective.” Saying which, he -flipped open his coat and displayed a badge that caused Mr. Pickle to -gasp and touch his hat with a sudden show of great respect. “I was -pretty close on this man’s heels. His pals are likewise wanted. See that -you hold them tight and fast, officer, until I secure the needed -requisition papers.” - -Now Sleuth Piper had not been far away when the new captives arrived, -and, crowding close in the throng that surrounded the posse, he heard -the words of Detective Sheldon. - -“Great scissors!” he muttered, aghast. “Is _that_ Gentleman Jim?” - -Fred Sage had followed Sleuth into the thick of the crowd, and he -proceeded to lay a hand on the shoulder of the bewildered boy. - -“_That’s_ Gentleman Jim,” he palpitated exultantly. “Now you see what a -blunder you made. Luckily, you promised to keep still until these men -were caught.” - -“It don’t seem possible!” muttered Piper sorrowfully. “I don’t see how I -could have missed fire in my deduction.” - -“Come with me a minute,” urged Fred. “I’ve got something to show you. I -want to prove to you that my brother told the truth when he declared his -innocence.” - -Seemingly dazed and crushed, Sleuth permitted Fred to drag him from the -crowd, and when he had read the letter from Jorlemon and Gates he was a -very sick-looking chap indeed. For some moments he stood with his hands -sunk deep in his pockets, his head drooping and his eyes fixed upon the -ground. Presently, kicking weakly at some pebbles, he began to speak. - -“I had that five hundred dollars pretty well spent,” he said. “I’d -bought everything with it from a new pair of skates to an automobile. -And now I don’t get a red cent!” - -Then, as Fred was about to say something bitter and cutting, Piper -braced up suddenly. - -“Look here, old man,” he exclaimed, with an air of sincerity that surely -seemed genuine, “for all of my confidence that I had that money as good -as nailed, I’ve been feeling pretty rotten. I don’t suppose you believe -me, but it’s a fact. I’ve been mighty sorry about the whole business -since you talked to me a while ago at the bridge. Now, even though I’ve -lost the five hundred, I’m feeling better. Say, Fred, you must be ready -to blow up with joy. Just think of it! Your brother is alive, and he’s -innocent. You have the proof. Old fellow, I congratulate you.” - -“Thanks,” returned Fred, a bit coldly. “I’m glad you have the decency to -say that much.” - -“There’s only one hope left for me now,” said Sleuth. “The bank is out -twenty thousand dollars in securities, and I believe I can put my hand -on the thief. Anyhow, that will be a feather in my cap.” - - * * * * * - -At eleven o’clock that forenoon, while the officials of the bank were in -consultation in the directors’ room, the door-man appeared and stated -that there was a boy outside who insisted that he could tell who had -robbed the institution. - -“It’s one of the boys who helped catch the wounded burglar,” he said. -“His name is Piper.” - -“Admit him,” directed Urian Eliot. - -Sleuth entered, bearing himself well. His eyes roved swiftly over the -assembled officials until they rested upon Lucius Timmick, who sat -huddled on a chair at one side of the great oak table. - -“What is this you claim, my boy?” asked Mr. Eliot. “Do you pretend to -say that you know who robbed the bank?” - -“Yes, sir,” answered Sleuth positively, “I’m dead certain I can point -out the man. He’s in this very room.” - -While the electrified assemblage gasped over this statement, there came -a sudden disturbance outside the door, which was violently flung open to -admit Captain Quinn, who was threatening with his cane the door-man as -the latter tried to collar him. - -“Keep away, you swab!” roared the old sailor. “I tell you I’ve got -business in here. Put your hands on me and I’ll mop the deck with you!” - -“He—he would come in, gentlemen,” said the door-man, seeking to excuse -himself for the interruption. - -“You bet I would!” rasped Quinn. “And if I’d had a marlin-spike instead -of this cane, I’d busted your head when you tried to put your dirty -hooks on me! I guess I’ve got something that belongs aboard this here -craft. I caught my monkey, Jocko, hiding it in my bunk. I reckon the -little rat must have come in here through the busted winder and swiped -the stuff, and I suppose in the excitement nobody saw him. Here it is.” - -He pulled a thick package from his pocket and flung it down upon the -table. Timmick, leaping from his chair, seized the package and took one -look at it. Then he uttered a joyful shout. - -“The missing securities!” he cried. “Here they are! That lets me out.” - -It likewise let Sleuth Piper out. At any rate, in the midst of the -confusion attendant upon the return of the securities Sleuth slipped -through the open door and made all possible haste to leave the bank. - -Some time later Rod Grant found Piper leaning on the railing of the -bridge and gazing gloomily down at the icy waters of the river. Sleuth -did not even look around when Rod slapped him on the shoulder, crying: - -“What are you thinking about, you great detective—jumping into the -drink? Going to commit suicide?” - -“I will admit,” answered Piper in a doleful voice, “that such black -thoughts have percolated through that empty chamber where up to the -present date I’ve supposed my brains were located.” - -“What’s the matter?” persisted Grant. “Why, you’re one of the heroes of -the hour. You and Hooker caught one of the burglars——” - -“After he had tumbled into a gully and bumped himself as helpless as a -dead flounder,” returned Sleuth, with unspeakable self-scorn. “A great -piece of work, that! Hook may feel chesty over it, but not I. Leave me, -Rodney—leave me to my sorrow. Let me suffer alone and in silence.” - - * * * * * - -Thus the Great Oakdale Mystery was cleared up to the satisfaction of -all, for in time even Sleuth Piper professed to be rejoiced, and his -profession was accepted as genuine by Fred Sage, whose own great -happiness would not permit him to hold hard feelings toward anyone. - -Clarence Sage, cleared of any suspicion of complicity in the attempted -robbery of the Oakdale bank, soon went to Rutledge, where Jorlemon and -Gates took up his case, and, with the aid of the dead cashier’s -confession, quickly obtained for Clarence the governor’s pardon. - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - -Transcriber’s note: - - Punctuation has been standardized. Minor spelling and typographic - errors have been corrected silently, except as noted below. - - On page 66, "reëntered" was changed to "reentered", as other uses of - the word "enter" does not use the diacritic e. - - On page 273, "ring" was changed to "bring". The original text was: - Then we had to ring him into the business - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GREAT OAKDALE MYSTERY*** - - -******* This file should be named 50792-0.txt or 50792-0.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/0/7/9/50792 - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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border:0px solid black;} - div#fig03 img {padding:5px; border:1px solid black;} - div#fig04 img {padding:5px; border:1px solid black;} - div#fig05 img {padding:5px; border:1px solid black;} - - h1.pg { font-weight: bold; - font-size: 190%; } - h2.pg { font-weight: bold; font-size: 135%; } - hr.full { width: 100%; - margin-top: 3em; - margin-bottom: 0em; - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; - height: 4px; - border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ - border-style: solid; - border-color: #000000; - clear: both; } - </style> -</head> -<body> -<h1 class="pg">The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Great Oakdale Mystery, by Morgan Scott, -Illustrated by Charles L. Wrenn</h1> -<p>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States -and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no -restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at <a -href="http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you are not -located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this ebook.</p> -<p>Title: The Great Oakdale Mystery</p> -<p>Author: Morgan Scott</p> -<p>Release Date: December 30, 2015 [eBook #50792]</p> -<p>Language: English</p> -<p>Character set encoding: UTF-8</p> -<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GREAT OAKDALE MYSTERY***</p> -<p> </p> -<h3 class="nf-center">E-text prepared by<br /> - Stephen Hutcheson, Rick Morris, Rod Crawford, Dave Morgan,<br /> - and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> - (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3> -<p> </p> -<hr class="full" /> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<div id='fig00' class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div id='fig01' class='figcenter id002'> -<img src='images/frontispiece.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p><span class='small'>“POINT, ROY—POINT!” CALLED SAGE, SOFTLY. —Page 11.</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div> - <h1 class='c001' title='The Great Oakdale Mystery'><span class='xlarge'>THE GREAT <br /> OAKDALE MYSTERY</span></h1> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><span class='small'>BY</span></div> - <div>MORGAN SCOTT</div> - <div><span class='xsmall'>AUTHOR OF “BEN STONE AT OAKDALE,” “BOYS OF OAKDALE</span></div> - <div><span class='xsmall'>ACADEMY,” “RIVAL PITCHERS OF OAKDALE,”</span></div> - <div><span class='xsmall'>“OAKDALE BOYS IN CAMP,” ETC.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div id='fig02' class='figcenter id003'> -<img src='images/logo.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div>NEW YORK</div> - <div><span class='large'>HURST & COMPANY</span></div> - <div>PUBLISHERS</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div><span class='small'>Copyright, 1912,</span></div> - <div><span class='xsmall'>BY</span></div> - <div><span class='small'>HURST & COMPANY</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_3'>3</span>CONTENTS</div> - </div> -</div> - -<table class='table0' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='16%' /> -<col width='72%' /> -<col width='10%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>CHAPTER</td> - <td class='c005'></td> - <td class='c006'>PAGE</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>I.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapI.'><span class='sc'>The Hunters</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>5</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>II.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapII.'><span class='sc'>The Mysterious Stranger</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>17</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>III.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapIII.'><span class='sc'>The Home of the Sages</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>28</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>IV.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapIV.'><span class='sc'>A Man “Wanted”</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>40</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>V.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapV.'><span class='sc'>By the Light from the Window</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>54</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>VI.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapVI.'><span class='sc'>Captain Quinn’s Monkey</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>68</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>VII.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapVII.'><span class='sc'>Annoying Attentions</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>79</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>VIII.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapVIII.'><span class='sc'>Hooker has a Plan</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>89</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>IX.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapIX.'><span class='sc'>The Camp in the Woods</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>99</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>X.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapX.'><span class='sc'>A Perplexing Question</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>109</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>XI.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapXI.'><span class='sc'>The Hidden Sportsmen</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>118</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>XII.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapXII.'><span class='sc'>Disappointed Duck Hunters</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>132</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>XIII.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapXIII.'><span class='sc'>The Tardy Quarterback</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>141</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>XIV.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapXIV.'><span class='sc'>The First Quarter</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>151</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>XV.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapXV.'><span class='sc'>The Player Who Blundered</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>159</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>XVI.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapXVI.'><span class='sc'>Remarkable Behavior of Sage</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>169</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>XVII.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapXVII.'><span class='sc'>Work of the Young Detective</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>176</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>XVIII.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapXVIII.'><span class='sc'>Sleuth’s Astonishing Theory</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>187</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>XIX.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapXIX.'><span class='sc'>The Night Alarm</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>197</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>XX.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapXX.'><span class='sc'>In the Bank</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>204</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><span class='pageno' id='Page_4'>4</span>XXI.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapXXI.'><span class='sc'>What Sleuth Learned</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>213</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>XXII.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapXXII.'><span class='sc'>Following the Trail</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>222</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>XXIII.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapXXIII.'><span class='sc'>The Capture</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>235</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>XXIV.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapXXIV.'><span class='sc'>Suspicion</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>245</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>XXV.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapXXV.'><span class='sc'>The Boy Who Acted Guilty</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>255</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>XXVI.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapXXVI.'><span class='sc'>Another Capture</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>265</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>XXVII.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapXXVII.'><span class='sc'>The Two Prisoners</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>271</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>XXVIII.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapXXVIII.'><span class='sc'>The Shreds of Hope</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>279</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>XXIX.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapXXIX.'><span class='sc'>A Concession from Sleuth</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>291</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>XXX.</td> - <td class='c005'><a href='#chapXXX.'><span class='sc'>The Truth at Last</span></a></td> - <td class='c006'>301</td> - </tr> -</table> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div>ILLUSTRATIONS</div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c007' /> -<table class='table1' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='72%' /> -<col width='27%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c005'><a href='#fig01'>“Point, Roy—point!” called Sage softly.</a></td> - <td class='c008'><i>Frontispiece</i></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'></td> - <td class='c008'>PAGE</td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'><a href='#fig03'>Aaron Quinn hobbled back toward the hut, carrying the monkey.</a></td> - <td class='c008'>74</td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'><a href='#fig04'>The fullback came charging across, forcing Rodney toward the side line.</a></td> - <td class='c008'>156</td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'><a href='#fig05'>“Here he is! Come on; we’ve got him!”</a></td> - <td class='c008'>242</td> - </tr> -</table> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span><span class='large'>The Great Oakdale Mystery.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div> - <h2 id='chapI.' class='c009'>CHAPTER I. <br /> <br /> THE HUNTERS.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>Two boys, each carrying a gun, came out of -a strip of woods and paused. They were followed -by a short-haired pointer dog. One of -the boys, whose gun was a single-barreled repeater, -bore a game-bag suspended from his -shoulder by a strap, and he spoke to the dog -with an air of authority that proclaimed him the -animal’s master. He was a pleasant-faced, blue-eyed -chap, and his name was Fred Sage.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The gun of the other boy was a double-barreled -hammerless. The boy had a slightly undershot -jaw, and his eyes were a trifle too small. -This was Roy Hooker. During the months of -the past summer these two fellows had become -exceedingly friendly.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span>“There are the Hopkins woodcock covers -down yonder, Fred,” said Roy, pointing across -the open strip of pasture land. “Old Hopkins -doesn’t like to have anyone gun there, but I’m -for giving those covers a try, as long as he will -probably never know it.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Has he posted ‘No Trespass’ signs?” asked -Sage.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Guess not; I haven’t seen any. He doesn’t -do any shooting himself, but being a cranky old -bear, he doesn’t like to have anyone else gun on -his property.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well, as long as there are no warnings posted -and he hasn’t personally notified us to keep off, -we’ll see if we can find any birds there. The -covers look attractive to me. Here, Spot; heel, -sir.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>With the first indication that the boys intended -to proceed, the eager dog had started forward, -but he turned at the command of his master and -once more fell in behind.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span>The forenoon of this clear, sunny autumn day -was not far advanced, the young hunters having -set forth shortly after breakfast. Although the -air was clear and almost warm, there was a certain -suggestion of crispness in it, which, together -with the flaming leaves of the deciduous trees, -plainly betokened that the early autumn frosts -had been at work. The stubble of the open pasture -land was brown and dry. Behind the boys, -in the woods they had just left, squirrels were -chattering and bluejays screaming, but Fred and -Roy were after bigger and more legitimate game. -Thus far their hunt had proved disappointing.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“If we don’t find anything down yonder,” said -Hooker, “I’ll get mad and shoot the next squirrel -that barks at me. I was tempted to pop over one -big gray fellow that leered at me from a limb.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You don’t eat squirrels, do you?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, no.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What would you do with them if you should -shoot ’em?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Nothing; just throw them away.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>“Then don’t shoot them, Roy. It’s not good -sport to kill practically harmless creatures simply -for the sake of killing something. I’d rather -never shoot anything at all than do that.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, you’re deucedly finicky about some things, -old fellow. You won’t have many chances to -gun this fall, for football is going to keep you -busy. When I proposed it last night I hardly -thought I’d get you out to-day.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“And I came out with the understanding that -we are to get back in time for practice this afternoon. -Next Saturday, a week from to-day, the -team plays its first game.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“And will be beautifully beaten,” prophesied -Hooker.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What makes you think so?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Why shouldn’t I think so? The eleven is -going to be weak this year. With Roger Eliot -for captain, it made an unexpected success last -fall; but Eliot is gone, and Stone, who was -chosen to follow him as captain, never can be -such a crafty, far-sighted general. The team -was weakened fifty per cent by the loss of Eliot.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>“Perhaps you’re right,” admitted Sage; “but -you seem to forget that we ought to receive some -strength from the development of new players. -For instance, there’s that fellow from Texas, -Rodney Grant——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, yes,” nodded Roy quickly, “I suppose -he’ll help some, but it takes time to make a football -player, and Grant has had little experience -at the game. Stone realizes he’s going to be shy -of material, and he’s coaxing everybody to come -out for practice. He’s been at me.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You’re going to come out, aren’t you?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I don’t know. Never did care a great deal -about football. You know it’s my ambition to -be a baseball pitcher, and a fellow can’t do everything.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Baseball is over now, and there’ll be no more -until next spring. For the good of the team you -ought to take hold and do your best to become -a player and fill one of the weak spots.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“And maybe get a broken leg or arm or collar-bone -to set me back. A baseball player is taking -chances when he goes in for football.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>“But if none of our ball players went in for -football,” reminded Sage, “we’d have no eleven. -Our school isn’t big enough for the two teams to -be made up of distinct and independent bodies of -players. You’re quick, active and strong, Roy, -and, if you choose to take hold and work hard, -it seems to me you might become one of the -valuable members of the eleven.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, possibly,” admitted Hooker, attempting -to conceal the fact that he was somewhat flattered. -“I fancy I could do as well as some other -fellows, Piper, Cooper or Tuttle, for instance. -In a way they are mere makeshifts; none of them -is a bang-up good football man.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>By this time they had crossed the pasture land -and reached the edge of the covers, the dog betraying -a restless desire to get to work. Sage -permitted the animal to go forward, directing his -movements now and then by a word of command, -and, with the guns held ready for quick use, the -young hunters advanced slowly, keeping their -eyes on the pointer the most of the time. They -separated somewhat and went forward with the -dog at the apex of an imaginary triangle. Nearly -all the time the boys could see each other through -<span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>the scrub growth, which made it unlikely that -either would place his friend in danger by careless -shooting.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Moving hither and thither, sniffing, pausing, -advancing, every hunting instinct alert, the dog -did his work beautifully. Suddenly, with one -foot uplifted, tail horizontal and rigid and muzzle -thrust forward, the pointer became a statue of -stone. Directly ahead of him, a few feet away, -was a thick cluster of low bushes.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Point, Roy—point!” called Sage softly, his -repeater held in both hands and half lifted, ready -for a quick shot.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Immediately Hooker swerved toward the dog -and advanced as swiftly and noiselessly as -possible, in order to obtain a position for a shot -when the bird should flush. Reaching a favorable -spot, he placed himself in position to shoot -and waited for the rise.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The seconds passed slowly—so slowly that to -the anxious boys they seemed more like minutes. -A chickadee flitted through the bushes, lighted -on a branch within five feet of Roy, performed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>some surprising horizontal bar evolutions and -applauded himself in a ludicrously hoarse voice. -Something rustled at a distance, like a creature -running swiftly along the ground. Far away, -so far that it was but faintly heard, the gun of -some other hunter spoke.</p> - -<p class='c011'>With a sudden whirr of wings a woodcock -rose straight up from the further side of the -cluster of bushes. The butt of Sage’s gun came -to his shoulder, his eye caught the sights, and -he fired.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Hooker was a trifle slower, but ere Sage, realizing -that he had shot too quickly and therefore -made a miss, could fire again, Roy’s weapon -spoke.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Down came the bird into the midst of the -thicket.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Good work, old man,” cried Fred approvingly. -“You got him. I shot under; didn’t wait -for him to make his full rise. Go fetch, Spot.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The dog, released from the spell that had -chained him motionless, plunged forward, sniffing -around in search of the bird. In a few moments -he brought the dead woodcock and placed it at -his master’s feet.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>“A plump fellow,” laughed Sage, holding the -kill up for the other lad to see. “That’s the first -blood for you, Roy. Shall I put it in my bag?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Sure; I haven’t any. There’s likely more of -them near by.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>There were more, and Sage evened things up -by bringing down the next one. After this both -boys missed a shot, and, though they had tried -to “mark” their birds when they lighted, they -beat back and forth for more than half an hour -without getting another flush.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Come on,” said Roy at last; “I’m tired of this. -There’s some good partridge timber near by, and -I’d rather shoot one partridge than half a dozen -woodcock.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Every fellow to his taste,” laughed Sage. “I -prefer the sport of woodcock shooting, and I certainly -hate to leave without getting either of -those two birds up again.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>He yielded, however, to Hooker’s urging, and -they left the low covers for the adjacent timber, -in which partridges might be found.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The partridges were there, too. Roy put one -up almost beneath his feet, but the timber was -so thick at that point that he could not get even -a chance shot with the slightest hope of success. -While he was grumbling over this, Spot made a -point and the partridge rose with a booming of -wings before Sage could give his companion -warning.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Fred fired.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Did you get her?” called Hooker.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I think I hit her,” was the answer. “I saw -her go down. Come, Spot, we must dig that -bird out.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Hooker started to follow, but had not advanced -thirty feet before still another partridge -rose and went sailing away in another direction. -This time Roy fired, but he did so under such a -disadvantage and with so much haste that he had -little hope of bringing down the game.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Confound it!” he muttered. “Are all these -birds going to get away?”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>For a full minute he stood still in his tracks, -peering into the woods on all sides and listening -keenly. Then he removed the empty shell from -his gun and slipped a loaded one into place.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’m going to follow that old bird I banged -at,” he decided. “I don’t believe she went beyond -the road that runs through these woods. If I -can get her without the assistance of the dog, -it will be a trick worth turning.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Having hurried after the partridge until he -fancied he had reached a point where the bird -might have alighted, he began creeping forward -with the utmost caution, pausing every few yards -to listen and use his eyes. Once an acorn, clipping -down through the leaves and striking the -ground, gave him a start, but it seemed that the -partridge had flown farther than he thought, for -presently, without again sighting the game, he -approached the road. A short distance from the -highway he stopped in his tracks and flung the -gun to his shoulder, the barrel levelled toward -some roadside bushes, near which he had heard -a slight noise.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>Beyond the bushes a man rose into view from -a stone on which he had been seated, and found -himself looking straight into the muzzle of -Hooker’s gun.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span> - <h2 id='chapII.' class='c009'>CHAPTER II. <br /> <br /> THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>Roy was tremendously startled. The gun had -an easy pull, and his bent finger was gently -touching the trigger, yet so astonished was he -by the unexpected appearance of the man that -for some moments he stood rigid with the weapon -leveled at the stranger’s head.</p> - -<p class='c011'>On the other hand, the man was no less dismayed. -Not more than twenty-six or seven years -of age, he was somewhat roughly dressed and -decidedly in need of a shave. His eyes opened -wide at sight of the threatening weapon, and a -wave of pallor swept over his bronzed face. Not -a word escaped his parted lips.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Presently, with a catch of his breath, Hooker -lowered the gun.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“By Jove!” he cried, with a touch of resentment. -“You came near getting shot, bobbing -up that fashion from behind those bushes.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>No longer menaced by the gun, the stranger -seemed greatly relieved. Gradually the color returned -to his face, and, his eyes searching the -young hunter keenly, he gave a short, nervous -laugh.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It’s pretty serious,” he said, “when a chap -can’t sit down by the roadside to rest without -being in danger of getting himself peppered from -a shotgun. You should make sure of the kind of -game you’re banging at, before you fire.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“If I hadn’t done so,” returned Hooker, still -feeling slightly resentful, “I’d probably blown -your head off. I was following a partridge. Did -you see one fly across the road a short time ago?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No, I didn’t; but I haven’t been here more -than four or five minutes—perhaps not that -long.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The man had a pleasant, agreeable face, and -Hooker thought that, were he shaved and better -dressed, he would be a rather good-looking chap. -Apparently he had not wholly recovered from -the start which the sight of the armed boy had -given him, for he was still a bit nervous and -uneasy.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>“Maybe,” said Roy, “it took me longer than I -thought to follow that old bird to this point. -Perhaps she flew across the road before you -came along.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Are you alone?” asked the man.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’m with a friend. He’s back in the woods -somewhere with his dog.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Of course you live near here?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes, in Oakdale.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The man seemed interested. “Oakdale; that’s -a small town near by, isn’t it?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You must be a total stranger in these parts,” -said Roy, as he stepped out into the road. “Oakdale -is not more than three or four miles from -here. It’s a country village.” He was wondering -if the man could be a tramp, but closer inspection -made this seem quite improbable, despite -the stranger’s rough clothes and somewhat -shabby appearance.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>“No, I don’t belong around here,” said the -man. “I’m looking for work. Anything a fellow -can do in Oakdale?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I don’t know about that, but I presume one -could find some sort of work if he wasn’t too -particular. There are two mills and some lime -quarries, but the men who work in the quarries -are mostly foreigners. What are your special -qualifications?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I haven’t any,” was the frank confession. -“I’m ready to do any sort of work to earn an -honest living.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“In that case, it shouldn’t be hard for you to -find something.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It’s not as easy as you might think. You -see, employers usually like to know something -about the workmen they engage, and they are apt -to be suspicious of a total stranger who looks a -bit rough and down in his luck.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Of course you’re ready to tell anyone about -yourself and give references?”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>The young man shrugged his shoulders. “I -don’t happen to have any references,” he answered. -“Of course I can answer questions about -myself, but who would know I wasn’t lying?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“If you stated your last place of employment, -it would be a simple matter to investigate your -story.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Again that quick shrugging of the shoulders. -“Yes, but supposing that, for reasons of my own, -I didn’t care to tell where I’ve been employed?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Reasons? What sort of reasons could you -have, unless——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It might be the case, you know, that I had had -trouble with my former employer. Perhaps,” -he went on hastily, “we quarreled over something -for which I was not at all to blame, and that -quarrel led to my leaving without giving due -notice. You see, that would deprive me of references -and would make it impossible for me to -hope for any benefit by stating where and for -whom I had worked.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes, I see,” nodded Hooker slowly. “That -would put you in bad. In such a case, unless -someone was in great need of a man, I doubt if -you could find employment.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>The stranger made a quick gesture with one -hand.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“There you are,” he said; “or rather, there I -am. Until you get up against it yourself, you’ll -not be able to understand such a predicament, -and I hope you’ll never have the misfortune to -face such a situation.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Now Hooker had been led to believe that the -misfortunes which usually befall a person, barring -ill health, were almost always the result of -incompetence, carelessness or dishonesty, and the -fact that this stranger was wholly indisposed to -make known his past history led the boy to regard -him with doubt and suspicion. Perhaps the -man understood something of what was passing -in Roy’s mind, for suddenly he said:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You can see how it is; even you would hesitate -about giving me work. That’s the way with -everybody. They demand to know a person’s -past; they want to pry into his private affairs. -But I tell you,” he added, a trifle bitterly, “I feel -that it’s none of their business, and I resent their -impertinence. The man who gives me a job -<span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>at which I can earn an honest living will find -me ready to do my work, and do it well. Why -should he insist on probing private matters concerning -me, any more than I should demand to -know about his personal history? In fact, in -many cases it would be to the advantage of the -laborer if his employer were compelled to lay -bare such secrets. A great many would be shown -up as grinders of the poor, bloodsuckers living -and growing fat upon the life-toll of others, unfeeling -despots paying their workmen a mere -pittance while they piled up riches by what those -workmen produced. And some would be branded -as dishonest rascals from whom their neighbors -would shrink in abhorrence.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Jingoes!” exclaimed Hooker, fancying himself -enlightened by the vehement words of the -stranger. “I guess I know what’s the matter -with you. You must be a Socialist.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The man laughed. “That’s the usual term -applied in these days to those who have courage -enough to question the honesty and fair dealing -of a certain greedy, selfish brand of employers. -But I’m not claiming that all employers -<span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>are of that sort. If they were, conditions in this -country would be desperate indeed. But what’s -the use in talking to you of such things; you’re -simply a boy, and at your age problems of that -nature had never troubled me for a moment. At -your age,” he continued, something like a dreamy -look of sadness creeping into his blue eyes, “I -was as carefree and thoughtless as you are to-day. -I’d give a great deal if it were possible for -me to go back to that time.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>This statement served to convince Hooker -that the stranger was carrying a secret locked in -his heart, and that the secret was one which gave -him no small amount of regret and remorse. -Otherwise, why should a man in the very prime -of his youth and vigor, a time to which Roy -looked forward with eager anticipation, desire -to blot out a portion of his life that he might return -to the days of his boyhood?</p> - -<p class='c011'>The sad and dreamy look was gone in a moment, -and the stranger asked:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Have you lived long in Oakdale?”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>“Brought up there,” answered Hooker.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Then I presume you know nearly everyone -in town?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Sure. In a little place like that everybody -knows everybody else.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The man’s next question gave the lad a start: -“Do you know any people by the name of -Sage?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What? Sage? I should say so!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Ah!” breathed the man. “There is a family -by that name in Oakdale?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“How long have they been there?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Let me see. About three years, I think.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Where did they come from? Do you know?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Not exactly, though I believe they came from -somewhere in New York State. Why, Fred Sage -is my chum.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, is he?” The stranger’s eyes were now -bright with interest and his manner eager.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You bet he is,” nodded Roy. “He’s a fine -chap, too. We’re gunning together to-day. He’s -the fellow I spoke of. I left him back yonder -<span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>with his dog. Do you know the Sages? If you -do, perhaps they might give you a recommendation -that would help you get work.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>At this moment the report of a gun, only a -short distance away, rang through the woods.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That’s Fred—that’s him now,” cried Hooker. -“I’ll bet he bagged that old biddy.” Then he -lifted his voice and shouted: “Hey, Fred! Here -I am, out in the road. Did you get anything?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I didn’t miss that time,” came back the triumphant -answer. “It’s a partridge.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“The one I was after, I reckon,” said Roy, -with a touch of chagrin. “She must have run -on the ground so that I lost track of her. Here -comes Fred now.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>There was a sound of someone pushing -through the underbrush, and Roy, facing the -woods, waited for his chum to appear. In a few -moments, followed by the dog, Sage came out -of the woods, triumphantly holding aloft a dead -partridge.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>“The other one fooled me and I lost her,” he -said; “but I got a good open chance at this old -biddy. She didn’t get away.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“She got away from me,” said Roy. “I’m sure -that’s the one I chased, but she gave me the slip -all right. I was so hot after her that I came -near shooting——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>He stopped abruptly, his mouth open as he -looked around for the mysterious stranger. To -his astonishment, the man had disappeared.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span> - <h2 id='chapIII.' class='c009'>CHAPTER III. <br /> <br /> THE HOME OF THE SAGES.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>“Well, what do you know about that?” muttered -Hooker wonderingly. “He’s gone.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Who?” questioned Fred, reaching the road.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“The man—the man I was talking with. He -was sitting right here on this stone when I came -sneaking down through the woods, and I almost -shot his head off. He rose up into view just in -time. Where the dickens has he gone?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>In both directions a strip of road lay in plain -view, but, save themselves, there was no human -being to be seen upon it.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“When did he go?” questioned Sage.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“After you fired; while I was watching for -you to come out of the woods. He was right -here within five feet of me. I can’t understand -how he got away so quickly without my knowing -it. He must have put off into the woods on the -other side.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>“What made him do that?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You’ve got me. He was a stranger around -these parts, and said he was looking for work. -There was something queer about him, too. He -was a good, healthy looking specimen, and he -didn’t seem like a hobo, though his clothes were -rather rough. He talked like an educated man. -Say, Fred, he asked about you.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“About <i>me</i>?” exclaimed Sage in surprise. -“Why, how was that?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Don’t know. He asked if there was a family -by the name of Sage in Oakdale and how long -they had been there. He must be someone who -knows you, Fred.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Describe him.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Roy did so as well as he was able, but his -friend did not seem at all enlightened.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I can’t imagine who he was,” said Fred. “The -description doesn’t seem to fit anyone I know. -Did he give his name?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No; I forgot to ask it. He talked like a Socialist -or an Anarchist, although he didn’t look -to be a very desperate character. And he seemed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>nervous and troubled about something or other, -but perhaps that was because he fancied he had -come so near getting himself shot. When he -saw me, with the gun leveled straight at him, -he turned pale.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I don’t wonder,” said Fred, with a laugh. “It -was enough to give anyone a start. I don’t see -what made him run away, and I wish he’d waited -until I could have taken a look at him.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Perhaps he was somebody who knew you -before you came to Oakdale.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Sage frowned a bit. “It doesn’t seem likely, -and yet, of course, it may be so. Well, we can’t -fret ourselves about him. Let’s go on with the -hunt. Spot is getting restless.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>For some time the pointer had been running -back and forth in the road, turning at intervals -to gaze inquiringly at his master and whine beseechingly. -Apparently the dog was wondering -why the boys should linger there, with the woods -all about them and their success thus far giving -ample evidence that there was plenty of game to -be had for the hunting.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>Absorbed once more in the search for birds, -both lads seemingly dismissed all thoughts -of the stranger and his puzzling behavior; but, -had he possessed the faculty of reading his companion’s -mind, Hooker would have been surprised -to discover that, far from dismissing such -thoughts, Sage was not a little troubled by them. -Indeed, so deeply plunged was he in mental -speculations that he failed to note when the dog -next made a point, and he flushed the bird unexpectedly -by the careless manner in which he -stumbled forward through the underbrush. -Taken thus unawares, he could not recover his -self-possession in time to shoot, and, Hooker being -in no position to fire, the game got away untouched, -not a little to the disgust of Spot.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What’s the matter with you, Fred?” called -Roy sharply. “You almost stepped on that one. -Didn’t you see Spot point?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No,” was the regretful confession, “I didn’t -notice it.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>“I started to call to you, but I thought you -knew your business and were ready to pepper -away when the bird flushed.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Later, when they ran into a covey of woodcock, -Fred was astonishingly slow about shooting, -and Hooker brought down two birds to his -one, which seemed rather remarkable, as Sage -was much the better wing shot. It was Fred, too, -who, seeming the first to tire of the sport, finally -proposed that they should go home.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“There’s time enough,” objected Roy. “Practice -doesn’t begin until three o’clock, and it’s not -yet noon.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“But I’ll need to rest up a bit after this tramp. -I’ve got enough, anyhow.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>On the way back to the village Sage suddenly -asked Hooker once more to describe the stranger, -and when Roy had complied he again asserted -that he had not the least idea as to the man’s -identity.</p> - -<p class='c011'>It was nearly one o’clock when Sage reached -his home, a comfortable, well-kept story-and-a-half -house on the outskirts of the village, but -he found that his mother had kept dinner waiting -for him, for which he scolded her in a laughing -fashion.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>“No need to put yourself to so much trouble, -mother,” he said. “I could have done just as -well with a cold lunch from the pantry.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It was no trouble, my boy,” she replied, affection -in her tone and in the glance she gave him. -“We knew you would be home, for you said -there was to be football practice this afternoon, -and it was your father who suggested that we -should wait for you.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>She was not an old woman, but her hair was -snowy white, and there was something in her -face and the depths of her gentle eyes which indicated -that her life had not been wholly free -from care and sorrow.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Fred’s father, who had been reading in the -sitting-room, put aside his newspaper and came -into the dining-room, rubbing his hands together -as he peered at the boy over the gold-bowed -spectacles that clung to his nose.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well, what luck, young man?” he asked. -“Did you find any shooting worth while?”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>“We got seven woodcock and three partridges,” -answered Fred; “but Roy shot the most -of them, though he insisted on dividing them. I -made him take the odd partridge, though, keeping -only one for mother, as she doesn’t care -for woodcock.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“H’m!” nodded Andrew Sage slowly. “How -did you happen to let him outshoot you, Fred? -With that new gun of yours, I thought you’d -make a record. Doesn’t it shoot as well as you -expected?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, the gun is all right. I suppose I was a -bit off form.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>He was on the point of telling them of the -unknown man who had questioned Hooker about -the Sages living in Oakdale and then run away -in such a perplexing manner on Fred’s approach, -but something seemed to caution him to remain -silent, and he did so.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Like Roy Hooker, the people of Oakdale knew -little about the Sages, save that they had lived -in the place for three years having moved there -from some distant state. Andrew Sage was a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>man nearly sixty years of age, with the speech -and bearing of a person of education and refinement. -He had purchased a tiny farm of some -twenty acres, the buildings of which were -promptly repaired, remodelled within and thoroughly -painted. The grounds in the vicinity of -the buildings were cleared and graded, with the -exception of a picket-fenced front yard, where -an old-fashioned flower garden had been choked -out by weeds. Of course the fence was straightened -up, repaired and given several coats of -paint, and the flower garden was restored to its -former state of blooming fragrance and beauty; -but this work was done at the direction of Mrs. -Sage, who seemed to find in that garden something -to occupy her mind and give her many -hours of pleasure. Her knowledge of flowers -and their proper care was much superior to the -knowledge displayed by her husband in the vegetable -garden, which he planted and attended. The -neighbors often remarked that it was plain -enough that Andrew Sage had never turned his -hand to such labor before coming to Oakdale.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>That the Sages possessed an income sufficient -to support them modestly was likewise evident, -for they lived comfortably and paid their bills -promptly, although Mr. Sage worked upon his -own property only, and, as conducted, that -brought in practically no revenue whatever.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The little household was held together by -strong bands of understanding and affection -which would have been apparent enough to anyone -who could have watched them this day at -their belated dinner. Into their pleasant conversation -there entered no jarring note, and their -thoughtfulness and consideration for one another -was of the finest sort. The atmosphere of that -home was truly such as it should be, comfortable, -homelike, fraught with an indescribable something -that always makes such a place the best-loved -spot on earth.</p> - -<p class='c011'>It was natural that Fred’s mother should speak -of football and its dangers and express her regret -that he should care to take part in such -sport. And in supporting Fred’s arguments in -favor of the game, it was diplomatic of his father -<span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>to seem, in a way, to favor both sides of the -question, while all the time he was cleverly reassuring -the apprehensive woman. Andrew -Sage’s skill in this form of controversy not only -made it much easier for Fred, but checked, in a -great measure, the worriment of the boy’s -mother.</p> - -<p class='c011'>When he reached the football field that afternoon -Fred found Roy Hooker telling a group of -boys about the encounter with the mysterious -stranger. Of those boys Billy Piper, familiarly -known as “Sleuth” on account of his yearning -desire to emulate the feats of detective heroes -of fiction, appeared to be the most deeply interested. -The others showed a disposition to treat -the affair as something of minor importance or -no importance whatever.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Through what I can gather from your statements, -Hooker,” said Sleuth, “I am led to infer -that this unknown party may have been a red-handed -criminal fleeing from justice. Or, perchance, -to look at the matter in another light, -he was a person deeply wronged, seeking to visit -<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>retribution on the head of one who had injured -him. I say, Sage,” he called, catching sight of -Fred, “have you any reason to suppose that you -or any of your immediate relatives may have a -bitter and remorseless enemy who seeks reprisal -for some fancied injury in the dark and buried -years of the past?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“As far as I know,” answered Fred, “we have -not an enemy in the world.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“And you haven’t a notion as to the identity -of the mysterious stranger who made inquiries -about you and then ran away before you could -get a look at him?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Not the remotest idea.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Hah!” breathed Piper in deep satisfaction. -“The plot thickens. I scent a mystery of deep -and terrible significance. The clues are faint -indeed, but they shall not baffle me. If this unknown -stranger lingers in the vicinity of Oakdale, -I’ll yet lay bare his foul designs and foil -him in his fell purpose.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>“Oh, slush!” cried Phil Springer. “You’ve got -another bad attack, Pipe. You bub-better forget -it. Here comes Stoney. Let’s start practice, -fellows.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The group dissolved, leaving Piper, his arms -folded, his eyes fixed upon the ground, in profound -meditation.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span> - <h2 id='chapIV.' class='c009'>CHAPTER IV. <br /> <br /> A MAN “WANTED.”</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>Captain Stone, who seemed to be amazingly -conversant with the new football rules, which -of late he had studied faithfully during all his -spare moments, tried hard to impart an understanding -of them to the other boys, the most of -whom were eager to learn, their willingness -keeping them at practice until the gathering -darkness finally forced them to stop.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Upon the occasion of his son leaving Oakdale -Academy for the purpose of taking a final college -preparatory year in one of the leading prep -schools of the country, Urian Eliot had contributed -five hundred dollars for the purpose of -carrying out a plan for certain improvements of -the Oakdale gymnasium. These improvements -had been made, and now in one end of the former -bowling alley there were heated dressing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>rooms and a number of shower baths. This -made it possible for the boys to take their showers -after practice or games, and then rub down and -dress in comfort.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Hurrying to the gym, Fred Sage lost no time -in stripping off his soiled and sweaty football -clothes and making a dive for one of the shower -compartments. The rooms resounded with the -voices of the boys, and from some of the showers -rose whoops and boos and strange gasps -mingling with the hissing rush and drip of water.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Hey, there, Cooper!” called a voice. “What -are you doing? Turn on the cold. You’ll parboil -yourself in a minute. Look, fellers—look a’ the -steam coming out of Chipper’s cell!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Aw, go on and mind your business,” came -from the steaming compartment. “I always -start with it warm and turn off the hot gradually -till it’s cold enough to suit me.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“And that’s abaout cold enough to bile aigs,” -chuckled Sile Crane, a lanky country boy who -talked through his nose. “Hurry up there, Chipper, -and give a feller a chance. Tuttle’s treatin’ -on peanuts, and you won’t git none if you don’t -git a move on.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>“Somebody can have my place,” said Sage, as -he shot out of the compartment, dripping icy -water from every part of his shining body. -“Where’s my towel? I left it right here. Somebody -has swiped my towel.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>In a moment he had found the towel and was -using it vigorously. A thorough scrubbing set -his firm flesh aglow, and he jumped into his -clothes feeling as fresh and vigorous as if he -had not tramped the forenoon through, carrying -a gun, and followed that up by an afternoon of -strenuous football practice. He was almost fully -dressed when he observed Sleuth Piper, still -adorned in football togs, standing a short distance -away and regarding him through half -closed lids. In some story Sleuth had read that -whenever he wished to concentrate his mind on -any perplexing problem the hero of the yarn -always gazed fixedly at some object through -partly closed eyelids.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>“Hi, there, Pipe!” called Fred sharply. “Going -to sleep? Wake up. Going to wear those rags -the rest of the evening?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Hush!” said Piper, frowning and lifting a -reproving hand. “Don’t interrupt me that way -when my mind is at work upon a problem.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Forget it,” advised Fred. “You’ll be late for -supper. Cæsar’s ghost! but <i>I’m</i> as hungry as a -bear.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>He was the first one to leave the gymnasium, -and he strode away whistling. In a few moments, -however, he ceased to whistle and proceeded -with his head slightly bent and his hands -sunk deep in his pockets. Finally, with a shake -of his shoulders, he tossed back his head, muttering:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Confound Sleuth, anyhow! He’s always trying -to make a deep, dark mystery out of any unusual -occurrence. It was <i>queer</i> that the man -should ask about the Sages and then run away -when he knew I was coming, but it isn’t likely -he’ll ever be seen again by anyone around here, -so what’s the use for me to addle my brains -over it?”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>Truly, Fred seemed “hungry as a bear,” and -the manner in which he swept the food from the -supper table made his mother gasp and caused his -father to chuckle.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“One thing about football,” said Mr. Sage, -“boys who play the game aren’t apt to be finicky -about their food. How did you get along at the -field this afternoon, son?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“First-rate, everything considered. Of course -the new rules are going to bother us a little, but -Stone seems wise to them, and I fancy he’ll be -able to do pretty well with the team, though of -course we’re going to miss Eliot.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“A fine boy, Roger Eliot,” nodded Andrew -Sage.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Sure thing,” agreed Fred instantly; “and his -father comes pretty near being the real thing, -too. When we first came to Oakdale people -were saying that Urian Eliot was cold and close-fisted, -but look what he did for the school. -We’ve got a new gym now, heated and lighted -and fitted out with shower baths, like a first-class -place. I tell you, the fellows take off their -hats to Mr. Eliot these days.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>“Oakdale people are just beginning to realize -that Eliot has done a great deal for the town,” -said Mr. Sage. “He’s one of our solid, reliable -citizens. Only for him, we’d still be without a -bank.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>After supper Andrew Sage lighted his pipe, -and Fred, feeling no desire to go out, settled -down to a book before the comfortable open fire -in the sitting-room.</p> - -<p class='c011'>An hour had not passed when there came a -ring at the door-bell, and Fred himself rose at -once to answer. On the steps stood a dark figure -with coat collar upturned and cap pulled well -down. Blinded a little by the sudden change -from light to darkness, the boy failed to recognize -the caller.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Good evening,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“’St!” came back a sibilant hiss. “It’s me, -Piper. Why don’t you ask a feller in? Almost -cold enough to freeze to-night.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>“Oh, come in, Sleuth,” was the invitation, and -the visitor lost no time in stepping out of the -chilly wind that swept round the corner of the -house.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What brings you up here at this hour?” -questioned Fred.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Hush! I’m doing my duty. I’m gathering -up the scattered threads one by one. The skein -shall be untangled.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Piper was known to Mr. and Mrs. Sage, who -spoke to him pleasantly, although both were -somewhat surprised by this, his first, visit to -their home. Having removed his cap and -jammed it into the side pocket of his coat, Sleuth -deported himself in his usual mysterious manner -when “investigating,” and suddenly the other -boy began to fear that he would speak of the -stranger in the presence of the older people.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’m glad you dropped around, Pipe,” said -Fred. “I suppose you want to talk football? -Come on up to my room; we can chin there as -much as we like.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>The caller was more than willing, and they -mounted the stairs to Fred’s room, which was -large, comfortable and exceedingly well furnished. -But Piper, still bearing himself “professionally,” -gave little heed to the aspect of the -room.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’ve come,” he announced, declining to sit -down, “to propound a few vital questions, which -I trust you may see fit to answer without evasion -or subterfuge.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What’s this?” laughed Sage. “Is it a court -of inquiry?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Not exactly. Of course there is no compulsion -in the matter, but, assuming that you have -nothing to conceal, there should be no reason for -refusing the information I require.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, say, Sleuth, don’t you ever get tired of -it? It must be wearisome, searching for these -deep, dark mysteries in a quiet, uneventful -country town like Oakdale. Of course I know -what you’re driving at, and in this case I think -you’re trying to make something out of nothing—and -that’s impossible.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Piper shook his head. With his hands locked -behind his back, he slowly paced the floor.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>“You are like the usual order of persons who -lack the analytical mind,” he retorted. “You -fail to see the true significance of apparently -commonplace events. I am different. At this -moment I feel assured that we are face to face -with one of the most perplexing mysteries on -record. I’ve interviewed Hooker this evening, -and from him I obtained a certain amount of -information concerning the mysterious man he -encountered in the woods beyond Culver’s -Bridge. According to his statement, that man -was about twenty-six years of age, and apparently -something like five feet and ten inches in -height. Hooker judged that this person should -weigh in the neighborhood of one hundred and -sixty pounds. His complexion was medium, and -he had hair slightly curly. His eyes were blue, -his teeth white and even, and his smile pleasant. -His voice was agreeable, but he showed traces -of nervousness and anxiety. He spoke with some -bitterness of people who had wealth and employed -laborers. Roy states that, as far as he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>could see, the man bore no peculiarly distinguishing -mark, like a scar or deformity.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well,” said Fred, lounging on the Morris -chair, “why should the appearance of such a -stranger interest you so deeply?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Wait,” said Piper, halting in front of Sage’s -chair. “This man made inquiries concerning -your family. He must have known you.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“We’ve lived in Oakdale only three years. -There are people outside of this place who know -us.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Quite true; but when he learned that you -were near at hand, and when he heard you approaching, -the man disappeared in a most astounding, -inexplicable and unaccountable manner. -He didn’t wait until you should come forth -to meet him face to face.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That was rather odd,” admitted Sage.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“And, furthermore, you have stated that you -have no idea who the person can be.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Not the slightest.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>“Is there anything connected with your past -or that of your parents which, for good and sufficient -reasons, you wish to conceal?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Fred sat up suddenly. “Why should you imagine -anything of that sort?” he retorted -sharply. “Of course it’s nonsense.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“H’m!” said Sleuth. “It’s a rare family closet -that doesn’t contain a skeleton.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well, Piper, if you’ve come here to pry into -private family affairs, you may as well chase -yourself at once.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Restrain your annoyance, Sage; check your -angry resentment. If you choose to unbosom -yourself to me in my professional capacity, you -may do so with the assurance of my honorable -intention to hold inviolate any secret with which -I may be entrusted.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Fred’s face was flushed and he betrayed annoyance, -which, however, he endeavored to restrain.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Cut out that fol-de-rol, Piper. There’s no -reason why I should tell you any family secrets, -if we happen to have them. As you’ve just said, -doubtless there are few families who do not have -<span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>some minor secrets they choose to keep hidden; -but, as a rule, such things concern no others than -those personally interested. Again, let me repeat -that you are trying to make something out of -nothing, and it’s extremely ridiculous.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Perhaps so,” retorted Sleuth. “But tell me, -did you ever hear of a man by the name of James -Wilson?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Never. What has he to do with the matter?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The visitor drew a folded newspaper from an -inner pocket of his coat. “It’s my custom,” he -said, “to take special note of the records of crime -and criminals as contained in the press of the -day. I never overlook anything of the sort. -Here in this paper is the description of one James -Wilson, <i>alias</i> ‘William Hunt,’ <i>alias</i> ‘Philip Hastings,’ -but known among his pals as ‘Gentleman -Jim.’ This man is described as twenty-six years -of age, five feet, ten inches in height, and weighing -one hundred and sixty pounds. While there -are no distinguishing marks upon his person, he -has blue eyes; a medium complexion; hair -slightly curly; white, even teeth; a pleasant -<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>smile; an agreeable voice; and white, shapely -hands, which show evidence of recent arduous -labor. This labor was performed in prison, from -which Jim Wilson has but lately been released. -He is a confidence man and safe-breaker, and it -seems that his prison experience has done little -to cure him of his criminal proclivities, for it is -suspected that since his release he has been concerned -in certain unlawful operations. One week -ago he was arrested in Harpersville, which is -just over the state line, and placed in jail to -await the arrival of officers who wanted him. -But Mr. Wilson, <i>alias</i> ‘William Hunt,’ <i>alias</i> -‘Philip Hastings,’ <i>alias</i> ‘Gentleman Jim,’ is a slippery -customer, and he didn’t remain in that insecure -jail. Instead of doing so, he broke out -of his cell, cracked the guard’s skull, and made -good his escape. The guard is not expected to -live, and the authorities have offered a reward of -five hundred dollars for the capture of the murderous -scoundrel.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>“Well!” breathed Sage, who had listened with -swiftly increasing interest. “Do you think this -James Wilson and the stranger Hooker talked -with this forenoon are one and the same?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I haven’t a doubt of it,” declared Sleuth.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span> - <h2 id='chapV.' class='c009'>CHAPTER V. <br /> <br /> BY THE LIGHT FROM THE WINDOW.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>“But that,” said Fred, “is practically a matter -of supposition with you; you have no real -proof.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Proof?” returned Piper reprovingly. “Why -not? The circumstances are significant, and it’s -only the bigoted person who denies the value of -circumstantial evidence in criminal cases. The -description of James Wilson applies perfectly to -the mysterious stranger with whom Hooker conversed.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“If you’ll think it over a bit, that description -might apply to a great many persons. Wilson -seems fortunate in having practically no personal -characteristics by which he might readily -be identified. It seems to me, Piper, that, casting -aside your professed caution and acuteness, -you have jumped at a conclusion. Simply because -you happen to read about an ex-convict -<span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>who has recently broken jail in a neighboring -state, and the description of this convict, although -in a way indefinite and unsatisfactory, -apparently applies to a stranger in these parts, -you immediately decide that the convict and the -stranger are one and the same. I’m surprised -at you, Sleuth.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Wait a moment,” said Piper, holding up his -finger. “Let me ask you a question. Since you -came to Oakdale, how often have you seen strangers -in these parts who looked like tramps, talked -like educated men, and deported themselves in -a manner which, without the least stretch of -fancy, could be called mysterious?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Seldom,” admitted Sage.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Never before,” asserted Piper.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“And, because this happens to be the first instance -of the sort, you feel confident in your -hasty conclusion. I’m afraid you’ll never make -a great detective, Sleuth, for in stories, at least, -they never jump at conclusions, and they always -make sure they’re right before forming a definite -opinion.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>Piper was not pleased by these words. He -frowned heavily and shook his head.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You can’t deny,” he retorted, “that it was -most strange that the man should inquire for -your family and then take flight when he learned -that you were about to appear before him.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That, I admit, was odd indeed. Nevertheless, -I do not think it justifies you in seeking to connect -us with the ex-convict, James Wilson. It’s -scarcely necessary for me to tell you that we -have never known such a man.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It gives me no small amount of satisfaction,” -said Sleuth, “to hear that statement from your -lips, even though it may, in a measure, make my -work more difficult.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Your work? What do you propose to do?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I hope to lay this safe-cracker by the heels. -I hope to enmesh him in the toils and turn him -over to the stern hand of justice.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>“In which case it seems to me that your proper -course would be to notify the officers. Why -don’t you go to Deputy Sheriff Pickle?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Haw!” cried Sleuth, contemptuously snapping -his fingers. “That would be the height of -folly. These rural officers are blockheads in -ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, and William -Pickle is no exception. For instance, recall the -bungling mess he made of it when he arrested -your friend, Benjamin Stone. Only for me, -Stone might have been convicted of a crime he -never committed.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You helped get Ben out of an unpleasant predicament,” -admitted Sage; “but in that case -Pickle did his duty, according to instructions. If -you are so positive that you’re not bungling in -this case, you’ll require the assistance of Mr. -Pickle, for you can’t expect to capture James -Wilson unaided.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“And so you would advise me to apply to -Pickle? You would advise me to tell him my -deductions, through which he would be enabled, -perhaps, to capture this jail-breaker and get the -reward of five hundred dollars? That’s what -would happen if he made the capture; he’d claim -the reward, and get it. Oh, I know Bill Pickle!”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>“If you gave the information on which the -man was arrested, doubtless you could claim and -obtain a portion of the reward money.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Perhaps so, and perhaps not. I tell you I -know Bill Pickle. He’d get it all if he could.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“But, having talked with Roy Hooker of this -matter, how do you expect to keep it secret long -enough to do anything yourself?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I didn’t tell Hooker about James Wilson. I -simply questioned him regarding the stranger, -and learned enough to satisfy me that he and -Wilson must be the same man.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well, how did you happen to tell <i>me</i> so -much?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Sleuth hesitated. “You see, I—I thought it -might be—well, different in your case,” he stumbled. -“I fancied there might be reasons why you -wouldn’t care to say anything about it.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Sage rose to his feet. “You make me tired, -Piper,” he said, with a touch of angry reproof. -“It’s evident that you <i>did</i> think my family was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>somehow connected with this criminal, whom we -might be inclined to shield. Just to show you -what a bungler you really are, I think I’ll tell -Pickle myself.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>In a moment the visitor was thrown into the -utmost consternation. Seizing Fred by the arm, -he cried:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Don’t do that—don’t! Why, if you did, and -Pickle should happen to catch the man and he -turned out to be the right one, you’d get part of -the reward! That wouldn’t be fair to me, Fred, -and you know it. Give a chap a square deal, old -man.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“If you’re right in your suspicions, Piper, it’s -a bad thing to have this jail-breaker prowling -around Oakdale, and it’s your duty to notify the -local officers.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“But supposing,” protested Sleuth, “that, by -some unusual chance, I should be mistaken? You -can see what that would mean. I might get the -wrong man arrested and make an awful mess of -it. I might become the laughing stock of the village. -My professional reputation might be -blasted.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>“Oh, then you’re not nearly as confident as you -pretended to be? It seems to me like a huge joke, -Piper, and if you’ll take my advice, you’ll stop -cramming your head with foolish detective yarns -and abandon the idea that you possess any special -talents in the way of detecting criminals or -fathoming mysteries. The last I heard about -you, you were trying to write stories, and, by the -way of amusement, I advise you to rely upon -that occupation. Not that I imagine you’ll ever -write anything printable, but it might serve to -keep you from the rather obnoxious habit of -poking your nose into affairs which don’t concern -you.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Thus reproved, Sleuth found it difficult to restrain -his indignation and resentment.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You’re like everybody else around here,” he -cried. “But you should remember the old saying -that a prophet is never without honor save in his -own country. Some day I’ll show these people -a thing or two, see if I don’t. I’ll make them sit -<span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>up and take notice. They may think Billy -Piper’s a fool, but I’ll show them. Say, Sage, -give me a little time on this case; don’t run -straight to Pickle with what I’ve told you. Promise -me you won’t do that.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>In spite of himself, Fred laughed. “If I really -thought there was one chance in a hundred that -you had guessed right, I might insist on telling -Pickle, providing you refused to do so. Not having -the slightest confidence in your so-called ‘deductions,’ -I’m willing to keep still.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Thanks,” said Piper. “Some fellows I -wouldn’t trust, even on their promise; but I know -you, and I’m sure you’ll do nothing without first -consulting me. I think I’ll be going.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Sage descended and bade Piper good-night at -the door, watching Sleuth slouch away toward -the distant lights of the village, a few of which -gleamed through the darkness. Andrew Sage -glanced up as the boy returned to the sitting-room.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well,” he said, “been discussing football, -son?”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>“Not exactly,” answered Fred. “Piper had -something else on his mind.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Isn’t he a bit queer?” asked Mrs. Sage, who -was employing herself with some needlework in -front of the open fire.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Most persons think he is.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“He behaves so oddly. Does he always act -like that?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, it’s Piper’s way. The fellows don’t pay -much attention to it, though they josh him sometimes.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Fred attempted again to interest himself in his -book, but in spite of his efforts, his mind wandered -from the story, and he repeatedly found -himself thinking of Sleuth and the matter they -had discussed. There was, of course, a remote -possibility that Piper had not made a mistake -in fancying the stranger in Oakdale was James -Wilson, for whose capture a large reward had -been offered; and only for his promise to remain -silent Fred might have told his parents. He was -inclined to regret that unconsidered pledge. -Presently, his eyes drooping, he decided to go to -bed, and bade his father and mother good-night.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>In his room he paced the floor, thinking it all -over, his perplexity increasing.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I can’t understand why that man ran away -after asking about us,” he muttered. “That’s -what gets me. If I hadn’t been afraid of giving -mother uneasiness, I’d have told about it when -I first came home. Piper can’t be right, for certainly -we don’t know any convicts and jail-breakers.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>As if his final words had given him a shock, -he stopped in his tracks, his lips parted, his face -paling somewhat, and for some moments he -stood thus, without moving. Presently he resumed -his walk up and down the room, his brows -knitted, his manner absorbed. At last he stopped -and laughed shortly as he thought of Piper pacing -the floor in almost precisely that same way.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, he’s a joke. I’m going to bed.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The strenuous diversions of the day had given -him a healthy weariness which he was now feeling, -and it did not take him long to undress. He -had put out the light when he remembered that -his window was still closed, and he turned to -open it.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>With his hand on the sash he paused, an electric -thrill shooting through his body. Directly -beneath his room the light from a lower window -shone forth into the darkness, falling upon the -dimly seen figure of a man, who, with his hat -pulled down over his eyes, was standing where -he could look into the sitting-room.</p> - -<p class='c011'>For some seconds Fred remained rigid, watching -the motionless man. In an instant he had -become convinced that it was the stranger with -whom Hooker had talked, but the baffling hat-brim -prevented Fred from seeing the fellow’s -face.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Suddenly, as if becoming aware that someone -was near who had no right to be there, the dog -barked in the room below. Immediately the man -drew hastily back from the border of light and -retreated into the darkness.</p> - -<p class='c011'>In a twinkling Fred Sage was leaping into his -clothes. The dog, quieted by a word from Mr. -Sage, did not bark again. The deep darkness beneath -a tree near the house had enfolded the -man.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>Fred did not strike a light. With his hastily -donned clothes barely clinging to him, he caught -up a pair of rubber-soled “sneakers,” thrust his -feet into them, opened the door of his room -quickly but quietly, and crept down the stairs. -He could hear his father and mother talking, -but they did not hear him as he turned the key -in the lock of the door and let himself out.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Quivering with excitement, the boy reached -the corner of the house and peered round it. He -could see no one, although the tree beneath which -the man had vanished was only a short distance -away.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“If I can find him, I’ll demand to know what -business he has around here,” thought Fred. “If -mother knew, she’d be badly frightened.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Summoning all his courage, he stepped out -boldly and advanced toward the tree, but when -he reached it there was still no living creature -to be seen.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>Twice Sage circled the buildings without result, -and he became satisfied that the unknown -had lost no time in departing.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“But it’s mighty queer,” he muttered—“mighty -queer. I don’t understand it. Perhaps -I ought to tell father, but if I do I know mother -won’t sleep to-night.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Silently though he reentered the house, Spot -barked again, and Fred’s father opened the door -into the hall.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Just stepped outdoors for a minute,” said the -boy. “It’s going to be a good day to-morrow, I -think.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, is it you?” said Mr. Sage. “Spot barked, -and your mother thought he heard something. -We had an idea you were abed.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’m going now. Good-night. Good-night, -mother.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Good-night, Fred,” called his mother in response, -and Mr. Sage closed the door.</p> - -<p class='c011'>For more than half an hour Fred watched -from his unlighted window. He heard his parents -retire, and the light no longer shone forth -from the sitting-room. His eyes had become accustomed -to the darkness and he could see certain -<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>objects in the vicinity of the house, but they -were all familiar objects, and amid them no -strange shadow moved.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’ll have to tell father and mother to-morrow,” -decided the boy, as he finally got into bed.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Again and again during the night he dreamed -of the mysterious stranger, and once he awoke -panting from a terrific hand-to-hand struggle -with the man. It brought him up to gaze once -more from the window, through which came the -chill air of the autumn night.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’m a fool,” he whispered, his teeth chattering -with the cold. “I’m going to sleep now, and -see if I can’t dodge those silly dreams. Confound -Sleuth Piper, anyhow! Still, I’d like to -know what that man was doing here.”</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span> - <h2 id='chapVI.' class='c009'>CHAPTER VI. <br /> <br /> CAPTAIN QUINN’S MONKEY.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>Fred’s parents were regular church attendants, -and Fred himself rarely failed to appear -with them at morning service on the Sabbath -day. It must be regretfully confessed that -church had little attraction for many of the -youths of Oakdale, and among those who seldom -sat through a sermon was Roy Hooker.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Roy, however, was waiting on the sidewalk in -front of the church when Fred came out. It was -a mild, sunny day, and the outside world looked -most attractive. In response to a covert signal -from Hooker, Sage joined him.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Come for a walk, old man,” invited Roy. -“Gee! you must be dopey, sitting in that dark old -church and listening to a dry sermon.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I did get a bit sleepy,” Fred confessed. -“You’re not going to walk far, are you?”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>“Oh, you can suit yourself about that. What -time do you have dinner?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Around two o’clock.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That will give us a couple of hours. It’s -mighty pokey loafing around all day Sunday, -with nothing for amusement. If you’d only go -gunning——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Not on the Sabbath. Too many fellows do -that around here.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Fred’s parents had lingered to exchange a few -words with some friends, and as they finally -came down the walk he told them he was going -for a short stroll with Roy.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Be home to dinner, surely,” urged his mother.</p> - -<p class='c011'>He promised, and set off with Hooker, turning -down the street. At the square, in the center -of the village, they turned on to Lake Street and -proceeded eastward, passing the new bank, a -small, square building of brick and stone.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That makes a great improvement on this -street,” commented Fred.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>“Oh, yes,” nodded Hooker; “but it would have -looked better had they been able to purchase that -little old hut and the land belonging to Aaron -Quinn. That shanty, squatting right there almost -under the rear eaves of the bank, is a regular -eyesore, but I understand old Quinn refused -to sell at any price.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The building in question was a tiny old house -that stood some distance from the street, partly -hidden by two large oak trees and a straggling -growth of lilac bushes. It was sorely in need of -repairs and paint, and some of the broken windows -had been patched or stuffed with rags.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Aaron Quinn, the owner of this disreputable -little shanty, was a surly, blustering old sea captain, -who had given up his calling on account of -age and rheumatism and returned to spend the -latter days of his life at his birthplace in Oakdale. -His irascible temper and general crabbedness -made him more or less unpopular among -the villagers, and especially so with the boys of -the town, who seldom lost an opportunity to jibe -or annoy him.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>As the two friends were passing beneath the -spreading limbs of one of the oaks, something -struck Roy on the shoulder and bounded to the -sidewalk. It was an acorn, and Hooker might -have thought that it had fallen in a natural manner -from the tree had it not been followed almost -immediately by another, which clipped the -edge of his cap-visor.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Hey!” he exclaimed, looking up. “Who’s -throwing them? Oh, I see; it’s that confounded -monkey.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Grinning down at the boys from one of the -branches, a large monkey let fly another acorn -with surprising accuracy. The creature belonged -to the old sea captain, being, apparently, Quinn’s -only congenial companion; and, like his master, -the monkey had learned to detest the village lads.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Ah! ha! Mr. Jocko,” cried Hooker, as he -quickly stepped off the sidewalk and found a -stone. “Two can play at that game.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Don’t,” said Fred.</p> - -<p class='c011'>But before he could interfere Roy had sent the -stone whistling and clipping through the -branches of the tree, causing Jocko to utter a -chattering scream of mingled dismay and defiance -as he quickly mounted higher.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>In a moment there came a roar from the hut -beyond the lilac bushes, and forth from the door, -which had been standing ajar, issued Aaron -Quinn with his stout cane. At one time, although -rather short of stature, he had been a -sturdy, husky man, who commanded the respect, -if not the liking, of his sailors. Now the bushy -fringe of whiskers beneath his chin seemed to -bristle, his lips were drawn back from his teeth, -and his eyes glared with rage.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You young lubber!” he shouted, as he came -hobbling down the path, flourishing the cane. -“I’ll teach ye! I’ll larn ye to stone my monkey! -If I ketch ye, I’ll break your back!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>With a mocking shout of laughter and a taunt, -Hooker took to his heels.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Run, Fred!” he cried. “The old gink will -swat you if you don’t!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>But Sage did not run. Instead, he remained -calmly facing the wrathy old sailor, who seemed -bent on using the stout cane over the boy’s head.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>“Why don’t you skedaddle?” snarled Captain -Quinn. “Ain’t you got sense enough to run?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I didn’t do anything, and I sha’n’t run,” was -the quiet retort. “I don’t believe you’ll hit me.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The man paused with the cane uplifted, surprise -written on his face.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, it’s you, is it?” he said in a milder tone. -“You’re about the only brat around here who -hasn’t tried his tricks on me. You seem to be -different from the rest of these unmanly cubs. -No, I won’t crack ye, but if ever I get my hands -on that other rascal, he’ll have to take to his bed.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Aw, you couldn’t catch a snail,” taunted -Hooker. “Somebody will shoot that monkey of -yours some day.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“If anybody hurts him, they’ll sartain wish -they hadn’t,” retorted Quinn. “He knows more -than half the people in this town, and that ain’t -giving him a great deal of credit. Here, Jocko—here, -come down.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Chattering a little, the monkey slowly swung -himself down to the lower limbs and dropped to -his master’s shoulder, where he perched in evident -assurance of security, making faces at the -boys.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>Fred laughed and rejoined Hooker, while, assisted -by his cane, Aaron Quinn hobbled back -toward the hut, carrying the monkey.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It would be a good thing if that old pirate -would get out of town,” said Roy. “He’s no benefit -to the place.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“He’s harmless enough if people will let him -alone,” retorted Fred; “but he’s been pestered -so much that he seems to have it in for everybody. -At the most, it’s doubtful if he lives many -years, and when he dies the bank people will -doubtless get his little place for what it’s really -worth.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>They proceeded on their way, the conversation -soon drifting into other channels, football for a -time being the main topic, as, to Sage’s surprise, -Hooker betrayed considerable interest in the -game.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You’re right about old Stoney,” he said. “He -knows the new rules. Why, he must have -studied them until he has every word by heart. -Perhaps he’ll make a fairly good captain, after -all, though he never can come up to Roger Eliot.”</p> -<div id='fig03' class='figcenter id004'> -<img src='images/pic74-75.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p><span class='small'>AARON QUINN HOBBLED BACK TOWARD THE HUT, CARRYING THE MONKEY. —Page 74.</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>“Perhaps not,” admitted Sage. “Eliot certainly -was a natural leader at anything he undertook. -I’m glad you came out yesterday.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, it isn’t likely I’ll get a chance to play.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’ll guarantee you will if you pitch in. Why, -there’s Piper, the last fellow one would ever suppose -could make good at the game.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That’s right,” agreed Roy. “Say, he came -round and interviewed me last night. He’s got -another bug in his bonnet. Asked me all sorts -of questions about the strange man I saw in the -woods. What do you suppose he thinks he’s up -to?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“He’s struck a trail,” laughed Fred. “He was -up at my house to see me, too.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well, it would give me some satisfaction if -he could find out who the man was. Don’t suppose -you were able to enlighten him any?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Not a bit. I told you yesterday that I hadn’t -the remotest idea who the stranger could be.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>“I know you did, but I thought you might have -placed him since.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Down the river on the road to Clearport they -entered a grove and sat chatting for some time -on a fallen tree. Roy was anxious for another -gunning expedition, but Fred feared that school -work and football practice would give him little -time for it. Finally they returned to the village, -and Roy walked up Main Street to accompany -his friend part of the way toward home.</p> - -<p class='c011'>On the sidewalk in front of Urian Eliot’s -house they saw Mr. Eliot talking with Lucius -Timmick, the cashier of the bank. Timmick was -a man under thirty years of age, thin, smooth-faced, -save for some high cut “siders,” and a -trifle sanctimonious in his manner. He was -dressed wholly in black and carried a Bible in -his hand.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Mr. Eliot spoke pleasantly to the boys as they -passed, and Timmick gave them a grudging nod.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That dried-up shrimp makes me tired,” muttered -Hooker. “Just because Urian Eliot took -him into the bank and made him cashier, he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>thinks he’s something. I know him; he always -was a sneak. Why, he used to watch the boys -nights and blow on them every time they had a -little fun. He caught us hooking apples once, -and made an awful fuss about it. Talked of -having some of us sent to the reform school. -Now he teaches a class in Sabbath School, and -butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It is evident,” smiled Fred, “that you don’t -love Mr. Timmick much.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You wouldn’t think much of him either, if -you’d lived long in Oakdale. He has too much -dignity now to sneak round nights trying to find -out what the fellows are doing, but he’s just as -much a fox as he ever was. If I was president -of a bank, I’d never trust him to handle the -cash.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Evidently Mr. Eliot trusts him thoroughly.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, yes, he’s got Urian Eliot fooled. Well, -guess I’ll hike for home, as Rod Grant would say. -Bye, bye, old man.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>Thus far Fred had found no good opportunity -to tell his father privately about the mysterious -stranger and about what he had seen from his -window the night before, nor did he find such a -chance that day. The following morning he -dismissed the matter from his mind, fancying -it improbable that the man would again be -seen around Oakdale.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span> - <h2 id='chapVII.' class='c009'>CHAPTER VII. <br /> <br /> ANNOYING ATTENTIONS.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>Sleuth Piper seemed to develop a sudden remarkable -fondness for Fred Sage, upon whom -he persisted in thrusting himself whenever possible, -although he endeavored to make his actions -seem natural and unpremeditated. At the -academy he hung around a great deal in Fred’s -vicinity, usually near enough to hear and understand -anything Sage might say. Time after -time he engaged Fred in conversation, which he -usually brought about by speaking of school matters -or sports in which the most of the boys were -interested.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Monday morning, as he was making his way -to the academy, Fred had been a bit surprised to -encounter Sleuth in the vicinity of the Methodist -church, for Piper, if also bound for school, had -come a considerable distance out of his way. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>This action seemed to be explained, however, -when the queer fellow betrayed a certain amount -of anxiety lest Sage had broken his promise to -maintain secrecy regarding the Saturday night -interview at Fred’s house.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What do you take me for, Piper?” exclaimed -Fred, annoyed. “When I get ready to tell about -that, I’ll let you know in advance.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No offence, old fellow,” said Sleuth hastily. -“You understand anyone can let such things leak -unintentionally.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>That night, after the shower in the gym following -practice on the field, Sleuth was waiting -to join Fred and persisted in walking all the way -home with him, maintaining a confidential atmosphere, -which seemed to invite confidence and -trust on the part of the other. This effort was -so palpably apparent that, although inwardly annoyed, -Sage could not help laughing over it when -Sleuth finally set off for his own home.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“The chump!” he muttered. “He thinks he’s -clever, but it’s easy enough to see through him.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>But when, on the following morning, Sleuth -again joined Fred on the way to school, Sage -could scarcely restrain his annoyance. Succeeding, -however, he tried the effect of joshing and -banter.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Say, Sleuth,” he laughed, “you’ve certainly -taken a sudden pronounced liking for my society. -I never dreamed you entertained such deep affection -for me.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh,” returned Piper, with pretended carelessness, -“I’ve always liked you, Fred, ever since -you came here from—from—. Let me see, where -did you come from? I’ve forgotten.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Perhaps you never knew.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That’s right, perhaps I didn’t. Seems to me, -though, I’ve heard it was somewhere in New -York State. Is that right?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Let it go at that; it’s near enough.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, if there’s any reason why you don’t care -to tell, of course you’ve a right to decline to answer.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>“Do you know, Sleuth, I always feel a natural -disinclination to gratify the unwarranted curiosity -of people who try to pry into affairs that are -of no concern to them.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, piffle, Fred! I’m not prying. What’s the -matter with you? I was just thinking that probably -before coming here you attended a school -of more importance than Oakdale Academy. -You knew as much about football as any fellow -in this town when you appeared here, and that’s -how you happened to get on the team as quarterback -last year. Eliot said you were the fellow -best adapted for the position, and you proved -that he was right by the way you filled it.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Thanks for the taffy. Your generosity in -handing it out has got me going. What do you -want to know next? Ask and ye shall <i>not</i> receive. -Rubber and you’ll get it in the neck.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, all right, if you’re going to take it that -way,” muttered Piper sourly. “Still, I don’t see -why you should be so thundering suspicious. -That is, I don’t see unless——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Unless I’ve some dark and terrible secret to -conceal. You’re still making a jack of yourself -trying to connect the Sages with your desperate -<span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>jailbird, Gentleman Jim. It doesn’t seem to me, -my astute detective friend, that you’re making -much progress on your latest case. Apparently -that reward is keeping well beyond the reach of -your grasping fingers.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Even Sherlock Holmes required a certain -amount of time to solve his problems,” reminded -Piper, causing his companion to laugh loudly.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“As an imitator of the great Sherlock, you’re -a merry jest, Pipe. Go ahead and amuse yourself -playing your little farce, but don’t bother -me.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>It was difficult, however, to escape Piper, who -again persisted in hovering about in Fred’s vicinity -throughout the day.</p> - -<p class='c011'>That night, shortly after four o’clock, Mrs. -Sage, at work in her kitchen, was surprised and -a little startled when Billy Piper came walking in -through the door, which chanced to be standing -open, as the day had been unusually warm for -the season.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Good evening,” said the boy. “I just ran up -to see Fred a minute. Is he around?”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>“No, indeed,” was the answer. “He never -gets home now until after dark. Football practice -keeps him. Don’t you play on the team?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, yes,” answered Pipe easily; “but I don’t -have to practice all the time. You see, I’m pretty -well up on the game. If you don’t mind, I’ll wait -for Fred.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Of course I don’t mind, though it’s likely he’ll -not be home for more than an hour.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, well, I’ll just make myself comfortable -till he comes. Thought perhaps he might have -a book for me to read. I’m a great reader.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“There are some magazines on the sitting-room -table.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Thanks,” said Sleuth, entering the room indicated. -“I reckon they will do first-rate. Don’t -mind about me, Mrs. Sage. Here’s a nice, comfortable -chair, and I’ll be all right.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Although she wondered that he should have -come there expecting to find Fred at that time, -Mrs. Sage attributed it to the boy’s eccentricity, -though occasionally she glanced into the sitting-room -when passing the open door. Sleuth -<span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>seemed to be interested for a time in the magazines, -but presently she discovered him gazing -around the room, although he remained seated -near the table. A few moments later she saw -his face brighten up as his eyes discovered an -old-fashioned family photograph album within -reach of his hand. In a moment he was looking -through the album, apparently deeply engrossed -in the pictures it contained, and for some time he -remained thus occupied. Mrs. Sage had almost -forgotten the visitor when he reappeared in the -kitchen.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I don’t believe I’ll wait for Fred after all,” -said Sleuth. “I think I’ll go home. Tell him -when he comes that I was looking for a good -book, but I don’t believe he has anything of the -kind that would suit me.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>It was verging on twilight when Sleuth departed, -and something like half an hour later -Fred reached home. On being told by his mother -of Piper’s visit, the boy betrayed some surprise -and a singular amount of annoyance.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>“Confound that fellow!” he exclaimed. “I’d -like to know what he means. Did he try to pump -you, mother?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Pump me? Why, no, I don’t think——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Didn’t ask you a whole lot of foolish questions, -did he?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I don’t think he asked me any questions at -all.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well, what did he do while he was here?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Entertained himself by looking at some magazines -in the sitting-room.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“He didn’t go prowling around over the -house?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“He went no further than that room.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Still, he had no business around here.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“He said that he came for a book. He wanted -something to read.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Bluff. He knows the stories I read wouldn’t -interest him at all. Furthermore, he knew when -he came that I wasn’t here. He got excused -from practice to-night by saying that he had a -cracking headache and felt ill.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>“He didn’t mention anything of the sort to -me, and I’m sure he did not appear ill. I’m -afraid there’s something wrong with that boy, -Fred. You admitted yourself that some people -thought him queer.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’ll queer him, if he doesn’t behave,” muttered -Fred.</p> - -<p class='c011'>On Wednesday morning Piper was not waiting -for Sage on the way to school, but Fred -found him with some other fellows at the academy. -Straightway Sleuth was called aside by -the vexed youth.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Look here, Piper,” said Fred grimly, “I want -to know why you showed up at my house last -night and asked for me, when you knew I was at -practice on the field?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Why, didn’t your mother tell you I wanted to -borrow a book?” asked Sleuth innocently.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Now don’t try any of that on me,” advised -the other boy. “You knew I wouldn’t have anything -you’d care to read. Besides that, you pretended -that you expected to find me home.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Who said so?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“My mother.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, she misunderstood me.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>“But <i>I</i> don’t misunderstand you, and I’ll tell -you now to keep away from me and my home in -future. I mean it, too. This business of playing -the detective may be amusing and interesting to -you, but it’s infernally annoying to anyone you -happen to pester. I’ve had enough of it, and I -won’t stand any more. Get that?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Of course I get it,” replied Sleuth sulkily. -“I’m no fool.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Then don’t act like one. That’s all I have to -say.” With which Fred turned sharply and -walked away.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Those who have guilty secrets,” muttered -Piper to himself, “are always annoyed by too -much attention.”</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span> - <h2 id='chapVIII.' class='c009'>CHAPTER VIII. <br /> <br /> HOOKER HAS A PLAN.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>On Thursday afternoon the Oakdale football -team put in the last strenuous practice before the -first real game of the season, which was to be -played Saturday on the home grounds, the contesting -eleven coming from Barville. As far as -possible Captain Stone had drilled a knowledge -of the new rules into the heads of his followers, -and although, like a good captain, he was not -wholly satisfied either with their advancement or -his own, he decided that stiff, strenuous practice -work on Friday would not be advisable, considering -the possibility that someone might get -hurt, with insufficient time to recover before the -Barville contest. Therefore he simply notified -his teammates to come out Friday for a little -brushing up in signals.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>Encouraged by Sage, Hooker had practiced -faithfully, and had made a fairly good showing -in the line of the scrub team when it played short -periods against the regulars. Fortunately, Roy’s -“condition” had been excellent when he began -this, and therefore, save for a few minor bruises -and sprains, which caused temporary soreness or -lameness, he escaped injury. He was feeling -somewhat elated over this when he left the gymnasium -in company with Fred.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It doesn’t seem to be such a tough old game, -after all,” said Roy. “Of course a fellow gets -pounded around a lot, but it doesn’t hurt him -much if he’s good and hard.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That’s the point generally overlooked by people -who put up a holler against the game,” said -Fred. “Football isn’t for babies and weaklings, -and the fellow who goes into it should be in perfect -health and hardened by training that will enable -him to stand up under pounding and jolts -which would put a feeble chap all to the bad in -no time at all. Observe how quickly fellows in -fine condition recover from injuries on the field -which would seem sufficient to put them under -<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>the doctor’s care for weeks or months. When -some foolish chap who is soft as mush or has -some chronic weakness attempts to get into the -game, notice how often it happens that he’s the -one seriously injured; and of course this gives -people who do not understand the circumstances -and who are opposed to the game a chance to -raise a great to-do.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“My folks have never wanted me to play.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well, mine are not enthusiastically in favor -of my playing, although my mother is the chief -objector. But she’s always worrying about me -of late, no matter what I do. It has been that -way ever since——” He checked himself suddenly.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Ever since what?” asked Roy.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh,” answered Fred evasively, “ever since I -got old enough to go in for such things. She -doesn’t like to have me go gunning, and she actually -cried when father bought me my gun.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, say,” exclaimed Hooker quickly, “that -makes me think of something. Why can’t we -get in a little shooting Saturday morning? There -<span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>ought to be ducks over in Marsh Pond, and we -could try ’em Saturday, and arrange to get home -by the middle of the forenoon--by half past ten -or eleven, at the latest. That would give us -plenty of time to rest up before the game.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“But Marsh Pond is nearly five miles from -here, and, in order to get there early enough to -pick up any ducks in the morning, we’d have to -turn out in the middle of the night and make a -stiff tramp of it. I’m afraid that would be a little -too much, Hooker.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Now listen to me; I have a plan. I’m not in -favor of rising at two or three o’clock and hoofing -it all that distance for half an hour’s shooting -after daybreak. You’re as wise to the signals -as any fellow on the team, aren’t you?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I think so,” nodded Fred modestly.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Think so! Why, you’ve got them down pat. -You can reel ’em off like hot shot, and you know -every time just what you’re firing at. A little -signal practice to-morrow wouldn’t do you any -good, and, as I’m only a scrub man, it isn’t worth -my while bothering. I know where we can get a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>good set of decoys to use on that duck hunt, and -if you’ll go I’ll agree to get ’em. We can start -right after school to-morrow, and I’ll bet I can -hire Abe Hubbard to take us over to the pond -with his old horse and wagon. It won’t cost a -great deal, for Hubbard isn’t doing much of -anything, and he’d be glad to pick up a dollar. -It wouldn’t surprise me if the sight of a whole -dollar would hire him to tote us over there and -come for us any time we might set on Saturday. -If I can fix it,” he concluded eagerly, “will you -go?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>They had paused in front of the post-office, and -Fred meditated a moment over the proposal. -They were standing there as Sleuth Piper came -up, passed them and entered the building, turning -to cast a swift glance in their direction.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It listens good, Hooker,” said Fred, tempted; -“but where are we going to stay all night? Have -you thought of that?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You bet I have. Why, don’t you remember -there’s an old camp over there, which nobody -ever uses nowadays? It has a stone fireplace, -and if we take an axe along to cut wood we can -be as comfortable as you please.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>It was not remarkable that the temptation -grew, for what real boy would not be lured by -the prospect of a night in an old camp in the -woods?</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It listens good,” repeated Fred, smiling a bit; -“but how about a boat? Without a dog to do our -retrieving, if we shoot anything we’ll certainly -need a boat. Spot is no water dog, and he’d be -practically useless for us.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“There isn’t any boat,” admitted Roy; “but I -know where there’s an old raft on the shore within -twenty rods of the shooting blind some hunters -made last fall. I know the raft ought to be -there, for I used it when I was over there fishing -once this summer. I saw the blind and inspected -it, too, and it will be all right for us without doing -a thing to it. It’s close by the feeding -grounds at the western end of the lake and will -serve us much better than a new one, as the -ducks are thoroughly accustomed to the sight -<span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>of it by this time. You know how they shy sometimes -at a newly built blind they’ve never seen -before. With that raft near by for our use, we -can pick up any ducks we knock down. Come on, -Fred, of course you’ll go.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’ll speak to Stone about it in the morning.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That would be rather late, for you know I’ve -got to see Hubbard and fix it with him. Why -not see Stone to-night? Give him a good game -of talk. Tell him you feel the need of something -like this to brace you up. Hard study, regular -practice, monotony, anxiety about the game—you -know the sort of argument to put up. He’ll -be a chump if he refuses. Why, if I was on the -team I’d simply see him and tell him I was going -to go anyhow.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“And you’d put yourself in bad with old -Stoney. He’s an easy-going fellow in some -things, but when it comes to football matters he -believes in discipline and enforces it, too.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes,” nodded Roy, “he’s a little too stiff to -suit me; something of a tyrant, it seems.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>“Not a tyrant; simply a captain who knows -what is right and demands it of his followers. -If Stone says he doesn’t think I should go, of -course I won’t, that’s all.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“But you will if he’ll agree?” cried Hooker -exultantly. “Say, old man, leave it to me; let -me talk to Ben. I’ll tell him you want to go, but -don’t like to ask the privilege.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“And that would be the truth.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Sure. No need to lie about it. Think perhaps -he can put a substitute in your place, same -as he would have to do if you were hurt in a -game, and that will be a good thing, as it will -brace the sub up on signaling. Will you leave it -to me, old chap?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>After a little hesitation, Sage agreed. “Go -ahead; have your own way about it. If Ben says -it’s all right, I’ll go ducking with you.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’ll let you know this very evening,” promised -Hooker, as his friend started up the street toward -home.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Sage did not see Piper come quickly out of the -post-office and hasten after Roy. Having observed -the two boys in earnest consultation, -Sleuth’s curiosity was at white heat.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>Near eight o’clock that evening Hooker came -to see Fred at the latter’s home.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It’s all right,” he announced in enthusiastic -triumph. “I brought Stone round nicely, and he -says you may go. I’ve seen Hubbard, too, and -fixed it up with him. He’ll be ready to start -right after school to-morrow, and he’ll come for -us at half past nine Saturday morning.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Fred’s mother was listening with sudden interest. -“What are you planning, boys?” she -asked.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Fred explained, observing that her face took -on a shade of anxiety.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Now don’t begin to worry, mother,” he -begged. “You know Roy and I are both careful -with guns, and there isn’t a bit of danger. -I don’t want to fret you, but I hope you won’t -object.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>She sighed a little. “I suppose it’s foolish, -but I can’t help feeling anxious about you when -you go gunning. However, your father bought -you the gun, and, now that you have it, it -wouldn’t seem reasonable for me to seek to prevent -you from getting some pleasure through the -use of it.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>“All boys love a gun,” smiled Andrew Sage, -“and the right sort of a boy rarely gets hurt with -one.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Then it’s all fixed,” laughed Roy. “Get everything -ready to start right away after school, -Fred. Take along a blanket, for you’ll need it -in the old camp. If we have any luck at all, we -ought to bring home some ducks.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Roy had been gone some time when Fred’s -mother came up quietly behind his chair, bent -over him and put her arms about his neck.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Don’t think me foolish, my dear,” she said -in a low tone. “You understand why I can’t -help worrying. You’re the only boy I have left, -now.”</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span> - <h2 id='chapIX.' class='c009'>CHAPTER IX. <br /> <br /> THE CAMP IN THE WOODS.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>Something over four miles from Oakdale Abel -Hubbard reined his horse into an old road which -led from the main highway into the depths of the -woods. Fred and Roy, with their outfits, were -in the wagon, and, the time being short ere darkness -must come on, they urged Hubbard to make -haste.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Can’t hit any high places along this old -road,” answered the fat little village constable. -“If I tried it, I’d bounce ye both out in no time. -’Tain’t fur to the pond now, so what’s the use to -be in such an all-fired rush? All I want to do -is git back on to the main road before it sets in -dark.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“But we’ve got some things to do ourselves,” -said Roy. “We’ve got to find the old raft and -have it ready for use in the morning, besides cutting -firewood and getting settled down for the -night.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>“That hadn’t orter take ye long. I’ll git ye -there as soon’s I can. It’s sort of an accommodation, -anyhow. I wouldn’t think of making -both trips for anybody else unless they paid me -twice as much.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You’re not very busy these days, are you, Mr. -Hubbard?” asked Fred, smiling a little. “It -seems to me an easy way for you to pick up a dollar.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, I could be busy,” returned the man, “if -I wanted to work for Lem Hayden in his quarry -or kilns, and I guess I could find a job in the -mills; but, as a regular commissioned officer, it’s -my duty to be unhampered and ready for anything -that may turn up. If I was workin’ and -Sheriff Pickle happened to need me, I’d have to -knock off.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Real work had never seemed to have much -fascination for Abel Hubbard.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>“Then there are plenty of jobs a man might -get around Oakdale,” said Roy. “If a stranger -should show up with references, he could find -something to do, couldn’t he?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Reckon he could, such as it was. I don’t -cal’late them Dagoes in the quarries bring many -references.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You haven’t seen any stranger around town -recently looking for work, have you?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No, don’t think I have.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I didn’t know,” said Roy. “Last Saturday, -while gunning with Fred, I met a man who said -he was in search of a job, and he asked me about -the chances in town. I haven’t seen anything of -him since.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I generally take special notice of everybody -that comes inter Oakdale,” asserted Constable -Hubbard. “I cal’late it’s good policy to do so. -Ain’t nobody new showed up lately, so I guess -your man didn’t stop around here.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I don’t believe he did,” said Roy.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Presently they reached the old camp, from -which, through the trees, they could get a -glimpse of the pond. It did not take them long -to jump out and unload their belongings, which -<span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>were carried into the camp, the door being fastened -merely by a wooden peg thrust through a -staple. Hubbard backed his wagon round, bade -them good luck and drove off into the shadows -which were gathering in the woods.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well, here we are, Roy,” said Fred.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes, and it’s up to us to hustle. Let’s look -for that raft while it’s light enough to find it. -We can get together firewood later. Come on.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Leaving their property in the camp, they hurried -to the pond, and Hooker led the way along -the marshy shore. The water-grass and rushes -stood thick and rank at this end of the lake, and -soon Hooker pointed out a mass of dead brush -in the midst of the reeds some distance from the -marshy shore.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“There’s the old blind,” he said. “You can -see it is located so it commands the cove beyond, -and that’s where the ducks coming in to feed -usually ’light.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“How does a fellow get out to the blind?”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>“Wade. The water won’t come up to your -knees. There’s a sort of little knoll or island out -there, and the brush has been built up and woven -into the branches of an old fallen tree that may -have grown on that knoll before the water was -so high. It’s a fine chance all right. But come -on, we must dig that raft out.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>They went forward again, and suddenly, with -a splash and a sound of throbbing wings, a small -duck rose amid the rushes and went flying away -over the bosom of the lake.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Hang it all!” exclaimed Roy in vexation. -“Just look at that! If we’d brought our guns, -we might have knocked her down. That’s a -young duck, or it would have flown before we -got anywhere near. Young ones always hide if -they can, until they get thoroughly used to the -idea that their wings will serve them better. -We’ll get some shooting here in the morning, -mark what I say.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The raft was found where Hooker expected to -find it. It was a small affair and would support -only one of the boys, but would be sufficient for -their use in picking up such ducks as they might -shoot. With the raft there was a long pole and -a piece of board that had been roughly hewn into -the shape of a paddle.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>When the raft was floated Roy got on it and -poled it around into the little cove near the blind, -where he succeeded in concealing it quite effectively -amid the grass and reeds. Then he waded -ashore in his water-tight boots without sinking -nearly as much as he had thought he would.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That’s done,” he said. “Now we’ll get back -to the camp and chop our firewood while we can -see to do it. There are no signs to indicate that -anyone has shot from the blind this fall, and -therefore the ducks ought to come up to it without -fear.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Soon the strokes of an axe were ringing -through the gloomy woods as Sage worked at -the trunk of a dry fallen tree. Hooker carried -the wood into the camp and piled it beside the -old stone fireplace. Sunset’s faint afterglow -faded from the sky, and with gathering darkness -the atmosphere took on a sharp, nipping -chill, which, however, was little felt by the active -boys. Sage continued chopping, while Hooker -<span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>found time between armfuls to build a fire. -Through the open door of the camp Fred saw the -welcoming glow of the flames, and it gave him -a feeling of buoyancy, of keen relish, of intense -satisfaction in life and the pleasures thereof. It -was good to be there with his chum in those -dark and silent autumn woods, making ready to -spend the night together in that old camp before -the duck hunt that was to come in the crispness -of gray dawn.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Hooker’s figure was silhouetted in the open -doorway.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I say, old man,” he called, as he came out, -“there has been somebody in this camp lately.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That so? I thought you said you were sure -no one had used the shooting blind.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I am; I’ll bet on it. I looked to see, and I -could tell that no one had been there. They -would have left tracks and marks and probably -empty shells. Whoever it was that stopped in -the camp, they did not try any shooting from the -blind. And say, I’ll bet somebody was in that -camp last night. I thought I caught a smell of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>tobacco smoke when we first opened the door, -but it was so dusky inside that I didn’t notice -anything else. There’s fresh-cut boughs in the -bunk, and the ashes in the fireplace were hardly -cold. I found crumbs on the floor, too, and part -of a newspaper not quite two weeks old.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Then I reckon you’re right,” agreed Sage, -“though I don’t quite see why anyone should stop -in the old camp this time of year, unless he came -here to shoot ducks. We’d have been in a scrape -if we’d found someone here ahead of us to-night.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>They bore the last of the wood inside and -threw it down on a heaping pile beside the now -merrily blazing fire, which illumined the entire -interior of the camp. Hooker had thoughtfully -brought a can of water from a nearby spring, -and, thus prepared, they were ready to settle -down to the supper of sandwiches and doughnuts -put up for them by their mothers.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Roy closed and fastened the door with the inside -hasp.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>“You can see,” he said, with a gesture toward -the old bunk at one side of the room, “those -boughs on top are fresh cut.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That’s right,” nodded Sage, after examining -them. “Hacked off with a jackknife, I should -say, and not two days old. Well, somebody was -kind enough to help make us comfortable, for, -with our blankets and a fire going, we ought to -find that bunk all right to-night. I’m really -much obliged to the unknown person or persons. -I presume there may have been more than one.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Here’s that part of a newspaper,” said Roy, -taking it from the small rough table that had -been nailed against the wall opposite the bunk. -“The date on it is enough to show that someone -has been here lately.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Fred took the paper and glanced at it carelessly. -In a moment, however, a queer expression -flashed across his face, his eyes opened wide, -his lips puckered, and he gave a long, low whistle.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What is it?” questioned the boy.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“By Jove!” muttered Sage wonderingly. And -then, after a moment of silence, he repeated with -greater emphasis: “By Jove!”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>“What is it?” exclaimed Hooker.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“This paper,” answered Fred, staring at some -headlines in bold-faced type. “It’s either a part -of the same one or a duplicate of an issue I saw -in the possession of Billy Piper last Saturday -night.”</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span> - <h2 id='chapX.' class='c009'>CHAPTER X. <br /> <br /> A PERPLEXING QUESTION.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>The black headlines which had attracted -Fred’s eye told of the five hundred dollar reward -offered for the capture of Jim Wilson, who had -escaped from the Harpersville jail after a murderous -assault on the guard. The manner in -which the paper had been folded indicated that -this sensational article had been left outermost, -and the blurred ink and wear in the creases of -the folds bespoke the fact that the paper had -been carried around in someone’s pocket.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Piper?” muttered Hooker. “Why, it isn’t -likely that he has been here.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It doesn’t seem at all likely,” agreed Sage; -“but still——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What was he doing with the paper, anyhow?”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>Fred turned sidewise, so that the bright light -from the open fire fell full on the page, and his -finger indicated the news article which had held -such deep interest for Sleuth.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“See that?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes,” said Roy, peering over his chum’s -shoulder. “‘Five hundred dollars reward. Desperate -character breaks jail after murderous assault -on keeper.’ Oh, yes, that’s the sort of -stuff that would interest old Sleuthy.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’ve kept my promise to Piper to say nothing -about his wild theory,” said Fred, “and, a full -week having passed with no result, I don’t fancy -it will do him any good for me to continue a -clam. I was sure there was nothing in it, anyhow. -You see, Piper had a crazy notion that -this escaped criminal and the stranger you talked -with last Saturday might be identical. It’s -rather odd that the printed description of James -Wilson, as given here, corresponds with your description -of the man who talked with you and ran -away at my approach. Here it is.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>His eyes puckered, his lips pursed a little, -Hooker read the description of Gentleman Jim.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>“Why, that’s right,” he said slowly. “It does -sort of fit, and no mistake. But Pipe didn’t say -anything about this to me. You know I told you -how he came round and asked me a lot of questions, -some of which I couldn’t answer, and the -most of which seemed more or less foolish. He -tried to find out everything I knew about you -and your folks, seeming especially anxious to -learn where you came from when you moved into -Oakdale. Now what’s that got to do with this -stuff in the newspaper?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Fred laughed shortly. “You see,” he explained, -with a touch of scorn, “Sleuth was trying -to connect us somehow with the notorious -and desperate Mr. Wilson.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“How could he do that?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Have you forgotten that your stranger made -inquiries concerning the Sages in Oakdale? -Now you tumble; you’re on. If that man was -Wilson, he would not make such inquiries without -some knowledge of us, and, if he knew us, -it was natural to suppose that we knew him. I -informed Piper that I had never heard of such -a man.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>“That should have ended it.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Not with Sleuth. Doubtless he reasoned that -if we had ever known this criminal we would, -most naturally, be sure to deny the fact.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“But you never did know him?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Sage shot his friend a quick, resentful glance. -“Do you think I’d lie, even to Piper?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Of course not.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I never heard of this James Wilson, <i>alias</i> -Gentleman Jim, until Sleuth told me about him. -My denial, however, had little effect on Piper, -who hinted at family skeletons hidden away in -closets and then proceeded to watch me in true -dime novel detective style. For a day or two I -couldn’t shake him; he hung around me all the -time. At last I got tired of it and gave him to -understand flatly that he’d better let up.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“By Jingoes!” laughed Roy. “He was watching -you last night. After we fixed it up for this -little expedition and you had started for home, -Piper overtook me and casually did a little pumping. -Reckon I was easy, for I told him all about -<span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>it. Say, you don’t suppose——” Roy paused, -as if wondering over an idea that had flashed -into his mind.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You don’t suppose he came here to this camp -after that? Perhaps he dropped the paper himself.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Following a moment’s thought, Sage shook his -head. “It was after dark last night when he -found out what we had arranged to do, Roy. -Piper was at school to-day, and we left him starting -out for practice with the rest of the team. -While it’s not impossible, it’s most improbable -that he visited this place after learning we were -coming here, and got home in time to attend -school. The signs of a recent fire in the fireplace -and the fresh boughs on the bunk we may -accept as positive assurance that someone spent -last night here. Under any circumstances, Sleuth -wouldn’t do that—alone.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>“Never,” agreed Hooker, with conviction. -“This piece of newspaper must have been left -here by someone else. It’s a mere coincidence -that it happens to be the same issue shown you -by Piper, and it isn’t worth bothering our brains -over any further. I’m hungry. Let’s eat.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“All right,” agreed Fred, putting the newspaper -into his pocket.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Their lunch was opened up and placed on the -table. Two old boxes served them as chairs. The -warmth of the fire made the camp quite comfortable, -and its light was sufficient for their needs. -Sitting there and chatting after the manner of -bosom chums, they thoroughly enjoyed their supper.</p> - -<p class='c011'>After supper there was much to talk over, -things of mutual interest which kept them for -a time wide awake and in excellent humor. As -it was required, they placed fresh wood on the -fire, reserving the heavier sticks for the long -hours of the night, when they would need a -slower blaze.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The guns were looked over and fondled affectionately, -while they discussed their hunting -experiences, laughing with relish over blunders -<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>and failures which had seemed most annoying at -the time of their occurrence. They examined -the decoys Hooker had borrowed, making sure -they were properly “strung” and ready for setting. -Football and school affairs also furnished -topics for chatting and laughter and the expression -of more or less dogmatic opinions. At times -in the lulls of their talk they heard the night wind -in the trees outside, and occasional puffs coming -down the chimney blew a little smoke back into -the camp, the odor of which did not, however, -become strong enough to be offensive.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Behind them the firelight flung their shadows, -huge and wavering, against the camp wall, and, -looking round once by chance, Sage was startled -to observe those shadows hovering there like -something silent and sinister and menacing. Although -he did not refer again to the strange man -Roy had encountered, he was wondering who -that man could have been.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Whoo!” cried an owl from the blackness of -the woods.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>Their chatter grew less; at last it ceased. They -sat silently gazing at the fire, with its bed of -glowing coals. Hooker moved, stretched and -yawned.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It’s me for the sleeps,” he announced drowsily, -producing a dollar watch and beginning to -wind it. “We’ve got to be up and in that blind -ready for business before peep o’ day, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’m ready to turn in,” said Fred.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Fellow who sleeps on the front side of the -bunk will have to replenish the fire once in a -while. We can change round in the night and -take turns at it. How are you about waking -up?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Pretty good. I’ll take my turn first.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Some heavy logs were placed on the fire, and -Roy rolled himself into his blanket, an example -which Sage soon followed. In a few moments -Hooker was sound asleep, as his breathing indicated, -but for a long time Fred lay thinking and -wondering. He could not rid himself of the -conviction that the discovery in that old camp of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>the newspaper containing the account of Gentleman -Jim’s jail-break bore a significance unexplained -and uncomprehended. If that paper had -not been left there by Piper, who had left it?</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Whoo!” again cried the owl.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span> - <h2 id='chapXI.' class='c009'>CHAPTER XI. <br /> <br /> THE HIDDEN SPORTSMEN.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>Taking turns, the boys rose several times during -the night and replenished the fire. At best, -the bough bed was none too comfortable, but -toward morning both lads slept soundly for some -time.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Awaking suddenly after this period of slumber, -Sage lifted himself to his elbow and listened, -impressed by the hazy conviction that he had -been aroused by an unusual sound. The fire had -sunk to a mass of coals and embers, from which -emanated a faint glow that barely reached across -the stone hearth of the fireplace. Beyond that -dim gleam of light the interior of the camp was -wrapped in dense darkness. The wind no longer -roamed amid the treetops, and not even a breath -came down the chimney to disturb the gray ashes -in the fireplace.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>Fred’s heart thumped annoyingly, while his -ears were reaching out for a repetition of the -sound that had awakened him; and, when he had -begun to think it must have been a creation of -his imagination or dreams, it came again.</p> - -<p class='c011'>It was like footsteps—stealthy, cautious footsteps, -which, however, seemed to move a bit uncertainly -in the darkness. It seemed like one or -more persons walking in the woods a short distance -from the camp and occasionally stumbling -a bit, although moving slowly and with considerable -caution. The sounds were receding.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It must be some straying animal,” thought -Fred.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Fainter and fainter grew the sounds. Once or -twice there came a cracking, as of dead branches -beneath a heavy foot, and at last the listening -lad heard something that sent a shock through -him. It was like the suppressed murmur of human -voices, and was followed immediately by a -low, soft, short whistle.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Sage grasped Hooker and gave him a shake.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Hey? What is it?” mumbled Roy, awakened.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>“Hush!” breathed Fred excitedly. “There’s -someone prowling around this camp. Don’t make -a noise. Listen.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Breathless, they listened for a full minute, but -now the woods seemed silent and lifeless, and -not a thing could they hear.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Guess you’re mistaken, Fred,” said Roy in a -low tone. “You must have been dreaming.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I wasn’t dreaming,” asserted Sage positively; -“I never was more wide awake in all my life. -Keep still a little longer.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>For a long time they remained silent, gradually -growing tired and cramped by the rigid tensity -of their bodies.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“They’ve gone,” decided Sage at last.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“They?” questioned Roy. “Was there more -than one?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Two, at least. I heard them talking.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, say, Fred, you must be mistaken. Who -would come prowling around in these black -woods at this hour?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I haven’t an idea who it was, but I’ll stake -my life on it that it was somebody. Nothing in -the world could convince me that I was mistaken.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>“Oh, well, if you’re so positive——But it -seems ridiculous, impossible, preposterous. It’s -pitch dark, and no one would be wandering -through these woods under such circumstances.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Fred threw off his blanket and got up. “I -don’t blame you for thinking so, and I would say -the same if I had not heard them. What makes -it all the more unaccountable is the fact that they -were sneaking. They were using the utmost caution -in their movements, Hooker, and when a person -sneaks he’s up to something.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Perhaps,” said Roy, with an attempt at persiflage, -“it was their design to murder and rob us -for our vast wealth.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Whatever their design may have been,” said -Sage, putting some small dry wood on the coals -of the fire, “it was not honest and open. People -do not creep around through the night like cut-throats -unless they’re up to something that won’t -bear inspection.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>“If I didn’t know you as well as I do,” said -Roy, “I’d say you had a bad attack of nerves. -What time is it, anyhow?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>A little flame leaped up from the dry wood, -and by the light of this Sage looked at his watch. -“It’s almost five o’clock,” he answered in surprise.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Jingoes!” exclaimed the other boy, rising -with a bound. “It’s time we were getting out. -With sunrise an hour away, we’ve got to do some -tall hustling.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Fred agreed to this, and, although still disturbed -and perplexed over what he had heard, -he imitated Roy in losing no time about the preparations -to set forth. They pulled on their -boots, gray sweaters and coats, and gathered up -the guns, ammunition and decoys. Then the door -was opened, and they went out into the blackness -of the last hour of night. The sky must -have been overcast, for above the treetops there -was no gray hint of light to suggest the coming -dawn. The air was still and impregnated with -the coldness that suggested Thanksgiving, turkey, -plum pudding and skating.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>“I know the best way,” said Hooker. “Follow -me close.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Even though Roy knew the way, as they proceeded -toward the pond Sage was impressed by -the conviction that they made at least double the -noise that had been made by the unknown prowlers. -Reaching the pond, they hurried forward -toward the blind, but only for Hooker, they -would have passed it. Ankle deep, they waded -out through the swishing grass and reeds, and -found the old raft where it had been left.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Only one of us can work on the raft,” said -Roy. “You take the guns into the blind, while -I set the decoys.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>With no time to waste, Roy worked as swiftly -as possible. From the blind Fred could see the -dark figure of his chum, kneeling on the raft, as -he spread the decoys out so that they would float -upon the water in a natural manner and anchored -them with the weights. As soon as this was -done, Hooker poled the old raft back into the -cover of the reeds and hurried to join Sage.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>“Barely made it,” he chuckled. “There’s one -thing we have to thank your prowling friends -for; if we’d slept half an hour longer, it’s likely -we would have gotten out here too late for the -first flights. It’s getting light now in the east.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>It was true that far over the eastern end of the -pond a dull, grayish light was beginning to make -itself apparent low down upon the horizon, and -as this slowly spread it was reflected on the -glassy, unrippled surface of the water.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Get ready for shooting,” said Hooker eagerly, -as he broke his gun and thrust two shells -into the barrels.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’m loaded up already,” stated Fred, settling -down with his repeater in a position which would -enable him to shoot toward the decoys as well as -watch the open stretch of the pond, up which the -birds were expected to come from the eastward.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Hooker knelt and tried aiming over the top of -the blind, swinging his gun to follow the movements -of some imaginary ducks.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“All right,” he laughed softly; “let ’em come.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>With each passing moment the grayness in -the east continued to spread, until they could see -the wooded outlines of the shores, bordered by -deep shadows. Morning did not break with a -blush, but seemed to awaken reluctantly and -heavily, like a person aged and weary. Its chill -bit their noses, and would have benumbed their -fingers, only for the heavy protecting gloves they -wore.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Suddenly Fred gave a low, electrifying hiss. -“Birds!” he whispered, snatching the loose glove -from his right hand. “Here they come!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Their nerves atingle, they crouched low, peering -forth from the blind. Against the eastern -sky they could see some small, black, swiftly moving -specks, which they knew were ducks coming -up the pond and doubtless headed for the feeding -grounds at the western end. The guns were -held ready for quick use, while the boys watched -those black specks coming nearer and nearer, -skimming through the air slightly higher than -the treetops on the shore.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>“They’ll come in here sure!” breathed Hooker. -“Be ready to nail them when they settle. Fire -when they discover the decoys aren’t the real -thing and start to rise again.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>But barely had he uttered the words when, -from a mass of swamp bushes on a low point that -thrust itself out into the pond a short distance -away, two puffs of smoke leaped upward, followed -by the reports of two guns, and, short-stopped -in their flight, two of the ducks came -tumbling downward to splash into the water. -Immediately, with quacks of alarm, the others -rose higher and whirled away. A third shot was -fired from the point, but apparently it was a clean -miss, as not one of the frightened and fleeing -ducks betrayed a symptom of being hit.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Thunderstruck, Sage and Hooker stared -dumbly toward the cover from which the unknown -hunters had fired. After a time Roy savagely -exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What do you think of that! Wouldn’t it kill -you dead!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It killed our chance at those birds,” returned -Fred, as he regretfully watched them disappearing -above the tree tops. “Who the dickens can it be?”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>“We ought to find out pretty quick. They’ll -have to pick up those two ducks.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Eagerly and wrathfully they continued to -watch, and after some moments they saw a small -object moving out from the point toward the -floating ducks.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“They’ve got a retriever,” growled Sage, with -increased disgust. “They’re lying low and sending -the dog to bring their game.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Confound their hides!” raged Hooker. -“They’re going to spoil our fun, just as true as -you live. I’d like to punch their heads!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It would be a great satisfaction,” said Sage -bitterly.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Look here, old man,” said Roy, smitten by a -thought, “there are your sneaking prowlers. -They are the gentlemen who woke you as they -passed the camp. I’ll bet anything they had just -come in by the old wood-road.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’m inclined to think you’re right,” admitted -Fred. “But why were they so careful about -making a noise? Hook, they must have known -there was someone in that camp.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>“Wouldn’t surprise me if you had stated the -reason for their caution. Furthermore, they -must be wise to the way the ducks usually fly -here, and they have the advantage of us by hiding -on that point.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>One after another, the dog retrieved the dead -birds and carried them to the point, finally disappearing -from view.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“If some of the birds will only keep far -enough from that point, we may get some shooting -yet, old man,” said Roy hopefully.</p> - -<p class='c011'>In a short time another flock, larger than the -first, was seen coming up the pond, and, to the -great satisfaction of the boys, they were flying -over the exact middle of the water, and would -therefore pass beyond gun-shot of the unknown -hunters, unless they should change their course.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It’s our turn now,” exulted Roy. “I think -that bunch will come in here. Something doing -in a minute or two, old chap.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>There was—something tremendously provoking; -for, as the flock came opposite the low point, -both of the unseen sportsmen fired, although, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>with any reasonable amount of judgment, they -must have realized that there was not one chance -in a thousand that they could make a kill. Those -shots, however, were sufficient to cause the flock -to swerve, swing about in a half circle, and go -speeding off into the distance.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Hooker said something violent, while Sage -ground his strong teeth together.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“The chumps! The miserable, sneaking -idiots!” raged Roy. “If they have a bit of sense -in their bone-heads, they must have known they -couldn’t start a feather at that distance. Why -do you suppose they were foolish enough to try -it?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I can’t imagine any reason, unless they were -determined to spoil our chance,” answered Fred, -who was now furious enough to fight. “If they -keep that addle-pated business up, we won’t get -a shot this morning.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Slim chance of it now, anyhow. It’s broad -daylight, and we’ve lost our opportunity at two -flocks. There may be other birds coming in, but -those that have heard the firing will be likely to -keep away from this end of the pond. It’s rotten, -that’s what it is.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>“With good luck, we might have knocked -down half a dozen out of that last big bunch. -Whoever those chaps are, they’re poor sportsmen.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“They’re nasty sneaks; that’s my opinion.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>In the course of ten minutes three ducks, evidently -a remnant of a flock, came winging close -to the point, and with four shots the hidden hunters -tumbled the trio of birds into the water. One -was wounded, for it flopped about after splashing -into the pond, but soon another shot from the -bushes finished it. Then the dog swam out and -did the work of retrieving.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It’s all off,” sighed Sage. “Our morning’s -sport is ruined.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Hardly a doubt of it,” agreed his companion. -“That is, as far as shooting ducks is concerned. -I propose to have a look at the gentlemen who -have tricked us in this brilliant and commendable -manner. They aren’t going to get away -before I see them and tell them a few things. -Come on; we can gather up the decoys later.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>“You don’t think it’s any use to wait a little -longer, Roy?” asked Fred, loath to release the -skirts of hope.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Not a bit. Besides, I’d rather face those -chaps now than to kill one or two stray ducks.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Leaving the blind, they hurried to the shore -and turned their footsteps toward the point upon -which the rival duck hunters were ensconced. -Realizing it was wholly probable that their movements -had been observed, they lost no time in -plunging forward through the woods and thickets, -fearing that the ones they sought might take -alarm and depart.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bursting forth from the bushes side by side, -they halted as they reached the point, beholding -two boys leaving the shelter in which they had -been hidden, burdened by guns and the slain -ducks and followed by a water-spaniel. These -boys stopped as Sage and Hooker appeared before -them.</p> - -<p class='c011'>One was Jack Nelson; the other Sleuth Piper.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span> - <h2 id='chapXII.' class='c009'>CHAPTER XII. <br /> <br /> DISAPPOINTED DUCK HUNTERS.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>“Well, I’ll be switched!” exclaimed Hooker, in -mingled astonishment and anger.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Nelson, whose dog had done the retrieving, -beamed pleasantly on the disappointed and -wrathy young sportsmen. “Good morning,” he -said. “You’re out for a little shooting, I see. -Had any luck?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes—rotten,” flung back Hooker. “Confound -you fellows! you spoiled the morning for -us.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Really?” chirped Nelson, in pretended surprise, -elevating his eyebrows. “How was that?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You know how,” grated Sage hotly. “You -did it purposely, too. But I suppose it was that -pestering, sly, conceited, cheap imitator of Sherlock -Holmes who is really responsible.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>Piper looked aggrieved. “If you’re referring -to me,” he said, “permit me to inform you that -I’m not at all pleased by your insulting language.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I didn’t intend you should be,” Fred flung -back; “and you’d be less pleased if I could find -appropriate words to express my opinion of you. -It was a miserable, low-down trick you fellows -played on us this morning, and you know it.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Now hold on,” Nelson commanded, his cheerful -manner vanishing. “We won’t stand for -any of that. We’ve as much right to shoot ducks -on this pond as you have.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Of course we have,” Piper backed him up; -“but Sage seems to have an idea that he owns -the earth—that’s what’s the matter with him.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Fred levelled his finger at the speaker’s face. -“You have annoyed me to the limit recently,” he -grated. “After getting a crazy notion into your -head, you’ve dogged me around constantly. You -found out that Roy and I were coming here to -shoot ducks this morning, for, without suspecting -your design, he let you pump him. Straightway, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>in a highly commendable manner, you arranged -to sneak in here some time in the night, -and you planked yourself on this point, where -you could bang away at the ducks as they flew -past, knowing perfectly well that every time -you’d fire into a flock you’d frighten them so that -they would not come to our decoys. A fine piece -of work!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I say, Sage, you take it hard, don’t you?” -laughed Nelson. “Even if we knew you were -coming to the lake, we had a right to do so ourselves. -And as long as you had not possession -of this point, which is the only place, besides the -old blind, from which any successful shooting -can be done at this end of the pond, it surely was -our privilege to grab it. Come, come, don’t be -a squealer. I’ve always considered you game, -but you’re showing another side.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Once,” said Fred, “you deliberately fired at a -passing flock when you must have known the -birds were beyond gun-shot. If you did not do -that to frighten them from coming to our decoys, -why did you do it?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes,” cried Hooker, “explain that.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span>“We took a chance on bringing one down, -that’s all,” said Nelson.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, don’t bother yourself to explain,” Piper -put in quickly. “It’s no use; they won’t believe -you. We’ve got to get home. Let’s not stand -here chewing the rag.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“A good punching is what you deserve,” -snarled Hooker, “and I think we could hand it -to you, too.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Permit me to express doubts,” said Nelson. -“If you want to try it, you’ve a splendid opportunity.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>It was a tense moment, for both Fred and Roy -had been striving hard to hold themselves in -check, and the insolent defiance of the other pair -was almost too much for them to swallow. It -was Sage’s level head that averted the clash. -Knowing someone might be seriously hurt in a -hand-to-hand fight, and remembering that the -first football game of the season would take -place that afternoon, he put forth a hand and -grasped Hooker’s sleeve.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>“We won’t scrap with them,” he said in a low -tone. “They have shown what they are; let them -get as much satisfaction out of it as they can.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Piper, who had not really relished the prospect -of a fist-fight, braced up wonderfully, while -Nelson laughed again.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You’re showing a little sense now,” said the -latter, “which, doubtless, you’ll realize when you -come to think it over. The joke is on you, and -you may as well accept it in that light. It’s too -bad you didn’t get even a shot at anything, but -you can’t expect to go home loaded with game -every time you hunt. Some rather pretty birds -we have got, eh?” He held them up tantalizingly, -which caused Hooker’s teeth to snap together -and his hands to clench.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Come, Roy,” urged Sage, “let’s go back and -gather up our decoys.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Reluctantly Hooker permitted his chum to -swing him about, and he muttered under his -breath:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Sometime I’ll even it up with this pair. -They’ll get what’s coming, all right.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>As they were returning for the decoys they -heard for a time the voices of Piper and Nelson, -who seemed to be in high spirits, for they burst -into frequent peals of laughter. Finally the irritating -sounds died out as the triumphant duck -hunters receded into the distance, following the -old wood-road toward the main highway.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Grimly the disappointed lads gathered up the -decoys and returned to the old camp. Sage was -the first to show signs of reviving good nature, -which symptoms at first caused Hooker more or -less irritation.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Perhaps you can take it that way, Fred,” said -Roy; “but I can’t. It was a dirty piece of business, -although it may seem very shrewd and -humorous to Piper and Nelson.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Their blankets being rolled up and everything -made ready for the appearance of Abel Hubbard, -they still had some time to wait for the village -constable, and this time they spent discussing -the affair. Suddenly, as if struck by a -thought, Fred clapped his hand to his pocket and -drew forth the remnant of a newspaper that had -been found in the camp.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>“By Jove!” he exclaimed; “that’s queer. I -wish I’d questioned Sleuth about it.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What are you driving at now?” asked his -companion.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It just occurred to me that, after all, this -paper may have been dropped here by Piper, although -I don’t quite understand how it could -have been. If so, he must have come here recently—as -recently as yesterday or the day before.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Nothing to it,” declared Hooker positively. -“He was at school both those days, and he has -practiced regularly with the teams every night. -He had no time to come here.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Unless he did so in the night—night before -last. But I don’t see why he——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You couldn’t hire him to come here alone at -night,” asserted Hooker; “he’s too big a coward. -A great detective should have plenty of courage, -but a rabbit is a lion compared with Sleuthy.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“He may have had someone with him.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>“If so, it was some fellow we know, and we’ll -find out about it. But I don’t think there’s the -remotest chance that it can be so, for he would -have announced the fact when we caught him -face to face a short time ago. It would have -served as an excuse for his presence this morning. -Why, he could have claimed that he had -come here ahead of us to look the ground over -and plan for a duck hunt. He could have accused -us of being encroachers. Forget it, Fred; -Sleuth never dropped that paper in this camp.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Which,” said Sage regretfully, “leaves us -just where we were before, up against a mystery. -I’m not going to puzzle my head over it -any more.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“A sensible decision.” nodded Roy. “I’m inclined -to fancy you’ve placed too much importance -on that particular scrap of a newspaper.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Shortly before nine o’clock, as they were sitting -on an old log in front of the camp, they -heard the creaking of Hubbard’s wagon, and directly -the constable appeared with the conveyance.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Mornin’, boys,” he saluted. “What luck?”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>“Nothing but bad luck,” answered Hooker. -“Some other chaps spoiled our shooting for us, -and we didn’t get as much as a feather.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Sho! Now that’s too bad. I cal’late I seen -them other chaps. Met ’em on the road almost -to town. They was Jack Nelson and Billy Piper, -and they had some birds. Seemed to feel purty -nifty and chipper, too, for they laughed when -they spied me. Told me I’d better get a stouter -wagon to haul in my load, but I didn’t know just -what they meant.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Those chaps have a perverted sense of humor,” -rasped Roy. “They’ll get it taken out of -them some day. Come on, Fred, let’s throw our -dunnage aboard and set sail. I’m anxious to get -home to rest up before that game this afternoon.”</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span> - <h2 id='chapXIII.' class='c009'>CHAPTER XIII. <br /> <br /> THE TARDY QUARTERBACK.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>The members of the Oakdale football team -were gathering at the gymnasium to dress and -prepare for the game. Singly and in groups they -came hurrying in to open their lockers and drag -forth suits, cleated shoes, shin guards, head -pieces, nose protectors and other paraphernalia. -Some were in high spirits, while others, as if -impressed by the importance of the approaching -contest, appeared somewhat serious and grim. -Chipper Cooper, always volatile and lively, persisted -in perpetrating some very bad puns, being -finally given a call-down by Sile Crane, who was -wearing an almost funereal face.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, cut it aout,” remonstrated Sile. “Yeou’ll -make us all sick with yeour senseless slop. If -yeou’ve got an idee it’s goin’ to be any picnic -trouncin’ them Barville fellers this arternoon, -yeou’re away off yeour base.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>Chipper’s retort was particularly atrocious. “I -would not <i>debase</i> myself by such a thought,” he -said.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Harry Hopper let fly a shoe, which Cooper -deftly dodged. “You’ll be murdered some day -if you don’t quit it,” declared Harry.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It wouldn’t be murder,” said Chub Tuttle, -carelessly spilling peanuts from his pocket as he -flung his coat aside; “it would be a noble deed -for the general public good. No jury would ever -convict a feller for killing Coop in a frenzied moment, -following one of his alleged witticisms.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“The assassin sure would escape on the plea of -temporary insanity,” laughed Rodney Grant.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I tell yeou, fellers, we’ve got to play some if -we trim Barville,” said Crane. “I’ve got it -straight from Len Roberts that they’re goin’ to -chaw us up.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“In the name of a good old English poet, let -them Chaucer,” snickered Cooper, flinging himself -into a defensive attitude. “Come on, you -base scoundrels; I defy you.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span>“Roberts is a big wind-bag,” was the opinion -of Jack Nelson. “He’s always blowing about -what Barville is going to do.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“But they’ve got a coach,” said Crane. “Last -year we had one, but this season, without Roger -Eliot to raise the spondulicks, we couldn’t git one. -They’ve got some new players, too, that are said -to be rippers. I tell yeou, boys, I’m worried.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It’s just as bad to worry as it is to be overconfident,” -said Ben Stone, the captain of the -eleven, appearing among them. “It’s my opinion -they’ve been trying to get our goat by setting -afloat a lot of hot air about the strength of their -team and their wonderful new players. If we -go onto the field feeling a bit shy of them, which -is doubtless what they want, they will try to get -the jump on us at the start. But we’re not going -to let them work that trick. Has anyone seen -Sage? I wonder where he is.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Fred Sage, who was usually one of the first -to be on hand, had not arrived, and when, a short -time later, he still remained absent, the captain’s -wonderment took on a touch of anxiety.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Here, Hooker,” he called to Roy, who, as a -substitute, was getting into his armor, “do you -know anything about Sage? He isn’t around.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span>“I’ve been wondering where he was,” confessed -Hooker. “I haven’t seen him since I left -him in front of his house this forenoon.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Perhaps,” suggested Jack Nelson maliciously, -“he’s suffering from an attack of indigestion. -Wild duck is pretty heavy food, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Look out,” retorted Roy, “that you don’t have -to eat crow yet.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Another five minutes passing, and the quarterback -failing to arrive, Stone decided to send out -for him.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Here, Tommy,” he called to Tommy Shea, the -mascot of the team, “you go find Sage and tell -him to get a move on. We must have our regular -warming up before the game, and I’ll guarantee -Barville is on the field now. I can’t see -what’s happened to keep him away. Stir yourself, -Tommy.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>As the little fellow dusted out of the gymnasium -there came through the momentarily -opened door the sound of a hearty Barville cheer, -which, doubtless, proclaimed the advent of the -visitors on the adjacent field.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>“They must have plenty of confidence in their -team,” said Bob Collins, “for they’ve certainly -sent over a big bunch of rooters. People have -been coming from Barville in all sorts of turnouts -for the past two hours.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“All the more gate money for us,” exulted the -optimistic Cooper. “In fancy I can hear the -merry jingle of their quarters. They can give -us as many as they please, but we’ll give them no -quarter to-day. Nevertheless, without Sage we’d -be a quarter short, and we’d feel it before the end -of the first half. Mercy! I surrender! Spare -me!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>No one paid the slightest attention to him, -however, which led him disgustedly to mutter -something about casting pearls before swine.</p> - -<p class='c011'>In a short time Tommy Shea returned, followed -closely by Sage, whose face was flushed -and who betrayed some tokens of unusual excitement. -At least, this was what the watchful -Piper thought, and he became, if possible, more -watchful than ever.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Met him on the way, captain,” the mascot reported -to Stone.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>“You’re late, Fred,” said Ben sharply. “We’re -ready to go out now, all but you. Anything the -matter?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No—no, nothing the matter,” was the somewhat -faltering answer, as Sage began ripping -off his clothes, having given Tommy Shea the key -to open his locker. “I had—some things to do at -home, and I didn’t—I didn’t realize it was so -late.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Lame excuse,” whispered Piper to himself. -“Something has happened, sure. He’s in a perfect -stew.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>While Fred was hurriedly preparing for the -field, Stone called the others around him and -talked to them earnestly, laying out a plan of -campaign for the first quarter. At first he addressed -them all in a general way, after which -he singled out individual members of the eleven -and gave each one advice and instructions. Ere -he had gone through the list Sage was completely -dressed for the game and apparently drinking in -the captain’s words, although to Piper it seemed -that he listened with a distinct effort which betrayed -a tendency of his mind to wander.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>“Just a word to you, Sage,” said Stone in conclusion. -“Keep things moving on the jump. -Don’t waste any time over your signals when -we’re on the offensive. I have an idea that Barville -will try to rush us off our feet at the start, -and we mustn’t let them do that. We’ll hammer -them hard as we can with straight football to -begin with, and hold back our trick plays for use -in emergencies. Of course if we quickly get -within striking distance of their goal, and they -hold us for a down that doesn’t give us a proper -gain, you may see fit to try a trick or to work the -forward pass. Now come on, everybody; let’s -go out with a snap and show that we’re alive.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>From the gymnasium to the players’ entrance -of the field was only a short distance, and Ben -led his sturdy followers at a swift pace. The -visitors were practicing at one end of the field, -watched and encouraged by the surprisingly -large gathering of Barville supporters who had -followed them to Oakdale. As the shocky-haired -locals dashed out into the open space they were -given a lusty cheer by the majority of the assembled -spectators. At once two footballs were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>put into use by them, and they went at the work -of warming up with commendable method and -ginger.</p> - -<p class='c011'>It was a hazy autumn afternoon, the sky being -overcast with a filmy veil, through which the sun -shone with a muffled orange glow. A tempered -southwest wind was blowing steadily, but not -with sufficient vigor to give much advantage to -the defenders of the western goal. For the spectators -on the seats, light outer wraps were -needed, even though the air was not crisp enough -to make first-class football weather.</p> - -<p class='c011'>With their coach watching them closely, the -Barville lads were making an impression by their -snappy practice, in which short dashes, every -man starting fast and running low, seemed to be -a particular feature.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Stone took this in at a glance, even while he -did not appear to give the rival team as much as -momentary attention. It was a reminder, however, -that for the past week he had striven constantly -to drill into the heads of his teammates -the necessity for rapidity in both assault and -defence, and the advantage of hitting the opposing -line low and hard.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>Among the followers of professional sports -there can be no such genuine loyalty and enthusiasm -as that shown by the adherents of school -and college teams; for, as a class, the supporters -of such teams are, like the players, heart and -soul in the game. In most cases the contestants -they are backing and on whom they pin their -hopes are known to them personally, which fact -establishes between them such friendly personal -relations as seldom exist between masses of -spectators and professionals; and always a well-earned -victory is a thing to be rejoiced over by -the satisfied supporter of the triumphant team, -like a piece of personal good fortune.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The referee for this game came from Clearport, -and was equally acceptable and satisfactory -to both teams, having demonstrated in other -contests his absolute impartiality and fairness. -At the proper moment he walked briskly out upon -the field and held a low-spoken consultation with -the two captains. A coin was tossed, and, Oakdale -obtaining the choice, Ben took the western -goal.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span>The cheering of the spectators sank to a murmur, -and was followed by a few tense moments -of silence as the youthful gladiators spread out -over the outlined chalk marks and made -ready for the kick-off. Barville had been given -the ball, and the referee placed it carefully upon -a little soft mound of earth formed by his own -hands at the exact center of the field. A short -distance away Copley, the fullback, who was to -make the kick, balanced and steadied himself, -his eyes fastened on the huge yellow egg. The -referee retreated; the whistle sounded. With -tensed muscles, the players crouched a bit, ready -for the dash.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Copley advanced, quickening his steps. With -perfect judgment, he came into position with the -proper stride, swung his lusty right leg with -vigor, and, following the plunk of his foot -against the ball, the pigskin went sailing and -soaring far into Oakdale’s territory.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span> - <h2 id='chapXIV.' class='c009'>CHAPTER XIV. <br /> <br /> THE FIRST QUARTER.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>Warren and Forest, the Barville ends, raced -along in a desperate dash, closing in as the ball -began to fall. Rodney Grant was waiting for -the oncoming pigskin, balanced ready for action, -his arms outstretched. He made a clean, fair -catch, and was off like a broncho of his native -state, quirt-stung and spur-jabbed. On one side -Warren was blocked off, but on the other Forest -came in like a charging fury and flung himself at -the Texan. Down they went on the thirty-yard -line, with the other players converging toward -that spot.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Remembering Stone’s admonition to hustle and -line up without loss of a moment, the Oakdale -boys strained every nerve to get quickly into position -for the first scrimmage. This was their -opportunity to show Barville right off the reel -what real snappy aggression meant.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span>“Lively! lively!” urged Stone; and, ere the line -of the locals seemed fully formed, Sage began -barking the signal. He spat out the numbers -sharply, every one clear and distinct, and Oakdale -went into Barville like a whirlwind before -the visitors were fully set for defence. The result -was a gain of eighteen yards, made in a -style which seemed to carry the Barville boys -completely off their feet, with the exception of -the sturdy fullback, Copley, who yanked down -the runner and prevented what had promised to -be a clean break through the defence, and what -might have given the man with the pigskin a running -chance to score.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The home crowd went wild over this apparently -demoralizing attack of the Oakdale boys, -and there were many who, forming a hasty judgment, -declared their conviction that the locals -outclassed the visitors.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Sanger, who knew Stone as a rather slow and -methodical chap, had not imagined for a moment -that the Oakdale captain would spur his team to -a point of such rapid aggression. The Barville -leader, however, was not slow to grasp the fact -<span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>that he had made an error in judgment, and his -voice was heard calling sharply to his somewhat -disorganized men as he ordered them to get into -position to stop the next charge. Copley came -up somewhat dazed by the shock of the collision -with the runner; but the latter was even more -dazed, and was so long about finding his place -in the formation that Barville was given sufficient -time to make ready for defence.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Three stingy yards were all Oakdale could -make on another line plunge; and when, following -this, a round-the-end run promised more satisfactory -results, the argus-eyed referee dismayed -the shrieking adherents of the team by -penalizing the locals for holding.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Barville took heart at once and fought Oakdale -tooth and nail, until the latter team was compelled -to kick rather than take the chance of losing -the ball on downs. Stone, who had a lusty -leg, booted the pigskin into the enemy’s territory, -where Larry Groove, the left halfback, scooped -it on the jump, dodged Hopper, and came all the -way back to the center line before he was -slammed to the turf. Of course this gave the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>Barville crowd its chance to cheer madly, and -their cries mingled with the Oakdale plaudits for -the tackler.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Ginger up! ginger up!” Lee Sanger was calling, -as he crouched behind Bart Rock, the center. -“Signal! signal!” Then he reeled off a few sharp -numbers, and the youthful contestants leaped at -one another like tigers.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Again and again they crashed together, but -Oakdale stubbornly held its ground until an unexpected -fluke—a bad pass and a muff—gave -Sage a splendid opportunity. The ball came -bounding to his very feet, with Rollins and Tuttle -blocking off two of the enemy, the only ones -who seemed to realize just what had happened, -and Fred had time to scoop the ball up and a fine -chance to get away with it for a run.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Instead of doing so, Sage stared for a moment -at the pigskin, as if he did not realize what it -was. And when he awoke from this brief spell -of numbness and started into life and action, it -was Nelson who flung himself on the oval, to be -pinned down by Hope, who had finally bucked -Tuttle aside.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>In this manner, through the faltering of Sage, -Barville, although she lost the ball, stopped what -might have been a gain of ground by the locals.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Piper, who seemed to see everything, saw this, -although he was too far away at the time of the -fumble to get his hands on the pigskin. Sleuth -glared at Sage.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Something wrong,” he panted to himself. -“First time he ever did a thing like that.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Wake up! wake up!” Stone was calling -sharply. “Positions! Get ready! Come on, -Sage, give us the signal.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Signal!” said Sage, and then he paused, as -if collecting his thoughts. “Signal!” he repeated. -“5-11-16-24.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>It was the former line-bucking play, which, -through experience thus quickly obtained, Barville -was ready to meet. Instead of a gain, the -result was a loss of two yards, the visitors actually -bearing the line of the home team back.</p> - -<p class='c011'>As the tangled mass of men untwined, following -the blast of the whistle, Sage heard Stone -calling in his ear:</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>“Vary it, Fred. Something else; something -else, quick!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The quarterback gave himself a shake. The -men were hopping into the line-up, and the Barvilleites, -now equally alert and ready, were planting -themselves for defence. Straight old-fashioned -line-bucking, with no varying plays, had -already become ineffective, and Sage gave the -signal for the double pass and the criss-cross. -The ball went to Nelson, who shot toward the -right, Grant closing in as if to support him, but -passing across his very heels and taking the pigskin -as he passed. Cooper blocked the right end -off. Piper put his body into the right tackle and -bore him in the opposite direction. A hole was -opened at precisely the proper moment, and -through it went the Texan at full speed.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div id='fig04' class='figcenter id005'> -<img src='images/pic156-157.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p><span class='small'>THE FULLBACK CAME CHARGING ACROSS, FORCING RODNEY<br />TOWARD THE SIDE LINE. —Page 156.</span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<p class='c011'>The main body of the enemy’s back field had -been led into starting in the wrong direction. -The right halfback, who was one of these, saw -through the play a moment too late to reach -Grant. The fullback, however, came charging -across, forcing Rodney out toward the side line. -It seemed that the Texan would be run out of -bounds, but ten feet from the border of the field -he deceived the charging fullback by a sudden -half-pivoting swerve, and the would-be tackler’s -fingers barely scraped his canvas jacket as he -shot by.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>The crowd rose and roared, for Grant was -flying over the chalk marks with giant strides, -followed by the players of both teams. Head -thrown back, nostrils expanded, Rodney covered -the ground as if his very life depended on it.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Touchdown!” howled the excited Oakdale -spectators. “Touchdown! touchdown!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>There was no preventing it. Over the Barville -goal line went Grant, planting the ball favorably -for a goal. He did not seem to hear the -school cheer, which, with his name tagged at the -end, came rolling across the field. His manner -was grim and businesslike; his attention was entirely -centered upon the matter in hand.</p> - -<p class='c011'>There was no need to punt the ball out. -Brought forth properly by the referee, it gave -Oakdale a most favorable chance to boot it over -the bar, and Stone performed the trick.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>As the teams changed positions on the field, -the Oakdale captain found time to rest his hand -for a moment on the shoulder of Sage and speak -a few low, hasty words to him. In response Fred -nodded.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Soon they were at it again, but Barville, apparently -nothing disheartened, resumed the -struggle more fiercely and grimly than ever. The -tide of battle ebbed and flowed, neither side gaining -any great advantage, until presently a long, -shrill blast of the whistle announced the end of -the first scrimmage.</p> - -<p class='c011'>As the boys jogged off the field, Chipper -Cooper gave Piper a slap on the back, crying:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well, we put one across on ’em all right.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes,” nodded Sleuth; “but Sage lost an opportunity -for us before that. He isn’t right to-day. -There’s something the matter with him, or -I’m a dunce.”</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span> - <h2 id='chapXV.' class='c009'>CHAPTER XV. <br /> <br /> THE PLAYER WHO BLUNDERED.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>The elation of the Oakdale players over making -a touchdown and goal in the first quarter was -quickly subdued by their captain, who, in the -privacy of the gym, sternly informed them that -they should have done much better.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It was a lucky stab, nothing less,” said Ben. -“Only for the resourcefulness and speed of -Grant, they would have held us scoreless. We -threw away fine opportunities, one splendid -chance in particular; and, although we got the -start on them to begin with, we made nothing -by it. Unless we do better, we’ll be outplayed in -the next quarter, mark what I say.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>After this bit of general talk, he selected several -of the players for special advice and criticism. -Lastly he spoke to the quarterback, whose -eyes, although fixed on Stone, held a far-away -look, which seemed to indicate lack of attention.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>“Sage,” said Ben sharply, “Sage, listen to me.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes, sir,” said Fred, with a start.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Several times you were woefully slow with -your signals, and you know that the swift aggression -of a team depends mainly upon the quarterback. -No matter how prompt and ready the -players may be, they can’t play fast when a quarter -dawdles over his signals. It’s not like you to -be slow, and I fail to understand it. You missed -a fine chance to take advantage of a Barville -fumble, and, only for Nelson, those chaps would -have obtained possession of the ball after losing -it on a bungling pass and letting it bound to your -very feet. Are you sick?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Fred’s face was crimson. “No, sir, I’m not -sick,” he answered. “I’m all right.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Then it’s up to you to get into the game and -play as if you were all right.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I will, depend on it,” promised the quarterback.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Before the boys returned to the field Roy -Hooker found an opportunity to speak privately -with his friend.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>“Get a brace on, Fred—get a brace on,” urged -Roy. “If you don’t, they’ll blame it on our little -outing last night. I never saw you so punk before. -Your wits seem to be wool-gathering.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I guess that’s right,” acknowledged Fred regretfully. -“I’ll get into gear now. Watch me.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Has anything happened to worry you?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Nun-no,” faltered Sage, “not a thing.” But, -somehow, Roy felt that his chum had not spoken -the truth.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The second quarter opened quite as fiercely as -the first, but with Barville plainly prepared for -quick, savage work and ready to contribute her -part of it. Indeed, the visitors seemed the more -aggressive, even though Oakdale improved all -the opportunities that were offered; and, presently, -after some eight minutes of play, the home -team found itself making a desperate defence -on its own thirty-yard line. Right there, after -a first down had yielded no gain, Barville tried -the forward pass and executed it successfully, -cutting down the distance to the home team’s -goal by fully one half.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Hold them, boys—you’ve got to hold them!” -was the cry from the Oakdale crowd.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>“Got ’em going!” came from the visiting spectators. -“Keep it up, boys! Put the ball over for -a touchdown! You can do it!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Barville had found a weak spot in Oakdale’s -line, and, mercilessly buffeted and battered, Bob -Collins, the left guard, showed signs of grogginess. -With only fifteen yards to gain, the visitors -followed the forward pass with another assault -on Collins, which, although they made only -a slight gain, left him groaning on the ground. -Promptly attended by a doctor, Collins pluckily -tried to stand on his pins and resume his place -in the line; but the moment he was released by -supporting hands he staggered, being prevented -from falling only by the quickness of Nelson in -catching him.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Stone saw that Collins could not continue and -ordered him to the side line, at the same time -calling for Hooker. Surprised that he should be -selected from the waiting substitutes, Roy -promptly responded.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Get in there at left guard, Hooker,” directed -Stone, “and see if you can stop that hole.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>Fresh and exultant, Roy took his place in the -line, and, when Barville tried the quality of the -substitute, the hole was found to be stopped effectively. -Not another foot could the visitors -gain through Oakdale’s left wing.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Blocked and held, Barville apparently decided -to try for a field goal, even though success at -that would leave the home team still in the lead. -It was Stone, however, who suspected a fake -and hurriedly warned his players; and Ben’s perception -baffled the smashing charge of the visitors, -who were held for the final down, thus losing -the ball.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Of course no time was lost in booting the pigskin -away from that dangerous point.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Nothing daunted over this failure, Barville -resumed the battering process, occasionally varying -it with an end run or some peculiar piece of -strategy of her own concoction. But the locals, -stronger on the defence than the offence, refused -for the time being to let the enemy regain the -lost advantage.</p> - -<p class='c011'>In the last minutes of the quarter, with Oakdale -in possession of the ball, Sage once more betrayed -surprising slowness and even symptoms -<span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>of confusion in giving the signals. This was -true to such an extent that finally, in desperation, -Stone went in at quarter himself, letting -Fred play fullback. And even then Sage was -slow about getting into the plays.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The quarter ended with the score unchanged.</p> - -<p class='c011'>In the second period of rest the Oakdale captain -drew the quarterback apart from the others -and talked to him with great earnestness. Of -those who watched the two, Piper took special -note of the fact that Sage seemed discouraged -and downcast, and it was evident that Stone was -seeking by every possible manner of encouragement -to brace him up. With Fred at his best, no -one else on the team could fill his position nearly -as well, and for this reason Ben was extremely -loath to make a change.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Collins, having recovered from the gruelling -he had received, was anxious to get back into -the game, and he made an appeal to Stone the -moment Ben finished his talk with Sage. -Hooker, however, had done surprisingly well, -and the captain told Collins that he would have -wait until, during the course of the play, an opportunity -offered for him to return.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>The Oakdale boys were now showing few -signs of elation, for the second quarter had led -them to realize that the two teams were more -evenly matched than they had supposed, and that, -doubtless, they had been rather lucky in securing -six points in the first quarter, to say nothing -of their success in holding Barville in check after -that.</p> - -<p class='c011'>In the last minute before they returned to the -field, Stone called all the players around him and -hastily gave them a plan of action. As soon as -the ball came into their possession, unless they -should chance to get it so close to their own line -that a kick would be necessary, they were to -line up and attempt a series of three varied plays, -without waiting for signals. He was careful to -make them all understand precisely what those -plays were to be, and in what order they would -be carried out. Having made certain that no -man misunderstood these directions, he led them -back to the gridiron.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>It was Barville’s kick-off, but Copley’s effort -was somewhat weak, and Nelson ran the ball almost -to the forty-five yard line before he bit -the dirt. This made it especially favorable for -the carrying out of Stone’s plans, and the Oakdale -players lined up, eager to get the start on -their antagonists then and there.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Tuttle, with the ball between his feet, took one -quick backward glance, and, seeing the others -springing into position, prepared to snap it. Just -as he was on the point of doing so, he was astounded -to hear Sage cry:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Signal!” Following which, Fred rattled off -some numbers which called for a play entirely -different from that agreed upon.</p> - -<p class='c011'>A bit confused, Tuttle snapped the ball to -Sage, who passed it instantly to Grant. The -confusion of the center was likewise felt by -every member of the team, which led to faltering -and gave the enemy a chance to overwhelm them -and bear them back for a loss of more than five -yards.</p> - -<p class='c011'>In the midst of the untangling mass Stone -reached Sage, grasped him by the shoulder and -almost snarled into his ear:</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>“What’s the matter with you? What made -you do that? You know we had arranged to -work three plays without signals.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I—I forgot,” said Fred. “I’m sorry, but I -forgot, captain.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well, you messed things finely! It’s too late -now. Get into action and see if you can make -up for the blunder somehow.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Apparently Sage tried hard to atone, and for -a time he displayed a return to his best form. -His blunder, however, had greatly disturbed the -others, and the entire team betrayed such uncertainty -and lack of cohesive, united action that -the home crowd was dismayed. In a few moments -Oakdale was compelled to surrender the -ball on a kick.</p> - -<p class='c011'>After this the quarter was heartbreaking in -many ways. Twice the visitors threatened Oakdale’s -goal, and twice they were repulsed. In -her turn Oakdale had an opportunity that set her -supporters into a frenzy of hope and enthusiasm. -An end run that netted thirty yards was followed -by a trick play that yielded ten more, and then -came a forward pass which placed the locals -within striking distance of the enemy’s goal.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>Right there Sage once more dashed Oakdale’s -hopes. The team had two sets of signals. This -was necessary to enable them to switch from one -set to the other in case their opponents should -get wise to the signals in use. Now, however, -Sage put them all into confusion by mixing the -signals himself in such a manner that it was impossible -to tell which of two plays he had called -for. Then he made a bad pass, which was followed -by a fumble, and Barville, coming through -Oakdale like water through a sieve, got the ball.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Immediately Stone ordered Sage out of the -game. Nelson was placed at quarter, and his -position was filled by a substitute.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span> - <h2 id='chapXVI.' class='c009'>CHAPTER XVI. <br /> <br /> REMARKABLE BEHAVIOR OF SAGE.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>Crestfallen and deeply chagrined, Sage attempted -to watch the game from the side line. -He gave no heed to the substitutes, who stared -at him and muttered among themselves. His -face, at first flushed, gradually lost its color until -it became almost ghastly and haggard. He saw -the exultant, confident Barville team, with the -ball in its possession, tearing to pieces the defence -of the locals in a manner that promised disaster -for Oakdale.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“They’ll seek explanations in the next intermission,” -he whispered to himself. “I can’t answer -their questions.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Turning suddenly, he left the field. Having -passed outside, he made a dash for the gymnasium, -in which he began ripping off his sweat-soaked -football togs in a manner that was almost -frantic. He did not pause for a shower, -knowing that there would be no time for it if he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>wished to get away before his teammates appeared. -Dully he seemed to hear the cheering of -the crowd upon the field, taking notice in a benumbed -way that the Barville cry was swelling -stronger and more triumphant.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Leaving his playing togs as he had dropped -them, he dashed bareheaded from the gymnasium, -flinging himself into his coat as he ran. -Round the corner he darted, scudded down Lake -Street until the entrance to the academy yard -was reached, ran panting across the yard and -settled into a rapid walk when his feet were presently -on the path that led across lots between -Middle and High Streets.</p> - -<p class='c011'>He had made his escape none too soon, for -barely was he out of sight when the third quarter -ended and the Oakdale players came hurrying -toward the gymnasium. They were a soiled, battered, -weary-looking band, and more than one -seemed to totter in his stride. In the gym they -flung themselves down upon benches and blankets, -some even sprawling upon the floor.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Cripes!” groaned Sile Crane. “Them fellers -sartainly made us fight. We barely held ’em.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span>“If they’d had another minute they’d have -scored,” sighed Harry Hopper. “They’re better -trained than we are. They’re like iron. -That’s what a coach does for a team.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Two chaps were rubbing Chipper Cooper’s left -ankle, which he had wrenched in a scrimmage. -The smell of witch hazel and arnica filled the -room.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Look at the confounded thing,” snapped -Chipper, his face contorted by grimaces of pain. -“You can almost see it swell. I’ll be as lively as -a toad on that bum peg.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“If Sage hadn’t messed things up!” muttered -Rodney Grant, as if speaking to himself. -“What was the matter with him, anyhow?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Where is Sage?” asked Stone, looking -around. “I don’t believe he came in from the -field. Here, Shea, go bring Sage.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Piper touched Ben on the arm.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Don’t bother to send for him, captain,” he -advised.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Why not?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You won’t find him out there. He’s gone.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Gone—where? Why——”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>“I don’t know where,” said Sleuth; “but he’s -gone. Here are his field clothes just as he -dropped them. He didn’t even stop to put them -away.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Astonishment was plainly revealed in Stone’s -face.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I don’t understand it,” he finally said in a -low tone. “I can’t see why Fred should desert -us like this. What will we do if——” He -checked himself abruptly.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“He’s run away! He’s quit!” cried Nelson. -“What do you know about that, fellows?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Hooker rose to the defence of his chum. “I’m -dead sure Fred is sick,” he said. “There’s no -other explanation for his actions. He wouldn’t -acknowledge it, but he must be sick. You all -know what a football enthusiast he is, and you -never before saw him put up such a numb, bungling -game.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“At least,” said Stone, “if he had to quit, he -might have let me know.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The inexplicable action of Sage seemed to cast -a heavier shadow upon the team. Desperately -though Stone sought to rally his players, he could -<span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span>not help feeling that the effort was profitless. -They returned to the game in a spiritless, almost -sullen humor, which made them, although they -fought stubbornly, quite unable to cope with the -persistent, determined, undaunted visitors; and, -with the opportunity in their grasp, the Barvilleites -presently hammered out a touchdown and -kicked the tying goal.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Oakdale made a mighty effort to hold the game -to a draw, and for a time it seemed that such -would be the result. In the very last minute of -play, however, getting within the home team’s -twenty-five yard line, the visitors made a field -goal.</p> - -<p class='c011'>As the ball soared over the crossbar a groan of -dismay came from the Oakdale spectators.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That settles it,” declared a keenly disappointed -man. “Our boys are beaten.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>He was right; the game ended with Barville -victorious and jubilant.</p> - -<p class='c011'>It was a sore and disgruntled bunch of fellows -who took their showers and rubdowns in -the gymnasium. With scarcely an exception, -they were disposed to place the blame of their -defeat entirely upon Sage. Vainly Hooker tried -to defend his friend.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span>“He ran away without a word,” reminded -Grant. “There’s sure no excuse for that.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Nary bit,” agreed Crane. “He done us a -dirty turn to-day, and it’ll take a whole lot of -explainin’ to put him right with the bunch.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Roy was the first to leave the gymnasium, and -he started almost at a run for Sage’s home.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I don’t understand it myself,” he muttered, as -he hurried along. “I can’t imagine what threw -Fred into such a pitiful condition. I hope he can -explain.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>As he came within view of Fred’s home he -discovered his chum and Mr. Sage standing near -the open stable door, apparently engaged in conversation. -At the same moment Fred seemed to -espy Roy, and immediately, with a quick word to -his father, he darted into the stable and disappeared.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Mr. Sage walked out to meet Hooker. There -was a strange expression on the man’s face, and -Roy fancied that he seemed somewhat nervous -and distraught.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>“I’d like to see Fred a minute,” said Hooker.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’m sorry,” was the answer, “but he’s not -feeling well. He can’t see you.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>His perplexity greatly augmented, Roy stared -at the man.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Is he ill?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Andrew Sage seemed to hesitate. Lifting a -hand to his lips, he coughed behind it.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well, not—er—not exactly ill,” he answered; -“but he isn’t feeling well enough to talk with -anyone, Roy. I hope you don’t mind?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>This treatment from his comrade piqued -Hooker. “I didn’t suppose,” he said, “that Fred -would refuse to see me unless he was dangerously -ill in bed—and I know he isn’t that. It’s -all right, though. Will you please tell him that -Barville won the game?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Turning, he walked slowly away, his brow -knitted with perplexity.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I can’t understand it,” he told himself once -more. “It’s too much for me. He isn’t sick, -that’s sure; and still, his father says that he -doesn’t feel well. Possibly,” he added resentfully, -“the information that Barville trimmed us -will make him feel better.”</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span> - <h2 id='chapXVII.' class='c009'>CHAPTER XVII. <br /> <br /> WORK OF THE YOUNG DETECTIVE.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>That evening a group of somewhat doleful-looking -boys gathered in front of the Oakdale -post-office and shivered as they discussed the -game. Without a single dissenting voice they -blamed Sage for their failure to win from Barville.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Sleuth Piper appeared, hurried into the post-office -and presented himself at the delivery window.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Look a’ the businesslike bustle of the great -detective,” said Crane, watching Piper through -the window. “Anyone would sorter s’pose he -expected to receive about a bushel of important -mail. I bet he don’t get a thing.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You lose,” said Hunk Rollins, as a letter was -passed out to Sleuth. “He’s got something.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>Before opening the letter, Piper was seen eagerly -scanning the postmark upon the envelope, -and the watchers fancied there was an expression -of mingled excitement and satisfaction upon -his face. Coming forth, Sleuth paused in front -of a lighted window a short distance from the -others and tore his letter open. In a moment he -was eagerly intent upon the contents.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Hi! Who’s the girl, Sleuthy?” called Jack -Nelson. “Let us read it, will you?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“’Sh!” sibilated Chub Tuttle, spluttering forth -munched peanuts with a hissing sound. “The -great detective has a scent.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Huh!” grunted Cooper, with a forced laugh. -“If that’s so, he’s better off than I am. I bet on -the game, and I haven’t a cent.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Look,” urged Nelson—“look at Sleuthy’s -face! He’s excited. By Jinks! that letter must -be rather interesting.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’ll get a peep at it,” said Harry Hopper. -“I’ll tell you if it’s a girl’s writing.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>But, although he tiptoed forward with great -caution, Sleuth detected his approach, and, having -finished reading the letter, hastily folded the -missive and thrust it into his pocket.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>“Go chase yourself, Mr. Sly Boy,” he said, -waving Hopper off. “Rubbering will give you -a cramp in the neck sometime.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Roy Hooker, looking decidedly glum, came -slouching along, his hands thrust deep into his -pockets. Immediately Sleuth pounced upon him.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Just the man I’m looking for,” said Piper, in -almost tragic tones.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Roy drew away, seeking to shake Sleuth’s hand -from his shoulder.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well, I’m not looking for you,” he retorted. -“I’ve no particular use for you, Piper.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Come now,” said Sleuth, “I wish to hold a -private consultation with you on a matter of immense -moment.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Run away and consult with yourself,” -snapped Roy. “I don’t like your company, and -you know the reason why.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>But Sleuth grabbed at him again as he made -a move to pass on.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Wait,” whispered Piper. “Perhaps you’d -like to know what was the matter with Sage to-day? -I can tell you.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“The deuce you can!”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>“I can,” insisted the other boy. “I’ve solved -the mystery.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well, if you know what ailed him, why don’t -you tell? I’m sure I’m not the only one who -would like to have the matter cleared up.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It’s not a subject for the public ear, Hooker; -it’s something to be talked over privately and discreetly -between ourselves. If you want to know -what I know, you’ll just take a little walk with -me to some spot where we’ll be all by our lonesomes. -If you don’t want to know, if you haven’t -got any interest in Sage and his affairs, you -needn’t bother.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>To say the least, Roy’s curiosity was aroused.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’ll wager it will be a waste of time,” he said; -“but I’ll listen. What have you done, concocted -some sort of fool deduction about it?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I have the straight, solid, indisputable facts -right in my inside pocket. I can tell you something -about the Sages that will make your hair -curl. Where shall we go?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You say.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Down to the bridge. There’s not likely to -be anybody around there.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>It was somewhat chilly upon the bridge which -spanned the river below Lake Woodrim, and -Hooker’s teeth were inclined to chatter as he -leaned against the railing and invited his companion -to “divulge.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“To begin with,” said Piper, “I want to ask -you a question, and I hope you’ll give me an honest -answer. You’ve been mighty chummy with -Sage, and I have a notion that he gave me away -by telling you that I was trying to make a ten-strike -by capturing a certain criminal for whom -a large reward is offered. Am I right, or not?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Whatever Fred has told me in confidence, I’ll -not blow on him. If it was your object to pump -me, Piper, you’re wasting your time—and mine.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You don’t have to answer,” said Sleuth instantly. -“Your failure to give me a fair and -square reply is sufficient. Sage told you. I knew -he would. Well, I don’t care. I’ve got something -to tell you now, and, as I said, it will make -your hair curl.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>He paused impressively, apparently desiring -Roy to urge him to go on; but Hooker, shrugging -his shoulders a bit, waited the promised revelation.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span>“I want to ask one more question,” said Piper, -“and you’ll not betray a confidence by giving me -an answer. Saturday, one week ago, while out -hunting with Sage, you encountered a certain -mysterious stranger in the woods beyond Culver’s -Bridge. You talked with the man face to face -and had a fine opportunity to look him over thoroughly. -Tell me, did he bear any personal resemblance -to your friend, Sage?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Huh!” grunted Roy. “Resemblance? What -do you mean?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Did he look as if he might be a relative?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Why, I—I don’t know. What in the world -are you trying to get at, Pipe?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That man professed to know the Sages and -made inquiries about them. Nevertheless, at the -approach of Fred he ran away, and, although he -pretended to you that he was looking for work -hereabouts, as far as I can learn he has not attempted -to obtain employment, and has not been -publicly seen since that day.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span>“If you have an idea that he was some relative -of the Sages, the mere fact that he has not been -seen seems to knock your theory into a cocked -hat.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“When I place you in full possession of the -facts,” returned Piper, in a lofty and superior -manner, “you’ll perceive that the man’s care not -to attract public attention strengthens the foundations -of my theory. You have not answered -my question. Did he look like Fred Sage?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“In some respects he may have borne a slight -resemblance. He had blue eyes, and Fred’s eyes -are blue. But that’s nothing. Come across with -your dope that’s going to make my hair curl.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Doesn’t it occur to you as very singular that -so little is really known about the past history -of the Sages? This family, consisting of father, -mother and one son, came to Oakdale something -like three years ago and settled here. Yet who -is there in this town that can tell where they -came from and how they happened to come? -You’re chummy with the before-mentioned son, -Hooker. How much has he ever told you about -his past?”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span>“Oh, say, Sleuth, if you’re trying to fasten a -dark and terrible past upon Fred Sage, you’ll do -nothing but make yourself ridiculous. Why, anybody -knows that he’s been one of the openest, -frankest fellows in the world.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Huh! Is that so?” sneered Piper. “Really, -he may appear to be all that you claim, Hooker, -but appearances, you should know, are often -most deceptive. Mr. Andrew Sage has the bearing -of a country gentleman in moderate circumstances. -Mrs. Sage is apparently a most estimable -lady. These people are regular churchgoers, -and have the respect of their townsfolk. -Nevertheless, since living here they have never -become especially intimate with anyone, and you -must admit that they are rather reserved.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Aw, rot!” exploded Roy in exasperation. -“Simply because people don’t choose to go about -telling everybody their business and all their past -history, you get the notion that they must have -some guilty secret they are trying to cover up. -That comes from reading the kind of trash with -which you stuff your mind, Piper.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span>“In a very few minutes,” retorted Sleuth, “I’ll -make it necessary for you to take back some of -your slurs, Mr. Hooker. You know what country -people are. You know that gossip is one of -their chief delights. As a rule, let a strange family -move into a town like Oakdale, and within -thirty days more than fifty per cent of the inhabitants -of that place are conversant with the -history of those people as far back as it can be -traced. When the Sages came here the usual -curious gossips attempted to learn things about -them. They failed. To me that’s a guarantee -that the Sages, for good and sufficient reasons, -desired to keep their family history from being -probed. This thought has occurred to me more -than once, and many a time I’ve told myself that -a little investigation of the before-mentioned -Sages might prove interesting to a sensational -degree. Recently I decided to investigate.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“In other words, you decided to pry into affairs -which did not concern you in the least. -Poor business, Piper. The fellow who persists -in poking his nose into a crack is sure to get it -pinched some day.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span>Not the least ruffled, Sleuth retorted: “The -person who puts himself to extreme trouble to -hide his past must have a guilty secret. Sometimes -there are wolves in sheep’s clothing, and -for the public weal they should be exposed. In -order to obtain information regarding the Sages, -it was necessary to learn where they came from -when they moved to this town.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“And you found out?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Having decided on a course of action, I never -permit anything to baffle me.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“How did you do it?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, one day I dropped in on Mrs. Sage for -a little social call. Fred wasn’t home, so I waited -for him; and, while waiting, I made myself comfortable, -at the lady’s invitation, in the sitting-room. -I knew there must be in that house something -which would give me the clue I sought. It -was not long before I discovered the very thing, -a family photograph album. While seemingly -amusing myself by looking at the pictures in that -album, I slipped several of them from their places -and looked for the imprint of the photographer. -There were pictures of Mr. and Mrs. Sage, and -also of Fred, taken some years ago. Those pictures, -I found, bore the name of a photographer -<span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span>in the town of Rutledge, State of New York. -I lost little time in writing a letter to the postmaster -of Rutledge, New York, making inquiries -concerning the Sages. I asked if they had ever -lived in that town. In case they had, I politely -requested information concerning the entire family. -To insure an answer, I enclosed a stamped -and addressed envelope.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“And did you get an answer?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Sure,” exulted Piper. “I received it to-night. -I have it in my pocket now. The information it -contains is of the most sensational character. It -clears up the mystery of the Sages, and also, I -firmly believe, fixes the identity of the mysterious -man you met beyond Culver’s Bridge.”</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span> - <h2 id='chapXVIII.' class='c009'>CHAPTER XVIII. <br /> <br /> SLEUTH’S ASTONISHING THEORY.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>Curiosity is one of the most powerful traits in -human nature, and in youth, being to some extent -unrestrained, it often reaches its highest -development. It was chiefly curiosity that had -led Hooker to listen thus far to the words of -Piper; but now, as if suddenly realizing the full -significance of Sleuth’s self-confessed and -shameless prying into the affairs of others, and -remembering at the same time his familiar and -friendly relations with Fred Sage, Roy suddenly -seared his companion with the red-hot iron of -contempt and wrath.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You miserable, sneaking puppy!” he cried. -“Under pretence of making a friendly call, you -play a miserable trick like that, do you? I’ve a -mind to give you the finest drubbing you ever -had.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span>Indeed, so savage and threatening was his attitude -that Piper fell back precipitately, lifting -his hands as if to ward off a blow.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Now you hold on!” he cried. “You hold on, -Hooker! You hadn’t better hit me. Perhaps -you think that would be a good way to make me -keep still about what I know concerning the -Sages. I’m not going to blow this thing round -to everybody. I chose you because you’re Fred’s -chum.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, is that so?” scoffed Roy incredulously. -“You’ve begun blabbing with me, and it isn’t -likely you’ll stop there. I don’t know what -you’ve found out, but I do know that the way -you’ve gone about it to obtain your information -was dirty—just plain dirty.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It was thoroughly legitimate,” asserted -Sleuth in self-defence. “These people are living -here in our town and associating with our citizens. -If they’re the right sort, there can be no -harm in finding out about their past history. But -perhaps you’ve misunderstood me, Hooker. I’m -not making the claim that there’s anything -wrong with the Sages we know.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span>“Oh, aren’t you?” said Roy in surprise. “I -thought you were. If you haven’t found out -that there’s something wrong about them, what -the dickens <i>have</i> you found out that was so wonderful? -What is this sensational thing that’s -going to make my hair curl?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“If you’ll give me a chance and not get fighting -mad over it, I’ll tell you. You know it’s often -the case that there’s a black sheep in the most respectable -family.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Huh! There are only three persons in this -particular family. Where’s the black sheep?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Only three of the family are known at the -present time to the people of Oakdale,” Piper -said hastily. “Have you never thought that there -might be at least one other member of this -family?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Can’t say such a thought ever occurred to -me.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Listen,” urged Sleuth, “and keep your temper -under check until I’m through. The information -I’ve obtained does not reflect upon Andrew -Sage, his wife or his son Fred.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span>“Well,” breathed Roy in relief, “there’s considerable -satisfaction to be derived from that -statement.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“The postmaster of Rutledge states that Mr. -and Mrs. Sage and their younger son, Fred, are -most estimable people.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Whew!” whistled Hooker. “Their younger -son, eh? Oh, do you mean that there’s another—another -son we don’t know anything about?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“There’s another son, of whom we’ve known -nothing whatever up to the present date. I know -something about him now, and he’s the black -sheep. It was the criminal act of this elder son, -Clarence Sage, that doubtless added many gray -hairs to his mother’s head and led the family, -weighted by the shame of it, to leave Rutledge -and seek another home, where no one would -know of their disgrace. Now if you don’t care -to hear any more about the matter,” said Sleuth -craftily, “I’ll close up.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Roy’s aversion to hearing the information -Piper had secured was completely swept away.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, go on,” he invited, once more leaning -against the bridge rail. “What did this Clarence -Sage do?”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span>“Robbed a bank.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“In Rutledge?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes. He was employed in a bank there, and -he pilfered fourteen thousand dollars from the -institution.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Jove!” muttered Hooker. “I don’t wonder -Fred never has mentioned his brother.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“The crime was discovered, as such things always -are, and Clarence Sage was arrested, tried, -convicted and sent to Sing Sing for a term of -years.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“My hair curls!” exclaimed Roy. “So Fred -has a brother in prison. That’s a shame!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“He <i>had</i> a brother in prison. Clarence Sage -isn’t there now.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, his term has expired?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Was he pardoned?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Cæsar’s ghost! What happened then? Is -he dead?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well,” answered Sleuth, “in my mind, at -least, there is a doubt at this point. He is supposed -to be dead. With two other prisoners, he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span>broke out of Sing Sing in midwinter and tried -to escape by crossing the Hudson on the ice. The -other two convicts were both recaptured. The -trio had separated immediately after getting out -of the prison, and neither of the recaptured rascals -knew what had become of Clarence Sage. -For more than two months detectives sought -everywhere for Sage, whose apparent success in -avoiding them was both astonishing and perplexing. -Eventually the body of a man was recovered -from the river, but in such a condition -that identification was difficult. There were reasons, -however, to believe that the body was that -of Clarence Sage. Andrew Sage viewed the remains -and decided that it was his recreant son. -The body was buried in Rutledge, and the grave -is marked by a stone bearing the name of Clarence -Sage.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well, then, why do you doubt that he’s dead?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Piper tapped his forehead. “I believe I’ve got -a little gray matter up here,” he said boastfully. -“After reading this letter, it took about thirty -seconds for me to form a theory in which I have -the utmost confidence. My conviction is that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span>Clarence Sage is still alive. I think he did make -good his escape and succeeded handsomely in -baffling the officers who tried to follow him. The -body that was taken from the river and buried -under the name of Clarence Sage was that of -some other man, as yet unknown. Perhaps it -will continue to be unknown. When this identification -and burial had taken place, danger for -the escaped man was reduced to a minimum. -Mind you, I’m not making the assertion that Andrew -Sage knew the body was not that of his -son, but what would be more natural than for -him to identify it as such in order to give Clarence -a better chance for freedom? Perhaps, at -the time, he really believed it to be the unfortunate -young man. Possibly, through some means, -he has since learned that his son is alive.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“If you hadn’t read so much detective stuff, -such an improbable idea could not have found -lodgment in your crazy garret,” said Hooker. -“I understand you’ve even tried to write stories -yourself lately. Say, Sleuth, if this matter wasn’t -so serious, it would be laughable.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span>“Your words,” returned Piper, “betray the -narrow limits of your reasoning faculties. I’m -not basing my suspicions on mere guesswork, -Hooker.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Then, for the love of Mike, what do you base -them on?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“One week ago you met a stranger who behaved -in a most peculiar manner. Apparently of -some education and refinement, this man seemed -to be somewhere near the age of Clarence Sage, -if Sage still lives. He made inquiries of you -concerning the Sages in Oakdale, and when he -learned that Fred Sage was approaching he took -to his heels and got away. He didn’t dare remain -to face Fred in your presence. Why, -Hooker—why? Simply because he knew that in -his amazement Fred would call him by name and -give the whole thing away. What do you think -about that?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>For a moment or two Roy shook his head. “I -don’t believe it. It can’t be true, Piper. If that’s -all you have to base your belief on——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Did there seem to be anything especially -wrong with Fred last night?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No, not that I observed.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span>“Well, there surely was something the matter -with him to-day. Something had happened to -upset him completely.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What do you think it was?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It was something tremendous, or it never -would have led him to bungle and blunder the -way he did in that game. It was such a tremendous -thing that he could not get it out of his -mind so that he might concentrate on the game. -Whenever he dismissed thoughts of it, he played -in something like his usual form for a few minutes, -but it kept coming back at him and putting -him on the blink. He denied that he was sick. -He denied that anything had happened to upset -him. All this is precisely what would have happened -had he made the amazing discovery to-day -that his brother Clarence was alive.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Gee whiz!” breathed Hooker. “I’ll own up -that you’ve got me staggered. If you’re right, -Piper, you certainly have got a head on your -shoulders.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The darkness masked the smile of satisfaction -that Sleuth could not repress.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span>“You can’t dodge the force of my deductions,” -he declared. “Let me give you a further illustration -of my reasoning ability. As an escaped -convict, is it likely that Clarence Sage would lead -an honest life? I admit that he might, but the -germ of dishonesty must have been virulent in -his blood, or he, the apparently promising son of -highly respectable parents, would never have -committed his first crime. Once a man has taken -a crooked step, he’s almost sure to take others. -Supposed to be dead, Sage surely traveled under -a fictitious name. A certain crook, called James -Wilson and known among his pals as Gentleman -Jim, bears a strong resemblance to the young -bank-looter who was sent to Sing Sing. This -crook was arrested in the town of Harpersville a -short time ago, but made his escape from the jail, -nearly killing the guard as he did so. A big -reward has been offered for Wilson’s capture. -The last peg in my argument is that this Gentleman -Jim is none other than Clarence Sage -himself.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“If that should prove to be right,” said -Hooker, “I’ll admit that you’ve got all the detectives -of real life or fiction beaten to a froth.”</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span> - <h2 id='chapXIX.' class='c009'>CHAPTER XIX. <br /> <br /> THE NIGHT ALARM.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>On Sunday night, or, rather, Monday morning, -within a few minutes of the hour of three -(Captain Aaron Quinn afterward swore it was -at six bells precisely) occurred the explosion -which, although muffled and faintly heard by -two persons only, was of sufficient importance to -shake Oakdale village to its very foundations. -The only person actually to hear the explosion, -besides the old sailor, who could not sleep well on -account of his rheumatism, was Jonas Sylvester, -the fat and pompous village night-watch. With -the establishment of the bank the town authorities -had decided that a night guard must be employed -to patrol the streets, and Sylvester, whose -qualifications may be summed up briefly by the -statement that he weighed nearly three hundred -pounds and had no regular employment, was -chosen for the job.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span>With his greatcoat brass-buttoned tightly to -the chin, Officer Sylvester had paused at the end -of Main Street bridge, the southern limit of his -beat, and was stamping his feet and thumping his -mittened hands together when, as he stated later, -he heard something like the closing of a distant -heavy door, which seemed accompanied by a -slight shock or jarring of the ground. Wondering -vaguely what it was, and recalling that he -had heard that earthquakes, however slight, almost -always manifested themselves by several -recurring detonations, Jonas ceased stamping -and thumping and stood quite still in the muffling -darkness, his lips parted as he listened.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Hokey!” he muttered presently. “What was -it? ’Twasn’t thunder, for it’s out of season, and -I’m too fur away to hear a horse kicking up in -the livery stable. The bank——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Immediately he started puffingly up the street -toward the new bank building.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The clock in the steeple of the Methodist -church struck three.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span>In the meantime, Captain Quinn had been -further aroused by his monkey. Chattering excitedly, -the creature leaped upon the old sailor’s -breast and began tweaking at his hair.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Quit it, ye swab!” rasped the old salt, thrusting -the monkey away. “Back to the fo’cas’le, -you imp of mischief. Leave me alone, you -scrub, or I’ll give you a douse of bilge-water.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>But Jocko refused to be repulsed by his irascible -master. His chattering rose to a squeaking -shriek as he returned with a bound and gave a -distressing tug at the captain’s whiskers.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Keelhaul me!” roared Quinn, struggling up -and casting the animal to the floor. “I’ll throw -you into the hold and keep you under the hatches -for the rest of the voyage if you try it again, -you spawn!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Even though he now kept beyond his master’s -reach, the monkey persisted in such a chattering -uproar and dashed about the dark room in such -a frantic manner that the wondering man, groaning -at the necessity, hoisted himself out of bed, -struck a match and looked at the brass-bound -ship’s clock which hung near at hand upon the -wall.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>“There’s something the matter,” decided -Quinn, dropping the burning match as the flame -threatened to scorch his fingers. Then, forgetting -that he was undressed, from force of habit -he placed his bare foot upon the match to extinguish -it.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The racket made by the monkey was nothing -in comparison to the roar that broke from the -lips of the now thoroughly awakened man, and -had anyone witnessed the tremendous jump -which Captain Quinn made he would have fancied -the old tar suddenly cured of his rheumatism. -The language which burst in a torrent -from Quinn’s lips was of a decidedly sulphurous -nature.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You imp of the Old Nick!” he bellowed, making -a dive and a grab for the elusive monkey. -“I’ll wring your neck if I get my two hooks on -it!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Jocko, however, bounding over the furniture, -skimming the length of a shelf, and seeming to -swing himself along one of the bare walls of the -room, perched on a window ledge beyond immediate -reach. If possible, Captain Quinn was -further aroused and enraged by barking his shins -upon a chair.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span>“Furies!” he breathed. “Where’s my gun? -I’ll blow a porthole in the hide of that infernal -pest!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>As if realizing the peril to his very life, Jocko -yanked away a mass of old rags which had completely -filled the opening left by a broken windowpane, -and darted through the aperture.</p> - -<p class='c011'>At about this moment Officer Sylvester, hastily -approaching the front of the bank, fancied he -saw a dark figure dart around a corner of the -building and disappear. Shivering, more from -excitement and exertion than from the cold, the -night-watch pursued that shadowy figure, -weapon in hand. At the back of the building he -paused, hearing the voice of the old sailor raging -within the nearby shanty.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I s’pose it’s that old fool that’s made the disturbance,” -muttered Jonas doubtfully. “Still, I -kinder thought I saw something.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Producing the electric torch he always carried -while on duty, he flashed the light around him, -making almost a complete arc of a circle. Suddenly -the light stopped, bearing full upon an iron-barred -<span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span>window in the rear of the bank building, -and there it hung quivering, revealing to Sylvester’s -bulging eyes a most astounding and disturbing -fact.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Three of the bars had been cut completely off -and bent outward, and beyond them an entire -section of the window glass was missing, leaving -an opening large enough to admit the body of a -man.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Almost paralyzed by this amazing discovery, -Officer Sylvester felt his thick knees growing -weak beneath him.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Robbers,” he gasped—“robbers, by the jumping -jingoes!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>That very instant there was a flash in the nearby -shadows, and, with the report of a pistol, a -bullet almost grazed the torch in Sylvester’s -hand.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The night-watch did not hesitate upon the order -of his going, but went at once. With a yell -of terror he took to his heels, and his wild shout -of “Robbers! robbers!” resounded through the -main part of the village as he dashed toward the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span>public square near the post-office. Reaching the -square, he increased his efforts to arouse the -townspeople by firing his revolver several times -into the air.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Marlin spikes and belaying pins!” spluttered -Captain Quinn, still groping for his shotgun. -“There’s blazes to pay! The monk wasn’t such -a fool, after all.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Presently, gun in hand, he flung open his door -and stood peering into the night. He could hear -the courageous night-watch shouting from the -square and firing his revolver. But what interested -Aaron Quinn far more was the sight -of two figures which seemed to drop from the -rear window of the bank and run away into the -darkness.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Shades of Neptune!” said Captain Quinn. -“It’s piracy on the high seas!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Somewhat tardily, he got into action, lifting -the gun and firing into the darkness which had -swallowed the fleeing figures.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span> - <h2 id='chapXX.' class='c009'>CHAPTER XX. <br /> <br /> IN THE BANK.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>Naturally, all this shooting and shouting in the -early hours of the morning was sufficient to -arouse the villagers. In house after house lights -began to gleam, and ere long half-dressed men -were running toward the square, where, still lustily -bellowing, Jonas Sylvester was seeking with -trembling hands to reload his revolver. Hyde, -the livery stable keeper, Stickney, the grocer, -Lawyer Francis and others surrounded the officer -and demanded to know the meaning of it all. -Others kept coming from various directions as -Jonas told what he had discovered at the rear of -the bank and how nearly he had paid for that -discovery with his life.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Robbers,” cried the livery man—“robbers in -the bank? Why didn’t you capture them?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes,” demanded the grocer in a high, quavering -falsetto, “why didn’t ye nab ’em? What -are you doing here? What do we hire ye for?”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>“I tell ye they shot at me,” replied Jonas. -“They banged right at me, and I couldn’t see a -soul. They had the advantage. Think of my -size. S’pose I was going to stand still and let -them pepper me full of bullets?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Fellow citizens,” said the lawyer, who of them -all seemed to retain the most presence of mind, -“if there are robbers in the bank they may escape -while we stand here wasting time in talk. Lead -the way, Sylvester; we’re with you.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Thus encouraged, the night-watch took the -lead, accompanied by the excited crowd. A few -of the more timid ones either held back or hastily -returned to their homes to procure weapons. -Some expressed doubts, declaring their belief -that Oakdale’s nocturnal guardian must be mistaken.</p> - -<p class='c011'>But a single glance through the front window -of the bank convinced Lawyer Francis that something -was wrong there beyond dispute. With a -word he called attention to the fact that the light -which burned by night in front of the vault had -been extinguished.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span>“Show us that winder,” commanded Hyde, -pushing Sylvester forward.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes, show us the winder,” tremulously urged -Stickney, falling back until nearly all of the -crowd were ahead of him.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Git ready for a bloody encounter,” warned -the night-watch. “They’re desperate men, and -they’ll fight to the last gasp.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“We’ll find there are no robbers in the bank -now,” said the lawyer; “and all this uproar has -sent them scampering long before this.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>As they were hurrying round to the rear of the -building a voice roared at them through the -darkness.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Avast there, you lubbers!” it shouted. -“You’re too late for action. The scoundrels -hoisted anchor and made sail long ago. By this -time they’re running before the wind under full -canvas.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The old sailor came hobbling swiftly toward -them, bearing his gun, his cane forgotten for -the time being.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Did you see them, Quinn?” asked Lawyer -Francis.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span>“I did that,” was the prompt answer. “I put -my lamps on them just as they got under full -headway, and I’ll swear I hurried them some -with a double charge of buckshot.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You fired at them?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Both barrels at once, and it’s a mercy if I -ain’t got a busted shoulder to pay for it. The -old gun near kicked my head off, confound it!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“How many of them were there? How many -did you see?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It’s dungeon dark a’most, but I’m certain sure -I saw two, at least.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Mebbe some of you thought I was lying or a -fool,” cried Officer Sylvester triumphantly. -“Now I guess you’ll change your tune. Here’s -the winder. Just look at it.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The electric torch was again turned on the cut -and bended bars, and the group of men pressed -forward, staring and exclaiming.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Which way did the robbers flee, Quinn?” -questioned Lawyer Francis, grasping the old -sea captain’s arm.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Back that way toward Middle Street,” was -the answer.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>“They must not escape,” said the lawyer. -“They haven’t obtained much of a start. Let -every man arm himself and take up the search. -Deputy Sheriff Pickle and Constable Hubbard -must be notified at once. They must organize -posses and scour the country. Will you see to it -that this is done, Sylvester?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes, your honor,” assured the night-watch.</p> - -<p class='c011'>At this moment a citizen joined the group and -announced that Lucius Timmick, the bank -cashier, had arrived and was about to unlock the -bank door. This information led Lawyer Francis -to hasten back to the front of the building, -where, pushing his way through the rapidly increasing -crowd, he reached Timmick as the latter -finally found his key and inserted it in the -lock.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Doubtless fearful of entering, the cashier hesitated -a bit even after the key had thrown the -bolt.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’ll accompany you, Mr. Timmick,” said the -lawyer. “I think you need have no fear of encountering -any of the rascals within. They have -all fled.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>“Thank you, Mr. Francis,” said Timmick, his -voice husky and not quite under control. “Doubtless -you are right, but I think it best that I should -have a few reputable citizens with me when I -investigate.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’m here, Timmick; I’m with you,” encouraged -Stickney, the grocer, boldly jabbing his way -through the crowd with his sharp elbows. -“You’ll find me ready to back you up if you need -assistance.” His courage had revived amazingly -with the assurance that the robbers had fled.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Rufus Sprague, the jeweler, and Lemuel Hayden, -a leading business man, both of whom were -directors of the bank, were on hand, and with -those four citizens at his back the cashier opened -the door. Others who were inclined to crowd in -were commanded to stand back, but one there -was who, crouching low, slipped in unobserved -and congratulated himself over his cleverness as -he heard the door relocked. This was Sleuth -Piper.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span>Timmick’s hand found the button and turned -on the electric lights. Then he opened the door -in the grating-guarded partition, beyond which -was located the bank vault.</p> - -<p class='c011'>An odor like that of a burnt explosive pervaded -the atmosphere of the place, and increased, -if possible, the tingling excitement of the men -who pressed after the cashier, eager to learn just -what had happened. What they now beheld -caused them to gasp with dismay.</p> - -<p class='c011'>A number of full sacks of grain had been -placed on the floor in front of the bank vault. -This grain had doubtless been brought in the -sacks from the old feed mill, a quarter of a mile -away; and the full sacks had been skilfully arranged -in such a position that the outer door of -the vault, blown from its hinges, had fallen upon -them. A leather grip stood open upon the floor, -and scattered about on all sides could be seen a -full set of up-to-date burglar’s tools.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Look,” cried Timmick, aghast, pointing with -a trembling finger—“look at that, gentlemen! -Oh, the scoundrels!”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span>Outside, the crowd, with noses pressed against -the cold plate glass of the big front window, -could see everything, and the sound of their agitated -voices reached the ears of those within.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“The bank’s been robbed!” cried Stickney. -“The critters must have done it in a hurry.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I don’t think it has been robbed,” said Lawyer -Francis. “The inner door of the vault remains -in place. The burglars were detected at -their work before they could complete the job.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Let us hope,” said Lemuel Hayden grimly, -“that you are right, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Open that inside door, Timmick—open it!” -spluttered Rufus Sprague. “Let’s find out if -they got anything.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>But the cashier shook his head. “I think, gentlemen,” -he said, “we had better wait until the -president arrives. When I open that door I wish -to do so in the presence of Mr. Eliot. At any -rate, I think it would not be advisable to go ahead -beneath the watching eyes of that crowd outside -the window. Mr. Stickney, will you draw the -shade?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yep, I will,” said Stickney, rejoicing with a -feeling of high importance over the fact that he -was one of those who had obtained admission to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>the bank. “Whether the robbers got anything -or not, it will be just as well to proceed with our -investigation in private.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Hurrying to the window, he drew the shade, -greatly to the disappointment of the gathered -watchers, some of whom expressed their feelings -with considerable emphasis.</p> - -<p class='c011'>There was one person, however, who was not -thus deprived of further knowledge of what was -taking place within the bank. In the shadows of -the patrons’ side of the cashier window, Sleuth -Piper congratulated himself again.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span> - <h2 id='chapXXI.' class='c009'>CHAPTER XXI. <br /> <br /> WHAT SLEUTH LEARNED.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>The excited chattering of the crowd in front -of the bank was broken in upon by the harsh -voice of Captain Quinn.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Ahoy, you blatherskites!” cried the old sailor, -appearing upon the edge of the gathering. -“Stow that jabber a minute and tell me if you’ve -put your peepers on my monkey. The little -whelp has run away, and he’ll freeze to death -unless I find him. It would break my heart if -anything should happen to my monkey.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>This statement aroused some laughter and provoked -a few jeers.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Go crawl into your bunk, you old pirate,” advised -one of the younger men. “It would be a -good thing if your monkey did freeze. The town -wouldn’t miss it—or you, either.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>“Take twenty years off my shoulders,” snarled -the old tar, “and I’d lay you by the heels for that, -you swab! You talk bold and sassy to a man -three times your age and crippled with the rheumatics, -but I’ve scrubbed the deck of my vessel -with dozens of your kind in my day.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Everybody knows that, you old man-handler,” -was the retort. “You’ve cracked the skull -of more than one better man, but the law protected -you because you were the master and they -were nothing but common sailors. Oh, we know -you here in Oakdale.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes, and I know you, the whole common -crew of ye. You’re brave as dogfish chasing -po’gies until you spy a shark, and then you run -and hide. What are ye doing here? Why ain’t -ye off with the men that’s trying to run down the -burglars? You’re afraid. There’s not one of -ye’s got the courage of a squid.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“If you weren’t so old,” said one of the wrathy -listeners, “we’d be handing you a taste of your -own high-sea methods before you could say half -as much.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Never mind my age,” bellowed Quinn, squaring -away. “Come try it, any one of ye or the -whole crew together. You’ll find it a bit lively -<span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span>while it lasts, or my name is not Aaron Quinn. -Hoist anchor, you blackguards. Up with your -sails, and come at me with every stitch set. -What’s the matter, you lubbers—what’s the matter? -Why don’t you come on? Afraid, eh?—afraid -of old Aaron Quinn! A bold lot you are! -You can wag your tongues loud and talk bold, -but not one of ye has as much gizzard as a -chicken. Bah!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>With a derisive gesture, he disdainfully turned -his back upon them and slowly moved off into the -darkness, seeming deaf to their jeers and cat-calls.</p> - -<p class='c011'>A few minutes later Urian Eliot appeared, -made his way through the throng that respectfully -stepped aside from his path, and was admitted -to the bank. The door had not long been -closed behind the president when it opened again, -for Stickney, the grocer, whose manner as he -came out betrayed that he was leaving the place -with great reluctance and much against his will.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“How is it, Stickney?” called one of the gathering. -“Did the robbers get anything, or were -they frightened away?”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span>“Huh!” grunted the grocer, standing on the -steps. “I don’t know. They waited for Eliot -before they opened the inner door of the vault, -and when he came he proposed, as I didn’t happen -to be a director or some high muckamuck -connected with the bank, that I should leave. -And I was one who risked his life to follow Timmick -into that place, not knowing but we might -have to face desperate burglars armed to the -very teeth. That’s the way they treat a fellow -citizen who is ready to shed his blood for them. -But what can you expect of men who try to run -a bank in these days without a night watchman -of their own? That’s their idea of economy, perhaps, -but it will be a mercy if it hasn’t proved expensive -economy. They take our money in trust -and then fail to give it proper protection. Timmick -refused to touch the inner door until Eliot -came. Perhaps it was unlocked. It wouldn’t -surprise me to learn that the bank had been -cleaned out of every dollar and every scrap of -security it contained. I have an account here -myself; seventy-nine dollars balance, too. If -there has been a robbery, somebody will have to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span>make good. They can afford it, men like Eliot -and Hayden and the others; but I can’t afford to -lose it.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>His resentment seemed contagious, and there -were others who began murmuring about the -bank officials. But, for the most part, those who -talked loudest had small accounts with the institution -or none at all.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What have they done about catching the -scoundrels?” asked Stickney. “They ought to -have ’em by this time.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>He was told that armed squads were searching -for the cracksmen, although there had been no -reports of a capture.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, they’ll let ’em get away, I’ll guarantee,” -sneered the grocer. “I was opposed to the hiring -of a night-watch by the town. I said it would -be an extravagant waste of money, and this night -proves I was right.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Only for him,” reminded some one, “the robbers -might have finished the job and got off without -an alarm being raised. Likely nobody would -ever known it till the bank was opened at nine -o’clock.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>“He might have nabbed ’em, instead of running -away and hollering like a loon,” asserted -Stickney. “He had the chance. If I’d been in -his place, I’d potted the whole bunch. Now it’s -doubtful if any one of ’em is caught. Well, I’m -going home to get a little rest before breakfast.” -Apparently it did not occur to the courageous -grocer that he might be of service by joining one -of the searching parties.</p> - -<p class='c011'>It was growing light and a curious throng still -lingered in front of the bank hoping to learn if a -robbery had actually taken place, when the door -of the building opened again, and this time Sleuth -Piper was thrust forth with such violence that -he was saved from sprawling on the sidewalk -only by the quick hand of a man who stood on the -lower step.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Hello, Piper,” said this man, gazing at him -in astonishment. “How did you get in there?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Sh!” hissed Sleuth, pulling away. “Never -mind, never mind. In pursuance of my duty, I -am liable to be found anywhere. Had they given -me a little time, I might have imparted some information -of tremendous moment. But let them -go on. Let them work in the dark. They will -need me yet.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>“Tell us, has the bank been robbed?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“They are now going over the contents of the -vault,” was the boy’s evasive reply. “I’ll not -forestall their report by a premature statement.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Some one pulled at his sleeve, and, looking -around, he saw Roy Hooker. Willingly he followed -Roy, who led the way to the rear of the -bank, where at least a dozen men were gathered -outside the window by which the robbers had obtained -entrance.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You beat the Dutch, Pipe,” said Roy, in a -manner bordering on respect. “How the deuce -<i>did</i> you ever get in there?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Piper explained, taking to himself abundant -credit for quick thought, rapidity of action and -amazing cleverness in keeping concealed once he -had slipped inside.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well, what did you learn, anyhow?” questioned -Hooker. “Did you find out anything, or -did you waste your time?”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span>“I never waste my time,” retorted Sleuth with -dignity. “It was through my natural desire to -learn all that could be learned that I was detected -and ejected. At the present moment the -officers of the bank are in the directors’ room at -the rear, going over the securities. There’s a -door leading from that room into the outside corridor, -and, in order to hear and see, I had to open -that door. They closed it once, but I opened it -again on a crack, and that aroused the suspicions -of Rufus Sprague, who stepped out quickly -and nabbed me. Then, refusing to listen, they -chucked me outside. I was ready to throw a -bombshell into their midst, but I’m glad now that -I was restrained from action.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What did you propose to tell them, Sleuth?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It was on the tip of my tongue to advise them -to look for a certain party known as ‘James Wilson,’ -<i>alias</i> ‘William Hunt,’ <i>alias</i> ‘Philip Hastings,’ -<i>alias</i> ‘Gentleman Jim,’ and furthermore and -finally, <i>alias</i> Clarence Sage.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Then you fancy——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Fancy, Hooker? Nay, sir, this is no case of -guesswork; I know what I’m about. Doubtless -Sage is as far from Oakdale as his feet could -carry him in the time since the would-be robbers -fled.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span>“The would-be robbers!” echoed Roy. “Then -they really didn’t get anything?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Right there,” said Sleuth, “you touch the one -point that as yet remains inexplicable to me. The -inner door of the vault apparently has not been -broken open by the burglars. It was unlocked -by Timmick in the presence of Urian Eliot and -the directors. They removed cash and securities -to that back room for investigation. At first -everything seemed undisturbed and they were -congratulating themselves, when the discovery -was made that a package of securities amounting -to twenty thousand dollars was missing.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Gee!” gasped Hooker. “Then there <i>was</i> a -robbery. But how can it be possible, if the inner -door of the vault had not been opened?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>In the gray light of the morning a wise and -significant smile flickered across Piper’s face.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“There’s but one explanation,” he answered. -“The men who tried to rob the bank last night -did not get those securities. They were stolen -at some previous time.”</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span> - <h2 id='chapXXII.' class='c009'>CHAPTER XXII. <br /> <br /> FOLLOWING THE TRAIL.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>“Gee whiz!” exclaimed Hooker, astonished. -“Who stole them?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That question,” admitted Sleuth, “I’m not -ready to answer at present. I’ll focus my marvelous -discerning intellect upon it after the -would-be bank robbers are securely in limbo. I’ll -guarantee that the posses searching for them are -rushing hither and thither without rhyme, reason -or system. That’s no way to hunt the scoundrels -down. Of course they may blunder upon -the fugitives by accident, but the trail should be -taken up and followed in a scientific manner.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That’s easy enough to talk about,” said Roy; -“but, without the aid of bloodhounds, how is it -to be done?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“To begin with, we know they fled in this direction, -for old Quinn saw them running from -the back of the bank and fired at them. They -<span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>must have reached Middle Street a short distance -away. It was impossible to follow their tracks -in the dark, but it’s now daylight, and I’m going -to try to pick up the trail.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“A fine job you’ll do at that,” scoffed the other -boy. “Even if you should find their tracks, you’d -need the skill of an Injun to follow ’em.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“We’ll see,” said Piper—“we’ll see about that. -There’s a cedar hedge running from Main Street -to Willow, and any person who dashed through -that hedge at full speed must have left some -tokens.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Let’s examine the hedge.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>In less than a minute Piper found a place -where the branches of the trimmed cedars were -bent and broken. He pointed at it exultantly.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“There’s where one of them went through,” -he declared.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Perhaps it’s where some one, hurrying to the -bank, came in from the other direction.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Use your eyes, Hook. The manner in which -the cedars are twisted and bent shows that the -person who passed through the hedge came from -this direction, and he was in a hurry, too. Look -here! What’s this, Roy? It’s blood—blood on -the bushes!”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span>No wonder Roy’s eyes bulged as he beheld the -slight bloodstain at which his companion pointed -with a triumphant finger.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Blood!” he muttered. “Why, then——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Old Quinn hit one of them, no question about -it. There’s a wounded bank-breaker fleeing for -his life somewhere.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Both lads were now greatly excited, although -Sleuth fought hard to maintain such an air of -coolness as he fancied would well become a great -detective.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“By this trail of blood we’ll track him, -Hooker,” he said. “If we capture one of the -rascals, perhaps he will squeal on his pals.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“If <i>we</i> capture him!” spluttered Roy. “What -are you talking about? Do you think we could -do it alone? He’s a desperate man, and he’d -fight——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Are you armed?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span>“Well, I am,” said Sleuth, displaying a small -revolver. “It’s too bad you have no weapon, but, -nevertheless, you may be of great assistance in -capturing the man. If you’ve got nerve enough -to stick by me, we’ll try to run him down.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Hadn’t we better get others? Do you think -we ought to try it alone?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“If we call for assistance,” said Sleuth, “and -the man is actually captured, we’ll have to share -the reward with others. You know there’s a -large reward offered for the apprehension of the -man known as Gentleman Jim, and it’s not impossible -that the fellow who was winged by -Aaron Quinn is Gentleman Jim himself. If we -take him, just you and I, we can whack up on -that reward money. I’ll agree to give you a fair -share, providing you stand by me through thick -and thin.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You’ve certainly got a nerve, Piper, to think -of trying such a thing. I don’t know about it, -myself.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, well, if you’re scared,” said Sleuth, with -no attempt to suppress his scorn, “I’ll go it alone. -I thought you had more sand, Hook.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>“Well, nobody around here has ever figured -that you were running over with sand, yourself,” -was the resentful retort. “I guess I’ve got as -much as you have. Go ahead and see what you -can do at this job of trailing.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Forcing their way through the hedge, they -reached Middle Street, where for a moment -Piper hesitated, as if considering the probable -course the fugitive had taken.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“About the time the man got here,” he said, -“Jonas Sylvester was waking people up by his -yells and shouts from the square in front of the -post-office. Under such circumstances, fearing -to encounter some citizen of the town who had -been aroused by Sylvester, the fleeing man would -avoid the streets as far as possible. I should say -he kept straight across the road here and struck -across lots for High Street.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Guesswork,” said Hooker.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Deduction, reasoning, sound judgment,” -flung back Sleuth, as he hurried to examine the -top rail of the old slat fence upon the northern -side of the street; “and here’s my proof—a -smooch of blood where the man grasped the rail -as he vaulted over the fence.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span>“Jinks!” breathed Roy, gazing at the sanguine -mark. “You’re right; it’s there.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Beyond the fence Piper continued northward, -bending forward that he might search the -ground with his eyes. Again and again he -pointed to frozen blood-drippings upon the grass, -and, at Sleuth’s heels, Roy felt his pulse throbbing -with a touch of the fierce excitement that -invariably seizes upon one who hunts fleeing men. -For the first time in his life he was beginning to -believe that Piper had been underestimated by -those who had scoffed at his ambition to become -a great detective.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Across High Street and into the neglected, old-fashioned -horse sheds at the rear of the Methodist -church the two boys followed the trail. In -one of those sheds there was a little pool of blood, -surrounded by similar drippings, at which -Hooker stared in great fascination.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“He stopped here,” asserted Sleuth. “Concealed -by the darkness, he hid in this shed for -some little time. Perhaps he was led to do this -through exhaustion caused by the wound. Perhaps -he did so because he heard citizens running -down Main Street toward the bank.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>“Gee!” said Roy, giving himself a shake. “If -he’s hurt bad, we’re liable to come on him any -minute. Why, we might have found him here, -and perhaps he’d filled us full of lead. It’s ticklish -business, Pipe.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“He won’t be liable to fight unless cornered, -and if we corner him we must get him foul so he -can’t pot us. Come on; time is precious.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>As if the flow from the wound had been partly -staunched, the trail now became decidedly more -difficult to follow. Nevertheless, Sleuth traced -it to upper Main Street, some distance below the -home of Urian Eliot. There it again led across -the road and into the broad fields beyond. -Through the midst of these fields ran a tiny -brook, the banks of which were lined by scattering -clumps of bushes. Here the brown grass -was rather tall, and the boys followed the man’s -tracks with little difficulty. At the point where -the fugitive had started to cross the brook a clay -bank some three feet in height had caved beneath -his feet.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span>“He took a tumble here,” said Piper. “There’s -where he got on his pins again. See his tracks, -Hook?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The prints of the man’s feet were plainly to -be seen, and, it being no more than a foot wide at -that point, he had crossed the brook at a stride. -On the western side the trail again led northward, -and before long the boys paused within -plain sight of the house of the Sages.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Ah! ha!” breathed Sleuth, with an intonation -of deep exultation. “Now you can see what -he was doing. I’m sorry indeed for our mutual -friend, Fred Sage; but duty is duty, and we must -not falter.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It does look as if he made straight for the -Sages’ place,” admitted Roy.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No question about it,” nodded Sleuth, grasping -his companion’s arm and drawing him back. -“Let’s preserve proper caution. We might be -seen.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I don’t see anyone stirring around the place.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No, but you can see that the front door of -the stable is standing open a bit. That door was -not left thus all night long, you can bet on it.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span>“I suppose they were woke up by the racket.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“But why should they go to the stable? If -we locate our man there, Hooker, I’ll stay and -keep watch while you go for the officers.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I don’t see how we’re going to——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“We’ll have to retreat a distance, cross the -road out of sight of the house and approach the -buildings from the rear. That’s the proper -trick.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Hooker did not attempt an argument; he left -the maneuver to be carried through by Sleuth, -whom he continued to follow without proffering -advice.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Crouching low when the road was reached, -they darted across it, one after the other, circling -until they could approach the stable of the Sages -from the rear. To their surprise, they perceived -that the small back door of the building also -stood open. Their nerves taut and tingling, they -presently found themselves beside that door, -where, with one hand on his pistol and the other -upheld as a signal for caution, Piper listened intently.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Can you hear anything?” whispered Roy.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span>“No,” admitted Sleuth, “nothing that seems significant -to me. I’m going to look in. Keep still.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Thrusting his head forward, he peered into -the gloomy interior of the building. After a few -glances, reaching backward without turning, he -beckoned for the other lad to follow, and entered, -walking on his toes.</p> - -<p class='c011'>They were in the very center of the stable floor -when a sudden stamping and a snort caused them -both to leap backward, Piper jerking up the hand -in which his nickle-plated revolver quivered tremulously. -After a moment he drew a breath of -relief, turning a pallid face toward Roy as he -explained in a whisper:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Nothing but their cow in the tie-up yonder.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Thunder!” sighed Sleuth’s companion. “She -gave me an awful start. Don’t look like we’ll -find anything here, Pipe.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Wait. I have a theory into which I’ve been -led by the sight of the open doors, but it’s best -to proceed carefully and not overlook anything.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Ten seconds later, not five feet from the -slightly opened front doors, Piper discovered -something that added in no small degree to his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>self-esteem. Upon the floor near a small grain -box was a pool of blood, and beside that pool he -perceived some shreds like ravellings from a torn -cloth.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Our man was here, Hooker,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“<i>Was</i> here?” muttered Roy. “Then you think -he’s gone?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I think his injury was bound up right here in -this stable while he sat there upon that box. I -don’t believe he did the work of bandaging the -wound himself.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“He must be in the house.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Don’t jump at conclusions. That’s the trouble -with most people. That’s how they lead -themselves astray. The fellow came here. He -must have been pretty badly used up, too. Somebody -tied up his injuries. Isn’t it likely they -realized the man would be traced by the blood-drippings? -And is it likely, in that case, that -they would think of trying to hide him here?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Why, I don’t know——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I don’t <i>know</i>, but I’m using logic, reasoning, -horse sense. I saw something as we entered by -that open back door which makes me confident -<span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span>that the fellow continued his flight in that direction. -Beyond the orchard, out there, lie the -woods to the north of Turkey Hill.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You think he hit out for those woods, do -you?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I think so, but unless I can find evidence to -confirm my belief we’ll not try to follow him -haphazard.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>They left the stable by the door through which -they had entered, and when they were outside -Sleuth once more fell to searching the ground -with his eyes.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Tracks!” he muttered. “There were two of -them—two of them! And here’s the proof that -our man was one!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>He picked up a lump of half frozen clay which -plainly had fallen from the boot of a man. It -was the sort of clay into which the fugitive had -slumped when the brook bank gave way beneath -his feet.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You’re a wonder, Pipe,” declared Roy, his -admiration unrestrained at last.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Spare the compliments,” said Sleuth briskly. -“We’re off again.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span>The trail led through the orchard, beyond -which it was plain enough in the hoarfrost which -covered the ground.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“And these tracks weren’t made so long ago, -either,” asserted Piper. “It won’t be so easy to -follow them after we get into the woods. Too -bad.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>In truth, it was not an easy matter, and they -were proceeding with exasperating slowness -when of a sudden Piper whirled and clutched his -companion, exclaiming in a hoarse whisper:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Hark! Some one coming! Get to cover, -Hooker—lively!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Near by was a fallen tree. Sleuth cleared it -with a bound, flinging himself down behind the -thick trunk. His example was followed by Roy, -and there, amid a mass of leaves which the wind -had swept into a little hollow, they knelt, peering -over the fallen tree.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Barely were they thus hidden when another -boy came crashing at a run through some bushes -and appeared in full view.</p> - -<p class='c011'>It was Fred Sage!</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span> - <h2 id='chapXXIII.' class='c009'>CHAPTER XXIII. <br /> <br /> THE CAPTURE.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>Fred was panting, his clothes were torn, and -his manner that of one overwrought with tremendous -excitement. He had come from the -deeper woods to the north of Turkey Hill, and -was plainly hurrying homeward as fast as his -feet would carry him.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Crouching behind the fallen tree, the two boys -gazed in astonishment at Sage as he passed them. -They could hear his panting breath and see his -breast heaving, and into the minds of both leaped -the strange thought that only for his exertions -his face would have been ghastly pale. There -was a wild expression in his eyes, like that of a -person in great fear.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Hooker remained kneeling, petrified, but Piper -partly rose, his lips open, as if he thought of -shouting to the running lad. If this was his intention, -however, he changed his mind, not uttering -as much as a whisper, and stood staring -<span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span>after the hurrying boy, the crashing sounds of -whose movements could be heard for some moments -following his disappearance. Presently -those sounds died out and silence fell upon the -woods.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Shaking off his lethargy, Hooker rose. -“Well,” he breathed, “what have you got to say -about that, Pipe?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Sleuth’s forehead was puckered in a momentary -frown. Before answering, he climbed to the -bole of the tree and stepped down on the other -side, Roy following.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It simply confirms my theory,” announced -Piper. “Fred is badly scared. Somewhere yonder -in these woods he lately parted from his -brother, who is wounded and a fugitive from -justice. That’s quite enough to put Fred’s nerves -on the blink.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“But why is he running for home that -fashion?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“For one reason, he doesn’t wish to be seen -here in the woods by anyone searching for the -bank robbers. For another reason, he must remember -that there is a telltale pool of blood on -<span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span>the floor of his father’s stable, every trace of -which I’ll guarantee will soon be removed after -Fred gets home.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I guess you’re right,” admitted Roy regretfully. -“I’m sorry about this business—mighty -sorry.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I, too, am sorry for Sage,” nodded Piper; -“but in matters like this, where justice and the -rights of peaceable citizens are involved, sentiment -must be put aside.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Fred’s a good fellow,” muttered Hooker. -“We’ve been pretty chummy.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Of course he’s a good fellow; nobody disputes -that.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“But to think he has such a brother!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That’s his misfortune, not his fault.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“And he’s trying to help the fellow escape.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You’d do the same under similar circumstances, -so don’t condemn him. But while we’re -gabbing here the fugitive is getting farther -away. Of course, if he’s badly hurt, as it seems -he must be, he can’t cover ground as fast as he -otherwise might.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>“We can’t find him in these woods; we might -as well give up that idea.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“And give up all hope of copping the reward!” -exclaimed Sleuth. “Not I. The slope of Turkey -Hill isn’t far away, and from it we can get -a good view of the swamp and the woods. Perhaps -we’ll see something of the fellow by climbing -up there. Anyhow, it won’t take us far out -of our course, if we’re going to make for that -old camp in the swamp, in which I fancy our -man, at Fred’s suggestion, may try to hide. -Don’t quit. Come on.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>For a short distance Sleuth sought to retrace -the trail made by Fred Sage while hurrying -homeward, but this was so slow and exasperating -that presently he abandoned the effort and -made straight for Turkey Hill. There the boys -pantingly climbed the first steep slope, soon arriving -at a clearing upon the hillside where the -timber had been cut away, leaving an expanse of -unsightly stumps.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“From this spot,” reminded Piper, “Spotty -Davis was seen when he shot Berlin Barker’s -hound. Use your eyes, Hooker. See if you can -discover anyone moving in the woods or the open -places down yonder.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>For some moments they searched the lower expanse -of woods and clearings with their eyes.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I don’t see a thing,” muttered Roy presently. -“I don’t believe we’ll be able to——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Look at those crows yonder,” interrupted -Sleuth, flinging out his hand.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Some distance away, near the base of the hill -to the westward, a number of crows had suddenly -risen into the air, cawing wildly.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“We’re not hunting for crows,” reminded -Hooker.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’ve studied the habits of those birds,” asserted -the amateur detective, “and I’ll guarantee -they’ve been suddenly alarmed by something -moving in the woods near by. Hear them cawing? -Take it from me, they are shouting in -crow language: ‘Man! man! Here’s a man!’”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, rot, Piper! You may be pretty wise -about some things, but——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“<i>There he is!</i>” rasped Sleuth, suddenly seizing -his companion’s arm and pointing with the other -hand. “I saw him—I saw him run across a little -opening! He’s coming back this way, too!”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span>“Why—why should he do that?” wondered -the bewildered Hooker.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Because, in all probability, he has discovered -a posse of searchers over yonder. He has been -compelled to double back on his tracks. We may -be able to cut him off if we hustle.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Without waiting to see if Roy followed, Piper -ran down across the clearing, dodging hither and -thither to avoid the stumps, and plunged once -more into the woods, setting a course calculated -to intercept the fleeing man. Once more he had -drawn his revolver, which he carried in his hand -as he ran.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Roy followed instinctively, although it must be -confessed that he had little relish for an encounter -with a desperate criminal fleeing from man-hunters. -Sleuth was buoyed by excitement and a -sort of fictitious courage, which, possibly, might -desert him in a twinkling when the decisive moment -came. On through the woods he darted, -turning hither and thither to avoid the denser -<span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>thickets. His ears told him that Roy was coming, -and that was sufficient. Dead branches -snapped beneath their flying feet; in places fallen -leaves were scattered with a swish and a rustle; -once or twice both lads felt their heart-strings -tug as they glimpsed black tree trunks, any one -of which for a moment might have been mistaken -for a man.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Suddenly they burst out into a rocky bit of pasture -land, through which ran a deep gully. And -there, not thirty rods away, was the man!</p> - -<p class='c011'>Evidently warned by the sounds they had made -while running through the woods, he was looking -toward them when they appeared, and in -every respect his bearing was that of a creature -hunted and nearly cornered.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Stop!” cried Sleuth, lifting the revolver and -halting so suddenly that Hooker nearly bumped -against him. “Throw up your hands!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Instead of obeying, the man turned toward the -gully and made a desperate attempt to leap across -it. Beneath his feet the ground gave way, and -the boys saw him disappear with one arm outflung, -as if he had fruitlessly clutched at the -empty air.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>“Jerusalem!” burst from Roy’s lips. “He’s -gone!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“And if that tumble doesn’t bump him some, -I’m mistaken,” said Sleuth. “We can get him -before he recovers.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Nevertheless, he exhibited a certain amount of -caution and apprehension as he reached the gully -and peered into it.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“He may shoot,” called Hooker, holding back -discreetly.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Not he,” exulted Sleuth. “Here he is! Come -on; we’ve got him!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>With seeming recklessness, Piper slid down -into the gully, still gripping his revolver in his -right hand.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I never thought it of him,” said Roy, aghast—“never!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>A moment later, peering downward, he saw the -other boy bending over the body of a man who -lay amid some rocks at the bottom of the gully.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Come down,” called Piper chokingly, his -voice husky and shaking with excitement. -“We’ve got him cold! He was knocked out, -stunned by that fall.”</p> -<div id='fig05' class='figcenter id006'> -<img src='images/pic242-243.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p><span class='small'>“HERE HE IS! COME ON; WE’VE GOT HIM!” —Page 242.</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span>Hooker, his courage reviving, descended into -the gully, bringing down with him a small mass -of loose earth and stones. He found Piper going -through the pockets of the unconscious man.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Here,” said Sleuth, passing over an automatic -pistol, “take this thing, Hook. We’ll render him -helpless by disarming him so that he can’t do -much when he comes round.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Hadn’t—hadn’t we better tie his hands behind -his back?” faltered Hooker.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“If we have to, we will,” assured Sleuth; “but -it will be liable to cause him a great deal of suffering. -You can see that he was shot in the -right arm and shoulder. That’s where old Quinn -plugged him. His coat sleeve is all bloody. The -coat was removed while his wound was bandaged, -and his arm is hanging loose inside of it -now. Certainly he couldn’t run very fast that -way. No wonder he didn’t get away.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“He isn’t—dead—is he?” whispered Roy, -staring at the pale face of the unfortunate wretch -and noting a little trickle of blood which was -running down across the man’s temple from a -cut higher up in the edge of his scalp.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span>“Oh, I guess not,” answered Piper, with an -hysterical little gulp of laughter. “He struck his -head on the rocks down here when he fell, and -that put him to sleep for fair; but I’ll wager he’ll -come round all right pretty soon. This is a big -piece of work for us, Hook, old pal. Five hundred -dollars for the capture of Mr. James Wilson, -<i>alias</i> Gentleman Jim, won’t divvy up so bad -between us. Eh? What?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“But is he—is he Gentleman Jim?” muttered -Roy, staring at the man’s face. “Have we got -the right man?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“The right man?” echoed Piper. “He must -be the right one, or Fred Sage never would have -tried to help him get away. Isn’t he the man you -saw and talked with in the woods beyond Culver’s -Bridge?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No, he’s not,” answered Roy positively.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Gee!” gasped Sleuth in dismay. “That’s -queer!”</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span> - <h2 id='chapXXIV.' class='c009'>CHAPTER XXIV. <br /> <br /> SUSPICION.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>“Not—not the man?” muttered Piper, still -staring at the unconscious captive. “Why, he -must be the man—he must be! He can’t be anybody -else.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“He’s not the one I talked with,” reiterated -Hooker. “I never saw him before. That man -was larger, taller, better looking.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Wait a minute,” said Sleuth, thrusting his -hand into his pocket and bringing out a clipping -from a newspaper. “Here’s the description of -James Wilson. About twenty-six years of age, -five feet ten inches in height, weight one hundred -and sixty pounds, hair slightly curly, eyes blue, -teeth white and even.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Doesn’t come within a thousand miles of fitting -this fellow,” asserted Hooker. “This man -is thirty-five, if he’s a minute. He doesn’t stand -more than five feet seven or eight, and he won’t -<span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span>weigh a pound over one hundred and forty-five. -His hair is coarse, black and bristly. Can’t see -the color of his eyes, but look at those teeth! -You’d never call them white and even, would -you?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I should say not,” acknowledged Piper, in a -tone of profound regret. “This isn’t Gentleman -Jim, but it must be one of his pals. Do you realize -what that means, Roy?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It means that we’ve caught the wrong bird -and won’t get our fingers on that reward money,” -sighed the other boy regretfully.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It means,” said Sleuth grimly, “that Fred -Sage was concerned in assisting to escape a member -of that gang, to whom he is in no way related. -It means that he’s an accomplice. There -would be an excuse for his aiding his brother, -but not for rendering assistance to any other -member of the gang. It looks pretty bad for -Fred.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I can’t believe it,” muttered Roy—“I can’t -believe he’d make himself the accomplice of -criminals.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span>“I don’t want to believe it, but what else are -we to believe?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I hope he can explain.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“<i>I</i> hope he won’t have to.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Look out, Pipe, this fellow is coming round.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The man’s breast heaved, and a faint groan -issued from his lips, following which his eyelids -fluttered a bit and then lifted slowly. He lay -there staring dumbly at the two boys, each of -whom menaced him with a loaded pistol. For -the time being he did not seem to realize what -had happened.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It’s no use to try to kick up,” Piper stated -warningly. “We’ve got you, and we’ll have to -plug you if you try any tricks.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Slowly comprehension seemed to creep into -the man’s brain, and presently he made a weak -effort, as if trying to sit up, but fell back with -a smothered cry that ended in a groan.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It’s pretty tough,” said Piper; “but you’ll -have to make the best of it, my man. Fellows -engaged in your line of business have to take -their medicine when they run afoul of calamity. -What’s your name?”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span>Until Sleuth had repeated this question three -times the man made no attempt to reply. After -the third demand he growled falteringly and -harshly:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“None of your business.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Thanks,” said Piper. “I guess your picture -is in the rogues’ gallery somewhere, and your -identity will be learned all right when you’re -placed on trial. We’ve disarmed you so you -can’t make any sort of a fight of it, and we’re -going to take you back to Oakdale. Our great -regret is that you’re not Gentleman Jim.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The man looked at them queerly. “Who’s -Gentleman Jim?” he growled.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Bluff,” said Piper—“pure bluff. He’s your -pal, and, doubtless, the leader of the gang who -broke into the Oakdale bank last night and blew -open the vault. Poor job, that. It’s tough to be -pinched without ever having lifted a dollar from -that bank.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You’re a wise young brat!” sneered the man.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Hark!” exclaimed Hooker at this moment, -rising quickly to his feet. “I hear voices. It -must be some of the searchers.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span>“I hope so,” said Sleuth, who likewise could -hear the sound of voices, evidently approaching. -“I’ll keep this fellow covered, Roy. See who they -are.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>It proved to be a posse headed by Constable -Abel Hubbard. From this armed body of men -the captive had fled, having discovered them -ahead of him in the woods. Hooker, seeing and -recognizing the men, raised a shout that brought -them hurrying to the gully, and soon the two boys -were vainly trying to answer a score of questions -hurled at them promiscuously.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well, I swan to man!” spluttered Constable -Hubbard when he presently understood the situation. -“I swan to man, if these two younkers -ain’t ketched one of the rascals! That’s purty -clever work for boys, feller citizens.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>With scarcely an exception they agreed that -it was, and Sleuth and Roy were showered with -congratulations.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“We’re rather glad you turned up, constable,” -said Piper pompously. “It relieves us of the -trouble of marching this poor wretch back to the -lockup. We’ll turn him over to you with the understanding -that we’re to receive the reward, in -case there’s one offered for his apprehension.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span>After a time the prisoner was lifted to his feet -and boosted out of the gully, to be marched away -toward town by the rejoicing posse. The shortest -route was pursued, which led them down -across the fields to the Barville road and thence -into Lake Street.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Piper and Hooker followed.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The appearance of the party in the village created -a great sensation; but when the citizens were -informed that Sleuth and Roy had effected the -man’s capture, the sensation was even greater. -The boys were plied with questions. Hooker felt -like running away, but Piper seemed to enjoy it -all hugely, and was tireless in describing how the -man had been trailed, although, for some reason, -to the relief of his companion, he avoided mentioning -Fred Sage or speaking of the telltale pool -of blood upon the floor of Andrew Sage’s stable.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The captive was confined under guard in the -village lockup, and a doctor was called to give -his injury proper attention.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>The boys could not learn that anything further -in connection with the bank robbery had transpired. -Several armed posses were still searching -in the vicinity of Oakdale, and the surrounding -country and towns had been warned by telephoning, -which made it seem most improbable -that the associates of the captured burglar could -escape.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’m going home for breakfast,” Hooker finally -announced.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’ve just discovered that I’m hungry myself,” -said Sleuth.</p> - -<p class='c011'>At a street corner, having gotten away from -the crowd, they paused a moment. Piper, who -had borne himself with no small amount of pride -beneath the eyes of the townspeople, now betrayed -a disposition to be somewhat downcast -and gloomy.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Look here,” said Roy, “I took special notice -that you didn’t mention Fred Sage in connection -with the matter. You dodged that, and so I kept -still, too.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I was in hopes you’d follow my lead, Hook. -Forgot to warn you until it was too late.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>“But what’s your idea in shielding Sage, if -you think he’s guilty?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Is he guilty?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Why, you know it certainly seems that——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It seems so,” nodded Piper; “but, still, I can’t -bring myself to believe that our respected schoolmate -and comrade would make himself the accomplice -of criminals. I had this thing figured -down to a fine point, Roy, but I’m willing to admit -that my calculations were decidedly upset. I -don’t want to make any charges against Fred -until I talk with him face to face.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’m glad,” breathed Roy—“I’m mighty glad -of that. I thought you were absolutely positive. -I own up it does look queer for Fred, but perhaps -he can explain. I’m sure he can. I’ll go to -him——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No, you won’t,” interrupted Sleuth sharply. -“You keep away from him, Hooker. You let me -do this. You’d make a mess of it. There are -other features of this affair that puzzle me a -bit. For instance, there are the missing securities. -Queer business that a bank vault which -was only partly broken open should be discovered -short to the extent of twenty thousand dollars -in negotiable securities.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span>“Haven’t you any theory at all, Sleuth?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Only one. As long as I’ve trusted you this -far, I may as well go the limit. Swear silence.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“All right.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Cross your heart.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Here goes.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Then listen,” whispered Sleuth, after an unnecessary -glance around, as if to make sure no -one was within earshot. “I’ve never had much -confidence in that smug, smooth-faced, canting -cashier, Timmick. I know Urian Eliot trusts -him, but I wouldn’t. I thought he acted queer -while I was watching him in the bank after the -attempted robbery was discovered.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“By Jove!” cried Hooker. “I’ve always said -he was a sneak. I told Sage so myself. You’ve -hit it—I’ll bet you’ve hit it, Sleuth!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Not so loud! Cautious! cautious!” warned -Piper. “Now don’t forget your oath. Don’t -breathe this suspicion to a soul. If the robbers -didn’t get those securities last night, and it’s a -certain fact that they didn’t, someone removed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span>them from the vault at an earlier date. The investigation -by the president and the directors led -to the discovery that they were gone.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Timmick did it,” said Hooker. “He’s the -man.”</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span> - <h2 id='chapXXV.' class='c009'>CHAPTER XXV. <br /> <br /> THE BOY WHO ACTED GUILTY.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>The bank officials were perplexed and mystified. -With the arrival of Urian Eliot the inner -door of the vault had been opened by Timmick. -It was evident to them all that the looters had -been driven away before they could open this -door, and therefore there was every reason to -believe that the contents of the vault would be -found undisturbed.</p> - -<p class='c011'>In order that a thorough examination might be -made in the presence of the president and the -others, the cash and securities contained in the -various compartments of the vault had been removed -and placed upon a long oak table in the adjoining -directors’ room. This done, the officials -gathered about the table and began the investigation, -the president, pencil in hand, checking -everything off on a list that had been furnished -him by Timmick.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span>Then it was that they were shocked to discover -that twenty thousand dollars’ worth of negotiable -securities could not be found. The suggestion -that these securities had been overlooked -sent Timmick and one of the directors back to -the vault, but without avail. In a few moments -the cashier and his companion returned, and -Timmick’s face was pale and his voice husky as -he said:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Those securities must be here on this table. -They’re not in the vault. They must be here. -They can’t be gone.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“We’ll go over the list again,” said Urian -Eliot. “Let’s do it slowly, carefully and systematically.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Their great care in this second inspection simply -served to confirm the fact that the securities -were missing, whereupon Timmick collapsed -upon a chair, seemingly on the verge of fainting.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It’s awful—incomprehensible!” he whispered -hoarsely, staring at the faces of the other men. -“I can’t understand it.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Nor I,” snapped the little jeweler, rapping -his knuckles sharply on the table and facing the -cashier with a piercing eye. “If you can’t explain -it, Mr. Timmick, I don’t know who can.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span>“Why—why,” faltered the distressed cashier, -“I hope—you don’t mean, sir——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’m sure Mr. Sprague will not be hasty with -an insinuation,” interrupted Urian Eliot. “I’m -sure we all have the utmost confidence in your -integrity, Timmick.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>It was noticeable, however, that none of the -others said a word in support of this assertion, -and Mr. Lucius Timmick looked very ill indeed -by the white light of the shaded chandelier.</p> - -<p class='c011'>It was some time after daylight before the officials -came forth from the bank and made inquiries -concerning the search for the fugitive -crooks. Later they learned of the remarkable -capture by two boys of the wounded member of -the gang, and when the prisoner had been attended -by a physician they sought to obtain some -information from him by giving him a mild sort -of “third degree” treatment. The effort, however, -resulted most unsatisfactorily. The prisoner, -stretched on a cot in the lockup, grimly defied -them and sullenly refused to answer a single -question.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span>“Aw, go on,” he growled. “You couldn’t make -me snitch if you skinned me.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Your accomplices are certain to be captured,” -asserted Lemuel Hayden. “They can’t get away. -It is your opportunity to obtain a little clemency -by confessing before any of the others do so.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Bite it off,” advised the prisoner. “You’re -wasting your wind, old geezer. I never ties up -with squealers.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>About this time Roy Hooker, crowding down -a breakfast rendered tasteless by his excitement, -was telling his astounded mother a story that -made her gasp and throw up her hands.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Mercy!” she cried, staring at him. “You -caught one of the robbers—you and Billy Piper? -I never heard of such a thing! Two boys catching -a desperate burglar!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“We caught him,” laughed Roy, “though perhaps -it wouldn’t have been so easy, only he was -pretty weak from his wound and the loss of -blood.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span>“You’ll be killed some day, Roy,” prophesied -his mother. “Now there’s your father; I didn’t -want him to go out with the men who are hunting -the robbers, but he just would go. I’m worried -to death for fear he’ll get shot or something.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Wonder what he will say when he hears what -Sleuth and I did,” chuckled Roy, gulping down a -final mouthful and pushing back from the table. -“Bet he don’t do as much.” He rose and grabbed -his cap.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Where are you going now?” asked Mrs. -Hooker apprehensively. “I won’t be able to rest -easy a minute.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, there’s something doing in Oakdale this -morning. Only a dead one could hang around -home with so much going on. Don’t worry, -mother; nothing will happen to me. They ought -to be marching in some of the other crooks pretty -soon, and I want to see ’em when they come.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Outside the house, however, he paused, as if -doubtful concerning the course he would pursue, -and for some moments he seemed struggling -with contending desires.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_260'>260</span>“Sleuth didn’t want me to see Fred,” he muttered. -“He made me promise I wouldn’t tell -Sage anything. Fred’s my friend. If he’s mixed -up in this rotten business it’s a shame. I’d like -to see him a minute; I must see him. I won’t -give anything away, but I’d like to see how he’ll -behave. I’m just going up to his house, that’s -all.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Having arrived at this decision, he hurried up -Willow Street, crossing to Main only after the -heart of the village had been left behind. As -he drew near the home of the Sages his pace -slackened somewhat, and he began to realize that -he almost dreaded to meet Fred face to face. -Even when he had reached the proper point to -turn in from the street he hesitated and was almost -tempted to retrace his steps.</p> - -<p class='c011'>At that moment, as if he had seen Hooker, -Fred came out of the house, and Roy walked into -the yard.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Hello, Hook,” said Sage. “What’s the latest? -Have they caught any of the robbers? My father -is down town now.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>It seemed rather singular to Hooker that Fred -also was not in the village, and, furthermore, -Roy imagined he could perceive something unnatural -and distraught in his friend’s manner.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>“S’pose you’ve heard about Pipe and me?” said -Roy.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No. I’ve been staying home with mother. -She’s nervous. Father deposits at the bank, you -know, and he wanted to find out if there had -really been a robbery. What about you and -Sleuth?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“We caught one of the gang,” announced the -visitor proudly.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You—you did?” faltered Sage, seeming to -stiffen a bit. “Really and truly did you and -Sleuth catch one of them?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Really and truly, old man. We ran him down -over behind Turkey Hill and nabbed him. He’s -in the lockup now.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Back of Turkey Hill!” said Fred, a bit huskily, -and the other boy fancied his face lost color -somewhat. “How—how did you do it?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, the fellow was wounded, and it wasn’t -much of a trick. Old Quinn blazed away blindly -at the robbers when they ran, and he happened -to hit this one. Of course,” he continued, with a -pardonable touch of pride, “some folks seem to -think we did quite a thing in nabbing him.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span>“I don’t wonder,” muttered Fred. “Tell me -just how you did it.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>With a sudden impulse, Roy strode past his -companion, saying: “Come on into the stable and -I’ll tell you.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“We can talk just as well out here,” said Sage -hastily. “Let’s not go in there.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“But I want to go in there,” persisted Hooker, -keeping on, although his friend had grasped his -arm.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The sliding doors were now nearly closed, but -Hooker thrust one of them back sufficiently to -enter, and Fred, ceasing to object, followed into -the building.</p> - -<p class='c011'>At a glance Roy perceived a large damp spot -upon the floor, where upon his previous visit -there had been a pool of blood. Every trace of -the blood stains was gone. Turning quickly to -Sage, Hooker saw that he was being watched -narrowly, but instantly Fred’s eyelids drooped.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Sleuth was right in his suspicions, after all,” -thought the visitor, with sinking heart. “If there -wasn’t something wrong, they’d never removed -those stains and kept still about it.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span>“Tell me,” urged Fred, “how you happened to -find this wounded robber. How did you trace -him?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I didn’t say we traced him.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No, but I supposed—that is, I imagined you -must have been led in some way to search for -him over by Turkey Hill.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“He’s in it—in it up to the neck,” thought Roy, -almost bitterly. “It’s a shame! He seemed like -such a fine fellow!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What’s the matter?” asked the other lad -nervously. “Why don’t you tell me all about it?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, yes, I—I will. You see, it was this way.” -He began his story at the point where he and -Piper had discovered the fugitive from their position -in the clearing on the northern shoulder of -the hill. In the midst of the narrative, through -which he was hurrying, the boys were startled by -the swift tread of feet, and a moment later several -persons, led by Constable Hubbard, entered -the stable.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span>“What—what is it?” demanded Fred Sage at -sight of the men. “What are you doing here?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“We’re a-looking for one of them there bank -robber critters,” answered the constable, “and -for sartain reasons we’re led to believe he’s hiding -round these premises somewhere. The buildings -are surrounded complete, and he can’t git -away.”</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span> - <h2 id='chapXXVI.' class='c009'>CHAPTER XXVI. <br /> <br /> ANOTHER CAPTURE.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>Roy Hooker, interrupted in the midst of his -narrative by the appearance of the constable and -the posse, was not a little startled, but his dismay -was nothing compared with that of Fred Sage. -For a few moments following the assertion of -Abel Hubbard Fred apparently found it impossible -to speak, although he made an effort to do -so. Recovering his voice presently, he falteringly -and huskily cried:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“One of the bank robbers here? It’s impossible, -Mr. Hubbard! You’re certainly mistaken.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Maybe so,” admitted the constable, rolling a -quid of tobacco into his plump cheek; “but we’ll -see about that. I received notice that he was -here from a certain young feller that’s showed -himself rather wise and slick by ketching one of -the bunch.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span>“By which,” said a voice, as Sleuth Piper -stepped forward, “the worthy officer refers to -me.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You!” gasped Fred, resentment mingling -with his alarm. “You! I might have guessed -it! You’ve got a grudge against me, Piper, and -you’ve made all sorts of trouble for——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I positively disclaim any personal animosity,” -interrupted Sleuth. “I’m simply doing my duty, -that the ends of justice may be attained. I will -add, Sage, that I’m mighty sorry to see you involved.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Following this statement he turned somewhat -savagely upon Hooker, to whose side he quickly -stepped.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You’re to blame,” he snapped in a low tone. -“You forced me into this sooner than I intended.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“<i>I</i> did?” muttered Roy, astonished. “How?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You broke your pledge to me. You forgot -your solemn oath. I suspected that you might, -and, fortunately, I had my eyes open. I saw -you skin up here to tell Sage, and I lost no time -in notifying the constable and getting him to -bring an armed party to search these premises.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_267'>267</span>“I’ll bet they don’t find anything,” said -Hooker. “I hope not. If they don’t, it will take -some of the swelling out of your head.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Time is val’able,” announced Abel Hubbard -sagely, “so we’ll begin s’arching right away. -We’ll take the stable fust, and then we’ll go -through the house. Git at it, boys,” he commanded, -with a wave of one pudgy hand.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The men started to obey, but before they could -really begin the door of the little granary at one -side of the stable swung open, and a man stepped -out into view.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“If you’re looking for me,” he said coolly, -“you needn’t go any further; but let me state -right here that I was in no way concerned in -that attempted bank robbery.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Clarence!” gasped Fred Sage.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“The man I met in the woods!” burst from -Hooker’s lips.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Gentleman Jim, or I’ll eat my hat!” exulted -Piper. “Nab him, men! He’s desperate! Don’t -let him play any tricks!”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_268'>268</span>Immediately the man, who was indeed the -mysterious stranger with whom Hooker had -conversed, was covered by several loaded guns -and commanded to throw up his hands, an order -which he disdainfully obeyed.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It won’t be necessary to shoot,” he said. “I -sha’n’t offer the slightest resistance.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Keep him kivered,” fluttered Constable Hubbard—“keep -him kivered till I put the irons on -him!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Producing a set of old-fashioned manacles, the -excited constable bunglingly snapped them upon -the wrists of the man.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“There!” he breathed in deep satisfaction; -“we’ve got <i>you</i>, all right. By golly! that boy -Piper is a wonder.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Constable,” said Sleuth, remindingly, “you -mustn’t forget that it was solely through information -supplied by me that Mr. James Wilson, -<i>alias</i> Gentleman Jim, was captured. I shall lay -claims to the reward offered for him.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I guess you’ll git your share of it, if he’s the -feller you think he is.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“He’s nobody of the sort,” excitedly asserted -Fred Sage. “He’s in no way connected with the -bank robbers. You’re making a dreadful blunder.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_269'>269</span>“Then what’s he doing, hiding here?” questioned -Hubbard incredulously. “Mebbe you can -explain that.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes, yes,” faltered Fred, “perhaps—I can.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Don’t try it,” implored the prisoner quickly. -“It won’t do any good, Fred; they wouldn’t believe -you. I should have gone away yesterday -and saved you all this trouble.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It’s awful,” choked young Sage—“awful for -you! Oh, what made you come here at all!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Simply because I was a fool and couldn’t keep -away,” was the bitter answer.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“This ain’t no place to chin it over,” said the -constable sharply. “It’s my business to lodge this -here gent in the lockup, and I’m going to do so -jest about as quick as I can.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Wait a minute,” pleaded Fred. “My mother -doesn’t know. She’s in the house. Doubtless -she’s in terror now because of all these armed -men around the place. Wait two minutes, until -I can go inside and prevent her from looking out -of the window when you take Clar—this man -away. Won’t you do that much, Mr. Hubbard?”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_270'>270</span>“I don’t see no reason why I shouldn’t. Go -ahead, young feller, and soothe down your -mammy. I’ll give ye jest two minutes, and then -we’ll march this feller off to the caboose.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Flinging a final resentful look at Piper, Fred -hurried into the house. Sleuth, preening himself -proudly, could not refrain from giving Hooker -another jab.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You did a good thing for yourself, Hook,” he -sneered. “By going back on me, you cut yourself -out of any share in the reward money. -We’ve got the feller who calls himself James -Wilson; there’s no doubt about that. Furthermore, -you must have observed that Fred called -him Clarence, which fully confirms my deduction -that Clarence Sage is not dead, although an unknown -man was buried under that name.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It looks as if you’re right, Pipe,” admitted -Roy sadly; “but losing a share of the reward -don’t hurt me half as much as knowing what this -means to Fred and his folks.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Time’s up,” announced Constable Hubbard, -snapping shut the case of his silver watch and -dropping it into his pocket. “Come on, Mr. -Crook; for’ard, march!”</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_271'>271</span> - <h2 id='chapXXVII.' class='c009'>CHAPTER XXVII. <br /> <br /> THE TWO PRISONERS.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>As the key rattled in the lock of the heavily -barred door the wounded prisoner looked up -from the cot on which he was lying and saw the -second captive marched into the room by Constable -Hubbard.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I guess,” said the constable, “I can chance it -to take the irons off ye while you’re in here, for -we’ve got the place guarded by men who would -shoot ye quick as they’d spit if you ever did break -out, which ain’t nohow prob’le.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Thank you,” said the man, as Hubbard removed -the handcuffs. “I won’t try to break out, -I promise you that.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“And I’d be a fool if I took any stock in your -promise,” said the fat officer, as he backed out of -the room, closing and relocking the door.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_272'>272</span>With a grimace of pain, the wounded man -lifted himself to a sitting posture on the cot. The -eyes of the two prisoners met.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“So they nabbed you after all, Thirteen-thirteen,” -said the first prisoner. “Tough luck, old -pal. I told yer to lay low.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The other man shrugged his shoulders. “I -did,” he answered; “but they surrounded the -place and had me pinched, so there was no use -trying to make a run for it. If I’d tried that, -the chances were a hundred to one that the damage -to your wing wouldn’t have been a patch -compared to what would have happened to me.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Tough luck,” repeated the other. “But they -can’t do anything to yer for this job we made -such a rotten mess of. I won’t forget how you -tied up this shoulder of mine, nor how the kid -did his best to give me a show to get away. I’ll -swear you wasn’t mixed up in the job here.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The younger man smiled wearily. “It’s not -fear of their nailing this business onto me that -gets me,” he said; “it’s the old case against -me. I was supposed to be dead and buried, you -know. Yes, it’s tough luck. I was born under -an unlucky star on the thirteenth day of the -month. In prison I was ‘Number 1313,’ and -that was a double sign of bad luck.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_273'>273</span>“You made a great break, you and your two -pals. When they nabbed the other pair and -couldn’t find you, it seemed that all the luck was -yours. Course, arter I did my bit and was -turned loose, I heard you had croaked. When I -was sitting on that box just at day peep trying -to stop the blood that was leaking out of me and -you stepped out to give a hand at the job, you -certain looked like a ghost. I couldn’t believe -you was old Thirteen-thirteen till you owned up -to it. Then the youngster come on us, and we -had to——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That’s the thing I regret most. Look here, -Riley, you owe me something, don’t you?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Anything you say, old pal.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I bound up your wound the best way I could. -My brother caught me at it. Then we had to -bring him into the business, knowing that the -searchers were likely to trace you to that place. -If they did so, it was a sure thing that I’d be -nabbed, which must lead to the public knowledge -that Clarence Sage, escaped convict, had not been -<span class='pageno' id='Page_274'>274</span>drowned in the Hudson. In hopes of avoiding -this, my brother guided you into the woods and -helped you as best as he could to get another start -in your flight.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“The kid done his part all right, pal.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Now I want you to do yours, Riley.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Spiel it off. Lay it out. Put me on. What -am I to do?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Not one word about my brother and the part -he played must escape your lips. He did it for -me, not for you, but you owe him this much: you -must protect him.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Bank on it, cull—bank on it. They’ll never -jimmy a word of it outer me.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Thanks,” said Clarence Sage, taking the single -chair which the lockup contained and seating -himself near the cot. “That relieves my mind in -a measure. Fred’s a fine boy, and it would be a -shame to have suspicion fall on him. My misfortune -has cast enough stigma on my unfortunate -family.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Say, ’bo, there’s just one thing about you -that I don’t like. You don’t have to put up this -misfortune bluff to me. Course it’s always hard -<span class='pageno' id='Page_275'>275</span>luck when we get laid by the heels on any little -job, but seems to me you’re throwing it out that -you was on the level.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I was,” asserted Clarence Sage grimly, almost -fiercely. “I was arrested, tried and convicted -for a crime I never committed. If this -were not true, I wouldn’t think of saying so now. -Somebody else looted the bank, and I believe I -know the man. It was on his testimony principally -that I was convicted. He saved himself, but -the knowledge that he sent an innocent man to -Sing Sing may possibly have caused him some -uneasy and regretful moments.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Well,” said Riley slowly, as he narrowly eyed -his fellow prisoner, “you spiels it like you was -talking gospel. Mebbe it’s true.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It <i>is</i> true,” asserted Clarence Sage. “Think -what it meant, Riley, not only to me, but to my -people. I have the finest mother a boy ever had. -The thought of her shame and suffering has been -gall and wormwood to me.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“My old mother,” said Riley, with a touch of -sentiment, “was dead and buried before I was -pinched the first time, thank Heaven!”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_276'>276</span>Sage bowed his head and spoke in a low tone, -his gaze fixed upon the floor.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It was to get another look at my mother’s -face that I returned to Oakdale. I was here a -week ago, and I went away without obtaining a -glimpse of her. In all the years that I was supposed -to be dead I have carried her image in my -heart, and it was the knowledge of her faith in -me—for she never believed me guilty—that kept -me straight, I believe. I’ve knocked about in -many places and associated with all sorts of men, -some of them honest, but many more who were -crooks. I’ve roughed it in Alaska, sailed before -the mast, starved and nearly died from fever in -the Philippines, tried my hand at coal mining in -Australia; and through it all the knowledge of -my mother’s faith has kept me straight, even -though I’ve had many a chance to turn a good -thing by crookedness. At last, believing there -was little danger, I came back and hunted for my -people. I found them here, and here I have likewise -found my undoing.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Tough luck,” said Riley again. “They’ll send -you back to the jug.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_277'>277</span>“No doubt of it. I’ll have to serve out my -term, with an additional period hitched on to it -because of my break. There’s water in my veins, -Riley; the dread of what I’m up against takes the -heart out of me. Perhaps you don’t know what -it is to be sent to prison with the knowledge that -you’re innocent and serving time for the crime -of another man.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It must be fierce,” said Riley sympathetically. -“And you say he put it on you at the trial? Pal, -if I was in your boots, he’d get hisn some day. -When I’d done my turn and been discharged, I’d -look the gent up and hand him something he’d -remember—if he was in shape to remember anything.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That would be poor satisfaction to me. It -wouldn’t clear my name of the crime. It might -mean that I’d be sent up again for another, still -greater, crime. The only thing in this wide -world that can ever give me the least satisfaction -is proof of my innocence. I’ve dreamed of it—dreamed -of it a million times. I’ve dreamed of -standing before the world free and exonerated. -Of going to my old mother and feeling her arms -<span class='pageno' id='Page_278'>278</span>about my neck and her tears upon my cheeks, and -hearing her glad cry, ‘I knew it, my boy—I knew -it!’ Nothing but that, Riley, can ever satisfy me, -and if there’s any justice under Heaven it will -come some day.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I hope so, pal—I hope so,” said Riley, with -genuine sympathy. “I’m just a plain crook, and -nothing else; but for an honest man to be marked -as a crook by the bulls and people in general—why, -that’s blazes, sure.”</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_279'>279</span> - <h2 id='chapXXVIII.' class='c009'>CHAPTER XXVIII. <br /> <br /> THE SHREDS OF HOPE.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>During the time that Clarence Sage had been -practically in hiding upon the premises of his -parents his mother had been wholly unaware of -his proximity. Resigned in her belief that her -unfortunate son lay buried in another state, Mrs. -Sage had bravely endeavored to make the best -of the terrible affliction which had come upon her -at a period of her life when all things had seemed -the most promising of happiness and prosperity. -Never for a moment, even after the jury had pronounced -him guilty and he had been sentenced to -prison, had Mrs. Sage entertained a doubt regarding -the innocence of her older son. As far -as possible the newspaper reports of the young -man’s escape from prison were kept from her; -but in time, when, many weeks later, Andrew -Sage had viewed the body of a man recovered -from the Hudson and pronounced it that of Clarence, -it had been necessary to tell her the crushing -and terrible truth.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_280'>280</span>For a time the poor woman was prostrated and -under the constant care of a physician. During -that period the body of the drowned man was -buried and a tombstone bearing the name of -Clarence Sage was placed over the grave.</p> - -<p class='c011'>With commendable knowledge of feminine -nature, the physician, finally perceiving that -drugs or medicines of any sort would never help -Mrs. Sage, succeeded in rousing her by turning -her mind from herself to her husband; by leading -her gradually to believe that the shock of the -tragedy had benumbed Andrew Sage and threatened -to crush him entirely unless something could -be done to encourage him to brace up; by convincing -her that she alone could do this, and -that it was her duty to make the effort.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The result was most surprising. The sick -woman rose from her bed, and, seconded by the -younger son, set about the task of cheering and -encouraging the stricken father. She pleaded -with him to turn his thoughts from their dead -son and to remember that Heaven had graciously -<span class='pageno' id='Page_281'>281</span>spared them another son, to whom they owed a -duty which must not be forgotten. She forced -herself to smile, and in time the sunshine of that -smile, even though tempered a bit with the faintest -cloud of sorrow, which promised never wholly -to leave her, drove most of the black shadows of -bitter resentment from the heart of old Andrew -Sage. In time they came to talk the matter over -calmly, and decided to leave their home in New -York, where, were they to remain, they must be -continually reminded of that which they wished -to forget, and move to some obscure town in another -state.</p> - -<p class='c011'>And so it happened that, after many years of -hardships and wandering and constant yearning -for the sight of his mother’s face, the young man -who was supposed to be dead traced them to that -little town. Through a window of the house he -had tried to get a look at his mother, but had been -sent scurrying away by Fred, who, discovering -the prowler, came out and circled the buildings.</p> - -<p class='c011'>That very night Clarence tramped onward to -another village, resolved to return no more to -Oakdale. He had learned that his parents and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_282'>282</span>his brother were comfortably settled there and -apparently peaceful and happy, and he told himself -that the knowledge was sufficient.</p> - -<p class='c011'>But he had not seen his mother’s face, and each -hour and each day the yearning to do so grew -stronger within him, until presently it made him -falter, broke his resolution and caused him to -turn back.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Fred, returning home from the disappointing -duck hunt at Marsh Pond, was seen by Clarence, -who suddenly decided to let his brother know -that he still lived. The reader may imagine the -state of mind into which this meeting between the -brothers threw Fred Sage. It was this mental -condition which caused his thoughts to wander -in the football game that afternoon and made him -responsible for much of the bad playing and -many of the flukes which prevented the home -team from piling up a bigger score in the earlier -stages of the game, and thus encouraged the visitors -to keep plugging with all the energy and aggressiveness -they could work up, until eventually -they swept Oakdale down in defeat.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_283'>283</span>For two nights Clarence Sage slept upon some -blankets in the stable granary. After seeing and -talking with Clarence several times, Fred decided -that their father should be taken into the great -secret—should be told that the boy he thought -dead was still living.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“If I know father,” argued Fred, “and I think -I do, it will do him a heap of good. On the other -hand, I’m just as sure that it would be a big mistake -to let mother know. She’d want you to stay -near her, that she might be able to see you, and -she would live in constant terror lest the truth -become known and you were taken back to prison. -She has struggled hard to forget you in a way, -Clarence—that is, to put you out of her mind so -that she might cease to brood over that dreadful -thing.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Clarence agreed with Fred, and thus it came -about that on Sunday old Andrew Sage came to -know the amazing truth that his unfortunate son -still lived. While Fred entertained his mother in -the house the bewildered father talked with Clarence -in the stable.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_284'>284</span>At first old Andrew had thought that his wife -must be told, but it was not difficult to convince -him that this would be unwise. He spent as -much time as possible talking with Clarence, who -told him briefly the story of his experiences since -escaping from prison, and together they laid -plans for the future. Only once did Clarence declare -to his father his innocence of the crime for -which he had been convicted. Mr. Sage checked -him promptly, stating positively that such a protestation -was unnecessary, as he had never permitted -himself for a single instant to entertain -any doubts upon that point.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Clarence thought of going away Sunday night, -but he had no money in his pocket, and, learning -this, his father practically commanded him to -wait until Monday, when he would draw from -the bank and furnish the wanderer with funds, -which might be taken as a loan and repaid when -convenient. Thus it happened that Clarence lingered, -finally to be captured as one of the bank -robbers by Constable Hubbard.</p> - -<p class='c011'>As he had expected, when he hurried into the -house to quiet her apprehensions, Fred found his -mother much disturbed by the presence of the -armed men whom she had seen through the windows.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_285'>285</span>“What does it mean, my boy?” she asked, her -face quite pale. “Why are they here?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“They’re hunting everywhere for the bank -robbers, you know,” was the answer. “There’s -no telling where the scoundrels may have taken -refuge.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“But not here—they can’t expect to find any of -them here!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Perhaps they don’t really expect to find them, -but they can’t afford to overlook the possibility. -Why, what’s happened out here?” As he uttered -this exclamation he hurried to a window at the -back of the house and peered through it, pressing -his face against the glass.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The little subterfuge was sufficient. His -mother likewise hastened to the window and -looked forth, questioning him agitatedly.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Two of the men out there—I saw them running, -I thought,” he answered. “They were running -toward the corner. I didn’t know but they -had seen something. Look, mother, at that big -tree at the edge of the orchard. Father had to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_286'>286</span>prop the limbs up when it was loaded with fruit. -It must be pruned.” In this manner he kept her -at the window until he was quite certain that the -men with the prisoner had vanished down the -road toward town.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Afterward he waited with no small impatience -for the return of his father from the village. He -did not contemplate for a moment leaving his -mother alone. Ordinarily he might have done so, -but, now that she knew of the attempted bank -robbery and had seen the armed man-hunters, -she was pitifully pale and almost bordering upon -complete collapse. Fred knew that her mind had -been led to thoughts of Clarence and what he -must have suffered in prison and as a fugitive -with the armed guards hunting him across the -frozen bosom of the Hudson.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Fred’s own mind was in a scarcely less tumultuous -and painful condition, but he tried his best -to lead his mother’s thoughts into pleasanter -channels. All the while, having placed himself -where he could watch the road, he waited for -the coming of his father.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_287'>287</span>In time Andrew Sage appeared, walking -briskly, although his shoulders were a trifle -stooped. At once Fred made an excuse and hurried -to meet his father.</p> - -<p class='c011'>As the boy drew near, he became assured by -the old man’s appearance that he did not know -that Clarence had been taken.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Father,” said Fred hurriedly, “I want a word -with you before you go into the house. Something -has happened.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What is it?” asked Andrew Sage, a sudden -shadow of apprehension clouding his face. -“Uncle Ed Tower just told me that another one -of the robbers has been caught.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Father,” said Fred, standing with his back -toward the house, “what I am going to tell you -will be a shock, and it’s possible that mother is -watching us from the window. You must not -let her see that you’re affected.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The man’s face grew suddenly ashen.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Clarence?” he muttered hoarsely.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Do brace up,” urged Fred. “They came here -to search for one of the robbers. They had been -told that he was hiding in our stable.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“And they found Clarence?”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_288'>288</span>“Yes. He gave himself up when he realized -that it was useless to try to hide.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“But—but he had—nothing to do with the attempted -robbery. They had no right to touch -him for that. Didn’t he tell them?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What good would that have done, father? He -was found concealed in our stable, and he’s a -stranger in this town. You can see that no explanation -he could possibly make would keep -them from locking him up.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“But they have no right to touch him!” cried -Mr. Sage, with a sudden vehement gesture.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Steady, father. Remember about mother. -She does not know. I kept her diverted while -they took him away. You must be strong. We -must continue as long as possible to hide the -truth from her.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“But it will all come out now,” groaned the -old man, his shoulders drooping more than ever. -“It’s my fault—my fault! Why didn’t I let the -boy go yesterday? I am to blame!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No one is to blame, father. It’s just fate. It -had to come.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_289'>289</span>“But—but if they find he’s not one of the robbers—if -he can prove that he’s not,” said Andrew -Sage eagerly, “perhaps they will let him -go.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“That’s my only hope, and it’s a slim one, -father. We mustn’t base too much upon it.” -Even as he said this, Fred realized how futile -that hope was. For had not Sleuth Piper, by -prying and spying, learned the truth, which -would mean full exposure for Clarence? Still, -it was not best to let Andrew Sage know at present -how desperate the situation was.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’m going into town and see what can be -done,” said Fred. “You’re completely upset, -father, but still you must keep it from mother. -If they capture the other robbers there may yet -be a chance—a very small chance—for Clarence.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It’s fate,” mumbled Mr. Sage, repeating the -words the boy had spoken a few moments before—“fate! -It would have been better had he -never come here; better had he left us in ignorance -that he was alive.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>He swayed, and Fred clutched his arm, again -entreating him to brace up.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_290'>290</span>“I’m tired, tired!” sighed old Andrew Sage, -his face drawn and haggard. “I must rest.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Alarmed, Fred said, “I’ll help you to the -house.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>In a moment, however, Mr. Sage drew himself -up and protested that he needed no assistance.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Your mother, boy—your mother,” he murmured. -“She will see and be frightened. I’m -all right now; I’m strong. You see what more -you can learn, and if it’s anything favorable let -me know as soon as possible. Look! You can -see that I’m all right now. Go!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Bravely, sturdily he started onward toward -the house, even turning to wave his hand and -throw the boy a mock smile, which at that distance -might deceive the eyes of the woman within -the house.</p> - -<p class='c011'>After watching the old man for a few moments, -Fred turned toward the village, breaking -into a run ere he had passed beyond sight of his -home.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_291'>291</span> - <h2 id='chapXXIX.' class='c009'>CHAPTER XXIX. <br /> <br /> A CONCESSION FROM SLEUTH.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>In a way, business in Oakdale was suspended, -or, perhaps it should be said that it had not really -begun for the day. On the street corners groups -of men and boys discussed the recent exciting -events and speculated over the probability of -quick capture of the robber or robbers who still -remained at large; for it was believed that at -least three men had been concerned in the effort -to plunder the bank. Somehow, it had leaked out -that a part of the bank funds were missing, and -of course this created an additional volume of -gossip and speculation.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Fred, searching for Sleuth Piper, was hailed -by various schoolboy friends, but, further than -to make inquiries regarding Sleuth, he had no -time for them. At last he found the boy he -sought, who was on his way to the office of the -village lawyers.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_292'>292</span>Sleuth turned and waited as Fred called his -name and came hurrying up.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I want to see you, Piper,” said Sage. “I -want a little private talk with you.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I’m pretty busy,” returned Sleuth; “but I presume -I can spare you a little of my valuable time. -Of course I can imagine what you’re after, but -I’m afraid it won’t be any use, old fellow. I’m -sorry for you, but——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, yes, you are—<i>not</i>,” flung back Fred -scornfully. “After what you’ve done——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Now wait; stop right there,” interrupted -Sleuth. “I’ve simply done my duty, although in -your position you may not regard it as such. If -my brother was a bank robber and an escaped -convict, perhaps I’d feel hard toward anyone who -tried to send him back to prison, but at the same -time I’m sure my sense of justice——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Bosh! That sort of tommyrot gives me a -cramp. Besides, my brother is an innocent man.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Sleuth lifted his eyebrows and shrugged incredulously.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“He’s innocent, I tell you!” panted Fred -fiercely.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_293'>293</span>“It looks that way, don’t it!” said the young -amateur detective, unable in spite of his professed -sympathy for Sage, to repress a slight -sneer.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No, it doesn’t look that way,” admitted the -other boy. “I own up that it must seem that he’s -surely guilty. Here come some people, Piper. -They’ll stand around and listen. We can’t talk -here. Won’t you come with me some place where -we’ll be by ourselves, with no rubbernecks -around?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Sleuth hesitated a moment. “I can see the -lawyers later,” he muttered presently. “As long -as it’s you, Fred, and you’re so badly broken up, -I’ll do what you want, though again I must say -I’m sure it’s useless.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>When Sile Crane and Chub Tuttle attempted -to follow them as they turned down the street -Fred whirled and almost snarled:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What do you fellows want? Can’t you let -us have a little private talk?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Lordy!” gasped Tuttle. “Don’t snap anybody’s -head off. Haven’t you had breakfast? -Here, take some peanuts.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_294'>294</span>Disdaining this placating offer, Fred strode -away at Sleuth’s side. Reaching the bridge, they -paused.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I hope you’re not going to appeal to me from -the standpoint of friendship,” said Piper. “You -must realize that it’s too late now, old man. Your -brother is captured, and I can do nothing. I expect -to receive the reward offered for his apprehension.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“The offer was withdrawn long ago, when it -was supposed that he had been drowned in the -Hudson.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Oh, I don’t mean that; I mean the reward -offered for the party known as James Wilson, or -Gentleman Jim.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Piper, you’re on the wrong track. My brother -is not Gentleman Jim.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Again Sleuth shrugged. Slipping his hand -into his pocket, he drew forth the printed description -of James Wilson which he had clipped from -the newspaper.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“This fits him to a tee,” he said. “He must be -the man.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_295'>295</span>“I admit that, in a way, the description of Wilson -seems to fit my brother, but still, I maintain -that they are two different men, Piper. You’ll -find it out, too, if this Wilson was concerned in -the attempt on the bank last night and he does -not escape the men who are hunting for him. -My brother had no hand in that business.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“How do you know that?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“How do I know? Why, he—he came here -alone; came to get a glimpse of the mother whose -heart was so nearly broken over his terrible misfortune. -Oh, Sleuth, you can’t realize what -you’ve done! You pried into our secret. There -are few families so fortunate that they have no -secret they wish to keep hidden from the general -public.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I won’t argue about that,” said Piper, returning -the newspaper clipping to his pocket, “for it -can have no bearing on the situation. You say -your brother was not concerned in the attempt to -rob the Oakdale bank. I ask, how do you know? -He was here, wasn’t he? He was hidden in your -stable. Of course he told you that he came here -to see your mother. That’s a plausible story. -But how do you know he didn’t come here to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_296'>296</span>take a hand in that bank cracking? While you -were asleep in your bed last night, he was helping -his pals cut their way into the bank and blow -open the vault.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“No—I tell you no!” contradicted Fred, his -hands working convulsively, as if he longed to -choke the other boy. “Clarence never did a dishonorable -or criminal thing in his life. After -his escape from prison he fled to the West, and, -while this man called Gentleman Jim has been -making himself notorious as a crook, Clarence -has been in Alaska and Australia. He has but -lately returned to this part of the country.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“How do you know?” persisted Sleuth, unshaken -in his position. “Of course that’s the -story he told you. Naturally, he’d lie to you.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Fred’s chest rose and fell; his teeth were set -and his nostrils dilated; his appearance was so -ominous that Piper shrank away.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“’Twon’t do you any good to jump on me,” -spluttered Sleuth. “If your brother wasn’t one -of that gang, how did it happen that the wound -of the other chap who was captured was bound -up in your stable? How did it happen that you -led him into the woods, in order that he might -have a chance to get away?”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_297'>297</span>“I’ll tell you,” answered Fred, after exhaling -a long breath that seemed to relieve in a degree -the tension of his nerves. “My brother knew -that man in prison. The man’s name is Riley. -When Riley sought shelter in our stable my -brother saw him sitting there on a box and trying -weakly to staunch the flow of blood. Clarence -came out and gave a hand to bind up Riley’s -wound. About that time some men searching -for the robbers passed our house, and we learned -what had happened. I went into the stable and -came upon Clarence and Riley. Of course it was -necessary for them to tell me how matters stood. -In a moment I realized the danger to my brother—the -terrible danger of having Riley traced -there and captured on the premises. I knew -what I was doing when I guided the man into the -woods, but I did so for my brother’s sake.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Sleuth shook his head. “Too bad—too bad -you had to do that, for it makes you sort of an -accomplice. However, Sage, even though you -thought me your bitter enemy and I knew just -<span class='pageno' id='Page_298'>298</span>what you now own that you did, I haven’t -breathed a word that would bring suspicion of -this matter upon you. I’ve pledged Hooker to -keep still. He’s your friend, and that fact ought -to help keep his mouth buttoned up.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“As long as you’ve done this much, why won’t -you do something more? It’s doubtful if the -people here know anything of my brother’s history, -and so, if it’s shown that he was not connected -with last night’s affair, he may be released. -They are still searching for the robbers -who have not yet been taken. Now if those men -are captured and one of them proves to be Gentleman -Jim, you’ll see what a blunder you’ve -made. It can do you no good to expose my -brother and send him back to Sing Sing. Before -telling what you know about him, won’t you wait -to see if one of these other burglars may not be -Gentleman Jim? If you refuse to do that, I’ll -know that your behavior toward me was -prompted by pure animosity, and nothing else.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You’re hanging on to a false hope, Sage,” -said Sleuth, after a moment or two of consideration; -“but, seeing it’s you, I’ll agree to keep mum -<span class='pageno' id='Page_299'>299</span>for a while. That won’t hurt me, for your -brother is safe in custody and can’t get away. -When the robbers are captured and you’re satisfied -that your brother is the only one of the bunch -who could possibly be Gentleman Jim, I shall tell -the authorities everything. You can’t ask me to -do otherwise under those circumstances.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You’ve agreed to do all I expected of you—and -more,” acknowledged Fred in relief. “I—I -thank you, Piper.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Don’t,” said Sleuth. “Some day you’ll understand -that there was not an atom of animosity -or spite in my heart. Now, if you don’t mind, -I’ll go see those lawyers. And don’t worry, I -won’t blow until I’ve seen you again.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>A short time later Fred Sage presented himself -at the lockup, where he tried to get a word -with Clarence, but admission was denied him. -Ere returning home, more from habit than otherwise, -he called for mail at the post-office and was -given a letter addressed to his father. Not until -he had nearly reached his home did he observe -that the envelope bore the postmark of Rutledge, -New York, and that the names of “Jorlemon & -Gates, Attorneys-at-Law,” were printed upon it.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_300'>300</span>Jorlemon and Gates were the lawyers who had -defended Clarence Sage at his trial.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_301'>301</span> - <h2 id='chapXXX.' class='c009'>CHAPTER XXX. <br /> <br /> THE TRUTH AT LAST.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c010'>Old Andrew Sage uttered a choking cry and -fell back on his chair, the letter he had been reading -fluttering from his nerveless fingers and -dropping upon his lap.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Startled, Mrs. Sage hastened toward her husband, -and Fred sprang forward, crying:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What is it—what is it, father? What’s the -matter? Are you ill?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>No wonder he asked the question, for Mr. -Sage’s face was white as chalk and he was gasping -painfully, as if he found it difficult to breathe.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Get some water quick, Fred,” urged Mrs. -Sage, bending over her husband.</p> - -<p class='c011'>In a moment Fred had brought a glass of -water, and Andrew Sage took a swallow or two, -which seemed to revive him in a measure.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“The letter,” he whispered hoarsely, peering -from beneath his spectacles—“where’s the letter?”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_302'>302</span>“Here it is, father.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Read it, boy—read it!” almost shouted the -old man. “Read it aloud, that your mother may -hear. It doesn’t seem possible! It’s Heaven sent -at this moment!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Wonderingly Fred picked up the typewritten -missive and began to read it aloud:</p> -<p class='c012'>“<span class='sc'>Dear Mr. Sage</span>:</p> -<p class='c013'> It is possible that you have not yet heard -of the death of George Barrows, late cashier -of the First National Bank of Rutledge. Mr. -Barrows died yesterday, and, when he knew -beyond doubt that there was no hope for -him, he sent for me to come to his bedside -and bring with me a stenographer. I complied, -and in the privacy of the unfortunate -man’s death chamber I listened to a most -astounding confession which absolutely -clears the name of your unfortunate dead -son from the stigma of the crime for which -he was convicted and sent to Sing Sing.”</p> -<p class='c010'>At this point it was necessary for Fred to give -his mother assistance and aid her into her own -special rocking-chair. The moment she was -seated, however, she begged him to go on with -the letter.</p> -<p class='c014'><span class='pageno' id='Page_303'>303</span> “We have now in our possession (Fred -read on), a full and complete typewritten -confession of the crime, in which Barrows -took the entire guilt upon his own shoulders. -Before the man passed away, we had -this typewritten document read to him in his -presence and sworn to before a notary. The -document is secure in our private safe, and -it can be made public at any time you choose. -Although, most unfortunately, this confession -comes too late to do your misjudged son -any good, it, nevertheless, must give you no -small degree of satisfaction and happiness. -If you desire, Mr. Gates will come to you -personally with the confession and place it -in your possession, it seeming unwise to us to -trust in the slightest degree to the uncertainty -of the mails.</p> - -<p class='c013'> Permit us, my dear sir, to offer you and -your good wife our most heartfelt congratulations.</p> -<div class='lg-container-l c015'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in2'>Sincerely yours,</div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='sc'>Henry D. Jorlemon</span>.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>The excitement and joy produced by the reading -of this astounding letter was unbounded. -Amid tears and laughter the members of the little -family embraced one another again and -again, and finally, when a little calmness had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_304'>304</span>come upon them, they knelt while Andrew Sage -offered up a prayer of thanksgiving which came -from the deepest chamber of his overflowing -heart.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The moment the prayer was ended Fred leaped -to his feet, kissed his mother, turned to his father -and cried:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You tell her, father. I’m going back into the -village. I’m going to take this letter. You tell -her the wonderful truth.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>The door slammed behind him, and away he -went as fast as his legs could carry him. And -thus it happened that the parents of the young -man who had been falsely convicted of a crime -were alone together when old Andrew Sage -broke the marvelous tidings that Clarence Sage -lived and was even then in that town.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Racing into the village in search of Piper, -Fred was just in time to see Sheriff Pickle and a -large body of men conducting toward the lockup -two tattered and battered men, the associates of -the wounded burglar, who had been captured -only after a hot pursuit and a desperate fight.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_305'>305</span>The morning train had brought into Oakdale a -slim, smooth-faced, quiet man in dark clothes, -who had seemed greatly interested in the story -of the attempted bank robbery. This man was -also on hand when Pickle appeared with the prisoners, -and with an air of authority he forced his -way through the posse until he almost touched -one of the captives, whom he surveyed with no -small amount of satisfaction.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Hello, Wilson,” he said. “You seem to have -made a bad mess of this job.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Here! here!” cried the deputy sheriff, attempting -to thrust the stranger back. “None of -that! Keep away! What do you mean, men, by -allowing anyone to approach the prisoners this -fashion?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Keep your clothes on, my friend,” advised the -stranger, giving Pickle a look in which disdain -and amusement seemed mingled. “You’ll get -your share of the reward for capturing Gentleman -Jim, but I’ll take him back to York State.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Who are you?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“My name is Burke Sheldon, and I’m a detective.” -Saying which, he flipped open his coat and -displayed a badge that caused Mr. Pickle to gasp -<span class='pageno' id='Page_306'>306</span>and touch his hat with a sudden show of great -respect. “I was pretty close on this man’s heels. -His pals are likewise wanted. See that you hold -them tight and fast, officer, until I secure the -needed requisition papers.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Now Sleuth Piper had not been far away when -the new captives arrived, and, crowding close -in the throng that surrounded the posse, he heard -the words of Detective Sheldon.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Great scissors!” he muttered, aghast. “Is -<i>that</i> Gentleman Jim?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Fred Sage had followed Sleuth into the thick -of the crowd, and he proceeded to lay a hand on -the shoulder of the bewildered boy.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“<i>That’s</i> Gentleman Jim,” he palpitated exultantly. -“Now you see what a blunder you made. -Luckily, you promised to keep still until these -men were caught.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It don’t seem possible!” muttered Piper sorrowfully. -“I don’t see how I could have missed -fire in my deduction.”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_307'>307</span>“Come with me a minute,” urged Fred. “I’ve -got something to show you. I want to prove to -you that my brother told the truth when he declared -his innocence.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Seemingly dazed and crushed, Sleuth permitted -Fred to drag him from the crowd, and -when he had read the letter from Jorlemon and -Gates he was a very sick-looking chap indeed. -For some moments he stood with his hands sunk -deep in his pockets, his head drooping and his -eyes fixed upon the ground. Presently, kicking -weakly at some pebbles, he began to speak.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“I had that five hundred dollars pretty well -spent,” he said. “I’d bought everything with it -from a new pair of skates to an automobile. And -now I don’t get a red cent!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>Then, as Fred was about to say something bitter -and cutting, Piper braced up suddenly.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Look here, old man,” he exclaimed, with an -air of sincerity that surely seemed genuine, “for -all of my confidence that I had that money as -good as nailed, I’ve been feeling pretty rotten. I -don’t suppose you believe me, but it’s a fact. I’ve -been mighty sorry about the whole business since -you talked to me a while ago at the bridge. Now, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_308'>308</span>even though I’ve lost the five hundred, I’m feeling better. -Say, Fred, you must be ready to blow -up with joy. Just think of it! Your brother is -alive, and he’s innocent. You have the proof. -Old fellow, I congratulate you.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Thanks,” returned Fred, a bit coldly. “I’m -glad you have the decency to say that much.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“There’s only one hope left for me now,” said -Sleuth. “The bank is out twenty thousand dollars -in securities, and I believe I can put my hand -on the thief. Anyhow, that will be a feather in -my cap.”</p> - -<hr class='c016' /> - -<p class='c011'>At eleven o’clock that forenoon, while the officials -of the bank were in consultation in the directors’ -room, the door-man appeared and stated -that there was a boy outside who insisted that he -could tell who had robbed the institution.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“It’s one of the boys who helped catch the -wounded burglar,” he said. “His name is -Piper.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Admit him,” directed Urian Eliot.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Sleuth entered, bearing himself well. His eyes -roved swiftly over the assembled officials until -they rested upon Lucius Timmick, who sat huddled -on a chair at one side of the great oak table.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_309'>309</span>“What is this you claim, my boy?” asked Mr. -Eliot. “Do you pretend to say that you know -who robbed the bank?”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Yes, sir,” answered Sleuth positively, “I’m -dead certain I can point out the man. He’s in -this very room.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>While the electrified assemblage gasped over -this statement, there came a sudden disturbance -outside the door, which was violently flung open -to admit Captain Quinn, who was threatening -with his cane the door-man as the latter tried to -collar him.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“Keep away, you swab!” roared the old sailor. -“I tell you I’ve got business in here. Put your -hands on me and I’ll mop the deck with you!”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“He—he would come in, gentlemen,” said the -door-man, seeking to excuse himself for the interruption.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“You bet I would!” rasped Quinn. “And if -I’d had a marlin-spike instead of this cane, I’d -busted your head when you tried to put your -dirty hooks on me! I guess I’ve got something -that belongs aboard this here craft. I caught -<span class='pageno' id='Page_310'>310</span>my monkey, Jocko, hiding it in my bunk. I -reckon the little rat must have come in here -through the busted winder and swiped the stuff, -and I suppose in the excitement nobody saw him. -Here it is.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>He pulled a thick package from his pocket and -flung it down upon the table. Timmick, leaping -from his chair, seized the package and took one -look at it. Then he uttered a joyful shout.</p> - -<p class='c011'>“The missing securities!” he cried. “Here -they are! That lets me out.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>It likewise let Sleuth Piper out. At any rate, -in the midst of the confusion attendant upon the -return of the securities Sleuth slipped through -the open door and made all possible haste to leave -the bank.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Some time later Rod Grant found Piper leaning -on the railing of the bridge and gazing -gloomily down at the icy waters of the river. -Sleuth did not even look around when Rod -slapped him on the shoulder, crying:</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What are you thinking about, you great detective—jumping -into the drink? Going to commit -suicide?”</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_311'>311</span>“I will admit,” answered Piper in a doleful -voice, “that such black thoughts have percolated -through that empty chamber where up to the -present date I’ve supposed my brains were located.”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“What’s the matter?” persisted Grant. “Why, -you’re one of the heroes of the hour. You and -Hooker caught one of the burglars——”</p> - -<p class='c011'>“After he had tumbled into a gully and -bumped himself as helpless as a dead flounder,” -returned Sleuth, with unspeakable self-scorn. “A -great piece of work, that! Hook may feel chesty -over it, but not I. Leave me, Rodney—leave me -to my sorrow. Let me suffer alone and in silence.”</p> - -<hr class='c016' /> - -<p class='c011'>Thus the Great Oakdale Mystery was cleared -up to the satisfaction of all, for in time even -Sleuth Piper professed to be rejoiced, and his -profession was accepted as genuine by Fred -Sage, whose own great happiness would not permit -him to hold hard feelings toward anyone.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_312'>312</span>Clarence Sage, cleared of any suspicion of -complicity in the attempted robbery of the Oakdale -bank, soon went to Rutledge, where Jorlemon -and Gates took up his case, and, with the -aid of the dead cashier’s confession, quickly obtained -for Clarence the governor’s pardon.</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c017'> - <div><span class='large'>Transcriber’s Note:</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c018'>Punctuation has been standardized. Minor spelling and typographic errors -have been corrected silently, -except as noted below.</p> -<p class='c019'>On page 66, "reëntered" was changed to "reentered", as -other uses of the word "enter" does not use the diacritic e.</p> -<p class='c019'>On page 273, "ring" was changed to "bring". The original text was: -Then we had to ring him into the business</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> -<hr class="full" /> -<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GREAT OAKDALE MYSTERY***</p> -<p>******* This file should be named 50792-h.htm or 50792-h.zip *******</p> -<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> -<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/0/7/9/50792">http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/7/9/50792</a></p> -<p> -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed.</p> - -<p>Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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