diff options
| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-07 08:42:05 -0800 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-07 08:42:05 -0800 |
| commit | 5ad1f702e8e2c7f2357664a3cb49420077271ac9 (patch) | |
| tree | bf899c88b18ff89d6cf883721c05579dcaeeb9f9 | |
| parent | 2453d85c924c95b340fba28e63dff8ed3e1a49c6 (diff) | |
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/54737-8.txt | 8695 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/54737-8.zip | bin | 108665 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/54737-h.zip | bin | 218470 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/54737-h/54737-h.htm | 9587 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/54737-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 79441 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/54737-h/images/illus01.jpg | bin | 21352 -> 0 bytes |
9 files changed, 17 insertions, 18282 deletions
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..ee42c57 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #54737 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/54737) diff --git a/old/54737-8.txt b/old/54737-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index c349693..0000000 --- a/old/54737-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8695 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Out For Business, by -Horatio Alger Jr. and Arthur M. Winfield and Edward Stratemeyer - -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: Out For Business - or Robert Frost's Strange Career - -Author: Horatio Alger Jr. - Arthur M. Winfield - Edward Stratemeyer - -Release Date: May 17, 2017 [EBook #54737] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OUT FOR BUSINESS *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Graeme Mackreth and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - -[Illustration: ROBERT OVERHEARS AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION. -_Frontispiece_] - - - - - OUT FOR BUSINESS - - OR - - _ROBERT FROST'S STRANGE CAREER_ - - - BY - - HORATIO ALGER, JR. - - AUTHOR OF "FALLING IN WITH FORTUNE," "LUCK OR PLUCK," - "THE YOUNG BOATMAN," "ONLY AN IRISH BOY," - "YOUNG MINER," ETC. - - COMPLETED BY - - ARTHUR M. WINFIELD - - AUTHOR OF "THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL," "THE ROVER BOYS - ON THE OCEAN," "THE ROVER BOYS IN THE JUNGLE," - "THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST," ETC. - - [Illustration] - - - GROSSET & DUNLAP - - PUBLISHERS :: :: NEW YORK - - - - -BY THE SAME AUTHOR - - - THE YOUNG BOOK AGENT; - Or, Frank Hardy's Road to Success. - - FROM FARM TO FORTUNE; - Or, Nat Nason's Strange Experience. - - LOST AT SEA; - Or, Robert Roscoe's Strange Cruise. - - JERRY, THE BACKWOODS BOY; - Or, The Parkhurst Treasure. - - NELSON, THE NEWSBOY; - Or, Afloat in New York. - - YOUNG CAPTAIN JACK; - Or, The Son of a Soldier. - - OUT FOR BUSINESS; - Or, Robert Frost's Strange Career. - - FALLING IN WITH FORTUNE; - Or, The Experiences of a Young Secretary. - - -_12mo, finely illustrated and bound. Price per volume, 60 cents._ - - - GROSSET & DUNLAP - PUBLISHERS NEW YORK - - - COPYRIGHT, 1900, BY - THE MERSHON COMPANY - - - - -PREFACE. - - -"OUT FOR BUSINESS" is a complete tale in itself, but forms the first -of two companion stories, the second being entitled "Falling in with -Fortune." - -In this tale are related the various haps and mishaps which befall a -sturdy country youth, of high moral aim, who, by the harsh actions of -his step-father, is compelled to leave what had once been the best of -homes, and go forth into the world to make his own way. - -Robert Frost finds his path to fortune no easy one to tread. The thorns -of adversity line the way, and there is many a pitfall to be avoided. -But the lad is possessed of a good stock of hard, common sense, and in -the end we find him on the fair road to success--and a success richly -deserved. - -The two stories, "Out for Business" and "Falling in with Fortune," -give to the reader the last tales begun by that prince of juvenile -writers, Mr. Horatio Alger, Jr., whose books have sold to the extent -of hundreds of thousands of copies, not only in America, but also in -England and elsewhere. The gifted writer was stricken when on the point -of finishing the stories, and when he saw that he could not complete -them himself, it was to the present writer that he turned, and an -outline for a conclusion was drawn up which met with his approval,--and -it is this outline which has now been filled out in order to bring the -tales to a finish, so that both stories might be as nearly as possible -what Mr. Alger intended they should be. It may be that the stories will -not be found as interesting as if Mr. Alger had written them entirely, -nevertheless the present writer trusts that they will still hold the -reader's attention to the end. - - ARTHUR M. WINFIELD. - -March 1st, 1900. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I. A GREAT SURPRISE, 7 - - II. MR. TALBOT AND THE DOG, 15 - - III. THE LITTLE PLOT AGAINST ROBERT, 24 - - IV. MR. TALBOT IS MYSTIFIED, 33 - - V. A CRISIS, 42 - - VI. ON THE TRAIN, 51 - - VII. BAFFLED, 59 - - VIII. PERIL, 67 - - IX. AT THE PALMER HOUSE, 75 - - X. ROBERT GETS A PLACE, 83 - - XI. MR. PALMER'S INFATUATION, 92 - - XII. AN UNLOOKED-FOR SCENE, 101 - - XIII. ROBERT RECEIVES A LETTER, 110 - - XIV. JAMES TALBOT LEARNS SOMETHING OF IMPORTANCE, 118 - - XV. THE RESULT OF A FIRE, 127 - - XVI. TWO DISAPPOINTMENTS, 136 - - XVII. ROBERT IS GIVEN A MISSION, 143 - - XVIII. THE POST-OFFICE MONEY ORDER, 150 - - XIX. AN UNEXPECTED ATTACK, 160 - - XX. THE ESCAPE OF CROSS AND HUSKIN, 169 - - XXI. ROBERT AND THE OLD LUMBERMAN, 178 - - XXII. A CLEVER CAPTURE, 187 - - XXIII. PALMER'S UNFORTUNATE DÉBUT, 197 - - XXIV. PALMER CALLS UPON ROBERT'S MOTHER, 209 - - XXV. ANOTHER TALK ABOUT ROBERT, 215 - - XXVI. ROBERT SPEAKS HIS MIND, 222 - - XXVII. MR. TALBOT RECEIVES ANOTHER SET-BACK, 229 - - XXVIII. THE CONSPIRATORS ARE DISGUSTED, 236 - - XXIX. A LUCKY CHANGE OF STATEROOMS, 245 - - XXX. ANOTHER PLOT AGAINST ROBERT, 253 - - XXXI. THE MISSING BAGGAGE CHECK, 261 - - XXXII. ROBERT DELIVERS THE PRECIOUS MAP, 269 - - XXXIII. ROBERT VISITS HOME--CONCLUSION, 279 - - - - -OUT FOR BUSINESS. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -A GREAT SURPRISE. - - -Robert Frost, with his books under his arm, turned into the front yard -of a handsome residence in the village of Granville. He was a boy of -sixteen, strongly built, and with a handsome, expressive face. - -"I wish mother were at home," he soliloquized. "It seems very lonesome -when she is away." - -He opened the front door and let himself into the house. It was a -handsome and spacious hall. Two paintings hung on the walls, and both -were portraits. One represented a lady, with a pretty, but rather weak -face. She looked as if she had very little resolution, and might easily -be influenced by one with stronger will. The other picture was that of -a man of near forty. It was an attractive face. The strong resemblance -which it bore to the boy made it probable that it was his father, and -such was the case. Robert looked up to it regretfully, for he had not -yet got over the loss of his father, hardly twelve months dead. - -"I wish dad were alive," he thought sadly, "we were such good friends, -he and I." - -Mr. Frost had not died of disease. He was cut off in the full vigor of -life, the victim of a railroad accident. Robert remembered well when he -was taken home, mangled and hardly to be recognized. - -His death did not entail any privation upon his little family--Robert -was the only child--for he left a considerable fortune and was heavily -insured besides, so that they were still able to live in handsome style. - -"When will supper be ready, Jane?" Robert asked of the servant, as he -passed into the dining-room. - -"At half-past five o'clock, Master Robert." - -"All right, Jane. I will be on hand, and with a good appetite." - -He put on his hat, after laying down his books, and was about to go -out, when Jane arrested his steps. - -"Wait a minute, Master Robert. There's a telegram for you." - -He took the yellow envelope in some surprise. - -"When was it left?" he asked. - -"Half an hour since." - -"It must be from mother," he said thoughtfully. - -"Very likely--I hope it isn't bad news." - -Robert echoed the wish, but did not say a word. He took out his -penknife and opened the envelope. - -There it was--just a few words, but they puzzled him. - -"What is it?" asked Jane, whose curiosity was excited. - -Robert read the telegram. It ran thus: - - "Gloucester, June 5. - - "Shall be at home to-morrow. Prepare for a great surprise. - - "Mother." - -Robert looked surprised and bewildered. - -"What can it mean, Jane, do you think?" he asked. - -"I don't know, I'm sure, Master Robert. Perhaps your mother is going to -bring you a present." - -"But she wouldn't call that a great surprise." - -"I don't know then. You'll know to-morrow." - -Yes, he would know to-morrow, but he could not help letting his mind -dwell on the mystery. It occurred to him that it might be a gold watch, -which he had long wanted, and which his mother had promised to get him -very soon. But this would scarcely be considered a great surprise. - -"Well, there's no use guessing," he decided at length. "I'll only have -to wait till to-morrow, and then I shall know." - -The next day was Saturday, and school did not keep. Robert looked over -the railroad time-table, and concluded that his mother would arrive -about twelve o'clock. This would bring her in time for dinner, which -was usually on the table at half past twelve. He suggested to Jane to -get a better dinner than usual, as his mother would probably be present -to partake of it. - -This suggestion proved unnecessary, for about ten o'clock Jane herself -received a telegram to this effect. - - "Have a good dinner ready at the usual time. I shall reach home in - time for it, and bring another with me." - -"So that's the surprise!" reflected Jane. "She is going to bring a -friend with her. I wonder who it is. Maybe it's the lady she's been -visiting. I hope it isn't, for lady visitors are so fussy." - -However, Jane went to the market and ordered a pair of chickens, with -a variety of vegetables, and prepared apple dumplings, which she knew -Mrs. Frost always enjoyed. - -"Now," she said, "I'll have a dinner good enough for anybody." - -Robert intended to go to the depot to meet his mother, but he went on -an expedition with one of his schoolmates, and found that he would -scarcely have time to do so. So he returned home. - -"Has mother come, Jane?" he asked. - -"No, Master Robert, not yet." - -He posted himself at the front window, and five minutes later he saw -the depot carriage approaching the house. - -"She's coming, Jane!" he called out in excitement. - -"I forgot to tell you that she's going to bring a visitor." - -"How do you know?" - -"Because I received a telegraph this morning," answered Jane. - -"Did she say who was coming with her?" - -"No; can you see anyone in the carriage?" - -By this time the carriage had reached the entrance to the neat graveled -path which led from the gate to the front door. - -The door of the carriage was opened, and a man got out--a man of less -than medium size. - -Robert was surprised. - -"Why, Jane" he said, "it's a gentleman!" - -"Go out and meet them, Master Robert." - -Robert opened the front door quickly, and hurried out. Meanwhile, the -gentleman had helped Mrs. Frost out, and she was advancing up the walk, -leaning on the arm of her companion. Mrs. Frost smiled, and turning to -the man at her side, said, "This is my son Robert, James." - -"Ah, indeed!" said the other with a smile. "He looks like a stout, -strong boy." - -"I wonder who he is," thought Robert. But he was soon to learn. - -"Did you have a pleasant visit, mother?" he asked. - -"Yes, very pleasant," answered his mother, with a meaning glance at her -companion. "Robert, did you receive my telegram?" - -"Yes, mother." - -"You remember what I said about the great surprise?" - -"Yes, mother." - -"Well, this gentleman is the great surprise," she said, simpering. - -By this time the whole party had entered the house. - -"I don't understand you, mother," said the boy, but a sudden suspicion -had entered his mind, and he was afraid that he did understand. He -waited in painful suspense for his mother to speak. - -"I have brought you a new father, Robert. This is my husband, Mr. -Talbot." - -"Oh, mother!" exclaimed Robert in a grief-stricken tone. "How could you -marry again?" - -Mrs. Talbot, for this was now her name, blushed and looked -uncomfortable. Her husband looked angry. - -"Really, young man," he said, "it seems to me that is a very improper -way of addressing your mother." - -For the first time Robert fixed his eyes upon this man whom he was so -suddenly called upon to think of as--not his father, for he could not -tolerate the thought--but as his mother's husband. As before mentioned, -he was a small-sized man, with black hair and side whiskers, a thin -face, aquiline nose, and an expression which, so far from attracting, -actually repelled the boy. It was a baleful look, which suggested -Mephistopheles, though this well-known character in Faust did not occur -to Robert, for he had never heard of him. The boy was not accustomed to -regard new acquaintances with repugnance, but this was the feeling with -which he regarded Mr. Talbot. - -"I hate you!" he blazed out in sudden fury. "Oh, mother, why did you -marry him?" - -This, it must be admitted, was not a very cordial welcome, and the -boy's anger was reflected in the face of his new step-father, who bit -his nether lip, and glared at our hero with wrathful eyes. - -"You are an impudent cub!" he exclaimed. "I won't forget the way you -have received me." - -"Oh, James, forgive him!" pleaded the mother. "He doesn't realize what -he says. He will get over it to-morrow." - -"I shall never get over it, mother!" said Robert. "If you must marry -again, why at least didn't you marry a gentleman?" - -"I'll get even with you for this, young man!" exclaimed Talbot -furiously. - -Mrs. Talbot screamed and sat upon a couch. Robert seized his hat, and -without waiting for dinner, dashed out of the house. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -MR. TALBOT AND THE DOG. - - -"You didn't tell me what a violent temper your son had," said James -Talbot, when Robert had left the house. - -"He has a good temper, James, but I suppose he was taken by surprise." - -"I'll take him by surprise!" said Talbot spitefully. "He'll find out -that he has a master." - -"No, James," pleaded Mrs. Talbot. "Remember that he is my son." - -"I will treat him well if he treats me well, not otherwise. He has the -temper of a fiend." - -"I am so sorry," said the bride, and she indulged in weak tears. "I -looked forward with so much pleasure to this day, and now----" - -"Perhaps you are sorry you married me," said Talbot, biting his -mustache. - -"Oh no, not that, but Robert has gone away without his dinner." - -"Serves him right. When he gets hungry enough he will come back." - -"Promise, James, that you will overlook his rudeness." - -James Talbot was silent a moment, and then constrained his harsh -features into a smile, which he tried to make pleasant. - -"I will remember that he is your son, Sarah," he said, softening his -voice. "It will not be my fault if I do not teach him to like me." - -"Thank you! How good you are!" - -"And now, my love, let me remind you that I am hungry. Won't you order -dinner served? Really, I am almost famished." - -"Jane, you may put the dinner on the table," said Mrs. Talbot, looking -relieved. - -Jane followed directions. - -"And where is Master Robert, Mrs. Frost--no, I mean Mrs. Talbot?" - -"He has gone out for a short time. If he is not back before long, you -may save some dinner for him." - -"That's queer, his going out just as his mother gets back," thought -Jane, but she kept silence. - -She looked disapprovingly at the new husband. - -"Sure, he looks like a gorilla," she mused. "How could the mistress -marry him when her first husband was such a fine handsome man? I -mistrusts he and Master Robert won't get along very well together." - -James Talbot took the place at the head of the table, and began to -carve the fowls. Jane noticed that though he helped his wife first, he -reserved the nicest portion of the chicken for himself. - -"Sure, he's a selfish beast!" reflected Jane. "If he was a gentleman he -wouldn't take all the breast for himself." - -She was right. Talbot was selfish and had always been so. Some men can -conceal this trait. He did not try to do so. He did not trouble himself -about criticism, as long as he got what he wanted. - -"I wish Robert were here," said Mrs. Talbot plaintively. "I can't be -happy, thinking that he is going without his dinner." - -"He'll be all right to-morrow. I'll try to make friends with him." - -"Will you really? It will be so good of you." - -"I always try to be kind and considerate, my love. Your son is very -hasty, but he will soon understand me better." - -"Oh, I do hope so." - -After dinner Talbot said: "Now, my love, I wish you would show me over -the house--our house," he added with cat-like softness. - -"I shall be so glad to do so." - -They passed out into the hall, and the new husband's attention was -drawn to the portrait of Robert's father. He frowned slightly. - -"Who is that?" he asked. - -"It is my first husband." - -James Talbot glanced curiously at the picture. He was displeased to -notice that the portrait represented such a handsome man--a man with -whom he was not to be compared. - -"He was generally considered a fine-looking man," remarked the bride. - -"Humph! Tastes differ. No doubt he was a good man, but I don't consider -him handsome." - -Through the open door Jane heard this remark, and took instant offense, -for she had liked Mr. Frost, who was always kind to her. - -"He didn't look a gorilla, as you do," she said to herself, and would -like to have said aloud. - -Meanwhile Robert went down to the village. He was the prey of -contending emotions. It looked as if all the happiness of their quiet -home was gone. This man--this interloper--would spoil it all. - -"How could mother marry him?" he said to himself. - -But in spite of his dissatisfaction, he felt hungry. There was a -restaurant in the village, and he turned in there. He felt that on this -day at least he could not dine at home. - -He sat down at the table beside Mr. Jameson, a jeweler, and an old -friend of the family. The jeweler regarded Robert with surprise. - -"How is it that you don't dine at home?" he asked. "I believe, however, -that your mother is away." - -"It isn't that, for Jane prepares the meals." - -"You want a change then?" said Mr. Jameson smiling. - -"No, it isn't that either. Mother has got home," he added bluntly. - -"And you go away at such a time?" - -"I may as well tell you--everybody will know it soon. She has come home -with a new husband." - -"You amaze me! And you don't like the arrangement?" he asked, with a -keen glance at his young companion. - -"No; he's not a gentleman," answered Robert bitterly. "I don't see how -she could have married him--or anybody, after my father." - -"It is natural for you to feel so. Still, she had a right to do so." - -They talked further, and Mr. Jameson gradually modified Robert's -excited feelings. He made the boy promise that if Mr. Talbot should -show a disposition to be friendly, he would at any rate treat him with -courtesy. - -About three o'clock in the afternoon Robert met his new step-father -in the street. He paused, uncertain how to act. But James Talbot -approached him with a soft, ingratiating smile. - -"Robert," he said, "I am sorry you have taken such a dislike to me. You -will excuse my saying that it is quite unreasonable, as you can't know -anything about me." - -"Perhaps I was hasty," Robert forced himself to say, "but it was a -trial to me to think my mother had married again." - -"Quite natural, I am sure, so I shall not look upon your manifestations -of dislike as personal to myself." - -"I suppose not," said Robert slowly. "Of course, I don't know much -about you." - -"When you do, I hope you will like me better," said Talbot cheerfully. -"Have you had any dinner?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"I hope you will come home to supper. It makes your mother feel very -sad to have you stay away." - -"Yes, I will come." - -"Shall we take a walk together? I don't know anything of your village. -You might show me something of it." - -Robert hesitated, but he was naturally polite, and, though rather -reluctantly, he walked through different parts of the village -and pointed out the churches and the public library, the center -school-house, and other buildings. Gradually they approached the -outskirts of the village till they reached a house occupied by an -eccentric old bachelor, who kept a large dog of an uncertain temper. As -the two passed, the dog bounded from the yard and ran after them. This -gave Robert a chance to judge of his step-father's courage. - -James Talbot turned pale with fright, and started to run. - -"Save me, Robert!" he called out, in tremulous accents. "Will he--will -he bite?" - -"I don't think so, Mr. Talbot," said Robert manfully, not exhibiting -the least alarm. "What do you mean, Tige?" he continued sternly, -addressing the dog. - -He snatched a stout stick from the side of the road, and made -threatening demonstrations. - -The dog stood still, evidently cowed. - -"I don't think he is dangerous, Mr. Talbot," Robert started to say, -but he looked in vain for his step-father. - -"Here I am, Robert," he heard in quavering accents. - -James Talbot had managed, with an agility hardly to be expected of a -man of forty-five, to climb into a tree by the roadside. - -"I--I thought I should be safer here," he said, Robert wanted to laugh, -but he was polite, and refrained. - -"I--I hope he won't bite you." - -"I'll risk it, sir." - -"What a terrible situation! I don't dare to come down." - -"I think you may, sir; I will protect you." - -"How can you? You wouldn't be a match for a dog like that." - -By this time Tiger had got over his fierce demonstrations, and seemed -quite friendly. - -"You see he has got over his fierceness. You had better come down." - -"Do you really think it would be safe?" - -"I am sure of it." - -James Talbot got down from the tree cautiously, eyeing the dog askance. - -"Now let us get away from here at once," he said nervously. - -"Very well, sir." - -They took the road for home, the dog making no hostile demonstrations. - -"I--I was always afraid of dogs," said Talbot, half ashamed. "If it had -been a man I wouldn't have cared." And then he began to tell Robert how -he had once frightened a burglar from the house where he was lodging; -but Robert didn't believe him. He felt contempt for his step-father as -a coward. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -THE LITTLE PLOT AGAINST ROBERT. - - -Robert resumed his place in the home circle. Between him and his -step-father there was no cordiality, but formal politeness, though -at times Mrs. Talbot tried to cultivate more friendly relations. He -was somewhat ashamed of the cowardice he displayed during their walk -through the village. It was partly because Robert had been a witness of -his humiliation that he grew to dislike him the more and determined, -when occasion offered, to get even with the boy. He was somewhat afraid -of the spirited boy, but gradually plucked up courage for an encounter. - -When Robert came home from school three days later, he found his -step-father in the hall, standing on a chair, engaged in taking down -the portrait of Mr. Frost. - -"What are you doing, Mr. Talbot," he demanded indignantly. - -Talbot turned his head, and answered curtly, "I apprehend that is my -business." - -"Are you going to take down my father's portrait?" - -"That's exactly what I am going to do." - -"Why?" asked Robert sternly. - -"It is not fitting, now that your mother is my wife, that the picture -of her first husband should hang here." - -"Are you going to put yours in its place?" - -"As soon as I have one painted." - -Robert paused for a moment. After all, why should he interfere? His -mother had transferred her love and allegiance to another husband, and -his father's face would be a silent reproach to her. - -"Did my mother authorize this removal?" he asked. - -"Certainly." - -"Then I have only one request to make, that the portrait be hung up in -my chamber. I still revere the memory of my father." - -"I have no objections. You can take it up to your room when you please." - -The portrait was taken down, and Robert received it. He at once carried -it upstairs. His heart swelled within him, and a look of bitterness -came over his young face. - -"I can't stand it long," he said to himself. "The sight of that man -fills me with indignation and disgust. I would as soon see a serpent." - -As yet, however, there had been no open outbreak, but it was to come -very soon. - -"May I ask a favor of you, James?" said his wife at the breakfast table. - -"What is it, my dear?" - -"I find that our woodpile needs replenishing. Will you stop at Mr. -Webber's on your way to the post-office and ask him to call? I want to -speak to him about sawing and splitting a new supply." - -"My dear," said her husband, "let me make a suggestion. Why employ Mr. -Webber when you have a strong, able-bodied boy in the house?" - -"Do you mean Robert?" - -"There is no other boy in the house, I take it." - -"But," expostulated Mrs. Talbot, "there is no occasion to put Robert at -such work. I am quite able to employ and pay Mr. Webber." - -"And bring up the boy in idleness. That's a very bad plan. He will be -getting lazy." - -"He has his studies to attend to." - -"He needs physical exercise." - -"He plays ball and foot-ball." - -"His time is thrown away. He could get quite as healthful exercise in -sawing and splitting wood, and it would save money." - -Mrs. Talbot was of a gentle, yielding temper, but she was not disposed -to adopt her husband's views. She still ventured to expostulate. - -"Robert is not lazy, James," she said. "If I were poor and there were -any need of it, he would willingly saw and split the wood." - -"Perhaps he would and perhaps he wouldn't. From what I have seen of -him, I am decidedly of the opinion that he has been pampered and -spoiled. He has a very bad temper----" - -"Oh, James!" - -"It is true, but it is partly because of his bringing-up. He needs to -have his will broken. He has always had his own way, and it is quite -time that he learned who is master here." - -"You are very hard and cruel, James," said his wife, the tears filling -her eyes. - -"You think so, but I am only seeking the boy's good. I am quite decided -on this point. We will drop the discussion." - -"Oh, what will happen?" thought the poor mother. "Robert will never -submit, and there will be serious trouble." - -The next morning was Saturday, and Robert had a holiday from school. -He was out in the yard, after breakfast, and was about to leave the -premises, when his step-father appeared in the doorway. - -"Stop a minute," he called out in a tone of command. - -Robert looked back in surprise. - -"What is wanted?" he asked. - -"Where are you going?" - -"Out fishing with Harry Baker." - -"I think you had better postpone it." - -"Why?" demanded Robert in surprise. - -"Come out in the back-yard and I will tell you." - -Very much surprised, Robert followed his step-father out into the -back-yard. - -"What does all this mean?" he thought. - -"I want you to spend the forenoon in sawing and splitting wood. Your -mother tells me there is need of a fresh supply." - -"I don't understand you, sir," said Robert coldly. "Mr. Webber always -saws and splits wood for us." - -"He always has hitherto, but this arrangement is to be changed." - -Robert's eyes flashed. He was beginning to understand now. - -"Why? Is my mother unable to pay him?" - -"That is not the point. You are strong and well able to do the work. -There is no need of going to unnecessary expense." - -Robert's lip curled. - -"You really expect me to work at the woodpile?" he said. - -"I do. What is more, I command you to go to work at once." - -Robert looked his step-father firmly in the face. - -"You command me to go to work?" he repeated slowly. - -"Yes, I do," blustered Mr. Talbot, thinking by his loud voice to -intimidate the boy. - -But he didn't understand the boy with whom he had to deal. Robert eyed -his step-father contemptuously. James Talbot, though perhaps an inch -taller, was less heavily built, and looked thin and puny beside the -sturdy boy whom he was trying to coerce. He felt the contempt which -Robert's face so plainly expressed, and it enraged him, for he was a -man of violent temper. - -"I think, Mr. Talbot," said Robert, after a pause, "that you will have -hard work in getting your orders obeyed." - -If James Talbot had not been beside himself with rage, he would not -have dared to act as he did. He seized a stout stick lying on the -ground and sprang towards his disobedient step-son. - -Robert instantly seized the ax, which was conveniently near, and -brandished it in a threatening manner. - -"Don't you dare to touch me!" he exclaimed in excitement. - -James Talbot turned pale. - -"Are you insane?" he demanded, drawing back in affright. - -"No, but I don't propose to be bulldozed. Just lay down that stick, if -you please." - -Mechanically Talbot dropped it. - -"You have a terrible temper!" he exclaimed. - -"I hope not, but I am quite prepared to defend myself, Mr. Talbot." - -"How old are you, sir?" - -"Sixteen." - -"Then you are under authority. You are bound to obey me." - -"Am I? I don't recognize you as having any authority over me." - -"Evidently you have a good deal to learn. Once more, will you obey me?" - -"Once more, I won't," returned Robert firmly. - -"You will be sorry for your disobedience. You haven't seen the end of -this." - -He turned and walked back to the house, feeling with mortification that -he had been worsted in this first encounter with his step-son. - -"I'd like to flog that boy within an inch of his life," he muttered -spitefully. "I--I wish I dared to grapple with him." - -Robert and his step-father didn't meet at dinner or supper, as the -latter had to go away on business. - -"Mother," said Robert, "do you wish me to take Mr. Webber's place at -the woodpile?" - -"No, Robert. It was Mr. Talbot's idea. He thought it would be healthful -exercise for you." - -"Why not for him?" - -"I will try to get him off the idea." - -"It makes no difference. He can't make me do it, though he threatened -me with a stick this morning." - -"Surely he did not strike you?" said his mother nervously. - -"No, I guess not. He did not dare to." - -It so happened that James Talbot did not reach home till a late hour in -the evening, when Robert was already in bed. He went upstairs softly, -ascertained from Robert's regular breathing that he was sound asleep, -then taking the key from the lock inside, locked the door from the -outside, and went downstairs with a smile. - -"When the boy wakes up, he will find himself a prisoner," he said. "I -shall get even with him, after all." - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -MR. TALBOT IS MYSTIFIED. - - -Robert slept soundly, and didn't wake till near breakfast-time. He -jumped out of bed and hastily dressed himself. Then he went to the door -of his chamber, and tried to open it. To his surprise, he found himself -unable to do so. For the first time he noticed that the key was not in -the lock. - -"What does this mean?" he asked himself. - -He peered through the key-hole and detected the key sticking in from -the other side of the door. - -"This is Mr. Talbot's work," he decided. "What does he expect to gain -by it?" - -Robert was quite cool, and upon the whole, rather amused. It seemed to -him a childish trick to play upon him. - -"What a contemptible fellow he is!" he said to himself. "It mortifies -me to think he is my mother's husband." - -Robert's room was a large front apartment on the third floor. It was -quite as handsome as any on the second floor. It was directly over the -room occupied by his mother. She, however, must already be downstairs. - -"I am sure mother can't know of this," he decided. - -Just then the breakfast bell rang, and Robert wondered whether anyone -would come up to see why he did not come down. - -Presently he heard a step on the stairs, and a minute later he heard -the voice of his step-father. - -"Robert!" he called out, "are you up?" - -"Yes, Mr. Talbot. Why did you lock me in?" - -"I had my reasons. You were disobedient to me yesterday." - -Robert laughed, a little to Mr. Talbot's annoyance. He hoped to find -the boy in a state of alarm, ready to submit to his orders. - -"About the wood, I suppose you mean." - -"Yes." - -"Are you going to unlock the door?" - -His voice was quite calm, and he showed no nervousness nor excitement. - -"I will upon one condition." - -"You have no right to lock me up here, and no right to make -conditions." - -"That is for me to say. I will unlock the door on condition that you -agree to saw and split the wood, as I required yesterday." - -"To-day is Sunday. Do you expect me to work to-day?" - -Mr. Talbot was rather taken aback. He had forgotten when the evening -before he locked the door of Robert's chamber that the next day would -be Sunday. - -"No, but next week." - -"I don't agree," said Robert firmly. - -"All right; I will come up in an hour, and see if you have changed your -mind." - -With a malicious chuckle James Talbot drew the key from the lock, put -it in his pocket, and went downstairs. His wife was already sitting in -her place at the breakfast table. - -"What makes you so late, James," she asked. - -"I have been having a little interview with your son, my dear." - -"He is late, too. Is he coming down?" - -"No doubt he would like to," said her husband, chuckling. - -"I don't understand you, James. If he would like to come, why doesn't -he?" - -"Because he is locked in his chamber." - -"Who locked him there?" - -"I did." - -Mrs. Talbot was a meek woman, but this excited her to anger. - -"I will go right up and let him out," she said. - -James Talbot laughed, but allowed his wife to leave the room without a -word. - -She hurried up to Robert's chamber. - -"Robert!" she called through the key-hole. - -"Is it you, mother?" - -"Yes. Are you locked in?" - -"Yes." - -"Where is the key?" - -"In Mr. Talbot's pocket, I presume." - -"Why did he lock you in?" - -"Because I would not agree to saw and split the wood in place of Mr. -Webber next week." - -"That is shameful. Poor boy! and you have had no breakfast." - -"And am not likely to have, unless you can pass some through the -key-hole. You see what sort of a man you have married, mother." - -Mrs. Talbot was silent. She began to realize it herself. - -"How is this going to end?" she asked, half crying. - -"Don't mind me, mother. I'll get out some way." - -"I will ask James--Mr. Talbot for the key." - -"He won't give it to you. Let things take their course. I will consider -what is best to be done. But first, is there any other key in the house -that will fit this door?" - -"No, I don't think so." - -When Mrs. Talbot went downstairs her husband was half through breakfast. - -"I am afraid your breakfast will be cold, my dear," he said. - -"How can you act so meanly, James?" - -"It is all for Robert's good. He has been too much indulged. I want to -make a man of him. What did he say to you?" - -"He told me not to mind--that he would get out some way." - -"Perhaps through the key-hole," laughed James Talbot, apparently much -amused. - -"You are real mean," whimpered his wife. "The poor boy has had no -breakfast." - -"Don't let that interfere with your breakfasting, Mrs. T." - -"How can I eat when he is hungry?" - -"You see it doesn't affect my appetite. Really, this steak is unusually -good." - -Meanwhile Robert was considering how he was to escape. It was rather a -puzzling question to consider, and he could not think of any way. But -as he was looking out of the window he saw Sam Jones, a school friend, -pass by. An idea came to him. Sam's father was a carpenter, and the -owner of a tall ladder. - -"I say, Sam!" he called out. - -Sam looked up in the direction of the voice, and to his surprise saw -Robert at the window. - -"What's up?" he asked. - -"I am." - -"Why don't you come down?" - -"For a very good reason--because I am locked in." - -"What's that for?" asked Sam in natural surprise. - -Robert explained. - -"What are you going to do?" - -"Get out, if you will help me." - -"What shall I do?" - -"Ask your father to bring his tall ladder. I am sure it will reach up -to my window. Only be quick about it. I want to get out before Mr. -Talbot is through breakfast." - -"I'll do it. It will be good fun to circumvent the old rascal." - -Sam started on a run, and in less than ten minutes came back with his -father and the ladder. Mr. Jones was very ready to lend his assistance, -for he had taken a dislike to Mr. Talbot, who had beaten him down on -the price of some repairs he had made to the barn. - -The two together put up the ladder against the window, and Robert -stepping through the opening, put his foot on the top rung and quickly -descended. - -He breathed a sigh of relief and exultation as he set foot on the -ground. - -"That's the first time I was ever a prisoner, and I don't like it," he -said. "I wish I had old Talbot up there. He wouldn't dare to escape as -I did, for he is an awful coward." - -He told the story of the dog, and how frightened his step-father had -been. Sam and his father enjoyed the story. - -"Now, take away the ladder quick. I don't want Mr. Talbot to know how I -got out. I mustn't forget to thank you for your kindness." - -"You can do as much for me if father ever locks me up," said Sam. - -"I don't think there's much danger." - -Meanwhile, Mr. Talbot having got through breakfast went upstairs to -enjoy the uncomfortable position of his step-son. - -"Robert!" he called through the key-hole. - -There was no answer. - -"You needn't be sullen. It will do you no good." - -Still there was no answer. - -"I would open the door," thought the man, "but he may be lying in wait -for me, and he is very strong for a boy." - -A third time he called, but still there was no answer. - -"I hope he hasn't done anything desperate," thought James Talbot. - -Finally he summoned up courage to unlock the door. Lo, the bird was -flown, and the window was open. - -"I wonder if he has jumped out!" said Talbot in alarm. - -He went to the window and looked out, but could see nothing of Robert. - -"It is very strange," he muttered. "If he had broken a limb, he would -be lying on the lawn." - -He went downstairs considerably perturbed. Hearing noise in the -dining-room, he looked in, and saw Robert sitting at the table. - -"Good morning, Mr. Talbot," said Robert, with much politeness. "You -will excuse my being late to breakfast, but circumstances prevented my -being on time." - -James Talbot sank into a chair and stared at Robert open-mouthed. - -"Did you get out of the window?" he asked. - -"Yes, but next time I'd rather go through the door." - -"What a very remarkable boy!" thought his step-father. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -A CRISIS. - - -Nothing more was said about the woodpile. Apparently Mr. Talbot -concluded that he was not likely to carry his point, and prudently -withdrew from the conflict. But his sense of defeat only made him the -more incensed against his rebellious step-son. - -"I would give five dollars to see that boy thrashed," he said to -himself moodily, as from the window he watched Robert playing ball in -the street with his friend Sam Jones. - -As Robert seemed to be enjoying himself, he could not resist the -temptation to interfere. - -So he opened the window and called out, "Robert, I wish you would stop -playing ball in the street." - -"Why?" asked his step-son. - -"Because the ball might come this way and break one of the windows." - -"There is no chance of it, Mr. Talbot. We are sending the ball up and -down the street." - -"Still there is danger." - -"I don't see it." - -"Will you be guided by my wishes?" demanded Talbot querulously. - -"I would if they were reasonable. I don't think they are." - -"I am the best judge of that. I don't want you to play ball in front of -my house." - -"Your house? How long has it been yours? It belongs to my mother." - -"Your mother is my wife." - -"I am sorry to say that you are right. But that doesn't make the house -yours." - -"I have no wish to quibble. I represent your mother, and I have a right -to ask you to stop playing ball in front of the house." - -"Even if the house were yours, you don't own the street. Go ahead, Sam!" - -Mr. Talbot banged the door and went into the house. - -"That is the most impudent cub I ever saw," he muttered. He was worsted -again, and he felt angry and provoked. - -"What a sweet step-father you've got, Robert," said Sam. - -"Isn't he? But don't call him my step-father. I want to forget that he -is connected with me in any way. He is constantly nagging me. I don't -think I can stand it much longer." - -"How does your mother stand it?" - -"Mother has a very sweet temper, and she has no will of her own." - -"Unlike you," said Sam, smiling. - -"Yes, I have a will of my own. I don't think a boy or man can succeed -who hasn't." - -"You say you can't stand it. What will that lead to?" - -"It may lead to my leaving the house, and going out into the world to -seek my fortune. Our house is a large one, but it isn't large enough to -contain Mr. Talbot and myself." - -"I hope you won't have to go, Robert. I should miss you awfully." - -"And I should miss you, Sam. But time will show." - -Probably no persons could be more incompatible, or less likely to get -along together, than Robert and Mr. Talbot. The presence of one was -a constant irritation to the other. This could have but one issue. -One day, perhaps a week after the dispute about ball-playing, Robert -entered the gate on his way back from the village. Mr. Talbot was -standing on the lawn. He had scarcely entered the yard when a man -reeling under the influence of drink staggered by. - -"That man has more than he can carry," observed Robert. - -"Yes," answered Talbot with a smile. "Take care that you don't fall -into the same habit." - -"Why do you caution me," asked Robert curtly. "Do you think there is -any need of it?" - -"Yes, if all that I have heard is true." - -"What have you heard?" - -"That your father was an intemperate man." - -Robert's eyes flashed with intense anger. - -"It is a lie," he said. "Take it back." - -"I have every reason to believe it is true, and I won't take it back." - -This was too much for Robert, who was a boy of spirit, and had been -devotedly attached to his father. - -"Take it back!" he repeated in a tone of menace. - -"Do you think I would take it back at the order of a whipper-snapper -like you?" sneered his step-father. - -Robert waited to hear no more. His affection and reverence for his -father were so strong that he felt outraged by the insult to his -memory. He made a sudden attack upon his step-father, so impetuous -that it dashed Mr. Talbot to the ground. - -The man was very much frightened. His encounter with the dog showed -that he was a coward, and though he, a grown person, was attacked by a -boy, he seemed helpless and over-whelmed. - -"Ah--what does this mean?" he gasped. - -"It means that I won't allow you or any other man to insult my father's -memory," answered Robert fiercely. - -"I will have you arrested," said Talbot venomously. - -"Do as you please," returned Robert contemptuously. - -He sprang to his feet, and without waiting for Mr. Talbot to rise, -entered the house and sought his mother, who had not witnessed the -fracas. - -The time had been brief, but he had already made up his mind to do what -had been in his mind for some time. He would leave home and seek his -fortune in the great world. He felt that to stay at home any longer--to -live under the same roof as his step-father--would be absolutely -impossible. He was not afraid to depend upon his own exertions. He was -young, well-educated, strong, and had confidence in his own ability to -earn a living. He would be sorry to leave his mother of course, but his -mother didn't seem to belong to him now that she was the wife of a man -whom he despised. - -Leaving James Talbot to pick himself up at his leisure, he sought his -mother, who was in the sitting room, engaged in sewing. She noticed -the flush upon Robert's face, and his excited air, and asked at once, -"What's the matter, Robert? You look disturbed." - -"I am disturbed, mother." - -"What is it? Tell me about it." - -"I got into a dispute with Mr. Talbot." - -"I wish you could be friendly with him." - -"It is impossible, mother. He is always irritating me. This time he -insulted my father's memory." - -"How did he do that?" - -"He said father was a man of intemperate habits." - -"Surely he did not mean it," said his mother, looking troubled. - -"I don't know whether he meant it or not. I only know that he said it. -And now, mother, you mustn't take too hard what I am going to say to -you." - -"What is it?" inquired Mrs. Talbot nervously. - -"I have made up my mind to leave home." - -"Surely you would not do that," said his mother startled. - -"Yes, it is the best way. I can't live under the same roof as Mr. -Talbot. Besides I am now sixteen. It is time I was earning my own -living." - -"But that is not necessary, Robert. I have enough for you." - -"I know it, but I can't live on you all my life. I want to go out into -the world, and see what I can do for myself." - -"Take time to think it over, Robert. You are not through school." - -"I shall be very soon. I have a good education already, and I can get -along." - -"What do you want to do?" - -"I don't know yet. Something will open up for me." - -"Wait till next week," pleaded his mother. - -"No, I must go this very day. I have had a fight with Mr. Talbot, and I -can't stay in the house any longer." - -"Oh, Robert, you will make me very unhappy." - -"I am sorry for that, mother, but I don't see how I can help it. Look -on the bright side. I think things will turn out well for me." - -"If you must go, you must let me give you some money," and Mrs. Talbot, -rising, went to her secretary. - -"No, mother; I have twenty dollars laid by. That will do for the -present. When that is gone I will write you for some more." - -"Will you promise to do it, Robert?" - -"Yes, mother?" - -"Where do you think of going?" - -"To Chicago, first." - -"But you don't know anyone there, and I am told there are a great many -bad men there who might lead you into temptation." - -"I hope I am strong enough to resist them. But I must go upstairs and -get ready." - -Robert went up to his chamber and drew out from a closet a large -grip-sack. Into this he put hurriedly a supply of shirts, socks, -handkerchiefs, and underclothing. - -"I came near forgetting a comb and brush," he said to himself, -unlocking the grip-sack after it was closed. "I am not used to -traveling, but I suppose I shall be in time." - -Meanwhile, Mr. Talbot after taking time to recover his equanimity, -sought his wife. - -"Mrs. T.," he said, "your promising son is getting worse and worse." - -"Explain yourself," she said coldly. - -"He sprang upon me with the ferocity of a tiger, after I had made an -inoffensive remark, and taking me unawares, actually threw me down. I -can't endure his presence." - -"You won't be obliged to. He has decided to leave home." - -"Where will he go?" - -"He is going out into the world to seek his fortune," she answered -sadly. - -"He will fetch up in jail," said his step-father savagely. - -"I think, Mr. Talbot, we will drop the subject. I do not feel equal -to discussing it when my dear and only child is about to leave home, -driven from it by you." - -She rose and left the room. - -"Well, I'm glad he's going," thought Talbot. "I can the better carry -out my plans." - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -ON THE TRAIN. - - -His valise filled with a stock of necessary underwear, Robert walked to -the railway station. It was a very sudden start, and he had no time to -consider what he was to do, for the train moved off five minutes after -his arrival. - -He selected a seat by a window, and placed his valise on the seat -beside his own. - -It was not till the train had fairly started that he began to realize -the importance of the step that he was taking. He was leaving a -comfortable, nay, a luxurious home, where he was provided with every -comfort, and by his own choice was undertaking to earn his own living. -It was enough to make any boy feel serious. But Robert was manly and -resolute, and he decided that anything would be better than to live -under the same roof with his odious step-father. - -Five minutes later a tall thin man walked over from the opposite side -of the car, and said, "Will you allow me to sit beside you?" - -"Certainly," answered Robert courteously, and removed his grip-sack. - -"Thank you. I am tired of sitting alone, and thought I should like a -chat with an intelligent young man." - -Robert smiled. - -"So you think I am an intelligent young man?" he said. - -"I am sure of it." - -"I am very much obliged, but what makes you think so?" - -"I am well versed in character reading, being a professional -phrenologist and a student of physiognomy. Are you going to the city?" - -"Yes, sir. I think so." - -"So am I. Are you connected with any business house there?" - -"Not yet, sir. I may be before long." - -"I may be able to help you get a place. I am extensively acquainted -with business firms. But perhaps you have a place already secured?" - -"No, sir." - -"Are you well acquainted in Chicago?" - -"I know scarcely anyone there--no one of any prominence." - -"You may have to wait for a position. Pardon me--it is none of my -business--but you ought to have money enough to carry you on a few -weeks in case you have to wait." - -"I have some money," said Robert cautiously. - -"That is well. I am glad to hear it. Are you well educated?" - -"Tolerably so." - -"Do you know anything about bookkeeping?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"I have a brother-in-law who is a commission merchant. Indeed I may say -that Mr. Claflin, the great merchant, is a cousin of mine." - -"Indeed, sir." - -"I was once in Claflin's employ," continued the stranger. "I was head -of one of the departments, with a salary of five thousand dollars a -year." - -"What made you leave so good a place?" - -"I don't wonder you ask. It was because Claflin interfered with me. -I felt that I ought to have full charge of my department, and would -tolerate no interference. He interfered with me, and in a fit of anger -I threw up my position. I dare say you think me foolish?" - -"Yes, I do," answered Robert frankly. - -"You are right, but an angry man doesn't stop to consider. Claflin -seemed surprised, and no doubt he was sorry, but he is a proud man and -he wouldn't demean himself by asking me to stay. So I put on my coat -and left." - -"Have you got on well since?" - -"I went over to a rival merchant, but had to take less pay. Still I got -on very well, till last spring, when I had an attack of malaria. That -broke me down in health and pocket, and now I am what you call hard up." - -"Hadn't you saved up anything from your large salary?" - -"Yes, but I invested in running stock, and lost all." - -"I wonder what he is telling me all this for?" mused Robert. - -"I have about recovered my health, and now I shall soon get a good -place," went on the stranger. - -Here Robert took out his watch--it was an excellent Waltham silver -watch--and consulted it. - -"Let me look at your watch!" said the stranger. - -Robert put it in his hands. - -"A very good watch! Let me show you mine." - -He drew from his pocket a showy gold watch--at least it was yellow, and -had a good appearance. - -"What do you think of it?" - -"It is showy." - -"Yes, and is of high grade. It is well worth seventy-five dollars, -though I have had it for three years." - -Robert was not especially interested. His own watch had cost but -twenty-five, but it was a gift from his father, and as such he valued -it. - -"I have a great mind to offer you a bargain," said his companion. - -Robert looked at him inquiringly. - -"If you will give me ten dollars to boot, I will exchange with you." - -"Why should you do that? You say your watch is worth seventy-five -dollars." - -"So it is, but, my young friend, I am very short of money. The silver -watch would keep as good time, and the money would be of great service -to me." - -Robert shook his head. - -"My watch was a present," he said, "I should not care to part with it." - -"Of course, that is a consideration," said the stranger, appearing -disappointed. - -"Besides I could not very well spare ten dollars." - -"You could easily pawn the watch for forty dollars." - -"Why don't you do that?" - -"Egad! I didn't think of it. I believe I will. By the way, will you do -me a favor?" - -"What is it?" - -"Will you keep the watch for fifteen minutes? I am going out into the -smoking-car, and I may go to sleep. That is the way smoking affects me. -I might get robbed, but if you hold the watch I shall feel easy." - -This seemed a strange proposal to make, but after all it was plausible. -It seemed a trifling favor to grant. Why should he object? - -"But how do you know I am honest," asked Robert. "You have only known -me a few minutes." - -"Didn't I tell you I was skilled in reading character? You have an -honest face." - -"Thank you for your favorable opinion." - -"Do you consent?" - -"Yes. How long will you be gone?" - -"I shall come back before we reach the city." - -"Very well, if you are anxious to have me take charge of it." - -"Yes; I shall feel safe if it is in your hands." - -"All right, sir." - -Robert wore a sack coat with pockets on each side. He put the watch in -one of these pockets, and resumed looking out of the window. - -His companion left the car and went to the car in the rear, which was -the smoking-car. - -Half an hour passed, and then a stout, thick-set man of thirty-five -entered the car and walked through it, looking at the passengers as he -passed along. - -He paused in front of Robert's seat. - -"Young man," he said, "show me your watch." - -Robert looked at him in astonishment. - -"What do you mean?" he asked. - -"I mean that I have had my watch stolen, and I am sure some passenger -has taken it." - -"What kind of a watch was it?" - -"It was a gold watch. Have you such a watch about you?" - -"Yes, but----" - -"Never mind about any buts," said the other fiercely. "I can tell by -your expression that you have got my watch. Let me have it at once." - -"A gentleman, now in the smoking-car, gave me a watch to keep for him." - -"And you have it about you?" - -"Yes." - -"Give it to me at once." - -"I couldn't, without his permission." - -"That won't go down. Either give me the watch, or I will have you -arrested." - -"I have no right to give you the watch. If it is yours it was stolen by -the man who handed it to me to keep for him." - -"I give you two minutes to produce the watch. If you will do this, and -pay me ten dollars besides, I will overlook your offense." - -Robert's face flushed. He felt that he was in a tight place. This man -might be a confederate of the other. But how was he to prove it? - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -BAFFLED. - - -The charge had come upon Robert so suddenly that he hardly knew what to -say. Gradually, his presence of mind returned to him. - -"What made you fix upon me as the one likely to have the watch?" he -asked. "Why didn't you select some other passenger?" - -The stout man hesitated. He could not say what was the truth, that -Robert had been described to him by his confederate. - -"It was your guilty look," he answered, after a pause. - -"So you think I look guilty?" said our hero, with an amused smile. - -"Yes, I do," said the other defiantly. "I have had a great deal to do -with crooks in my time." - -"No doubt of it," chimed in a new voice. - -Both Robert and the man who accused him looked round. The voice -proceeded from a tall, rough-looking man who sat behind Robert. - -The accuser looked a little uneasy. - -"As I said, I know a crook when I see him." - -"So do I," said the rough-looking man, who had the appearance of a -Western miner. - -"My friend," said the claimant of the watch severely, "will you do me -the favor to mind your own business?" - -"That's good advice. I hope you follow it yourself." - -"Will you give me the watch, or are you prepared to be arrested?" - -"Describe the watch," said Robert composedly. - -"I have. It is a gold watch." - -"So is this," said the miner, producing a heavy gold watch from his fob. - -"You needn't put in your oar," said the claimant, frowning. - -"The boy is right. Describe the watch." - -"I have already said that it is a gold watch." - -"So is this. Do you claim this watch as yours?" - -"No. I suppose it is your watch. The watch in the boy's pocket is not -his." - -"Correct, squire. But that doesn't prove it is yours." - -"Where is the man who handed it to me?" asked Robert. - -"I don't know. I don't believe there is any such man." - -"Bring him here, and I will hand it to him." - -"That's where your head's level, boy," said the miner. "If this man -wants any proof that he asked you to keep it for him, he can call on -me. I saw him do it." - -"No doubt!" sneered the accuser. "I presume you are in league with the -boy." - -The miner coolly lifted the window beside his seat. - -"Do you see that window," he asked. - -"Yes. What of it?" - -"Have you any particular desire to be thrown out?" - -"No," answered the other, in evident alarm. - -"Then don't you dare to insinuate that I am in league with anybody for -crooked work." - -As he spoke, he rose to his full height, showing a muscular figure, -rather more than six feet in length. Robert's antagonist was about six -inches shorter. - -"No offense, mister," he said meekly. - -"You seem to be coming to your senses. Now, is this watch yours?" - -"What watch?" - -"The watch in the boy's pocket." - -"Yes." - -"How did the other man get hold of it?" - -"If he had it at all, he stole it from me." - -"Very good; we'll investigate this. My young friend, come with me into -the smoking-car." - -The claimant protested uneasily, but the miner insisted. - -He and Robert left the car and went into the one behind. - -There about the middle of the car sat the man from whom Robert had -received the watch. - -"Give it back to him," said the miner. - -Robert walked up to his first acquaintance. - -"I want you to take back your watch," he said. "This man says it -belongs to him." - -The tall, thin man looked at his confederate. He saw that their little -plan of frightening Robert into giving them ten dollars had failed. - -"Did you send him in to me?" went on Robert. - -"There is some mistake. I sent him in for it, but he misunderstood me." - -He looked askance at the miner, who he saw was disposed to be a friend -of Robert. - -"Look here," said the miner sternly, "you are a precious pair of -rascals. Your little game hasn't worked. I have seen such men as you -before. I was on the vigilance committee in San Francisco some years -ago, and such fellows as you we strung up to the nearest lamp-post. Can -you make it convenient to get off at the next station?" - -"That's where we intend to stop," said the tall man meekly. - -"That is fortunate. It will save you a good deal of trouble. Now, boy, -come back into the other car. We have no further business with these -gentlemen." - -Going back, they sat down in the same seat. - -"I am very much obliged to you for getting me out of the scrape," said -Robert gratefully. - -"Don't mention it." - -"Do you really think they were----?" - -"Crooks? Yes. They had all the signs. I've rubbed against such fellows -before now. These fellows are not smart. They don't understand the -rudiments of the business." - -"You spoke of San Francisco. Have you been there?" asked Robert with -interest. - -"I lived there and at the mines for five years." - -"Were you lucky?" - -"You mean, did I strike it rich? Well, I had middling luck. I didn't -go there for nothing. How much do you think I had when I landed at -Frisco?" - -"A hundred dollars?" - -"I had just three dollars and a half. I had one extra shirt, and that -was about all." - -"That wasn't a very large supply. Where did you go from?" - -"I was raised in Vermont. Worked on a farm for dad till I was -twenty-two. Then with fifty dollars, which I had in the savings bank, -I started for California. Well, I got there at last, but my funds were -almost gone. I got a chance to do some rough work till I had enough to -go to the mines. There I made something of a pile, enough to pay off -the mortgage on the old farm, and have ten thousand dollars left. I've -just come from there." - -"Do you ever expect to go back to the mines?" - -"Yes. I should not be satisfied now to remain at the East. Where are -you going?" - -"To the city." - -"To get a place?" - -"Yes, if I can." - -"Have you parents living?" - -"I have a mother," said Robert slowly. - -"And you want to get work to help support her?" - -"No, she has plenty of money." - -"Then why do you leave home?" - -Robert looked at his companion. His plain, honest face impressed him -favorably. He felt that he was a man in whom he could confide. - -"I have a step-father," he said briefly. - -"I understand. You and he don't hitch horses. Is that so?" - -"You are right." - -"Tell me all about it." - -"I will. I should like to ask somebody's advice. I want to know whether -I have done right." - -"Go ahead, my lad." - -Robert told the story, and the miner listened attentively. - -"Do you know what I think of that step-father of yours?" - -"Tell me." - -"I think he is about as mean a skunk as I ever heard mentioned. What -made your mother marry him?" - -"I don't know. She must have been infatuated." - -"I suppose you had an easy time at home." - -"Yes, I did." - -"And now you will have to work for a living?" - -"Yes, but I don't mind that." - -"I see you're the right sort," said the miner approvingly. - -They had reached the next station. In the next car there was a tumult -and a noise as of men scuffling. The miner rose and opened the door of -the car. - -He and Robert saw the two men who had tried to swindle our hero in -the hands of two angry men, who hustled them out of the car with such -violence that they fell prostrate beside the track. - -"What's the matter?" asked the miner. - -"These men tried to relieve me of my watch. They won't try it again in -a hurry." - -Bruised by the fall, the two men picked themselves up and slunk away. - -"They're a precious pair of rascals," said the miner. "If we had them -at the mines, they would soon dangle from the branch of a tree." - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -PERIL. - - -Jones and Barlow, the two men who had been so ignominiously expelled -from the train, picked themselves up, and with faces flaming with anger -shook their fists at the train in impotent wrath. - -"This is an outrage, Jones," said Barlow, the taller of the two. - -"So it is," said Jones, rubbing his knee, which had received an -abrasion from falling on a flinty stone. - -"They don't know how to treat a gentleman." - -"No, they don't. You're right, Barlow." - -"I suppose the boy and that long-legged miner are laughing in their -sleeves." - -As he spoke, both turned their glances upon the car in which Robert -and the miner were located, and saw both looking out of a car window. -The miner's face wore a look of amusement and satisfaction, which was -enough to anger the two adventurers. - -"Good-by, boys!" he said. "You're leaving us in a hurry, but we won't -forget you." - -In reply, Jones, who was the more choleric of the two, shook his fist -at the miner, but did not indulge himself in any remarks. His feelings -were probably too deep for words. - -"What shall we do, Barlow?" he asked. - -"Foot it to the next station, I reckon. I'm used to walkin', aint you?" - -"I've done a little of it in my time," said Jones, with a grin. - -"Then we can take the next train that comes along. That cursed miner -won't be on board, and we can be received as gentlemen." - -"Say, have you got a clothes-brush, Barlow? My knees--that is the knees -of my pants--are all over mud." - -"So are mine. Yes, I believe I have, but don't let us repair damages -here. They will be looking out of the car-windows and laughing at us." - -"Go ahead, then. I'll follow." - -They started in the direction in which the train was going. Two -minutes later they fell in with a young Irish boy, who surveyed their -dilapidated appearance with amusement. - -"Say," he remarked, "have youse been racin' wid de train?" - -"Why do you ask, boy?" inquired Barlow with lofty dignity. - -"I take it all back. I guess you've been on your knees prayin'." - -"Boy, don't you know how to address a gentleman?" - -"Where's the gentleman?" inquired the youth, with a vacant look. - -"Jones, chase that boy and give him a lesson." - -Jones undertook to do so, but he was short and fat, and the boy easily -eluded him. He climbed over a fence on one side of the railway, and -began to make faces at the pair. - -"What would you have done to me if you had caught me?" he asked in a -mocking and derisive tone. - -"Given you a first-class thrashing," growled Jones. - -"Then I'm glad you didn't catch me. Say, I saw you get out of the -train." - -"Suppose you did?" - -"You were kicked out. What had you been doin'?" - -Angry as the two adventurers were at their humiliating treatment, their -feeling of indignation was intensified by the boy's taunts. Jones was -about to make an angry retort, when Barlow stopped him. - -"Don't mind the boy," he said. "We'd better be getting on." - -They walked briskly till they had probably got a quarter of a mile on -their way to the next station. Then they paused and looked back, for on -the way they had passed the train. - -"What's the matter with the train?" asked Barlow. - -"Don't know. It's making quite a stop." - -"I wish it would get wrecked." - -This gave an idea to Jones. - -"So I say. We'd get even with that miner, and the men that hustled us -off the train. What do you say to wrecking it?" - -"We can do it. See that switch?" - -"Yes. What of it?" - -"I'm an old switchman. Tended switch for three years on a Western road. -All we'll have to do is to reverse that switch," pointing to one a -hundred feet farther on, "and there'll be a smash." - -Barlow's breath came quick. He was not as daring a rascal as his -companion. - -"Do you really mean it, Jones?" he said. - -"Yes, I do." - -"Suppose we get caught?" - -"We won't get caught." - -"Somebody may see us." - -"There's no one around. Look and satisfy yourself." - -"If you think it safe?" - -"Of course it's safe. Besides, if there's a wreck, there'll be booty -for us. I'd like to rifle the pockets of that miner." - -The train had been detained at a signal tower by a telegram, and this -allowed the two adventurers to arrange their plans for wrecking it. But -on trying to move the switch, Jones found a difficulty. He had not the -necessary appliances. - -"Can't you move it?" asked Barlow. - -"No." - -"Then we must give up the plan." - -"No, there's another way. Do you see that rock?" - -He pointed to a square rock, weighing not far from a hundred pounds, by -the side of the railroad. - -"Yes, that'll do the business. But there's no time to lose. The train -may come along at any moment. I don't know why it has been so delayed." - -"Come along then, and help me move it. It is heavy." - -The two rascals bent over and lifted the rock in concert. - -They grumbled over the weight, neither of them being used to hard labor. - -"I should think it weighed most half a ton," grumbled Barlow. - -"Never mind. We will soon have it in position. Quick! I hear the train!" - -The rumbling of the train could be heard at a considerable distance. -The two scoundrels didn't trouble themselves about the possible, or -probable consequences of their dastardly plot. They only thought of -revenging themselves upon the men who had ejected them from the train, -and they felt, besides, an animosity against Robert and his miner -friend. - -They thought themselves without a witness, but in this they -were mistaken. The boy already mentioned, whom they had pursued -ineffectually, had followed them at a distance, having a feeling of -curiosity about them. - -"I wonder what they're up to?" he soliloquized, as he watched them -tampering with the switch. He could not quite understand the meaning -of their movements. But when they took the rock, and between them -conveyed it to the railroad track, and put it in the way of the coming -train, he understood. - -"I believe the mean chaps want to wreck the train," he said to himself. - -What should he do? - -He bethought himself of calling out to them, and trying to prevent -their plot. But he was sure they would pay no attention to him, and -besides there was no time. He could already hear the thundering sound -of the approaching train. - -Tommy was on a bluff about fifteen feet above the roadbed. To descend -the bank and run to meet the train would consume more time than he had -at command. - -"Oh, dear!" muttered Tommy. "There'll be a smash, and lots of people -will be killed." - -But there was one thing that neither Tommy nor the two scoundrels had -seen. It was a cow that somehow or other had found its way through a -gap in the fence from a pasture to the left, and was leisurely walking -along the track, full in the path of the approaching train. - -The engineer could not see the rock, for it was too small an object, -but by great good luck he did see the cow. - -With a tremendous effort, he stopped the engine just in time. When -the train halted, it was only ten feet away from the animal, who was -looking with startled eyes at the coming train. - -The shock of the sudden stop was such that the passengers started to -their feet, and the engineer leaped from the engine. - -By this time Tommy had descended the bank, and was standing only a few -feet away. - -"We have had a narrow escape," said the miner, wiping the perspiration -from his brow. - -"You have had two narrow escapes," said Tommy, pointing to the large -rock which lay across one of the rails fifteen feet further on. - -The engineer started, and seemed horror-struck. - -"Who put that rock on the track?" he demanded sternly. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -AT THE PALMER HOUSE. - - -Tommy Keegan pointed to Barlow and Jones, who rather imprudently had -maintained their position, in the hope that the train would be wrecked. - -The engineer and the group of passengers around him eyed the two men -with a quick, scrutinizing glance. Their appearance made the charge a -probable one. - -"How do you know, boy?" asked the engineer. - -"I seed them put the rock on the track," answered Tommy. - -"It's a lie!" blustered Jones. "The boy did it himself." - -"The boy could not lift a rock of that size," said the engineer -positively. - -Among the group of passengers were Robert and the miner. - -"Why, it's the scamps that were put off the train!" exclaimed the -miner. - -"You recognize them?" asked the engineer. - -"Yes, they were put off the train at the last station for trying to -swindle some of the passengers." - -"What have you to say to this, man?" demanded the engineer sternly. - -"It's a lie. The gentleman is mistaken." - -"No, he isn't. I was one of those who put them off the train," said one -of the other passengers. - -"Tell all you know about it, boy," said the engineer. - -"I seed them try to turn the switch first," said Tommy. "They couldn't -do that, so they got the rock and put dat on the track just before the -train come along." - -Barlow and Jones saw that things were getting serious for them, and -very foolishly started to run. But a dozen men went in pursuit, -prominent among them being the miner, whose long legs soon brought him -abreast of the rascally pair. He seized Barlow by the collar, and at -the same time another passenger grasped Jones. - -"Now," said the engineer, "what was your object in trying to wreck the -train?" - -"We didn't do it. The boy lies," said Jones sullenly. - -"It was in revenge for being put off the train," suggested the miner. - -"Lynch them! Hang them to the nearest tree!" shouted half a dozen. - -"That's my idea," said the miner. - -Had the engineer sanctioned this, it would have been done without -further delay, but he was a man of good judgment, and would not -countenance such a proceeding. - -"No," he said, "secure them and take them on board the train." - -"Come here, boy," said the miner, beckoning to Tommy. "The passengers -owe you something for exposing these infamous rascals. Who will chip -in?" - -He took off his hat and dropped in a piece of money. Others followed -suit, and the happy Tommy went away the richer by over thirty dollars. -The two men were secured by a strong cord, and once again boarded the -train as passengers, but under very unfavorable circumstances, and with -gloomy forebodings as to the fate that was in store for them. - -As they neared Chicago the miner turned to Robert and asked: "Are you -intending to go to a hotel, my lad?" - -Robert hesitated. - -"I don't think I can afford it," he said. "I have but little money, and -I don't know how long I may have to wait for work." - -"Don't let that worry. I am going to the Palmer House, and will take -you along with me." - -"Isn't it a high-priced hotel?" - -"Yes, but it will cost you nothing. You can stay with me two or three -days while you are looking around for work." - -"You are very kind," said Robert gratefully, "but I am a stranger to -you." - -"Not now. I feel as well acquainted with you as if I had known you for -years. I have been poor myself, and it will go hard if Dick Marden -can't take care of a boy who is looking out for a chance to make a -living. Well, youngster, what do you say?" - -"I can only say that I accept your offer with gratitude, Mr. Marden." - -"That's all right. You may consider me your guardian for the time -being." - -Twenty minutes more brought them to the Chicago station. - -The hackmen were on hand with their offers of transportation, but the -miner declined. - -"I want to unfold myself," he said, "and I reckon I'll walk. My bag -isn't heavy, for I don't carry round a dress suit. I suppose you're -able to walk, Robert?" - -"Yes, I would prefer it." - -So, unheeding the hackmen, they started for the Palmer House, which was -less than half a mile distant. When Robert came in sight of the hotel, -he was impressed by the large size and handsome appearance of the -structure. - -"I shouldn't dare to put up at such a hotel if I were alone," he said -with a smile. - -"No, I reckon not. As it is, you are all right. Let us go in." - -They walked in to the office. - -"I want a room with two beds," said the miner, after registering his -name. - -"All right, sir. Front!" - -A bell-boy came up at the summons. - -"Take this gentleman and his son to 297." - -The bell-boy took their bags and preceded them to the elevator. - -"Did you hear what the clerk said, Robert? He called you my son." - -"Yes, I heard him." - -"I haven't chick nor child, and have no right to have, as I never -married, but if I did have a son, you would suit me as well as any boy -I know." - -"Thank you, Mr. Marden; I consider that a compliment." - -"I mean it. Now let us see what sort of a room has been assigned to us." - -It proved to be a very good room, moderately spacious, with two beds, -one on each side of the apartment. - -"I think we'll be comfortable here, Robert," said his new friend. - -"I feel sure of it," replied the boy, looking about him with an air of -satisfaction. - -"You can have that bed and I'll take the other. Now, do you feel -hungry?" - -"I think I could eat something, Mr. Marden." - -"Don't call me Mr. Marden. I'm not used to it." - -"What shall I call you?" - -"Call me Dick." - -"If you wish me to, though I am afraid it is hardly respectful, -considering how much older you are than I am." - -"Oh, hang respect! That won't bother me any. Take a wash, if you want -to, and we'll go down to the dining-room." - -Robert was glad to do so, as he felt heated and dusty. Mr. Marden -followed his example. - -They went down to the dining-room, and both did justice to the -excellent meal provided. - -They had just commenced on the dessert when a small man with a slight -hump entered the dining-room, and took a seat opposite. He glanced -across the table. - -"Why, Dick Marden!" he cried in surprise. "Is that you?" - -The miner looked across the table. - -"Well, well, who would have expected to see you here, Peter Gray?" he -returned, arching his eyebrows. - -"Strange things will happen, Dick. I've been in Chicago for nearly a -year." - -"Are you in business here?" - -"Yes, I keep a cut-rate ticket office on Clark street." - -"Are you making money?" - -The small man shrugged his shoulders. - -"I'm not rich yet," he answered. "I suppose you are." - -"I have a little money," he answered. - -"Let me see; the last time I saw you was at the diggings?" - -"Yes, we were both in hard luck then. How are you fixed?" - -"I've got a little, and my business gives me a living." - -"It must, if you are boarding here." - -"I am not. I generally eat at a restaurant, but once a week I come in -here and get a good dinner. The remembrance of it lasts me a week, and -makes my other meals more palatable." - -"You are a sensible man." - -"Is that your son, Dick?" - -"No, I wish he were. He is a young friend of mine, who is for a short -time under my protection. His name is Robert Frost. Don't you want a -clerk in your office?" - -"Well, I don't know," said Mr. Gray. "If he were your son now----" - -"Consider him my son, then. But we'll speak of this after dinner." - -"All right, Dick." - -Robert's eyes lighted up with pleasant anticipation. He felt that he -would indeed be fortunate if he should obtain a place at once. He would -not be able to look up to his employer, for the cripple was a little -less than five feet in height, but their relations might be pleasant, -nevertheless. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -ROBERT GETS A PLACE. - - -"You can go out and take a walk, Robert, while I go with Mr. Gray to -his office." - -"All right, sir." - -"Now," said Marden, as they emerged into State street, "will you take -the boy?" - -"Yes, but I can't pay him much." - -"How much?" - -"Five dollars a week." - -"That won't support him. He has been well brought up, and will need -twelve." - -Peter Gray stopped short and whistled in his surprise. - -"I can't possibly pay twelve dollars to any clerk, not even if he were -experienced--and this boy probably isn't." - -"He knows nothing of the business." - -"Then, Marden----" - -"Stop a minute! I propose that you shall pay him twelve dollars a week, -but I will undertake to pay seven of it." - -"You must take a great interest in the lad." - -"I do--a most unusual interest." - -"Of course that will make a difference." - -"I should say so." - -"In that case he can come at once." - -"He will come day after to-morrow. To-morrow I want to show him -Chicago." - -"All right. Oh, there is one thing I must mention. I have another -clerk--twenty-two years of age--whom I only pay ten dollars a week. He -mustn't know that the boy gets twelve." - -"Very well; I will caution Robert. Should the young man find out, let -him understand that only five dollars come from you." - -"That will be satisfactory." - -Marden went to the office of his old acquaintance. It was small, but as -large as many in the same line of business. - -At four he returned to the hotel. - -"Well, Robert," he said, "it's arranged. You will go to work on -Thursday morning. Here is the card of your employer. To-morrow I will -go round the city with you." - -"Shall I receive enough to pay my board, Mr. Marden," asked Robert -anxiously. - -"You will receive twelve dollars a week." - -Robert was amazed. - -"I don't see how Mr. Gray should be willing to pay me so much," he said. - -Marden smiled. - -"Oh, he has a little private arrangement with me. There is another -clerk, considerably older than you. He is not to know how much you get. -Let him understand that it is five dollars." - -"I understand. How generous you are, Mr. Marden." - -"Not Mr. Marden--Dick." - -"Well, Dick. But you ought not to pay so much for me." - -"Why not? Consider me your uncle, and take care to do credit to my -recommendation." - -"I will," said Robert earnestly. "Shall you remain in the city, Uncle -Dick?" - -"I may come here now and then, but I expect day after to-morrow to go -to the northern part of Michigan, to visit an old friend there, who is -in the lumber business." - -"Then, hadn't I better be looking for a boarding-place?" - -"Well thought of. We'll look over the _Record_ and hunt up a place." - -Within an hour Robert had selected a small room not far from La Salle -street, where he was to have full board for five dollars a week. The -room was not equal to the one he had at home, but he would spend very -little time there. - -During the day following, Robert and his miner friend made an extensive -tour of Chicago, and Robert felt impressed with the magnitude of the -city and the extent of the business that was carried on in it. - -"Do you think you shall like Chicago, Robert?" - -"Yes, Uncle Dick; I begin to feel like a man of business already." - -"And you will be contented?" - -"Yes, but I shall miss you." - -"I am glad to hear that, boy. Let me see, how long have we known each -other?" - -"Only two days." - -"And yet you seem like my own boy. I never had anyone belonging to me -before." - -"You may get tired of me, Uncle Dick." - -"Perhaps so, but I don't believe it." - -"Will you write to me?" - -"I'm not much on letter writing, but I reckon I'll be able to scribble -a few lines occasionally." - -Robert remained with the miner till Thursday morning, and then made his -way to Mr. Gray's office. - -He found a tall young man with tallowy hair and freckles standing -behind the counter. - -"What can I do for you, boy?" he asked with lofty politeness. - -Robert smiled. - -"I'm the new clerk," he said. "Didn't Mr. Gray mention me?" - -"I believe he did say something about hiring a boy. What's your name?" - -"Robert Frost." - -"Well, Frost, my name is Mr. Livingston Palmer." - -"Indeed! Are you related to Mr. Palmer who keeps the hotel?" - -"I--ahem! I believe we are distantly related. Do your people live in -Chicago?" - -"No. Some distance out in the country." - -"Got a father and mother?" - -"No, a mother--and a step-father." - -"I sympathize with you. So have I a step-father. He drinks." - -"I don't think that is true of Mr. Talbot--my step-father--but if he -did, I should not dislike him any more. How do you like this business?" - -"So-so." - -"Does Mr. Gray treat you well?" - -"Well, I can't complain. He doesn't pay me enough salary." - -"That is a common complaint, I suppose," said Robert, smiling. - -"How much are you to get?" - -"From Mr. Gray--five dollars." - -"That's what I got the first year. Now I only get ten." - -"That is considerably more." - -"Yes, but it isn't enough. Why, I am the brains of the establishment." - -Robert was amused. But he saw that Mr. Livingston Palmer was quite in -earnest. - -"How about the boss?" - -"Oh, he's a fair business man, but he couldn't get along without me." - -"Then I hope he won't have to. I will take it as a favor if you will -help me along. I am quite inexperienced. I never was in any business -before." - -"Yes, I'll look after you. If Mr. Gray knew what was to his interest, -he would take me into partnership." - -"Did you ever suggest it to him?" - -"Well, no, not exactly, but I've given him a delicate hint, but he -never seemed to understand what I meant." - -Just then Peter Gray came in. He looked quite insignificant compared -with either of his two clerks, but Robert soon found that he was a -hustler and a good man of business. - -"So you are here on time?" he said pleasantly. - -"Yes, sir." - -"Where is my old friend, Marden?" - -"He starts this forenoon for Michigan." - -"So? He seems to feel a great interest in you." - -"I am glad to say he does." - -"He says you are a smart, go-ahead boy. I hope you will prove so." - -"I'll try, Mr. Gray." - -"If you try you'll succeed. Now, let me tell you a little about the -business. You understand that this is a cut-rate railroad ticket -office?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"You'll soon get to understand our way of doing business--that is, if -you pay attention." - -"I will do that." - -The day passed, and Robert, who was on the alert, began to get an -insight into the business. He found that it was not very hard, and -could be soon mastered. He was not as much impressed as he expected to -be by the business ability of Mr. Livingston Palmer, who had claimed -to be the "brains of the business." It seemed to him that Mr. Palmer -was slow, and prone to make mistakes, but those were only his first -impressions, which might be modified hereafter. - -The office closed at six. - -"Where do you board, Frost?" asked the senior clerk. - -Robert told him. - -"I have a room, and get my meals at restaurants." - -"I don't think I should like that so well." - -"We live on the same street. Have you any engagement this evening?" - -"No." - -"I would invite you to go to some amusement with me, but I am almost -broke." - -"Then suppose you go to some amusement with me, Mr. Palmer?" - -"With pleasure," said the elder clerk, brightening up--"that is, if you -don't mind the expense." - -"No, I can afford it." - -"I don't see how you can on five dollars a week." - -"Oh, I have an allowance besides." - -"You're in luck. I wish I had." - -Mr. Palmer selected a variety theater, and Robert purchased two -orchestra seats, although he would have preferred some performance of -a higher class. - -"Do you know why I wanted to come here?" asked Palmer in a low -confidential tone. - -"No. Why?" - -"There's a girl that sings here--she's a daisy, and I have reason to -think that she's sweet on me. There's her name on the bill--Alameda -Churchill. When she comes out, give me your opinion of her." - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -MR. PALMER'S INFATUATION. - - -In about twenty minutes Miss Churchill appeared. She was a stout young -lady, weighing at least one hundred and sixty pounds. She had a high -color, black hair, and a loud metallic voice. - -Mr. Palmer surveyed her with rapt intensity. - -"That's she!" he whispered. "Didn't I tell you she was a daisy?" - -Robert was tempted to smile. He had a very indefinite idea of what -might be considered a feminine daisy, but he recognized his companion's -conception of the term. - -Miss Churchill sang in a loud voice and with plenty of action one of -the popular songs of the day. Livingston Palmer looked the picture -of rapture. With his head thrown back and his eyes fastened upon his -charmer, he could hardly fail to attract her attention. - -She paused between two of the verses, and looked at him with a smile. - -"Did you see?" he whispered in delight, "she smiled at me." - -"Yes," answered Robert, "I noticed that she did." - -"It looks as if she was sweet on me, don't you think so?" - -"Perhaps so, I don't know much about young ladies. I can't read their -thoughts." - -"How would it do for me to write her a note?" - -"What could you write? You don't know her?" - -"But she has taken notice of me. I might ask her for an interview." - -"I don't feel competent to give you advice, Mr. Palmer; I am only a -boy." - -"That is true. I--I think I will venture." - -"But what will it lead to? Your attachment is not serious, I presume?" - -"I don't know but it may be. The fact is, Robert, I am in love." - -"Were you ever in love before, Mr. Palmer?" - -"Never. This is the first time I have met my ideal." - -"You surely wouldn't think of marrying her," said Robert. - -"Why not?" - -"I thought perhaps you would not care to marry on ten dollars a week." - -"I could not. But she is probably earning considerably more. If we both -of us worked, there would be a nice income between us." - -"Then you would not object to your wife appearing in a theater?" - -"No, Robert. I have no narrow prejudices." - -"Then you think she would marry you?" - -"You saw for yourself how sweetly she smiled on me. Oh, Robert, I am -very happy!" and the infatuated young man looked in the seventh heaven -of bliss. - -"Excuse me for ten minutes, Robert," he said. "I am going into the -Sherman House to write a note. I will try to get it to her this -evening." - -Robert smiled. He was a good deal amused by Palmer's romantic -infatuation, but he did not feel called upon to remonstrate with him. - -"I will wait for you here," he said. - -In fifteen minutes Livingston Palmer returned to his seat. - -"Well, have you written the note?" asked Robert. - -"Yes, here it is. Cast your eye over it, and see what you think of it." - -Robert glanced at the note. - -This was the way it was expressed: - - * * * * * - - "Adorable Alameda: - -"Doubtless you will know from whom this note comes. It is from the -young man in the fourth row of the orchestra on whom you smiled so -sweetly this evening. I am sure you read my devotion in my face. I have -never spoken to you, but I feel that I love you, and I have never loved -before. Will you appoint a time when I can meet you? Perhaps I flatter -myself too much when I say that you seem to be kindly disposed towards -me. I will send this by the usher, and will beg for a reply. - - "Yours devotedly, - "Livingston Palmer." - -"What do you think of it?" asked Palmer eagerly. - -"I think it ought to make a favorable impression on the young lady," -said Robert, doubtfully, however. - -"I think it is pretty good, myself," said Palmer complacently. - -When the entertainment was over, Palmer went up to one of the ushers. - -"My friend," he said, "do you know Miss Alameda Churchill, the singer?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Can you manage to put this note into her hands?" - -"When?" - -"To-night." - -"Well, I might if----" - -"I will pay you for your trouble." - -"All right, sir. I see you are a gentleman. Give it to me." - -"I shall be glad if she will send me an answer." - -A few minutes later the usher returned. - -"Did you give it to her?" asked Palmer eagerly. - -"Yes, sir." - -"Did she send an answer?" - -"Here it is." - -It was a small scrap of paper, folded diagonally. - -Palmer opened and read it, his heart beating with feverish excitement. -Then he smiled. - -"Shall I read it to you, Robert?" he asked. - -"Yes, if you like." - - * * * * * - -"Many thanks for your pretty note. To-morrow evening at eleven be under -the window at No. 98 Lemore street. - - "Alameda." - -"What do you think of that?" said Livingston Palmer triumphantly. "Do -you notice that she signs herself Alameda?" - -"Yes." - -"That seems nice and friendly, doesn't it?" - -"Yes, it seems so." - -"She is evidently taken with me. Oh, Robert, I never was so happy." - -Robert, of course, being a boy, could not enter fully into Palmer's -feelings. However, he answered in a sympathetic tone which satisfied -his fellow clerk. - -"I never thought I should be so fortunate," he said. "Oh, Robert, you -don't know how I feel towards that girl." - -"No, I suppose not, Mr. Palmer." - -"It isn't to be expected, for you are only a boy." - -"Yes, I am only a boy." - -"I suppose I was the same at your age. How fortunate it was that you -invited me to accompany you this evening. I feel under the greatest -obligations to you," and Palmer, seizing our hero's hand, shook it with -impulsive energy. - -"I am sure you are quite welcome, Mr. Palmer." - -Robert was beginning to be weary. To his mind, Palmer seemed to be -acting in a very silly manner. However, as he reflected, he was only a -boy, and could not comprehend the effect of a grand passion on a man -like his fellow clerk. - -The next day Palmer was like a man in a dream. He was at his desk -in the office, but he found it hard to attend to his duties in an -intelligent manner. He made some ludicrous blunders, which finally -attracted his employer's notice. - -"It seems to me, Mr. Palmer," he said quietly, "that you are not quite -yourself. Where did the man you just waited on wish to go?" - -"Alameda," blurted out Palmer. "No," he corrected himself in some -confusion, "Denver, Colorado." - -"You seem to have Alameda on the brain. We don't sell tickets to -Alameda." - -"No, sir." - -"Do you know where Alameda is?" - -"No," answered Palmer hesitatingly. - -"I believe there is such a place in California, but we never had any -tickets for it." - -"Yes, sir." - -"For the rest of the day try to keep your wits about you." - -"Do you think he suspects?" asked Palmer in a whisper to Robert, when -Mr. Gray had gone out for a minute. - -"No; how should he?" - -"Really, I hope not. It makes me feel embarrassed and confused." - -"I see it does. Can't you put the matter out of your mind during -business hours?" - -"I will try to, but oh, Robert, when I think of to-night I feel like -dancing a Highland fling right in the office." - -"If you did I am sure Mr. Gray would think you were crazy." - -"Of course, I don't mean that exactly, Robert, I was speaking -figuratively." - -"You refer to the figure you would cut when you were dancing the -Highland fling?" - -"I see you are witty, Robert." - -"No one ever accused me of that before," said Robert demurely. - -Livingston Palmer laughed, and managed with an effort to devote himself -for the rest of the day strictly to business. - -"You will be with me to-night, Frost," he said, as they closed the -office, and started on their way to supper. - -"Do you mean that I am to go to 98 Lemore street with you?" - -"Yes, you could stand on the other side of the street." - -"Your appointment is at eleven o'clock. What are you going to do before -that time comes? Will you go to the theater?" - -"No. I could not enjoy it. May I pass the evening in your room?" - -"Certainly, if you like." - -"You know we can speak of her. That will be better than having my -thoughts taken up by a variety entertainment. But, oh, how long the -evening will be!" - -"We shall get through it after a while. You might go round and take -supper with me. I look upon you as my confidential friend." - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -AN UNLOOKED-FOR SCENE. - - -As the clocks of the city struck eleven Robert and his friend Palmer -turned into Lemore street. It was a small, narrow street, lined with -brick houses, and evidently far from fashionable. The house indicated -by the singer was no better than its neighbors. - -"I wonder which is her room?" murmured Palmer. "There seems to be no -light in any of the windows." - -But as he spoke, one of the windows was lighted up by a lamp, which was -lighted from within. - -"That's her room," said Palmer joyfully. "She is expecting me." - -The curtain was lifted, and the fair face of Alameda peered out. She -looked across the street and smiled, as she caught sight of Palmer and -his young companion. - -"You see?" - -"Yes. Perhaps I had better go now." - -"No; stay till she opens the window and speaks to me." - -"Very well, if you wish it." - -Livingston Palmer walked across the street, and taking a harmonica from -his pocket, started on a tune. It was the only instrument on which he -knew how to play, and that is why he selected it. It might have been -hard to distinguish the tune, but that was not of so much importance. -He felt that it was the proper thing to do, to serenade his charmer. - -Robert maintained his position, and wondered what would come next. He -had not long to wait. - -The window opened, and Alameda leaned out with something in her hand. - -The next moment Palmer was drenched by the contents of a pitcher, which -Alameda poured out, locating him with careful precision, so that he -should receive the full benefit of it. - -Palmer started with a cry of dismay, and turned quickly. But too late. -His collar, his hat, and coat were thoroughly wet. It was certainly -very aggravating, and his mortification was increased by a hard, cold -laugh, evidently proceeding from his charmer. - -"Good-night," she said, and then shut the window. - -Robert hurried across the street to where Palmer was standing -motionless, as if dazed. He did not laugh, as most boys would have -done, for he felt indignant at the treatment his unlucky companion had -received. - -"Are you much wet?" he asked in a tone of sympathy. - -"Yes," answered Livingston Palmer in a hollow voice. "But it is not -that that troubles me. She is false, heartless. Oh, Robert, my heart is -broken!" - -And the poor fellow actually shed tears. - -"Brace up, Palmer!" said Robert in a cheery voice. "She is not worthy -of you. You are lucky to have found her out so soon." - -"Perhaps you are right," said Palmer in a mournful voice. "But how -could she be so false, so cruel?" - -"You had not known her long?" - -"No." - -"And you will soon forget her, now that you know how false she is." - -"I don't know, Robert," said the poor fellow sadly. "I don't think I -shall ever get over it." - -"Oh, yes, you will. You will meet someone else, who will appreciate -your devotion." - -They heard the window opening again, and fearing a second deluge, drew -quickly away. - -It was just in time, for the pitcher was again emptied, but this time -the water only wet the sidewalk. - -"Surely you can't love her after that," said Robert. - -"No. She is not what my fancy painted her. What can I do?" - -"You had better let the matter drop." - -"No. I will go home and write her a reproachful letter. I will make her -ashamed of herself." - -"Better not. She will only laugh at it." - -"But it will make me feel better. I--would you mind going into the -Sherman House with me while I write the letter?" - -"Better wait till to-morrow." - -"No, it will ease my breaking heart if I write to her to-night." - -Sympathizing with his friend, Robert made no further opposition, and -Palmer stepped into the Sherman House, procured a sheet of paper, and -wrote thus: - - "Perfidious Girl: - - "How could you find it in your heart to treat so cruelly one who - loves you so wildly? You led me to think that you returned my - love, at any rate that you felt an interest in me. I have just - returned from the house in Lemore street. I will not refer to the - way you received me. It was cruel and unwomanly. I feel that my - heart has received a wound from which it will never recover. Yet, - if you acted in a thoughtless manner, and did not mean to wound - me, I am ready to forgive and forget all. Once more I will come to - your side, and renew my vows of devotion. I put my business address - below, and shall be most glad to hear from you. - - "Your faithful friend, - - "Livingston Palmer." - -"What do you think of that, Robert?" asked Palmer, handing the boy the -letter to read. - -"I wouldn't have said anything about going back to her, if I had been -you." - -"But perhaps she only meant it in fun. Girls sometimes act that way." - -"Not if they love a person." - -"But if there is any chance of getting in with her again, I don't want -to lose it." - -"Well, Mr. Palmer, if you are satisfied with the letter, you had better -mail it." - -"I'll get a stamp and mail it to-night." - -"Now I think we had better go home and go to bed." - -"I shall not sleep to-night, Robert," said Palmer mournfully. "My -poor heart is too sore;" and he placed his hand on the place where he -supposed his heart to be. - -"I am glad I am not old enough to have any heart troubles." - -"Yes, you are fortunate. But your time will come." - -Robert doubted whether he should ever be affected like Palmer, but he -dropped the subject, and went home to bed. - -Palmer appeared at business the next day. His face showed a mild -melancholy, but there were no indications of a breaking heart. - -Whenever the postman entered the office, he looked up hopefully. But -there was no letter for him till three o'clock. And then it was not -directed in a feminine hand. But he opened it eagerly. As he read it -his face became blanched. Then he laid it down on the counter and -beckoned to Robert. Mr. Gray was not in the office. - -"Is the letter from her?" asked Robert. - -"No, but it is about her. Read it." - -Robert cast his eye over the letter. It was written in a large -masculine hand. It ran thus: - - "Mr. Livingston Palmer. - - "Dear Sir: You have dared to write an insulting letter to my wife - and I demand an apology. You are evidently seeking to alienate her - affections from me. If ever she should forsake me it won't be for - such a man as you. She requests me to say that your attentions are - unwelcome, and that she has never given you any encouragement. If - you renew them, I will horsewhip you on sight. - - "Yours, etc., - - "Peter Churchill. - - "Should you take offense at my letter, I am willing to meet you on - the field of honor. You have the choice of weapons." - - * * * * * - -"So Alameda is a married woman?" said Robert, rather amused. - -"Yes." - -"And her husband charges you with trying to alienate her affections?" - -"It is terrible!" murmured Palmer. - -"And he hints at a duel. Shall you meet him on the field of honor, Mr. -Palmer?" - -"No! no! I wouldn't fight a duel for anything. What do you think I had -better do?" - -"Write a letter of apology. Tell him you did not know she was a -married woman, and will withdraw your attentions." - -"I will. I--I don't think I love her any more, now that I know she is -another man's wife." - -"You are quite right. It would not be honorable." - -"Still she encouraged me." - -"You had better not say anything about that. Mr. Churchill might take -offense, and insist on your fighting a duel." - -"My dream is at an end. I will never think of her again." - -"You are wise." - -Livingston Palmer wrote a letter of apology, and mailed it just after -supper. After that he seemed more cheerful. Robert concluded that his -heart was not quite broken. - -The next day about eleven o'clock a large dark-complexioned man with -black hair and whiskers and a deep, hoarse voice entered the office. - -"What can I do for you, sir?" asked Robert, who was nearest the door. - -"Is Mr. Livingston Palmer employed here?" - -"Yes, sir. That is he." - -The new arrival strode up to where Palmer was standing. - -"Mr. Palmer," he said. "I have received your letter. I am Peter -Churchill." - -Palmer turned pale, his knees knocked together, and he looked -terror-stricken. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -ROBERT RECEIVES A LETTER. - - -As Palmer looked at the stalwart black-bearded man facing him a -terrible fear sent a tremor through his slender frame. Suppose the -fellow had come to inflict punishment upon him? Suppose he had a -cowhide somewhere concealed about his clothes? He felt ready to sink -through the floor. - -"I hope," he said tremulously, "you found my letter satisfactory. I--I -didn't know Alameda--I mean Mrs. Churchill--was married." - -"Oh, that's all right. So you supposed her single?" - -"I assure you I do." - -"Well, at any rate she got even with you. She told me of the pitcher of -water she threw on you out of the window. How did it feel?" - -"Very wet," responded Palmer with a faint smile. - -"Good joke!" said Churchill, laughing boisterously. "I wish I had been -there." - -Somehow Palmer did not enjoy having the scene which had been so -harrowing to him recalled. Yet this man must be propitiated. - -"I was there," he said with a feeble attempt at a joke. - -"So you were, so you were. When Alameda told me about it I nearly -laughed myself to death." - -Palmer began to recover from his alarm. Evidently the injured husband -was not disposed to take things seriously, for he seemed in a good -humor. - -"I hope you don't object to my admiring your wife?" he said. - -"No, it does credit to your taste, but I can't have you flirting with -her." - -"I assure you my intentions were and are strictly honorable." - -"Oh, Alameda will take care of that. I'll tell you what I came about." - -"As long as it isn't about a duel, I don't mind," thought Palmer. - -"My wife is to have a benefit next Thursday evening. Tickets are a -dollar each. How many will you take?" - -"I'll take one." - -"Better take two. You can scare up some young lady to take with you." - -"I don't know many young ladies." - -"Don't tell me that. You were not so very bashful with Alameda." - -"I--I believe I'll take two." - -"All right! Here they are." - -"I'm afraid I haven't got two dollars with me," said Palmer -embarrassed. In fact, he lived so closely up to his income that he -seldom had that amount about him. - -Peter Churchill frowned a little. - -"I can't leave the tickets without the money," he said. - -"I'll lend you the money, Mr. Palmer," said Robert. - -"Thank you," said the senior clerk gratefully. - -"Won't you take a couple of tickets, young fellow?" asked Churchill. - -"No, sir. I will use one of Mr. Palmer's tickets." - -The tickets were paid for and transferred to Palmer's vest-pocket. Then -Alameda's husband left the office. - -"I'm glad he's gone," said Livingston Palmer feebly. "I--I really -thought he'd come in to horsewhip me." - -"I guess he could do it," said Robert, with a smile. - -"Isn't he a terrible looking ruffian? To think the divine Alameda -should be married to such a man!" - -"It's a pity she didn't meet you first. But I say, Mr. Palmer, you'd -better give up paying attentions to her. It wouldn't be safe." - -"I shall never dare to speak to her again." - -"And you won't try to alienate her affections from him." - -"No," answered Palmer fervently. "I--I feel that I have had a narrow -escape." - -Two weeks passed without any event of importance. Robert had no -difficulty in "getting the run" of the business in the office, and -it is not too much to say that he became in that short time quite as -efficient as Livingston Palmer, though the latter had been in the -office for several years. Robert was on the whole satisfied with his -position, but it must be confessed that he was looking around for -something better. - -"I am sure Mr. Marden wouldn't want me to remain here if I could -improve myself," he thought. "In fact, I think he would like me the -better for striking out for myself." - -"It's a terribly dull life--this in a stuffy office," said Livingston -Palmer one day. Since his upsetting with the variety singer the senior -clerk had hardly known what to do with himself. - -"That's true," answered Robert. "But it's much better than doing -nothing." - -"That's true." - -"When I struck out from home I was at first afraid I would be left -stranded." - -"Humph! that wouldn't happen to me," said Palmer loftily. "I am certain -I could strike something at once, if I tried." - -Robert did not agree with his fellow clerk, since he had seen many a -poor fellow on the streets begging for work of any kind. But he saw it -would be useless to attempt to argue Palmer out of his high opinion of -himself. - -On the day following there came a long letter for Robert. It was -postmarked Timberville, Michigan, and was from Dick Marden. - - "My dear Robert," wrote the miner, "I've been wanting to drop you a - few lines for some time, but could not get around to do it. When I - arrived here I found my uncle, Felix Amberton, very ill, and I have - had to take practically entire charge of his affairs. My uncle is - a bachelor like myself, so he hadn't even a wife to depend upon in - this emergency. - - "My uncle owns a large lumber interest here, close to the upper end - of the State, and several Canadians are trying to force him into a - sale of his lands at a low price. They claim to have some hold upon - the land. - - "I must say I wish you were up here with me--to help run the lumber - office. I have to be out on the lands a greater part of the time, - and the office clerk is not to be trusted, since he is a great - friend of the Canadians I mentioned. I am in hopes that my uncle - will soon recover, to take charge for himself." - -Dick Marden's letter interested Robert greatly. The confinement of city -life was beginning to tell on the boy, who had heretofore lived more or -less in the open at home. - -"I'd like to go to Timberville," he said to Palmer, when he showed the -communication. "The smell of pine and spruce would do a fellow a world -of good." - -"It wouldn't suit me," said Palmer, with a decided shake of his head. -"Why, you have no amusements in a place like that--no theaters, no -concerts, no billiard parlors, nothing." - -"And yet people get along very well without them," smiled Robert. - -"They can't have very elevated tastes." - -"Perhaps more elevated than you think, Livingston. I've known some -lumbermen who were very well educated." - -"If I made a change do you know what I would do?" asked Palmer. - -"No." - -"I would go on the stage," said the senior clerk earnestly. - -"What stage? Perhaps the variety stage the adorable Alameda is on, eh?" - -"No! no! I am done with that forever. I would go in for tragedy." - -"Tragedy doesn't pay, so I've heard said." - -"Good, real talent will pay, I feel sure of it." - -"And what would you play, Hamlet?" - -"I would play all of Shakespeare's plays, but the part of Sparticus the -Gladiator would suit me better." - -"Did you ever act?" - -"Twice--at the Twice-a-week Club. We gave Julius Cćsar, and I was -Cćsar. The performance was a great success from an artistic standpoint." - -"How about it financially?" - -"Well, to tell the truth, we ran about thirty-three dollars behind." - -"Which proves what I said, that tragedy doesn't pay," said Robert, with -a short laugh. - -"My support was very poor, and, besides, our performance was not -advertised widely enough." - -"I presume the newspapers gave you some favorable notices." - -"No, they did nothing of the sort. We had not given them much -advertising and so they ignored us. You know they won't do a thing -without being paid for it." - -"I didn't know it. I thought they gave the news. Why, sometimes they -condemn a play even while they advertise it." - -"Never mind, they ought to have praised our play, but they didn't." And -here Palmer walked away and the subject was dropped. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -JAMES TALBOT LEARNS SOMETHING OF IMPORTANCE. - - -A week passed and nothing of special interest happened. During that -time Robert wrote to his mother, telling her where he was and what -he was doing. He hoped to receive a letter in return, and was quite -disappointed when no word came back. - -The trouble was that the letter he had sent fell into James Talbot's -hands. - -"Here is a letter for Mrs. Talbot," said the postmaster, one day to -Talbot, when the latter had called at the place for the mail. - -"All right, I'll take it home to her," answered Robert's step-father. - -"It's from Chicago," said the postmaster, whose name was Joel Blarcomb. -"It looks like Robert's handwriting, too." - -"Do you know Robert's writing?" questioned Mr. Talbot. - -"Very well. He once did some writing for me in my books, when I had -injured my finger on a nail in a sugar barrel," said the postmaster, -who also kept the principal store in Granville. - -"Well, give me the letter and I will take it home," said Mr. Talbot, -and soon after left the store with the communication in his pocket. - -As soon as he was out of sight of the store he began to inspect the -letter and wondered what it contained. - -"More than likely the young rascal has sent to his mother for money," -he thought. "I've a good mind to open the letter and read it." - -The communication was not sealed very well, and by breathing repeatedly -upon the flap James Talbot soon had the envelope open. Then he drew out -the letter and read it. - -He was chagrined to learn that his step-son was doing so nicely and -needed no assistance. - -"He seems to have fallen upon his feet," he murmured. "Well, I'll wager -it won't last. Sooner or later he'll be back home and wanting me and -his mother to take care of him. When that time comes, I'll dictate -pretty stiff terms to him, or my name isn't James Talbot." - -One passage in the letter positively angered him. - - "I trust Mr. Talbot treats you as you should be treated," wrote - Robert. "If he does not, let me know, and I will compel him to do - what is right. He must remember that the house and everything else - belongs to you so long as you live." - -"Belongs to you so long as you live," mused James Talbot. "Can it be -possible that the estate goes to Robert after his mother's death? I -must look into this." - -At first he was of a mind to destroy the letter, but thought better of -it and placed it again in the envelope. - -When he reached the house he found his wife in the garden, sitting -under a grape arbor. Mrs. Talbot's face showed that she had been -weeping. - -"Why, my love, what is the matter?" he asked softly. Of late he had -been treating her well, having what is popularly called "an ax to -grind." - -"Nothing is the matter, James." - -"But your face shows that you have been crying." - -"It is nothing." - -"Have you had any trouble with Jane?" - -"No." - -"Then what is it?" - -"I was thinking of Robert. Isn't it terrible that I get no word from -him?" - -Mr. Talbot started, and his hand went into the pocket where the letter -rested. Then he recovered and shrugged his shoulders. - -"I have already told you what I think of the boy," he said. "My love, -he is unworthy of your tears." - -"Oh, James!" - -"It is true. He has gone out into the world and has forgotten you." - -"No, no! Robert would never be so heartless." - -"I think I know him better than do you. You are blind to the truth -because you are his mother." - -"He may be penniless, or sick, so that he cannot write." - -"Perhaps he is out on the ocean, or on the Great Lakes," said Mr. -Talbot. - -"Even so, I am sure he would have written before going." - -"You must not think so much of him, my love. You are altogether too -melancholy. I have just learned that we are to have a first-class -theatrical company in Granville next week. I will get good seats and -take you there." - -"I do not care to go to any play. Life is too real to me for that." - -"You are blue, Sarah. Forget the boy and you will feel better," said -James Talbot, and receiving no answer to this, he walked away. - -"Forget Robert! forget my only child!" thought Mrs. Talbot. "Never! Oh, -if I only knew where I could write to him!" - -On the day following Mrs. Talbot had occasion to call at Joel -Blarcomb's store to order a number of groceries for the house. - -"I hope you got good news from Robert," said the postmaster, after she -had given her order. - -"Good news?" she repeated, in bewilderment. "I haven't any news, Mr. -Blarcomb." - -"Oh, then that Chicago letter wasn't from him?" - -"What Chicago letter?" - -"The one I gave to Mr. Talbot yesterday. I felt certain it was your -son's handwriting on the envelope." - -"He gave me no letter," answered the lady, and then a sudden fear came -into her heart that made her feel faint. Had her husband received a -letter from her son and destroyed it? - -"No, no, he would not be so cruel," she thought. - -"Well, the letter was for you, whether you got it or not," said Joel -Blarcomb bluntly. He did not like James Talbot any more than did many -others in the little town. All who had had dealings with Robert's -step-father had found him mean to the last degree. - -"Perhaps he has forgotten to give it to me," said Mrs. Talbot, and -abruptly left the store. Joel Blarcomb gazed after her pityingly. - -"She didn't make no happy match an' I know it," he muttered. "That -Talbot aint half the man Frost was." - -Arriving at home, Mrs. Talbot at once sought out her husband. - -"James, where is the letter Mr. Blarcomb gave you for me?" she demanded. - -"The letter?" he said carelessly. "Why--er--that didn't amount to -anything." - -"Did you open it?" - -"Yes--by mistake. It was only an advertisement from a Chicago -investment company. The men who run it are little better than swindlers -and I don't want you to have anything to do with them." - -Mrs. Talbot's heart sank. The letter was not from Robert after all. - -"Still, I would like to see the letter," she continued. - -"I am sorry, my love, but I really believe I tore it up--in fact I am -sure I did." - -"You shouldn't have done that, since it was addressed to me." - -"As your husband, I didn't do so very wrong to open the letter. When -I saw what it was I thought best to destroy it--I didn't want you to -place any of your money in the hands of such swindlers. If you did that -you would never see a dollar of it again." - -"Don't you think I am capable of looking out a little bit for myself, -James?" - -"Not in money matters, Sarah. Such things a woman should leave entirely -to her husband." - -"I feel I must differ with you. After Mr. Frost died I became the sole -executrix of his will, and I do not know that anything has gone wrong." - -"Oh, I do not say that." James Talbot paused for a moment. "Speaking of -Mr. Frost," he continued. "May I ask, did he leave his estate entirely -to you?" - -"No, he left me my choice of one-half of all he possessed, the other -half to go to Robert, or the use of everything so long as I lived, all -to go to Robert after my death, providing he was living at that time." - -"And which did you choose," asked Talbot, trying vainly to conceal his -intense interest in the matter. - -"I chose a life interest only, and signed the necessary papers for the -surrogate." - -"Then when you die, all will go to that good-for-nothing boy." - -"All will go to Robert, yes; but he is not a good-for-nothing boy." - -"That is where we differ, Mrs. Talbot. Once he gets the fortune he will -run through it like wildfire, mark my words." - -"Robert is far too sensible to do any such thing." - -"Suppose he dies before you do, what then becomes of the estate?" - -"It becomes mine absolutely." - -"I see." - -"But I do not anticipate Robert will die before I do," went on Mrs. -Talbot. "He is a strong, healthy lad." - -"True, but there is many an accident happens to a boy that is knocking -around like him." - -"Mr. Talbot, do you wish any harm to befall my son?" demanded the lady -of the house, half angrily. - -"Oh, no, of course not. But in knocking around he is taking a big risk, -you must admit that." - -At these words Mrs. Talbot's face became a study and she left her -husband without another word. - -"I really believe he wishes Robert out of the way," she thought. "Then -the money would be mine, and he would try to get me to leave it to him." - -Left to himself James Talbot walked up and down in moody contemplation. - -"Here's a nice mess," he muttered. "I thought the whole estate belonged -to her. If she died to-morrow I would be turned out without a cent and -that boy or his guardian would take sole possession. I half wish I -could get him out of my way for good, I really do." And then he began -to speculate upon how such a dark deed could be accomplished. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -THE RESULT OF A FIRE. - - -On the following Sunday morning Robert attended one of the principal -churches in Chicago and heard what he considered a very fine sermon on -charity. - -"I suppose we ought all to be more charitable," he thought, on coming -out. "But I must say I find it very hard to have any charitable -feelings for Mr. Talbot. I do hope he is treating mother as he should." - -He was walking down State Street when he heard a commotion on the -thoroughfare. A fire engine was coming along, followed by a long hook -and ladder truck. He watched them and to his surprise saw them draw -up almost in front of the tall office building in which Mr. Gray's -cut-rate ticket establishment was located. - -"Can it be possible that our place is on fire?" he cried, and ran to -the office with all speed. - -He soon discovered that the building was a mass of flames from top to -bottom, the fire having started in the boiler room in the basement and -found a natural outlet through the elevator shafts. He tried to get -into the office, but the door was locked and he had no key. - -"Back there, young man!" came from a policeman, as he rushed up to -force the gathering crowd out of the firemen's way. - -"I work in this office," answered Robert. "Hadn't I better try to save -something?" - -"Are your books in your safe?" - -"I presume they are." - -"Then you had better get back. Something may cave in soon, you know." - -While Robert hesitated another officer came along, and then everybody -was ordered back, and a rope was stretched across the street at either -end of the block. Meanwhile the fire kept increasing until it was easy -to see that the office building was doomed. - -"It's too bad," thought Robert, as he watched the progress of the -flames. "This will upset Mr. Gray's business completely." - -Half an hour later, as the boy was moving around in the dense crowd, he -ran across Livingston Palmer. - -"This will throw us out of employment, Livingston," he said. - -"It looks like it, Robert," answered the senior clerk. "Still, I can't -say that I care so much." - -"You do not?" - -"No. You see, after we closed up Saturday night I met my friend Jack -Dixon, of the Combination Comedy Company, and he has offered me a place -to travel with the organization." - -"And you are going to accept?" - -"I certainly shall now. At first I was on the fence about it, for I -wanted to get with a tragedy company. But I suppose this will do for a -stepping stone to something better." - -Robert had his doubts about this, for Palmer had recited several times -for him, and he had thought the recitations very poor. But the senior -clerk was thoroughly stage-struck, and Robert felt that it would do no -good to argue the matter with him. - -"Your leaving may throw Mr. Gray into a worse hole than ever," he -ventured. - -"Oh, I guess not. He will have you to fall back on. I doubt if he will -be able to resume business immediately." - -Livingston Palmer was right in the latter surmise. The next day Robert -found his employer in an office on the opposite side of the street. - -"I am all upset, Frost," said Mr. Gray. "The safe has dropped to the -bottom of the ruins and it will be a week or two before they can dig it -out." - -"Shall you resume at once?" - -"I hardly think so. The fact is, I have telegraphed to my brother in -New York about business there. It may be that I shall open up in that -city instead of here." - -"Then I fancy I can consider myself disengaged for the present." - -"Yes. I am sorry for you, but you can see it cannot be helped." - -"I don't blame you in the least, Mr. Gray. I am sorry on your own -account, as well as mine, that you have been burnt out. I hope you were -fully insured." - -"I was, in a way. Yet I have lost valuable records which no amount of -money can replace." - -When Robert left the office it was with a sober face. He was out of a -position. What should he do next? - -"It's too bad," he mused. "And just after writing to mother that I was -doing so nicely." - -All told he had saved up about twenty-five dollars, and he resolved -to be very careful of this amount and not spend a cent more than was -necessary, until another situation was secured. - -Feeling that no time was to be lost, he procured two of the morning -papers and carefully read the want columns. There were several -advertisements which seemed to promise well, and he made a note of -these and then started to visit the addresses given. - -The first was at a restaurant where a cashier was wanted. Robert found -the resort to be anything but high-styled. It was on a side street and -looked far from clean. - -"Well, a fellow can't be too particular," he thought, and marched -inside without hesitation. - -"This way," said the head waiter, thinking he had come in to get -something to eat. - -"I wish to see the proprietor," answered Robert. "He advertised for a -cashier." - -"He's got one." - -"Oh, if that's so, excuse me for troubling you," and the boy turned on -his heel to walk out. - -"Hold on," said the head waiter. "I don't think the new man suits Mr. -Hinks entirely. Perhaps he'll give you a show after all. You'll find -Mr. Hinks over at the pie counter yonder," and the waiter jerked his -thumb in the direction. - -Robert walked to the counter and found a short, stout man in charge. -The individual had a pair of crafty eyes that the boy did not at all -admire. - -"I came to see about that position which you advertised," he said. - -"Yes? Have you had any experience?" - -"I worked in a cut-rate ticket office--the one that was burned out on -Sunday last. I think I could do the work of an ordinary cashier." - -"No doubt you could, if you are used to handling money. Did you work -for Gray?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Well, I reckon he wouldn't have you unless you were all right," said -Mr. Hinks. "I've got a new man on but he don't suit--he's too fussy -and particular. Last night he left his desk and ran all the way to the -sidewalk to give a man a dollar bill which he had forgotten." - -"Well, that shows he is honest," said Robert, with a laugh. - -"Yes, but my desk might have been robbed in the meantime." - -"I suppose that is true." - -"I don't want a man to be so honest as all that,--that is, with the -customers,--although he must be honest with me. If a customer is -foolish enough to leave his change behind, why let him lose it, that's -my motto. What do you want a week?" - -"I was getting twelve dollars." - -"Phew! That's pretty stiff." - -"I might start in for less." - -"I never pay a man over five dollars." - -"I cannot live on five dollars, I am afraid." - -"Well, you pick up a good deal, you know," replied Mr. Hinks, and -closed one eye suggestively. - -"You mean in the way of tips?" - -"Tips? Oh, no, they go to the waiters. But through making change and -the like," and Mr. Hinks closed one eye again. - -Robert's face flushed. - -"Do you mean by giving people the wrong change?" he demanded -indignantly. - -"I didn't say so. But I know almost every cashier picks up lots of -extra money in one way and another." - -"Not if they are honest, sir. And I would not be dishonest--I would -starve first. I am out for business, but not the kind of business you -seem to expect of your employees." - -At this plain talk Mr. Hinks scowled darkly at Robert. - -"Here, here, I won't have you speak to me in this fashion," he -blustered. "If you don't like the offer I've made you, you can get out." - -"I don't like the offer, and I think it is an outrage that you are -allowed to conduct business on such principles," replied Robert, and -lost no time in quitting the place. The proprietor followed him to the -door and shook his fist after him. - -The next place was a map-maker's office. Here there was a large force -of clerks, and the youth was received very politely. - -"I am sorry to keep you waiting," said the clerk who advanced to see -what the boy wanted. "But Mr. Ruggles is very busy at present. Will you -sit down or call again?" - -"I'll wait a little while," said Robert, who was favorably impressed by -the surroundings. "That is, if the place that was advertised is still -open." - -"I can't say as to that. There have been several applicants, but the -entire matter is in Mr. Ruggles' hands." - -The clerk turned away and Robert dropped on a long bench running up one -side of the waiting room. Hardly had he settled himself than two men -came in. One looked like an Englishman while the other was evidently -French. - -The clerk greeted them as if they had been there before. - -"Mr. Stanhope will see you directly," he said. - -"We cannot wait too long," said the Englishman. "My friend--Jean Le -Fevre, must get back to Michigan as soon as possible." - -"I will tell Mr. Stanhope," said the clerk, and vanished into an inner -office. - -Left to themselves, the Englishman and the Frenchman began to converse -rapidly, the subject of their talk being a certain tract of timber land -in the upper section of Michigan. This interested Robert, who could not -help but hear all that was said. - -"Ze map--zat is what we want," he heard the French Canadian--for such -Jean Le Fevre was--say. "Once we have zat, and the land will be ours." - -"Right you are," answered the Englishman. "And then old Felix Amberton -can whistle for his money. His claim won't be worth the paper it is -written upon." - -Robert was startled at these words. He remembered that Felix Amberton -was the name of Dick Marden's uncle, the Michigan lumberman. Were these -the fellows who wished to get the lumberman's lands away from him? - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -TWO DISAPPOINTMENTS. - - -"I must hear all they have to say," thought Robert. - -Ordinarily he despised playing the part of an eavesdropper, but in the -present instance he felt justified in doing so. - -"It ees a great pity zat man came to help Mistair Amberton," went on -the Canadian. "Who is he, do you know, Mistair Hammerditch?" - -"His name is Marden and he is Amberton's nephew." - -"He seem to be verra smart, as you call heem." - -"Perhaps he is smart, Le Fevre. But I don't think he can outwit me," -returned Oscar Hammerditch. He was one of the kind of men who hold a -very exalted opinion of themselves. - -The French Canadian nodded his round head rapidly. - -"No, he cannot outwit you--nor Jean Le Fevre. Once we have ze map and -all will be well." - -At that moment the clerk came forward again. - -"Mr. Ruggles is at liberty now," he said to Robert. "You had best go in -at once, before one of the clerks engages him." - -"Thank you, I will," answered the boy. - -"I wish he had left me to listen to those schemers a bit longer," was -what he thought. - -But there seemed no help for it, and leaving the Englishman and the -Canadian talking earnestly to each other he entered the private office -of the proprietor of the firm. - -Mr. Ruggles proved to be a pleasant man past middle age. - -"If you have been waiting to see me I am sorry for you," he said, after -Robert had stated the object of his visit. "I engaged a clerk less than -an hour ago." - -This was a set-back and the boy's face fell. - -"I am sorry too," he said. "I imagine this office would just suit me." - -"You can leave your name and address. Perhaps the other young man may -not be suitable. Have you any recommendations?" - -"I worked for Mr. Peter Gray, the cut-rate ticket man. We were burnt -out, and Mr. Gray doesn't know what he is going to do next." - -"I know Mr. Gray, and if he can recommend you that will be sufficient. -Here is a sheet of paper. Do you know what I pay a clerk at the start?" - -"No, sir?" - -"Can you keep an ordinary set of books?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"How about writing an ordinary business letter?" - -"I wrote many letters for Mr. Gray." - -"In that case I would be willing to start you at eight dollars per -week, and after six months I would raise you to ten dollars." - -"That would be satisfactory." - -"Then leave your name and address. Even if that new clerk does suit -there may be another opening before long--although I would not advise -you to lay back and depend upon it." - -"I couldn't afford to lay back, sir." - -"You have to support yourself?" - -"I do." - -"Then I trust you get an opening soon--if I cannot use you," concluded -Mr. Ruggles. - -Robert wrote out his name in his best style, and added the address of -his boarding house. The handwriting pleased the map-publisher, but he -put it on file without comment. Then the boy bowed himself out. - -"What a nice man," he thought. "I like him even better than I do Mr. -Gray." - -He was pleased to think that, although there was no immediate opening -for him, there might be one in the near future. - -As Robert entered the outer office he looked around for the Englishman -and the Canadian. They were nowhere to be seen. - -"They are either in one of the other offices or they have gone," he -said to himself. "I'd give a good deal to know just what they are up -to. When I write to Mr. Marden I must tell him about the pair." - -Once on the sidewalk the boy hardly knew how to turn. He had one more -place on his list--that of a wholesale butcher, but the idea of working -in a packing house did not please him. - -"I don't believe it would suit me," he said to himself. "Especially if -I had to work down by the stockyards." - -Nevertheless, he was resolved not to remain idle if it could be helped, -and so started out to find the address. - -The locality was some distance from the center of the city and in a -neighborhood filled with factories and saloons. At the corner of the -block upon which the packing establishment was located, Robert came to -a halt. - -"I don't believe mother would like me to work in such a place as this," -he mused. "The folks may be honest enough, but they don't know the -meaning of the word refinement." - -"Lookin' fer sumthin', mister?" - -The question came from a very small and very dirty boy who had brushed -up against Robert's elbow. - -"Hardly," answered Robert. "Is that Rogers' packing house over there?" - -"Yes." - -"Thank you, that's all I wanted to know." - -"Goin' in to see Mr. Rogers?" - -"I was thinking of it." - -"Better not go now?" - -"Why?" - -"He jest came out of O'Grady's saloon and he's more'n half full." - -"Do you mean drunk?" - -"Dat's it." - -"Then I don't think I care to see him." - -"Does he owe you anything?" went on the street urchin, with a coolness -that swallowed up the impertinence of the question. - -"No, he doesn't owe me anything. He advertised for a clerk and I had -a notion I would strike for the situation," answered Robert, who could -not help but like the street lad, he had such an open, friendly face. - -"He had a fight with one o' his clerks day before yesterday, an' the -clerk got a black eye." - -"Indeed. And what did the clerk do?" - -"I heard dad say he was going to have old Rogers arrested, but Rogers -gave him some extry money to keep still about it." - -"And that is the reason he wants a new clerk, eh?" said Robert, with a -short laugh. "Well, I don't think I'll apply." - -"Couldn't you lick old Rogers if he hit you first?" - -"I wouldn't want to get into a fight with him." - -"He's a terror when he's half drunk--my dad says so." - -"Does he work in the place?" - -"Yes, he's a butcher." - -"And did he ever have any trouble?" - -"Lots of times. Once old Rogers followed my dad with a butcher knife, -but dad up and knocked the knife from his hand with a club." - -"And what did your father do then?" - -"He was goin' to have old Rogers locked up for salt the battery, or -sumt'ing like that, but Rogers he raised dad's wages a dollar a week, -an' so dad didn't do nuthin." - -"Evidently Mr. Rogers thinks money will cover everything," said Robert. -"Well, it wouldn't cover everything with me." - -"I'd like to see old Rogers git one good wallopin'--an' so would all of -the boys around here. He won't let none of us around the packing house -to see what's going on. He calls us all a set of thieves." - -"He certainly must be a hard man to work for," concluded Robert. "I -don't want to go near him," and with this remark he walked back the way -he had come. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -ROBERT IS GIVEN A MISSION. - - -"Well, what luck?" asked Livingston Palmer, when he and Robert met -again. - -"No luck at all," answered Robert. - -"That's bad." - -"One man said he might have an opening in the near future." - -"That's all right, but a fellow can't live on promises." - -"Exactly my idea." - -"Why don't you try the stage, as I am going to do." - -"I don't believe I can act." - -"No one knows what is in him until he tries. Didn't you ever recite?" - -"In school, yes. But I don't think I ever made a hit, as actors call -it." - -"If you managed to get in with Jack Dixon I might be able to coach you -in your part," said Livingston Palmer loftily. - -"Have you had a part assigned to you yet?" asked Robert curiously. - -"Yes. We are to play two plays, 'The Homeless Sister,' and 'All for -Love.' In 'The Homeless Sister' I am to take the part of a heartless -landlord, and in 'All for Love' I am a butler in a Fifth Avenue mansion -in New York." - -"Are they leading parts?" - -"Well--er--hardly. Dixon says he can't put me in leading parts yet, for -it would make the older actors jealous." - -"I see." - -"He says he will shove me ahead as soon as I've made a hit." - -"Then I trust you make a hit on the opening night." - -"Oh, I certainly shall. I have my lines down fine, and Dixon says my -make-up is just what it ought to be." - -"Aren't you afraid of being nervous?" - -"Nervous? Not a bit. Did you ever see me nervous, Frost?" - -"No--excepting----" Robert was going to mention the time when the -adorable Alameda's husband had called at the ticket office, but cut -himself short. - -"Excepting when?" - -"It's of no consequence, Palmer." - -"But I demand to know when I was ever nervous," insisted the would-be -actor. - -"Well, you were rather put out when the husband of that variety actress -called upon you." - -"Oh! Well--er--I'll admit it. But that was an unusual case, wasn't it?" - -"I presume so. Does she know you are going on the stage?" - -"Yes; I took particular pains to let her hear of it, through one of the -ladies of our combination." - -"And did you hear what she said?" - -"The lady says she laughed and said I would ruin Dixon. But I'll show -her that she is mistaken," added Livingston Palmer, drawing himself -up to his full height and inflating his chest. "Robert, I am a born -actor--I feel it in my bones." - -"Do your bones ache?" - -"You know what I mean. Shall I give you a sample of what I am to do?" - -"If you get through by the time the supper bell rings. My walk has made -me tremendously hungry." - -"The part of the landlord is not a long one--in fact it contains but -six speeches each about thirty words in length. At first I come into -the parlor where the guests have arrived. I make a low bow and turn -to the gentleman and say: 'What, it is my father's friend, Roger -Brockbury, as I live! Thrice welcome to the Lion Inn, sir. And what is -the matter with the lady, sir?'" - -As Palmer began to recite he strutted around in grand style, ending by -elevating his eyebrows, clenching his fists and throwing his head so -far back that he nearly lost his balance. - -"Is that what you have to say?" questioned Robert, who could scarcely -keep from laughing outright. - -"Yes. How do you like it?" - -"You'll certainly make them take notice of you?" - -"I knew you would say that. Why, Robert, it won't be a month before I'm -the star of the combination." - -"You have my best wishes." - -"Shall I take you to see Jack Dixon?" - -"No--at least, not for the present." - -"But you may be missing the chance of your life." - -"No, I'm no actor. I believe I was cut out for some office business and -nothing else." - -"Do you mean to say you would be content to sit on a high stool -keeping books all your life? That wouldn't suit me." - -"No, I don't mean that exactly. I would like to manage some large -office business--after I had learned it thoroughly." - -"Of course that is somewhat better." - -At that moment the supper bell rang, and Palmer took his leave, to go -to the theater for rehearsal. As Robert went down to the dining room of -the boarding house he could not help but utter a short sigh. - -"Poor Palmer," he mused. "He means well, but I'm afraid he will make an -awful mess of it." - -The evening was spent in his room reading a paper, for Robert was in no -humor to go anywhere, even if he had felt like spending any money. - -"I must try my luck again to-morrow," was his resolve. "And I must get -around early, too." - -He was up before seven o'clock, and dressing hastily, went out and -purchased several newspapers. At the house he sat down in the sitting -room to examine the Help Wanted columns, as he had done the day before. - -Presently he heard the postman's whistle and ring. Soon after one of -the servant girls came in with a letter for him. - -It was from Timberville, as he could see by the postmark, and he tore -it open eagerly, feeling it must have been sent by Dick Marden. - -The communication interested Robert deeply. It ran as follows: - - "My Dear Robert: - - "I have just learned by the newspapers that Peter Gray's office was - burnt out last Sunday. I see that the loss was heavy, and in an - interview Gray says he may not resume. - - "This will, of course, throw you out of a position. In one way I am - sorry of it; in another, I am glad. - - "I hate to have you compelled to make a change, yet, as matters - have turned, I would like to have a smart boy like you up here - to help me, since my uncle is worse than before and those - swindlers--for such they are--are determined to get the lumber - lands away from him. - - "In the crowd are two men, a French Canadian Le Fevre and an - Englishman named Hammerditch. They want to get hold of an old map - which was in the possession of a certain lumberman named Herman - Wenrich. This lumberman used to live in upper Michigan but now - resides in Chicago. - - "If you can do so, I would like you to find Herman Wenrich and - get the map from him, even if you have to pay fifty or a hundred - dollars for it. The map will be valuable in showing up the actual - grants which belong to my uncle. - - "In case Wenrich cannot be found in the course of two or three days - you can drop the matter and come on to here without further delay. - I send you some money in case the fire has left you short, and in - case you have a chance to buy the map. - - "Yours truly, - "Richard Marden." - -Enclosed in the letter were money orders amounting to one hundred and -fifty dollars. - -"I'm glad I didn't get a job now," thought Robert. "If I had I would -only had to have thrown it up. I'll go down to the post-office at -once, get those money orders cashed, and then go on a hunt for Herman -Wenrich." - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -THE POST-OFFICE MONEY ORDER. - - -Robert had been to the post-office a number of times for Mr. Gray, so -he made his way there after breakfast without difficulty. - -He found the money-order department somewhat crowded, and had to take -his place at the end of a line numbering a dozen persons or more. - -While he was moving toward the window his attention was attracted to a -loudly-dressed individual, who came in and glanced around as if looking -for somebody he knew. - -The man singled out Robert and came up to him. - -"Are you acquainted here, young man?" he asked, in a low tone, so that -those standing around might not hear. - -"What do you mean?" asked the youth. - -He was positive he had never seen the loudly-dressed individual before. - -"I mean do they know you at yonder window?" - -"One of the clerks knows me." - -"Then I wish you would do me a favor. My name is Charles Shotmore. I -come from Lexington. I received a money order yesterday from my aunt, -with whom I reside, and I want to get the order cashed." - -"Well?" - -"Won't you identify me? Of course, it's a mere matter of form, but it -places one in a regular hole if one is not known," went on the man -glibly. "You know they are very particular just at present, although -they didn't used to be." - -"But I don't know you," said Robert, with considerable surprise. - -"I have just told you my name--Charles Shotmore, of Lexington. My -aunt's name is Caroline Shotmore. And your name is----?" The man -paused, expecting Robert to fill in the blank. - -But the youth had seen enough of city life to make him shy of -strangers, and he did not mention his name. - -"Never mind about my name," he said coldly. - -"Won't you identify me?" - -"How can I when I do not know you." - -"I have just told you my name. Isn't that sufficient?" - -"Why don't you tell them the same thing at the window?" - -"Because they are too particular." - -"I don't think they are." - -"Then you won't do me the favor?" And the loudly-dressed individual -frowned darkly. - -"I cannot, conscientiously." - -"Humph! it seems to me you are mighty particular." - -"And you are very forward," retorted Robert, and turned his back on the -fellow. The man started to say more, but suddenly turned and walked to -the corner of the room. - -Robert had no difficulty in getting his money orders cashed. - -"For yourself?" said the clerk, with a smile. - -"Yes." - -"You're in luck." - -"I've got to use most of the money," answered the boy, and left the -window. - -A hundred and fifty dollars was quite a sum, even for Robert to handle, -and he placed the amount in the breast pocket of his coat. - -The flashily-dressed man saw the youth stow the bank bills away, and -his eyes glistened greedily. - -He was a sharper by the name of Andy Cross, and it is doubtful if he -had ever done an honest day's work in his life. - -The money order he carried was one belonging to a man who had been -stopping at the same boarding place at which Andy Cross had put up. - -The order had come in a letter the day before, and Cross was anxious to -get it cashed before Charles Shotmore should become aware of his loss. - -"I've a good mind to follow that boy and see if I can't get hold of -that money," said Cross to himself. - -As Robert went out of the post-office he came behind him. - -Not far away was a drug store, where several directories lay on a stand -for the use of the public. - -Robert stepped into the drug store to look for Herman Wenrich's name in -the directory, and Andy Cross took a stand outside where he might watch -the boy. - -While the sharper was waiting, he felt himself touched on the arm, and -wheeling about, found himself confronted by the man to whom the stolen -money order belonged. - -"Mr. Smith, I wish to speak to you," said Charles Shotmore, somewhat -excitedly. He did not know Cross' real name, for he had never heard it. - -"What do you want?" demanded Andy Cross, as coolly as he could, -although he was much disconcerted. - -"I--I--that is, I believe you have a letter belonging to me." - -"A letter belonging to you?" - -"Yes." - -"I have no such letter, Mr. Shotmore. What makes you think I have?" - -"The servant at the boarding house says a letter came yesterday for me, -and that she saw you pick it up from the hall rack." - -"She is mistaken." - -"She says she is positive, and--and she says your record is none of the -best." - -"Sir, do you mean to insult me!" demanded Cross, but his face turned -pale with sudden fear. - -"The girl comes from the South End, and she says you are known by the -name of Cross. She is positive you took my letter, and I want it." - -"Preposterous! Why should I take your letter?" - -"I don't know. But I was expecting a money order from my aunt, and if -it was in the letter I want it." - -"Did you follow me to here?" asked Andy Cross, nervously. - -"I came down to the post-office, yes, for that is where they cash money -orders." - -"Well, I haven't your money order, and that is all there is to it. Let -go of my arm." - -For Charles Shotmore had clutched the sharper while they were -conversing. - -At that moment Robert came out of the drug store. On catching sight of -Cross in the grasp of another, he paused in wonder. - -"Something is wrong," he thought, and drew closer to the pair. - -"I am of the opinion that you have the money order," said Charles -Shotmore. "If you are an honest man you will not object to being -searched." - -"But I do object!" burst out Andy Cross, fiercely, and tried to wrench -himself loose. He had almost succeeded when Robert came to Charles -Shotmore's assistance. - -"I'll help you hold him, sir," he said quietly, but firmly. - -"Let go, boy!" fumed the sharper. "Let go, or it will be the worse for -you!" - -"I'll not let go." Robert turned to the other man. "Do you know this -fellow, sir?" - -"Perhaps I had better ask you that question," returned Charles -Shotmore, cautiously. - -"I was at the post-office a while ago and he wanted me to identify him. -He said his name was Charles Shotmore." - -"Why, that is my name." - -"He had a money order he wished to have cashed." - -"My money order, I'll wager a new hat. You villain. I have caught you -just in time," and Charles Shotmore clutched Cross tighter than before. - -It must be confessed that the sharper was nonplussed, for he had not -expected to have Shotmore follow him up thus rapidly. - -"This is--er--a--a great mistake," he stammered. - -"I guess it was a mistake--for you," said Shotmore grimly. - -"If I--I have the letter, I took it by mistake," went on Andy Cross. -"Sometimes I have violent headaches, and during those periods I do the -most extraordinary things." - -"Indeed!" sneered Charles Shotmore. "Never mind the headaches, just you -hand over the money order." - -As he spoke he slipped his hand into Cross' breast pocket and drew -forth the letter. - -"Mine, sure enough!" he ejaculated. - -"Is the money order in it?" questioned Robert. - -"Yes. My boy, you have done me a valuable service." - -"I am glad of it." - -"I really believe I ought to have this rascal arrested." - -"I think you are justified, Mr. Shotmore. It's bad policy to have such -dishonest persons running around loose." - -"Arrest me?" gasped Andy Cross. "If you have me arrested you will make -the greatest mistake of your lives." - -"I'll risk it," said Charles Shotmore. - -He started to look around for an officer. - -As he did so, Andy Cross gave a pull and freed himself from both -Shotmore and Robert. Then he dashed into the street, among the cars and -trucks going in both directions. - -"Hi! stop him!" cried Shotmore. "Police! Police!" - -Robert at once took up the chase. Soon Shotmore joined in. But Andy -Cross was fleet of foot, and fear lent speed to his feet. By the time -the other side of the crowded thoroughfare was gained he was nowhere to -be seen. - -"He's disappeared," panted Robert, coming to a halt at the corner. - -"So I see," returned Charles Shotmore. "He could run, couldn't he?" - -"Well, he had something to run for." - -"That's right." Shotmore indulged in a low laugh. "I'm glad I got my -letter and money order away from him before he started." - -"Do you know him?" - -"No more than that he boarded at the same house with me. I fancy he is -an all-round sharper, from what the servant girl said of him." - -"Then it's a pity he escaped." - -"I may meet him again some day. But I owe you something for your aid." - -"You are welcome to whatever I have done for you." - -"But I would like to pay you something," persisted Charles Shotmore. - -"I don't wish it." - -"May I ask your name?" - -Robert gave it, and they shook hands. - -"I hope we meet again," said the gentleman, and after a few more words -they parted, Shotmore going over to have his money order cashed without -further delay,--he being already known at the post-office. - -From the directory in the drug store Robert had obtained Herman -Wenrich's address. The old lumberman lived on the outskirts of the -city, on the other side of the Chicago River, and the youth set off for -the place, little dreaming of what trouble his visit was to bring to -him. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -AN UNEXPECTED ATTACK. - - -Andy Cross ran for several blocks after leaving Charles Shotmore and -Robert so unceremoniously. Then he turned into a large office building -and took the elevator to one of the upper floors. - -Here he felt himself tolerably safe from pursuit. - -He stood at a hall window, which overlooked the street, and gazing down -saw a friend walking along on the opposite sidewalk. - -"Jim Huskin," he murmured. "I wonder if he has anything new on?" - -Feeling that Shotmore and Robert must have given up the pursuit by this -time, he descended again and hurried after the man he had recognized. - -"Hullo, Jim!" he said, as he caught the other by the arm. - -Jim Huskin started, half fearing that it was a detective who had -accosted him, for he was wanted for several petty crimes--indeed the -two rascals were well matched, and had committed many a wrong deed -together. - -"Andy!" replied Jim Huskin. "How are you?" - -"Nothing to brag of," answered Andy Cross. - -"Then you haven't been striking it rich lately." - -"On the contrary, I've had mighty poor luck. Have you got another -cigar, Jim?" He said this for Huskin was smoking. - -"No. I got this out of a gent at the Palmer House. I tried to work him -for a loan, but it was no go." - -"Then I reckon you haven't any more money than I." - -"I've got a quarter," answered Jim Huskin, frankly. - -"You are exactly five cents richer than yours truly." - -Both sharpers laughed at this. With them it was "easy come, easy go," -and temporary poverty did not bother them. - -"Perhaps I am five cents richer," went on Jim Huskin. "But I owe my -hotel three weeks' board." - -"It's a wonder they let you stay that long." - -"I've got a well-filled trunk in my room." And Huskin chuckled and -winked one eye. - -"Filled with bricks, eh?" - -"No, paving stones--although they are about the same thing. Say, when -the hotel keeper opens that he'll have enough to build on another -addition." - -"He won't build it on to accommodate such guests as you." - -"I don't suppose he will--and I don't care." - -"I am behind two weeks with my landlady. She's sharp after me--but I -don't care. I can't go back, even if I wanted to." - -"Had a falling out with somebody?" - -"Yes. One of the boarders got a money order and I tried to get it -cashed for him." - -"And it didn't work, eh?" - -"No, it didn't--and what's more, the man and a boy came close to having -me arrested. I'll tell you what, Jim, I would like to get that boy in -some spot where I could go through his pockets." - -"Has he got much?" - -"He's got a good silver watch, and I saw him cash money orders at the -post office amounting to one hundred and fifty dollars." - -"Phew! that would make a nice haul. Where is the boy?" - -"I don't believe he's far off. I left him near the post office." - -"Why not look him up?" - -"He would recognize me and make trouble." - -"Then point him out to me, and I'll see what I can do." - -Andy Cross was willing to do this, providing Jim Huskin would "whack -up" with anything which was netted from the proceedings, and the pair -sauntered the way Cross had come. - -"There he is now!" cried the sharper presently. - -He pointed across the street to where Robert was walking, bound for the -place where Herman Wenrich lived. - -"You are sure that's the boy?" asked Huskin. - -"I am positive." - -"Is the money in his vest pocket?" - -"I think he put it in his breast pocket." - -"Then I'll soon have it from him, providing I get half a chance." - -"You've got to be careful. He's a smart customer, I can tell you that." - -"I've never met the boy or man I couldn't work--if I had half a show," -returned Jim Huskin confidently. "What will you do, follow me?" - -"Yes. If you can corner him and want assistance, whistle, and I'll do -all I can," added Andy Cross. - -So it was arranged, and a moment later Jim Huskin crossed the street -and placed himself at Robert's heels. - -By this time the boy was close to the river, and crossing the bridge at -the foot of the street, he hurried on in the direction where the old -lumberman resided. - -"I wonder if he lives over here?" thought Huskin. "If he does I must -tackle him before he reaches home." - -Several blocks were passed, and Robert came to a halt on a street -corner. - -As he did so Huskin stooped down and pretended to pick up a -handkerchief. - -"Excuse me, but you dropped your handkerchief," he said, holding out -the article. - -Robert felt in his pocket. - -"You are mistaken, the handkerchief is not mine," he answered. - -"Is that so? Why, I was sure you dropped it." And Jim Huskin appeared -much surprised. "It's a pretty good article," he continued. "I guess -I'll keep it." - -"You might as well--if you can't find the owner." - -"I once had a funny thing happen with a handkerchief," went on Jim -Huskin, as he ranged up alongside of Robert when the boy started off -again. "A lady dropped hers in a street car. I picked it up, and as I -did so, out rolled, what do you think?" - -"I'm sure I cannot imagine." - -"A set of false teeth. The lady had been wiping her mouth and the -teeth had dropped into the handkerchief. Maybe both of us weren't -embarrassed. The lady got as red as a beet, and left the car at the -very next corner." And Jim Huskin laughed loudly. "A good joke, wasn't -it?" - -"Perhaps for the others in the car; not for the lady," answered Robert, -yet he could not help smiling. - -"Live down this way?" asked the sharper carelessly. - -"No, I am a stranger in this part of Chicago. I am looking for Grandon -street." - -"Grandon Street. I can take you there easily enough. I own property on -that street." - -"Do you? Then perhaps you can take me to number 238--that is, if you -are going there now." - -"Yes, I was bound there--to see one of my tenants who talks of moving. -Number 238 is less than a block from my houses. I think the Nelsons -live at 238,--or is it the Romers." - -"I am looking for a man named Herman Wenrich--an old lumberman from -Michigan." - -"Oh, yes, to be sure. I know him fairly well. Doesn't he live in the -house with the Nelsons,--or maybe it's next door?" - -"I don't know who he lives with, or if he lives alone. He is a stranger -to me. I want to see him on a little business." - -"And you have never been in this part of Chicago before?" - -"No." - -Jim Huskin turned his head to conceal a smile. "I reckon I can lead him -where I please now," he thought. Then he looked back, to see Andy Cross -following them at a distance of less than a block. - -Several squares were covered, and Huskin took Robert around a corner -into a street which was little better than an alleyway. - -"This is a short cut," he said. "The street is all torn up a bit -further on, and unless we go this way we will have to walk several -blocks out of our way." - -"Any way will suit me," answered Robert. "Only I may have some -difficulty in finding my way back." - -"Not if you take the street two blocks to our left." - -As they entered the alleyway Jim Huskin began to whistle a lively air. -It was the signal for Andy Cross to draw closer. - -"I always whistle when I get here," explained the sharper, glibly, -as he stopped for a second. "I was born and brought up in this -neighborhood, and the scene takes me back to my boyhood days." - -Robert was not favorably impressed by the surroundings. On one side -of the alleyway were a number of deserted tenement houses, and on the -other the high brick wall surrounding a factory yard. "He must have -been pretty poor to have lived in one of those shanties," thought the -boy. - -"In those days these houses were well kept, and where the factory -stands was a pretty open lot," said Huskin, as if reading his thoughts. -"Everything is changed now. Will you mind my stopping at one of the -houses for a minute? An old negro lives here, and I want to see if he -is sick." - -"All right." - -Jim Huskin entered one of the tenements, to find it as he expected, -deserted. - -"Say, just look here a minute!" he cried, coming to the front door. -"What do you think is the matter with this poor fellow?" - -Wondering what was up, Robert advanced and entered the hallway of the -tenement. - -The light was poor, and for several seconds he could see but little. - -"I don't see anybody--" he began, when, without warning, Jim Huskin -leaped upon him and caught him by the arm and collar. - -"Give me that money and your watch!" he cried, harshly. "Give it to me -instantly, or it will be the worse for you." - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -THE ESCAPE OF CROSS AND HUSKIN. - - -For the moment Robert was dumfounded, for he had not dreamed that this -pleasant stranger was about to attack him. - -"Do you hear? Give me that money," repeated Huskin, and tightened his -grip. - -"Let me go!" returned Robert. "Would you rob me?" - -"I want that money you drew out of the post-office. And I want it -instantly." - -"I won't give you a cent," cried Robert, and began to struggle with all -the strength at his command. - -Although but a boy, he was strong, and soon it looked as if he might -break away in spite of all the sharper could do to hold him. Seeing -this, Huskin whistled loudly three times,--a signal that Andy Cross -must join him at once. - -The signal had scarcely come to an end when Andy Cross pushed his way -into the hallway. - -"Quick--hold him!" shouted Jim Huskin. "He's a regular eel." - -"I've got him," answered Andy Cross, and caught Robert from behind, and -soon his bony fingers were pressing themselves directly into the poor -youth's windpipe, so that it looked as if Robert would be choked to -death. - -Robert could not see Cross, but he recognized the sharper's voice, and -at once came to the conclusion that the two men had laid a plot to rob -him. - -Nearly strangled, he let go his hold of Huskin, and tried to break Andy -Cross' grip. - -The moment Jim Huskin felt himself free he wrenched Robert's watch and -chain from their fastening and placed them in his own pocket. - -Then he dove into the boy's coat. - -"Let--let me go!" spluttered Robert. "Help! thiev----" - -He could go no farther, for now his wind was cut off entirely. All grew -black before his eyes, and it was only in a hazy fashion that he felt -Huskin snatch the money from where he had placed it with care. - -"Got what you want?" asked Andy Cross. - -"Yes." - -"Sure about the money?" - -"Here is a package of five and ten dollar bills." - -"That's it. And the watch?" - -"Safe." - -"Then we had better make tracks." - -"Ram his head against the wall first. We don't want him to give the -alarm too soon." - -Andy Cross understood what Huskin meant, and between them the sharpers -raised the boy's body up and threw him with great violence against the -hard wall close at hand. - -The shock landed mainly upon Robert's head, as was intended, and with a -groan, the youth sank down in a heap unconscious. - -"I guess he's done for," said Cross. - -"He is for a while, anyway," responded Huskin. "Come, the sooner we get -out of this neighborhood the better off we will be." - -Running to the doorway of the tenement, both sharpers peered forth. - -"A man is coming!" cried Cross. - -"Let us get out by the back way," said his companion. - -They hurried back past Robert, and into the kitchen. - -Here, to their surprise, a fire was burning in a dilapidated stove. - -"Hullo! I thought this place was deserted," ejaculated Jim Huskin, in -astonishment. - -"We must not be caught," added Cross. "Here is a back door and another -alleyway." - -The door was unlocked, and they slipped outside. Soon the rascals had -placed several blocks between themselves and the scene of the nefarious -encounter. - -Meanwhile the man coming up the alleyway paused at the tenement. - -He lived in the place, paying no rent. He was very old, and could -hardly walk, and his eyesight was poor. - -He had been to the corner grocery to buy himself a few of the -necessities of life. - -Entering the semi-dark hallway he shambled along until his foot struck -Robert's body. - -"Why, what can this be?" he muttered, and bent over that he might see. - -He was greatly amazed to find a boy there, suffering from a slight cut -over one eye, from which the blood was flowing. - -"Something is wrong," he thought. "Has the lad met with foul play?" - -He was half of a mind to summon the police, but was afraid he could not -find an officer short of six or seven blocks off. - -Setting down his basket, he raised up Robert's head. As he did this, -our hero gave a groan and a shiver. - -"Don't, don't hit me again," he murmured. "Don't!" - -"I ain't hit ye," answered the old man. "How did ye git here?" - -But Robert did not answer, having relapsed again into unconsciousness. - -Not without considerable trouble did the old man bring some cold water -and bathe Robert's face, and bind up the wound with an old towel. He -carried the boy to the kitchen and set him down on a worn-out lounge. - -"How do you feel?" he asked as Robert opened his eyes and stared around -him. - -"Where are they--the rascals?" asked Robert. He was completely -bewildered. - -"Who do you mean?" - -"I mean the men who attacked me." - -"I don't know anything about 'em. I found ye in the hallway in a heap." - -"Two men attacked me and robbed me." - -"Gee shoo! Did they git much?" - -"Yes." Robert gave a groan. "They got my watch and over a hundred and -fifty dollars." - -At this announcement the eyes of Lemuel Branley almost started from -their sockets. - -"A hundred and fifty dollars!" - -"Yes; and a watch worth twenty-five more." - -"What was ye a-doing with so much money about ye?" - -"I was expecting to use the most of it to buy something with. So you -didn't see the men?" - -Lemuel Branley shook his head. - -"They couldn't have left so long ago." - -"Then they didn't go out by the front door, for I was at the top of the -alleyway quite a spell." - -"Is there a rear way out?" - -"Yes; and come to think of it, the back door was wide open when I first -came in for the water." - -"Then they went out that way." - -There was a pause. - -"Did you know them?" asked the old man, curiously. - -"I knew one of them in a way. The other introduced himself to me while -I was on my way over here." - -And Robert related how he had fallen in with Jim Huskin, and how the -sharper had gotten him to enter the tenement hallway. - -"You're lucky to escape with your life," said Lemuel Branley. "You -don't know how bad some of the criminals in Chicago are." - -"I must try to get on their track. I can't afford to lose my money, -nor the watch, either." And Robert's face grew serious. The watch was -the one his father had given him, and without the money how was he to -purchase the map Dick Marden was so anxious to possess? - -"You'll have to hustle to find them rogues, to my way of thinking," -said Lemuel Branley. "Like as not they'll quit Chicago just as soon as -possible." - -Robert stood up. He felt strangely weak and far from able to pursue -anybody. - -"Can you call a policeman?" he asked. - -"Certainly." - -Lemuel Branley made off, and while he was gone the boy brushed off his -clothing and washed himself. Luckily he had a bit of court-plaster in -his pocket, and this he plastered over the cut on forehead, thus doing -away with the ragged towel. - -By the time he had finished he felt a little stronger. Soon the old man -came back, followed by a tall, heavy-set officer of the law. - -"I saw you and one of the men a while ago," said the policeman, -after our hero had told his story. "The man didn't impress me very -favorably. I rather think I've seen his picture in the rogues' -gallery." - -"Then you would know him again?" - -"I think I would." - -"I wish you would try to hunt him up." - -"I will. Will you go along." - -Robert was willing, and they left the tenement by the back way, our -hero first thanking Lemuel Branley for what he had done. - -But nothing was to be seen of Andy Cross and Jim Huskin, and in an hour -the policeman and the youth gave up the hunt. The officer directed -Robert to the nearest station house, and here the particulars of the -robbery were taken down. A large book of photographs was placed before -Robert, and he soon found Jim Huskin's portrait. - -"That's the man," he said. - -"You are certain." - -"Yes, I would know him out of a thousand." - -Andy Cross' photograph could not be found, since he had not yet sat for -the rogues' gallery, even though he richly deserved it. - -The officer in charge took down Robert's address, and told our hero if -anything was learned he would let the youth know. - -With this small consolation Robert had to be content. He left the -station house much crestfallen. - -"Everything seems to be going wrong," he mused. "I do hope those -rascals are caught, and that very soon." - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -ROBERT AND THE OLD LUMBERMAN. - - -It must be confessed that Robert was in no humor to hunt up Herman -Wenrich. - -"Even if I find him, what good will it do, if I can't offer him the -money for the map?" was his mental comment. - -Nevertheless, there seemed to be nothing else to do, and so, after a -lunch, he started again for No. 238 Grandon Street. - -He was careful where he went this time, and found the thoroughfare -without further difficulty. It was fully eight blocks from the tenement -where he had been robbed. - -The number he was searching for was a block away, and as he walked -toward it two men passed him whom he instantly recognized. The men were -Jean Le Fevre and Oscar Hammerditch. - -"Well, I declare!" muttered the boy. "Can it be possible that they have -been calling upon Herman Wenrich?" - -It certainly would seem so, yet Robert had no way of proving it. Both -the Canadian and the Englishman were walking rapidly, and soon they -passed out of sight around the corner. - -Robert found No. 238 Grandon Street a modest dwelling set in the rear -of a tiny garden of flowers. As he entered the garden a girl came out -on the front porch and gazed up and down the street anxiously. She -was probably fifteen years of age, and was pale and thin, as if just -getting over a long sickness, which was the case. - -"Does Mr. Herman Wenrich live here?" asked Robert politely, as he -tipped his hat. - -"Yes, sir," answered the girl. - -"Is he in?" - -"He is, but he is not very well." - -As she spoke the girl eyed Robert sharply, wondering what he wanted. - -"He doesn't look like one of these traveling agents," she thought. She -had been bothered with agents a great deal lately. - -"I am sorry to hear Mr. Wenrich is not well," said Robert. "I wished to -see him on a little business." - -"May I ask your name?" - -"My name is Robert Frost. But he doesn't know me. You might tell him -that I came here at the request of Richard Marden, who is a nephew of -Felix Amberton, of Timberville, Michigan. I wish to see him about a -lumber tract up there." - -"Why, that is what those two men came about!" cried the girl. - -"You mean the two men I just met on the street?" - -"I presume they are the same. The men left but a minute before you -came." - -"Can you tell me if they came for a map?" - -"Why, yes, they----" The girl stopped short. "I do not know as I have -any right to talk of these things, Mr. Frost. My father might not like -it." - -"So Mr. Wenrich is your father." - -"Yes. My name is Nettie Wenrich." - -Robert bowed. "I certainly would not wish to make any trouble for you," -he said, with a smile. "But I would like to see your father." - -Nettie Wenrich hesitated for a moment. "He looks like a nice boy," she -thought. "I like him better than I did those men." - -"Come into the parlor and I will tell father you are here," said she. - -Robert found the parlor small but cozy. There were several covered -chairs, some pictures and books, and in one corner stood a small organ. -The youth sat down near a window and waited. - -The girl was gone fully five minutes. When she returned her face bore a -puzzled look. - -"Father does not know what to make of this," she said. "You say you -came because Mr. Amberton sent you?" - -"Mr. Marden sent me. He is Mr. Amberton's nephew and has taken full -charge, now that Mr. Amberton is sick." - -"Father says Mr. Hammerditch, one of the men who just called, said Mr. -Amberton sent him for the map." - -"What!" cried Robert, leaping to his feet. "That cannot be possible." - -"Why?" - -"Because those men are enemies of Mr. Amberton. They wish to get some -of his lumber lands away from him." - -The girl studied Robert's honest face for a moment. - -"I believe you. But it is a queer mix-up," was her comment. - -"Perhaps I can explain some things, Miss Wenrich. But I would like to -talk with your father first." - -"Very well. But my father is quite sick, and I would not like to have -you excite him." - -"I will be careful. But I hope he didn't let them have the map." - -"No, he is holding that. They made a proposition to him and he said he -would think it over." - -Nettie Wenrich led the way to the second story of the cottage, and to -the front bedchamber. Here, on a snowy couch lay Herman Wenrich, feeble -with age and a malady that had attacked his digestive organs. - -"I do not wish to disturb you, Mr. Wenrich," said Robert, after -introducing himself and shaking hands. "But I think it very strange -that I should come here right after those two men I met outside." - -"It is strange, lad," responded Herman Wenrich feebly. "I cannot -understand it." - -"I think I can safely say that Mr. Amberton never sent them and that he -knows nothing of their coming," continued our hero. - -"That makes the whole thing even more strange." - -"They wish to get a certain map from you--a map of some lumber lands in -upper Michigan." - -"Yes, yes, there is but one map," cried Herman Wenrich. "I have kept it -safely for years." - -"Papa, please do not excite yourself," pleaded Nettie Wenrich, coming -to the bedside. - -"I am not excited, my child." - -"I do not know a great deal about the matter," continued Robert. -"But I do know that those two men, Le Fevre and Hammerditch, are Mr. -Amberton's enemies and not his friends." - -"Can you prove that?" - -For the instant the youth was nonplussed. Then he thought of Dick -Marden's letter. - -"Here is a letter I got from Timberville," he said. "You can read that." - -"My eyesight is poor. Nettie, read the letter." - -At once the daughter complied. Herman Wenrich listened attentively. - -"Ah, yes, I remember this Marden now," he said slowly. "He was the son -of Amberton's youngest sister. Where does he come from?" - -"He belongs in California and is a rich miner. But he was brought up -down east--in Vermont, if I remember rightly." - -"Exactly--he is Grace Amberton's boy. A good fellow, too--if he takes -after his mother. So Amberton is sick and has put Dick Marden in -charge. Then what those two men told me is a--a string of falsehoods." - -"You can see what I am authorized to offer you for the map," said -Robert. "I started for here with the money in my pocket----" - -"Stop, Mr. Frost. You do not understand old Herman Wenrich. I am not -thinking to sell the map." - -"But you are willing to see justice done to Mr. Amberton, are you not?" - -"Yes, yes--full justice--for he deserves it. He could have had the map -before, but it affected some land of mine--which I have since sold." - -"Then you will let him have the map!" exclaimed Robert, much delighted. -"I will pay----" - -"Not a cent, my lad, not a cent. He can have it and welcome. -But--but----" - -"But what, sir?" - -"I must be dead sure, as they say, of what I am doing. You look honest -enough, but so did those men." - -"Those men didn't look very honest to me," came from Nettie Wenrich, -who had taken a strong liking to Robert, and it must be admitted that -the feeling was reciprocated. "I could not bear that Englishman." - -"I cannot blame you for being suspicious," said Robert gravely. "I wish -I had been so this morning. I might have saved my watch and some of -my money." He did not feel called upon to state that he had lost the -amount which was to be paid over to Herman Wenrich for the map. - -Of course he had to tell his story--or, at least, a part of it. Nettie -Wenrich was quite affected. - -"It was too bad!" she cried. "I hope you get your watch and money back -and succeed in sending those bad men to prison." - -"I will tell you what I will do," said Herman Wenrich, after several -minutes of silent thinking. "Let Felix Amberton send me a written order -to deliver the map to you and I will do so." - -"That is fair," said Robert. "No honest person could ask more at your -hands. But what of those two men? They are to call again, I believe." - -"I will put them off, for, say three days. You ought to be able to get -your order by that time." - -"Perhaps I can get it sooner, but I wish you would make it four days. -There may be some delay, especially if Mr. Amberton is very ill." - -"Very well, we will make it four days then," said Herman Wenrich, and -thanking him for his kindness Robert withdrew and followed Nettie -Wenrich downstairs. - -"Do your father and you live here alone?" he asked. - -"Yes." - -"I hope he gets well soon," said the youth gravely, and his voice was -full of a sympathy which went straight to the girl's heart. - -"I am afraid he will never get well," answered Nettie, and the tears -sprang into her eyes. - -He took her hand and shook it warmly. "You must hope for the best," he -said. And then, as she looked straight into his clear, honest eyes, he -added, "If I can ever be of service to you don't hesitate to call upon -me." - -And a minute later he was gone. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -A CLEVER CAPTURE. - - -As Robert was approaching his boarding house he ran into Livingston -Palmer, valise in hand, bound for the theater. - -"I'm off," said Palmer. "Our company leaves town to-day." - -"Well, I wish you every success." - -"Have you struck anything yet?" asked Palmer curiously. - -"I have and I haven't. I've got a letter from Mr. Marden requesting me -to come to Timberville in Michigan." - -"It wouldn't suit me to bury myself in such a hole." - -"I don't know that I will stay there any great length of time. I am to -go up on a little private business." - -"I see. Well, I must hurry. What time have you?" - -"No time at all. My watch is gone." - -"Hullo! Do you mean to say you've had to pawn it already. I thought -you were one of the saving kind, to look out for a rainy day." - -"The watch was stolen from me." - -"Indeed!" - -"Yes, and some of my money went with it." - -"That's too bad, Robert," and Palmer's face was full of real sympathy. - -"It is bad." - -"I would loan you some money if I had it. But the truth is, I'm broke -excepting for a couple of dollars that Jack Dixon advanced me on my -salary." - -"Thank you, Livingston, but I am not quite broke, even if I have been -robbed." - -"I'm glad to hear it. Now I am off, or I will be left behind." - -And with a hearty grasp of Robert's hand the would-be actor hurried -down the street. Robert gazed after him meditatingly. - -"I hope his engagement proves all he wishes," he thought. "But I am -afraid he is running up against a tremendous disappointment." - -Retiring to his room, Robert wrote a long letter to Dick Marden, -telling of the receipt of the money orders and of his interview with -Herman Wenrich. He also mentioned Le Fevre and Hammerditch and asked -for the order from Felix Amberton for the map. At first he thought to -put in about the stolen money and the watch, but then reconsidered the -matter. - -"I'll wait, since the map is not to be paid for," he said to himself. -"Perhaps the police will catch the sharpers. If the worst comes to the -worst I guess I can scrape up enough money to take me to Timberville -without applying to Mr. Marden for more." - -The letter finished, Robert went down to the post-office to post it. -There now seemed nothing to do but to wait, and he returned to his -boarding house worn out with the exertions of the day. - -A good sleep made the youth feel much better, and while he was eating -his breakfast he began to deliberate upon what to do during the time in -which he would have to wait for an answer from his miner friend. - -The front door bell rang, and presently he heard somebody ask to see -the landlady of the house. - -"Please, mum, a gentleman to see you," said Mary, coming into the -dining room. - -Mrs. Gibbs, the landlady, went into the parlor at once, thinking the -newcomer might be somebody for board. - -"This is the landlady?" asked the man, bowing. - -"Yes, I am Mrs. Gibbs." - -"I am looking for a nice, quiet boarding place," went on the newcomer. -"Have you any vacant rooms?" - -"I have one room vacant, but it is on the third floor." - -"Is it a nice, quiet room?" - -"It is in the rear and looks out on a small private garden. I think you -will find it quiet enough." - -"I cannot stand a noise. I used to board on the other side of the city, -but there was a factory in the neighborhood and the rumble set me wild." - -"We have no noises of that kind here." - -"And what do you ask for board and room?" - -"With one person in the room my charges are ten dollars per week. If -two gentlemen take the room together the rate is eight dollars each." - -"I prefer to be alone, madam." - -"I will show you the room," said Mrs. Gibbs, moving toward the door. "I -am sure you will find it as nice as any for the price." - -"I think so myself--for the house shows it," replied the man, with a -glance around at the well-kept parlor. - -Mrs. Gibbs led the way into the hall. As she did so Robert came out of -the dining room. - -The man glanced carelessly at our hero and then fell back as if he had -received a shock. - -Then Robert uttered a cry of amazement. - -"You!" he gasped, and rushing forward caught the man by the arm. - -"Let go of me, young man!" cried the man savagely. - -"I will not," answered Robert firmly. "I know you, and I am going to -hand you over to the police." - -At these words Mrs. Gibbs uttered a little shriek. - -"Oh, Mr. Frost, what can this mean?" she demanded. - -"It means that this man is a thief," declared Robert. "I met him in the -post-office yesterday, where he saw me cash several money orders. After -that he and a confederate robbed me of both money and my watch." - -At these words the face of Andy Cross--for it was really he--became a -study. - -The sharper had not dared to go back to his former boarding house. -He had calculated to find some new victim and to keep "shady" by -pretending to be too ill to leave his room for several days. Now his -little game was knocked completely in the head. - -"He is a thief?" ejaculated the landlady. "Oh, my! and to think I was -going to take him in to board!" - -And the good old lady appeared ready to faint. - -"There is some strange mistake here," said Andy Cross. "Young man, how -dare you call me a thief!" - -"I dare to because it is the truth." - -"Do you know who I am?" - -"You are what I just called you." - -"I have a strong inclination to knock you down, but I will try to curb -my temper, as all Christian people should. I am Ralph Goodwill, the son -of the Reverend Amos Goodwill, of Denver. I have come to Chicago to -complete my studies for the ministry." - -"You'll have to turn over a new leaf before you become a minister," -answered Robert. - -"Evidently you do not believe me." - -"Why should I? You are a thief, and you cannot humbug me into believing -otherwise." - -"Mr. Frost, there may be some mistake," put in the landlady timidly. - -"There is no mistake, Mrs. Gibbs. Did you ever see a seminary student -sporting such a suit of clothing." - -"Well--er--I don't know as to that." - -"The suit is one I picked up in the slums," said Andy Cross glibly. -"I have been doing some work there, assisted by some Salvation Army -people. You can work better among the poor, lost ones if you are -dressed like them," he added softly. - -"Yes, yes, I presume that is so," said Mrs. Gibbs, who was somewhat -interested in slum work herself. - -"He is an out and out fraud," said Robert, as firmly as ever. "Mrs. -Gibbs, will you send Mary to call a policeman? I will be responsible -for the arrest." - -"But if there is a mistake----" - -"Haven't I said that I will be responsible? I am not going to let him -escape if I can help it." - -At that moment the front door opened, to admit one of the lady -boarders. Robert stepped back to let her pass, and as he did so Andy -Cross wrenched himself free and leaped for the door. - -"Stop!" cried Robert. "Stop!" - -"Go to blazes!" snarled the sharper, and pulling the door back, he -leaped out on the piazza. - -Our hero's blood was up and he was determined that Cross should not -escape him again. - -He, too, leaped for the doorway, and as the sharper gained the piazza -Robert put out his foot to trip him up. - -The movement was far more successful than anticipated. - -Down went Andy Cross on his knees, and before he could recover he went -down the steps, bump! bump! bump! to the sidewalk. - -The wind was knocked completely out of him, and he was sadly bruised -about the head, while the blood spurted from his nose in a stream. - -"Oh! oh! I'm killed!" he moaned, as he sat up. - -"If you were, you wouldn't be able to groan over it," answered Robert. -"Stay where you are, if you know when you are well off." - -"Don't have me arrested," pleaded the sharper. The unexpected fall had -taken all his self-possession from him. - -At that moment a policeman showed himself at the corner, and Robert -called to him to come up. - -"What's the trouble?" demanded the officer of the law. - -Seeing to it that Andy Cross did not get away, Robert told his story. - -"Yes, I have the report of the robbery," said the policeman. "You were -lucky to fall in with him." - -In vain the sharper protested that he was innocent. The policeman -marched him off to the nearest station house. - -Here he was examined and searched, and fifty dollars of Robert's -money was found in the envelope which our hero had obtained at the -post-office. - -"What of the rest of the money and the watch?" asked Robert. - -Seeing there was no help for it, Andy Cross made a confession. He -stated that Jim Huskin had kept both the timepiece and the rest of the -money, and left Chicago the night before. - -"And where did he go?" asked Robert. - -"He took a steamer for Muskegon, Michigan," answered Andy Cross. - -"Muskegon!" cried our hero. And then he said no more. But he was filled -with interest, for he had thought to journey to Timberville by way of a -steamer to the town named and then by railroad for the balance of the -journey. - -"We will look this matter up and telegraph to the authorities at -Muskegon," said the officer who was examining Cross. "If we learn -anything we will let you know." - -This ended the matter for the time being, and Andy Cross was locked up. -Robert returned to his boarding house, feeling lighter in both heart -and mind than he had a couple of hours before. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -PALMER'S UNFORTUNATE DEBUT. - - -It had made James Talbot feel very bitter to think that should his wife -die the Frost fortune would go entirely to his step-son. - -"He doesn't deserve a cent of it--with his impudence to me and his -running away from home," he said to himself. "The money ought to come -to me." - -The more he thought over the matter the more bitter did he become. He -tried to think of some way by which he could alter the conditions of -Mr. Frost's will, but nothing came to his mind that was satisfactory. - -Of course he did not dare show his wife his real feelings. She was -still angry over the lost letter, and he was afraid of causing an open -rupture. - -He concluded to do everything he could to win her good graces, and then -question her again about the will and the property. Perhaps he might be -able, he thought, to get control of the money lying in the bank, which -amounted to about thirty thousand dollars. - -"Once I get control of that," he told himself, "Robert can whistle for -his share. I'll run away to Europe before I'll give it up." - -The first thing he did was to buy Mrs. Talbot a new bonnet, since he -had heard that a woman will be pleased over a new bonnet, if over -nothing else. The lady, however, received the gift rather coldly. - -"It is very nice," she said. "But I do not need it, James." - -"Never mind, my love, I want my wife to look as good as or better than -any lady in Granville." - -"Thank you, but I never tried to set the fashion." - -"I know that. But you should--with so much money behind you." - -"The money is for Robert, not for me." And Mrs. Talbot sighed as she -thought of her son, and wondered how he was faring. - -"Always the boy," thought James Talbot savagely. "Will she never forget -him?" - -"There is going to be a play at the opera house to-night," he said -sweetly. "I would like you to go. You can wear the new bonnet, if you -will." - -"Thank you. What is the play, James?" - -"'All for Love,' a romance of high life in New York. The newspaper says -it is a good play." - -"The newspapers cannot always be depended upon. Do you know anything of -the company?" - -"It is the Dixon Combination Comedy Company of Chicago." - -"I never heard of it." - -"I am afraid, my love, that you do not keep very good track of -theatrical affairs." - -"I like to read about the good ones in the papers." - -"This company has some very good advertising. One of the bills says -they carry ten star actors and actresses. I am sure you will like the -play." - -"I will go if you wish me to," answered Mrs. Talbot, although she was -doubtful if she would enjoy the performance. During the time Mr. Frost -had been living, husband and wife had gone to both the theater and to -the concert, but only to the very best. But Mr. Talbot had no taste for -such things, and an ordinary performance pleased him about as well as -one which was far superior. - -There had been no show in Granville for over two weeks. Consequently -when the doors of the opera house were opened that night, the -fair-sized hall became crowded in short order. - -The Dixon Combination Comedy Company was entirely unknown, and for good -reason--it had never existed until two weeks previous to the opening at -Granville. - -Jack Dixon, the manager, had been a "hanger-on" among theatrical people -for several years, and having received several hundred dollars through -the death of a rich aunt, had at once set to work to put a company of -his own on the road. - -The man meant well, but he knew very little about the business, as was -proved by his hiring Livingston Palmer and several others who were no -better actors. - -Rehearsals had been backward and unsatisfactory from the start, and the -combination would have done much better had it held back for another -week for practice before appearing in public. - -But everyone was anxious to make a hit, and nobody thought failure -possible. - -"We will carry the town by storm," said the leading man, a fellow by -the name of Caster. He had been on the boards for several years, but -had never before risen to a position higher than that of being a member -of a stock company attached to a dime museum. - -"Yes, we will show them what real acting is," answered Livingston -Palmer. "To-morrow the newspapers will be full of complimentary -notices." - -At quarter to eight the orchestra, consisting of a piano player, a -violinist, a flutist, and a cornetist, struck up on the overture, and -at eight o'clock sharp the curtain went up on the first act of "All for -Love." - -The scene represented Fifth avenue, in New York--at least, so the -programme said,--although it is doubtful if anybody living on that -fashionable thoroughfare would have recognized the locality. People -were coming and going, and doing this as if their lives depended upon -it, the same person appearing and disappearing every half minute or so. - -In the crowd was a girl who was supposed to be a companion to a rich -old lady. As she stood waiting for something, the villain of the play, -a fashionably-dressed man, came up and tried to tempt her into stealing -the rich lady's jewels. While this was going on the butler of the -lady's mansion appeared and overheard the plot. - -The acting was crude from the start, but at the opening of a play few -people pay much attention, and it was not until Livingston Palmer -appeared as the spying butler that the audience began to grow attentive. - -"Ha, what is this I hear!" cried Palmer, as he peered forth from -behind a dry goods box set up against a building marked Hotel. -"She is plotting to rob my mistress. Base woman that she is, I -will--will--will----" - -Palmer should have said, "I will expose her to Mrs. Ulmer and have her -arrested," but the words would not come, for he had caught sight of -the hundreds of faces in the audience and become stage-frightened in -consequence. - -"I will--will--I will----" he stammered, trying again. - -"Will you?" came a voice from the gallery. "All right, Willie!" - -There was a laugh and then a hiss. - -"I will expose her," whispered the prompter, who stood in the -prompter's box with the book of the play in his hand. - -"I will--will expose her!" burst out Livingston Palmer. "I will -expose her, base--I mean--I will expose her to be arrested--to--by--I -mean--Mrs. Ulmer shall arrest her!" and then he fell back out of -sight, and all but overcome. - -At once the prompter ran up to him. - -"You fool!" he whispered wildly. "That wasn't right. You've ruined the -scene." - -"Have I?" asked Palmer, in awe-stricken tones. "Oh, I--I--something -slipped my mind. But--but I'll be all right in the next scene." - -"I hope so. Better study your lines before you go on." - -"I will," answered the would-be actor, and began to study as never -before. - -In the meantime the scene went on, the actors reciting their lines -without a break, but with so little dramatic action that scarcely -anyone in the audience was interested. - -"Do you like it, my love?" asked James Talbot, who sat beside his wife -in one of the orchestra rows. - -"No, it is very stupid so far," answered Mrs. Talbot. - -"The next act may be better, Sarah. The best plays rarely start well." - -"That young man missed his part entirely," was Mrs. Talbot's comment. - -The second act of the play represented the drawing room of Mrs. Ulmer's -mansion. There was at first a love scene which promised very well. -But the lover in the play was as nervous as he might have been in real -life, and when he started to kiss his lady-love good-by, he smacked her -so warmly that his false mustache fell off into her lap. - -"Oh!" she cried, and there was a roar of laughter from the audience. - -The lover snatched the mustache up in a trice and hurried off as if he -was leaving an enemy, instead of her whose heart he was supposed to -have won. - -The rich old lady came in, supported on the arm of her nephew, a -captain of the regular army. The captain was wearing his sword, but he -was not used to the weapon, and it got tangled up between his legs more -than once, and came near to upsetting him. - -"Take it off!" cried a voice from the gallery. Of course a laugh -followed the bit of advice. - -The captain was about to conclude an important interview with his rich -aunt, when the butler walked in with a tray, on which were a bottle -supposed to contain wine, and two glasses. - -"Be careful there, Willie, or you'll drop the tray!" cried the voice -from the gallery. - -"Will--he?" said another voice, with an attempt at a pun. - -"Ah, so this is honest John!" exclaimed the captain, turning to the -butler. "John, what have you to say to the captain who used to go -horseback riding on your foot?" - -"I'm glad to see you, sir," said Livingston Palmer. "Very glad, sir." -Then he took a deep breath, and started again, so that his next lines -might not escape him. "Mrs. Ulmer, Ihavea secret to tell." He meant, "I -have a secret to tell," but some of his words ran one into another. - -"A secret, John. What can it be?" - -"You'retoberobb'd, yes, madam, youretobe robb'd." - -"Robbed!" - -"Yes, madam, robb'd. Oneyou have fondly robbed intendsto loveyou." - -A shout went up at this, a shout that speedily became a roar. Of course -Palmer meant to say, "One you have fondly loved intends to rob you," -but he was hopelessly bewildered, and hardly knew what he was doing. -For once his self-confidence had entirely left him. - -"Go! I will not believe it!" cried the rich lady. "Leave my sight!" - -"Yes, madam, Iwillgo, but--but----" Livingston Palmer stared around -wildly. He wanted to add, "I can prove what I have to say," but the -words became mixed as before. "Icansay--whatIcanprove--I mean, I -provetosay what I can--I can say what Icansay----" - -"Then go and say it!" yelled somebody from the gallery. "Say it, and -give somebody else a chance to talk." - -"Say, but this is a bum company," added somebody else. - -"Worst I ever saw!" came from a third party. And then followed a storm -of hisses. In the midst of this Palmer hurried from the stage. At once -Dixon collared him. - -"Palmer, what do you mean by this?" demanded the manager. "Have you -lost your wits?" - -"No, but--but--it's awful to have so many folks staring at you, and -cat-calling, too." - -"You spoiled both acts." - -"I did my best," pleaded Livingston Palmer. - -"Then you'll never make an actor if you live to be a hundred years," -responded Jack Dixon, and with this cold cut he walked off, leaving -Palmer the picture of misery and despair. - -But the scene was not yet ended, and scarcely had Dixon turned away -when there came another roar and a hiss. The unfortunate captain had -fallen down with his sword between his feet. In trying to pick himself -up he had upset a small table, scattering the books thereon in every -direction. His wig came off, and when he managed to gain his feet once -more it was found that his coat was split up the back for a foot and -over. - -"They are a disgrace to the opera house!" came the cry. - -"They are no good!" - -"Let us give 'em something to remember us by!" - -The last suggestion was greeted with a wild assent, and soon half a -dozen different articles landed on the stage, including the core of an -apple and a half-decayed orange. In the midst of the uproar a number -of the audience started to leave and the drop curtain came down with a -bang. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -PALMER CALLS UPON ROBERT'S MOTHER. - - -Among the first to leave the opera house were Mrs. Talbot and her -husband. - -"I have had quite enough of this," said the lady to James Talbot. "The -company and the play are both very poor." - -"Perhaps you are right," he admitted. "I must say I looked for -something much better myself. That poor butler couldn't act at all." - -"He was dumstruck," said Mrs. Talbot, and felt compelled to laugh. -"Poor fellow, he ought to go at some other line of work." - -They were soon on the way home. Mr. Talbot had ordered a carriage to -come for them when the performance was over, but this was not at hand, -so they were forced to walk. - -"I didn't make much by taking her out to-night," said the schemer to -himself. "Next time I'll have to make sure that I am taking her to -something that is really first-class." - -When the pair reached home James Talbot wished his wife to come into -the sitting-room, to talk over their business affairs. The fact of the -matter was, he was running short of money, and he desired his wife to -make him an advance. - -"I have something of a headache, James," she said. "I think I had -better retire early." - -"I will not detain you long, my love," he answered. - -Soon they were in the sitting-room and the lady dropped into an easy -chair. He could not sit down, but began to walk up and down nervously. - -"I hate very much to mention the matter to you, Sarah," he began, "but -the fact is, a remittance from a man in Chicago who owes me quite some -money has been delayed, and this has cut me short." - -"Do you want money?" - -"If you can spare it, I would like to have a hundred dollars or so -until the remittance comes." - -"Very well, you can have it in the morning," answered Mrs. Talbot -quietly. - -James Talbot had told her before they were married that he was fairly -well-to-do, but since they had become man and wife she had not seen a -dollar of his money. - -It was true, he had a little money, or had had it, but the amount was -less than a thousand dollars, and it was now tied up in a speculation -that promised little or no return. James Talbot had no head for -business, and even his wife was beginning to find that out. He could -be miserly, but miserliness is not true economy. He pretended to deal -in real estate, but he was too shiftless and lazy to apply himself to -steady work. - -"I will be all right as soon as the money comes," went on Talbot -cheerfully. "After this I trust I shall never have to trouble you -again." - -"How is the real estate business progressing?" she asked. - -"Fairly well. Granville is not a booming town." - -"I know that." - -"I am half of a mind to try my luck in Chicago. That is where they make -fortunes in real estate every year." - -"Perhaps; but they have to have a large capital to start on." - -"Exactly, my love. But with a large capital it is a dead sure thing, -for it cannot burn up, cannot be stolen from you, and constantly -increases in value. What do you think of my plan to start in Chicago?" - -"I am sure I have no objection, although I am comfortably situated -here." - -"You could keep this home if you wished--at least, at first, and I -could come out every Saturday afternoon and remain until Monday. The -trouble is, the venture would require quite some capital." - -"I presume it would." - -"If I had five or ten thousand dollars to spare, I would start at once." - -"Haven't you that much, James?" she asked, with interest. - -"Not in ready money. My cash is tied up in investments. But you could -loan me the amount, couldn't you, my love?" - -Mrs. Talbot's face flushed, and her eyes sought the floor. She had been -afraid that this was what was coming. - -"I--I suppose so," she faltered, hardly knowing what to say. - -"Of course you would be secured. I would see to that." - -"Yes, James, I would want that. For the money is to go to Robert, you -know." - -His face fell. "The boy always!" he thought. "Oh, I wish he would never -be heard from again!" - -"But if I make a barrel of money out of my investments, that must go to -you," he said aloud. - -"No, you shall keep the money," she replied. "I have as much as I will -ever need." - -In a few minutes more Mrs. Talbot retired. James Talbot walked the -sitting-room floor with considerable satisfaction. - -"Ten thousand dollars will be a nice sum," he mused, rubbing his horny -hands together. "Robert, eh? Well, he'll never see the cash, I'll give -James Talbot's word on that! It will be several years before he becomes -of age, and who knows how much more of the fortune will come my way -before that time?" - -The morning paper contained a long and semi-humorous account of the -performance of "All for Love." It said the actors and actresses were -probably well-meaning amateurs who had yet much to learn before they -would become successful in their profession. They advised the butler in -the play to perfect himself in the part of a stuttering comedian! By -the account it was evident that the play had come to a conclusion in a -perfect uproar, and that many in the audience had demanded their money -back. - -James Talbot had gone off to his real estate office, to perfect his -plans for opening up in Chicago, when the door-bell rang and Jane -announced a visitor to see Mrs. Talbot. - -"He gives his name as Livingston Palmer," said Jane. - -"Livingston Palmer?" mused the lady of the house. "Why, where have -I heard that before? Oh, I remember now. It was on that theatrical -programme," and she looked it up to make sure. "He was that butler who -started all the trouble. What can he want of me?" - -She descended to the parlor to greet her visitor. Livingston Palmer was -seated on the edge of a chair, his face far more careworn than ever -before, and his clothing much soiled and torn. - -"Good-morning," he said humbly. "This is Mrs. Talbot, who used to be -Mrs. Frost, I believe." - -"Yes," she answered. - -"I am a stranger to you, madam, but I come from Chicago, and I am well -acquainted with your son Robert." - -"Indeed!" cried Mrs. Talbot, and her whole manner changed. "Is Robert -in Chicago?" - -"He is--or at least he was when I left there, two days ago." - -"Can you tell me what he is doing?" - -"He and I were clerks in a cut-rate ticket office. But a fire threw us -both out of employment." - -"And you joined a theatrical company," added Mrs. Talbot. - -"How do you know that?" - -"I was at the opera house last night and saw you on the stage." - -For once in his life Livingston Palmer's face grew as red as a beet. - -"You--er--witnessed that unfortunate affair," he stammered. "I--I----" - -"I thought you were new at acting," said the lady candidly. "It was, as -you say, unfortunate." - -"The people used us meanly," exclaimed Palmer. "I was struck in half -a dozen places, and my coat was nearly torn from my back, and in the -struggle to get away I lost my money and could not find it again." - -"When was this? I came away at the conclusion of the second act." - -"It was after the play was over. A regular mob congregated around the -stage door, and we could scarcely escape with our lives. I never shall -go on the stage again, never!" And Palmer shook his head bitterly. He -meant what he said, and let it be recorded here that he kept his word. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -ANOTHER TALK ABOUT ROBERT. - - -Mrs. Talbot saw plainly that Livingston Palmer was suffering, both -from humiliation and from the manner in which he had been treated -physically, and her heart was touched. - -"I am very sorry for you, Mr. Palmer," she said. "If there is anything -I can do for you I will do it willingly. But I would first like to hear -something of my son." - -"I will tell you all I know," answered the young man quickly. "I was in -hope that Robert's mother might aid me. We have been good friends. He's -a splendid lad." - -"Yes, Robert is a good boy and always was. Is he well?" - -"Perfectly well, and was, as I said before, doing finely, until the -fire threw us both out." - -"How much was he getting a week?" - -"Five dollars." - -"I do not call that very good," cried Mrs. Talbot. "He cannot live -very well on that in such a city as Chicago." - -"He told me he had an allowance besides." - -"An allowance?" Mrs. Talbot looked puzzled. "I can't understand that. I -made him no allowance, for he would not permit it. He said he was going -to make his own way in the world." - -"Well, I can only tell you what he said," returned Livingston Palmer. - -"Will you give me his address, so that I can write to him?" - -"Why, haven't you his address? I am sure he wrote to you." - -"I never got the letter." And then Mrs. Talbot's face flushed, as she -remembered about the letter her husband had destroyed. Had she been -deceived in the matter, after all? - -"Then I will write the address down for you," said Palmer, and did so. - -A long talk followed, and the young man told Mrs. Talbot all he knew -about Robert, and also mentioned Dick Marden, but not in such a way -that the lady suspected the allowance Robert received came from the -miner. - -Palmer frankly admitted that he was without means of any sort. - -"If I were in Chicago, this would not matter so much," he added. "But -in Granville I know nobody but you and the members of our company, or -rather the company to which I belonged. I was discharged, and Dixon -refuses to even give me my carfare back to the city." - -"I shall be pleased to give you what you need," replied Mrs. Talbot. "I -am overjoyed to learn that Robert is well. I am going to pay Chicago a -visit soon, and then if he will not come to me I will go to him." - -"He will come to you fast enough, madam. It is only his step-father -whom he dreads." - -"Yes, yes, I know." Mrs. Talbot thought best to change the subject. -"Will you not have breakfast with me, Mr. Palmer?" - -"With pleasure," answered the young man. "But I--er--I would like to -brush and wash up first." - -"To be sure." Mrs. Talbot surveyed him critically. "I really believe -some of Robert's clothing would fit you. At least his coat would." - -"Yes, his coat would." - -"Then I can perhaps replace that torn garment you are wearing." - -Mrs. Talbot was as good as her word, and half an hour later Livingston -Palmer came down from the room Robert had occupied, thoroughly brushed -and washed and wearing a coat and vest which had belonged to the -boy. They were rather tight, it is true, but they were almost new, -and a vast improvement over the ragged garments Palmer had worn upon -presenting himself. - -A substantial breakfast followed, of fish, omelet, hot rolls, and -coffee, and it is perhaps needless to say that Palmer did full justice -to all that was set before him. And small wonder, for he had eaten -nothing since the afternoon of the day before. - -It was nearly noon before the young man prepared to take his departure, -with twenty dollars in his pocket, which he had insisted should be a -loan only, to be paid back as soon as the opportunity afforded. - -"I am very grateful to you, Mrs. Talbot," he said, on parting. "You -have treated me like a king. Why Robert should leave such a home and -such a mother I can't understand." - -Mrs. Talbot was visibly affected. - -"It was entirely on his step-father's account, Mr. Palmer. Robert is -high spirited and would not bend as Mr. Talbot wished." - -"Then let me be bold enough to say that I imagine Robert was in the -right." - -To this Mrs. Talbot made no reply. But she begged Palmer to keep an -eye on her son, and if anything went wrong to let her know by sending -her a letter in care of the postmaster, and marked for personal -delivery only. Then Palmer hurried away, to catch the first train he -could for the great city by the lakes. - -When her visitor was gone Mrs. Talbot sat down to review the situation -in her mind. Her thoughts were not pleasant ones. Her second marriage -was proving to be anything but agreeable. She realized that her husband -was not the man she had imagined him to be. - -Dinner was on the table at twelve, for Mr. Talbot insisted on having -his main meal at mid-day. Yet the man did not come in until nearly half -an hour later, and then he appeared to be much put out about something. - -"I understand you had a visitor this morning," he began, as he and his -wife sat down to the table, and Jane brought on the food. - -"Yes." - -"Some friend of that reckless son of yours," went on Mr. Talbot. "What -did Robert send him for, money?" - -Mrs. Talbot was surprised. - -"How did you learn my visitor was a friend of Robert?" she asked. - -"I got it from Sproggens at the depot. He was talking with the fellow -while he was waiting for a train. I hope you didn't encourage him, -Sarah. If the boy sees fit to run away and stay away, let him make his -own way." - -"That is just what Robert is doing, James," cried the lady, her face -flushing. - -"Then why did Robert send that young man here?" - -"He didn't send him here." - -"Humph!" James Talbot was on the point of saying that he did not -believe the statement, but cut himself short. If he angered his wife -now he might have trouble in getting the five or ten thousand dollars -she had said she would loan him. - -"The young man belonged to that theatrical company we went to see," -continued Mrs. Talbot. "He knew Robert and so he thought he would call -here and see me." - -"What did he have to say about the boy?" - -"He said Robert had been doing very well, but a fire burnt out the -office in which he was employed." - -"And what is the boy doing now?" - -"Nothing, just at present." - -"He won't find it easy to get another opening." - -"Mr. Palmer said Robert might go up to Michigan in a few days. He had -to do something for a man interested in some timber lands in the upper -part of that State." - -"Humph! I shouldn't wonder if the boy came home soon. He'll get tired -of roughing it." - -"Robert has a stout heart, Mr. Talbot, and I doubt if he ever comes -home so long as you are here." - -And with these words Mrs. Talbot arose and swept from the dining room, -hardly having touched a mouthful of the food Jane had taken so much -pains to prepare. - -James Talbot finished his meal in silence, and ate as heartily as ever, -for seldom did anything interfere with his appetite. From the kitchen -Jane eyed him in a manner which was anything but agreeable. - -"The old gorilla," she said to herself, as she rattled the pans -angrily. "He ought to be thrown out of the house. If it wasn't for the -poor mistress, sure and I wouldn't stay another minute. I wish the -victuals would choke him." And then she vowed that the next time she -fixed the dessert she would make Mr. Talbot's portion so bad that he -could not eat it. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -ROBERT SPEAKS HIS MIND. - - -Robert waited for two days for a letter from Dick Marden. In the -meantime he went down to the police station twice to learn if anything -had been found out about Jim Huskin. - -"We telegraphed to Muskegon and several other points," said the officer -in charge. "But so far no one has seen the rascal." - -In the evening mail of the second day came two letters for the boy, -both of which he perused with great interest. - -The first was from his mother, telling of the meeting with Livingston -Palmer, and of what the would-be actor had told her. - - "I am glad to hear that you have not suffered so far, Robert," - she wrote. "But I am afraid that the fire may prove an unexpected - set-back for you, and so I enclose twenty dollars, which may come - in useful. So far I have received no letter from you, although Mr. - Palmer says you have written. When you write again send it in care - of the postmaster, and mark it for personal delivery only. Then I - am sure Mr. Blarcomb will give it to me and to nobody else." - -It may be imagined that Robert was indignant. - -"I'll wager old Talbot stole that letter," he told himself. "And I -guess mother thinks as much. Oh, what a mistake she made in marrying -that man! I'll write her another letter this very night." And he did -so, and posted it before retiring. In the communication he told her to -beware of his step-father and not trust him in money matters, as she -might be very sorry for it. - -"It's best to open her eyes," he reasoned, "even if it does cause her -pain." - -The second letter was from Dick Marden, enclosing the order from Felix -Amberton for the map. In this the old miner urged Robert to obtain the -document at the earliest possible moment. - - "Our enemies are hedging us in and intend to proceed against us in - the county court in a day or two," he added. "As soon as we get - the map we will know just where we stand, and our lawyer will know - exactly what claims he can make. My uncle is of the opinion that - the other side is making a big bluff in the hope that we will offer - to compromise." - -"I'll go and get the document the first thing in the morning," Robert -told himself. "And if all goes well I'll be on my way to Timberville by -noon." - -With the money recovered from Andy Cross, and with what his mother had -sent to him, he now had ample funds for the trip. After writing the -letter to his parent, he packed his valise, that nothing might delay -his start. - -A surprise awaited him the next morning just after he had left the -dining room, and while he was telling Mrs. Gibbs that he intended to go -away, to be gone an indefinite time. - -"A gentleman to see Mr. Frost," announced the girl, and entering the -parlor Robert found himself confronted by his step-father. - -"Good-morning, Robert," said James Talbot, smiling affably and -extending his hand. - -"Good-morning, Mr. Talbot," replied our hero coldly. He pretended not -to see the outstretched hand. - -"I suppose you are surprised to see me here," began Mr. Talbot -awkwardly. - -"I am surprised. How did you learn my address?" - -"Never mind that now, Robert. I came to see how you are getting along." - -"You ought to know. You got my letter, even if my mother didn't," -answered Robert bitterly. - -"I got no letter, my lad, upon my honor I did not. I came out of pure -friendliness to you." - -"Then let me tell you that I am doing very well." - -"I heard something about your being out of work on account of a fire." - -"Did Mr. Gray tell you?" - -"Never mind who told me." James Talbot cleared his throat. "As you are -out of work I thought perhaps that you would like to come to work for -me." - -"Work for you!" - -"Exactly. I don't mean for you to go back to Granville. I am going -to open a real-estate office in Chicago, and I shall want a clerk. I -understand that you take to that sort of thing." - -"I don't believe I'll take to clerking for you," returned Robert -bluntly. - -"Ahem! That is rather harsh of you, Robert. I mean to do well by you. -Why not take a fresh start? I am sure we shall get along very well -together." - -"Are you going to give up the office you opened in Granville?" - -"Not just yet. But I may in the future--after the office here is in -full blast. I expect to make a big thing of the business here." - -"A big business here means the investment of a lot of money," said the -boy shrewdly. "Where is that to come from?" - -"Never mind about the money. It will be forthcoming as it is needed." - -"Is my mother going to let you have some of her money?" - -"If she did, it would be no more than right that she should depend upon -her husband in her investments." - -"I wouldn't advise her to depend upon you. With your own money you -can do as you please, but I don't think you ought to touch any of her -funds." - -"You are decidedly plain-spoken, boy!" cried James Talbot, frowning. - -"Because one must speak plainly to such a man as you, Mr. Talbot. -I don't know why my mother married you, but I think I know why you -married my mother." - -"And why?" - -"To get hold of her money." - -James Talbot leaped from the chair upon which he had been sitting. He -was enraged, but quickly calmed himself. - -"You are entirely mistaken, boy, entirely mistaken. Why, I have all the -money I want." - -"I saw you borrow fifty dollars from my mother once." - -"Merely a bit of accommodation because I didn't have the cash handy. -Why I can draw my check for twenty or thirty thousand dollars if I wish -to." - -Robert did not believe the statement. Yet as he had no way to disprove -it, he remained silent on the point. - -"Then you are going to use your own money entirely in this real estate -venture in Chicago?" - -"Well--er--most likely. Of course I may become pushed for ready cash at -times and will then look to your mother to help me out a little. Every -man, no matter how well off, gets pushed at times, when he cannot turn -his securities into ready cash, you know." - -"I shall advise my mother to keep her fortune in her own hands." - -"You will!" James Talbot became more enraged than ever. "Don't you -dare to interfere between my wife and myself." - -"I will do all I can to keep her money out of your reach." - -"Perhaps you want it yourself?" sneered Talbot. - -"No, I want her to keep it and enjoy it as long as she lives. I don't -believe you are any kind of a business manager, and if she put the -money in your care she might be a beggar in a year or two." - -"Boy, boy, this to me! me, your father!" cried Talbot. - -"You are not my father, Mr. Talbot, and you need not call yourself -such. My father was a far better man than you are, I can tell you that. -He made his own way in the world, just as I am trying to do, and ask no -favors from anybody." - -"You are impertinent--a thorough good-for-nothing!" howled James -Talbot, hardly knowing what to say. "I want to do you a kindness, and -this is the way you receive me. I will not speak to you longer. But -don't you dare to set my wife against me, or there will be trouble, -mind that--there will be trouble!" - -And thus talking he left the parlor, clapped his silk hat on his head, -and dashed from the boarding house. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -MR. TALBOT RECEIVES ANOTHER SET-BACK. - - -"He's in a rage, it's easy to see that. I wonder what he will do next?" - -Such was the mental question Robert asked when he found himself once -more alone. - -James Talbot had tried a little plan of his own, and it had failed and -left him in a worse position than before. - -He had hoped by offering Robert a good salary--to be paid out of Mrs. -Talbot's money--to get the youth under his thumb. But our hero had -refused to have anything to do with him and had threatened to do all he -could to induce Mrs. Talbot to keep her fortune in her own control. - -"He's a regular imp," muttered James Talbot, as he hurried down the -street, so enraged that he scarcely knew where he was walking. "If he -writes home to his mother it will be harder than ever to do anything -with her. I wish he was at the bottom of the sea!" - -His soliloquy was brought to a sudden and unexpected termination when -he passed around a corner and ran full tilt into another individual. -Both went sprawling, and both were for the instant deprived of their -wind. - -"Who--what--?" spluttered James Talbot, as he picked himself up. - -"You fool, you!" panted the other individual. "What do you mean by -driving into me in this fashion?" - -"I--I didn't see you," answered Talbot. - -"You must be blind," stormed the party who had been knocked down. - -"I'm not blind. I--I--was in a tremendous hurry." James Talbot looked -at the other man curiously. "I--er--I--think I've met you before." - -"I don't remember you." - -"Isn't your name Livingston Palmer?" - -"It is." - -"I saw you in Granville--at the theater, and later on at the railroad -station." - -Palmer, for it was really he, flushed up. - -"Perhaps you belonged to that mob that assaulted our troupe," he -sneered. "Your actions here are in the same line." - -"No, I had no fault to find with the theatrical company," returned -James Talbot slowly. The meeting had surprised him greatly, and he -began to wonder how he might turn it to account. "I wonder if you know -who I am?" he added, after a pause. - -"I can't say that I do." - -"I am James Talbot, the husband of the lady upon whom you called." - -"Oh! Then you are Robert Frost's step-father," exclaimed Livingston -Palmer. - -"I am. May I ask what induced you to call upon my wife?" - -Again Palmer flushed up. - -"I think, Mr. Talbot, that that was my affair." - -"Do you mean to say you refuse to tell?" - -"Well, if you must know, I will tell you--so that Mrs. Talbot may not -get into trouble over it. Your townpeople treated me so shabbily that -I called upon your wife for a small loan, so that I might get back to -Chicago." - -"Humph! Then Robert didn't send you to see her?" - -"No, Robert knew nothing about my going to Granville." - -"I thought you and he were great friends?" - -"So we are, but he didn't know where I was going when we separated." - -"A likely story," sneered James Talbot. "I believe that boy sent you to -my wife with a message." - -"You can think as you please," cried Palmer hotly. "I have told you the -plain truth. But I guess Robert will have to send a private messenger, -since his letters don't reach his mother." - -The shot told, and James Talbot grew pale for the moment. Then he -recovered himself. - -"I won't stand any of your slurs, young man. I reckon you are no better -than Robert." - -"I don't want to be any better than Robert. He's a first-rate fellow." - -"He is an impudent cub." - -"That is only your opinion." - -"I am his step-father, and in the eyes of the law I am as a real father -to him. Yet instead of minding me he openly defies me." - -"I don't know but what I would do the same," answered Palmer coolly. - -"I want to do what is right by him--make something of him--but he won't -let me do it." - -"He is able to take care of himself." - -"No, he is not. Sooner or later he'll be going to the dogs." - -"He told me all about how you had treated him. I don't blame him for -leaving home, although it may be possible that he would have done -better by sticking to his mother." - -"Do you mean to insinuate that his mother may need him?" - -"I don't wonder if she does, Mr. Talbot. As I understand the matter she -is rich." - -"Well?" - -"It would be a great temptation for some husbands to try to get that -money in their own hands." - -James Talbot grew crimson. - -"You insult me!" he ejaculated. - -Livingston Palmer shrugged his shoulders. - -"You can take it as you please. I didn't stop you. You ran into me and -knocked me down." - -"Where are you going?" - -"That is my affair." - -"You are going to call upon Robert." - -"Perhaps I am." - -"If you do, let me warn you not to talk about me and my wife. Did she -send the boy a message?" - -"If she did I shan't deliver it to you," answered Livingston Palmer, -and proceeded on his way. James Talbot gazed after him in anger and -disappointment. - -"Another who is against me," he muttered. "I must hurry my schemes, or -it will be too late to put them through." - -Livingston Palmer had just reached Mrs. Gibbs' boarding house when he -met Robert coming out, on his way to see Herman Wenrich about the map. - -"Robert!" cried the former clerk. "I'm glad I caught you." - -"Why, Livingston, I thought you were on the road," returned Robert, as -he shook hands. - -"Not much! No more theatrical life for me," said Palmer. - -"What, have you had enough already?" - -"Yes, and got it in your native town, too." - -"In Granville?" - -"Exactly. We opened in Granville and we busted in Granville," said -Palmer, and in such a dubious fashion that our hero could scarcely keep -from laughing outright. - -"What, has the Dixon Combination Comedy Company gone to pieces?" - -"It has--at least so far as I am concerned. Dixon isn't going to show -again until the performers have rehearsed for another couple of weeks." - -Palmer did not wish to go into the details of his bitter experience, so -without delay he began to tell of his visit to Mrs. Talbot and of what -she had done and said, and then before Robert could interrupt him he -told of the meeting with James Talbot. - -"Yes, my step-father was here," said Robert. "I am satisfied that he -is not to be trusted. I shall write my mother a long letter about him -as soon as I can get the chance. But now I must be off, as I have some -important business to attend to for Mr. Marden. What are you going to -do?" - -"I am going to call upon Mr. Gray and see if he intends to open up -again," answered Livingston Palmer. "After this office life will be -good enough for me." - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -THE CONSPIRATORS ARE DISGUSTED. - - -Less than an hour later found Robert at Herman Wenrich's modest home. -A ring at the door bell brought Nettie Wenrich, who smiled pleasantly -upon seeing our hero. - -"My father is much better, thank you," said the girl, in reply to -Robert's question concerning her parent's health. "I was afraid he -would not get well before, but now I am sure he will." - -"I am glad to hear that," answered the boy. - -"Those men were here again," went on Nettie. "They are very anxious to -get the map, and they offered my father fifty dollars for it." - -"They offered two hundred dollars," came from the bedchamber, for -Robert and Nettie were ascending the stairs, and old Herman Wenrich had -overheard the talk. "The fifty dollar offer was only their first." - -The old lumberman shook hands cordially. - -"But you have the map, haven't you?" questioned Robert eagerly. - -"To be sure I have, my lad. Herman Wenrich's word is as good as his -bond." - -"You know I am authorized to give you a hundred dollars," went on -Robert. - -"And didn't I say I didn't want a cent from Felix Amberton?" cried the -old man. "All I want is that order, to make certain that I am not going -astray--not but what you look honest enough." - -"Here is the order, just received by mail," and Robert handed it over. - -Herman Wenrich had his daughter bring spectacles and he perused the -paper with great care. - -"That's all right--I know Amberton's signature well--saw it on many a -check he gave me. You shall have the map. Nettie, bring me my tin box." - -"I will, father," answered the daughter, and left the room. - -"What did those men have to say when you told them that I had said they -were not working for Felix Amberton's interest?" asked Robert while she -was gone. - -"I didn't tell them anything about it. I merely told them to hold off -for a day or two, and I would consider their offer." - -"They'll be mad when they learn the truth." - -"I shall show them this order for the map. They probably know -Amberton's signature as well as I do." - -"Perhaps so." - -"I suppose you are going to send that to Timberville by the first mail." - -"I am going to take it up myself. Mr. Marden wants to come up." - -"You will find it a wild section of the country--a good bit different -from around here." - -"I shan't mind that--in fact, I think I'll rather like the change." - -"It's a good place for a fellow who is strong and healthy. There are -fortunes in the lumber business." - -"I've no doubt of it." - -"I went into the district a poor man, and worked at cutting lumber at a -dollar and a half a day. Inside of fifteen years I came out something -like twelve thousand dollars ahead. Of course that isn't a fortune, but -you must remember that I lost about ten thousand dollars by two spring -freshets which carried off nearly all I at those times possessed. If I -had remained there I would have been better off. But I came to Chicago -and speculated, and now my fortune amounts to very little, I can tell -you that." - -By this time Nettie came back with a long tin box painted black. It was -locked, and the key was in a pocketbook under the sick man's pillow. -Soon the box was opened and Herman Wenrich took out a paper yellow with -age. - -"This is the map," he said. "If I were you I would be very careful of -how I handled it, or it may go to pieces. Nettie, haven't you a big -envelope in which to place it?" - -"I think I have, father," she replied, and went off to hunt up the -article. - -During her absence Robert looked over the document, and found that it -contained not only a map but also a long written description of several -lumber tracts, including that which Felix Amberton had once purchased -from a man named Gregory Hammerditch. - -"This must be some relative to the Hammerditch I met," said our hero. - -"It was an uncle. The trouble started through this Gregory Hammerditch -and the Canadian, Jean Le Fevre. They claimed the land was never paid -for, I believe." - -At that moment came a ring at the front door bell. - -"It is those two men!" cried Nettie, who stood close to the window. - -"You mean the Canadian and the Englishman?" asked Robert. - -"Yes." - -"Do you wish to meet them?" questioned Herman Wenrich. "If so, I have -no objection." - -"I would like to hear what they have to say, sir." - -"You can go into the back bedroom, if you wish." - -The idea struck Robert as a good one, and while Nettie went below to -let the visitors in our hero entered the rear apartment, leaving the -door open several inches. - -Soon he heard Hammerditch and Le Fevre ascending the stairs. - -"Good-morning," said both, as they came in and sat down close to Herman -Wenrich's bedside. - -"Good-morning," replied the old lumberman shortly. - -"Well, I trust you have decided to sell us the map," continued the -Englishman. - -"I have decided not to do so." - -"Indeed." The faces of both men fell. "The map is of no use to you, Mr. -Wenrich," went on Hammerditch. - -"That may be true." - -"And it is no more than right that we should have it." - -"Dat is so," said the Canadian. "Ze map should be ours." - -"You said Mr. Amberton had sent you for the map," said Herman Wenrich. - -"So he did," answered Hammerditch, and Le Fevre nodded. - -"Did he give you a written order?" - -"He did not. He didn't think it was necessary." - -"I have received a written order--or rather, a written request, for it." - -At this both of the visitors were dumfounded. - -"A written order?" gasped Hammerditch. - -"Yes." - -"By mail?" - -"No, a young man brought it." - -"Ze order must be von forgery!" came from the French Canadian. - -"Certainly it must be a forgery," added his companion. - -"It is no forgery, gentlemen." - -The voice came from the rear doorway, and Robert confronted them. - -"Who are you?" demanded Hammerditch roughly. - -"My name is Robert Frost." - -"I never heard of you before." - -"I am a friend to Mr. Richard Marden, the nephew of Felix Amberton." - -"And you come for ze map?" queried Jean Le Fevre. - -"Yes." - -"It's an outrage!" burst out Hammerditch. "The map belongs to us." - -"No, it belongs to Mr. Wenrich." - -"What do you intend to do with it?" - -"I intend to turn it over to Mr. Amberton and Mr. Marden." - -"It will do them no good." - -"I think it will." - -"Amberton shall never have that timber land." - -"How will you stop him?" - -"Never mind, he shall never have it." - -"We haf ze other map," said Le Fevre. - -"There isn't any other map," put in Herman Wenrich. - -"Yes, there is," said Hammerditch. - -"Perhaps it's one you had made down to Cresson & Page," said Robert, -mentioning the firm of mapmakers, to whom he had applied for a -situation. - -Both Le Fevre and Hammerditch were amazed. - -"What do you know of that?" demanded the Englishman. - -"He haf played ze part of a spy!" hissed the French Canadian. - -"I have spied upon nobody. I was at Cresson & Page's place when you -came there, and I couldn't help overhear what you said about the map." - -"Bah, he is a spy, sure enough," ejaculated Hammerditch, in disgust. -"Jean, we have played into the hands of our enemies." - -"Zat is so, but it shall do zem no good," answered the Canadian. "We -haf better git back to Timberville as soon as possible," he added, in a -whisper. - -"I reckon you are about right," said Hammerditch. He bowed himself -toward the door. - -"You are going?" asked Herman Wenrich. - -"Yes, we are going. You have played us for a pair of fools," replied -the Englishman. - -He ran down the stairs, with Le Fevre at his heels. Soon both were -outside and stalking up the street rapidly. Robert began to laugh. - -"They are a pair of rascals," he remarked. "I am awfully glad I -outwitted them." - -"So am I glad," answered Herman Wenrich. - -"And I am glad, too," said Nettie, with a bright smile. "But if I were -you I wouldn't lose any time in getting to Timberville with the map." - -"I will leave this afternoon," answered the boy. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. - -A LUCKY CHANGE OF STATEROOMS. - - -Robert found that the afternoon boat for Muskegon left at half past -three, so there was still time left in which to get back to Mrs. Gibbs' -house for a late dinner. - -At the boarding house he found a short note from Livingston Palmer. - - "Mr. Gray is going to go into business again," it read; "with one - office here and another in New York. He is going to take me back - and he says you can return too, if you desire." - -"That's nice," thought Robert. "But I'll have to see Dick Marden before -I decide upon what's best to do next." - -While waiting for dinner he penned a hasty reply to the note, and -also a letter to his mother. In the latter he mentioned that he had -seen Palmer, and that his step-father had called upon him, and urged -her to keep her financial affairs entirely under her own control. He -was careful to send the letter in care of Mr. Blarcomb, for personal -delivery only. - -"She'll get that, I know," he said to himself. "And I hope it does some -good." - -At the proper time our hero went down to the dock and boarded the -_Arrow_, as the steamer was named. He found about two hundred -passengers besides himself bound for Muskegon and other points along -the Michigan shore. Besides passengers the _Arrow_ carried a large -quantity of baggage and freight. - -The distance from Chicago to Muskegon is about one hundred and -twenty-five miles. The _Arrow_ was rather a slow boat and did not -reach the latter point until some time in the early morning, so that -Robert must spend a night on board. This being so, he lost no time in -obtaining a berth. - -He had just turned away from the clerk's office when he saw two men -approaching. They were Hammerditch and Le Fevre. - -"Hullo, they are going too," he thought, and was about to step out of -sight, when the Englishman espied him. - -"Humph! so you are going with us," said the man, with a scowl. - -"Not with you," answered Robert quietly. "I believe this is a public -boat." - -"You have been following us again." - -"Excuse me, Mr. Hammerditch, but I never followed you in my life." - -"Then why are you on this boat?" - -"Because I am going to take a trip in her." - -"To Muskegon?" - -"That is my affair." - -"I suppose if we get off at Muskegon you will get off too." - -"Perhaps I shall." - -"Don't you know that you may get into a good deal of trouble through -following us, young man?" - -"As I said before, I am not following you. I have my own business to -attend to and I am attending to it." - -"Bah, do you think we will believe zat," burst in Jean Le Fevre. "You -are von spy. Perhaps you are von--vot you call heem?--von detective." - -At this Robert laughed. "No, I am no detective. Only a young fellow out -for business." - -"Zen you are on ze way to Timberville, hey?" - -"If I am that is my business." - -At this the French Canadian began to dance around and shook his fist in -Robert's face. - -"I know you!" he shouted. "But ve vill see who comes out best! Ha! ve -vill see zat!" - -"Hush!" interrupted Hammerditch. "Don't raise a disturbance on the -boat," and he led his companion away to the upper deck. - -"I shall have to keep my eye on them," thought Robert. "That Frenchmen -wouldn't like anything better than to get into a fight. I might fight -one of them, but I don't think I could get the best of both." - -Once on the upper deck and away from observation, Hammerditch began to -talk earnestly to his companion. - -"We made a mistake by quarreling with him," he said. - -"I cannot see eet," muttered Le Fevre. - -"If we had made friends with him he might have shown us the map." - -"Ha! zat is so." - -"I would give a good lot to get hold of the map," continued the -Englishman. "Our false map may help us some, but that real map ought to -be out of the way." - -At this Le Fevre clutched his companion by the arm. - -"I haf an idee," he whispered. "Let us see if ze boy has got a -stateroom." - -"We can find that out at the office." - -"And if he is to sleep alone." - -"All right." - -A little later they went to the office and looked over the register. - -"Here he is--Robert Frost, room 45," said Hammerditch. - -"Anybody else in zat room?" - -They looked over the register, but could find nobody else. - -"He will haf ze room all to himself," chuckled Jean Le Fevre. "Now if I -can find a way to open ze door----" - -"You mean to search his valise for the map?" - -"To be sure." - -"A good idea. We must work the plan, by all means," replied Hammerditch. - -In the meantime Robert had gone to the bow of the boat and was enjoying -the sea breeze. - -Presently the clerk of the boat came up, followed by two burly Germans. - -"I believe this is Mr. Robert Frost," said the clerk. - -"That's my name," answered Robert, wondering what was wanted. - -"These gentlemen are brothers and desire a stateroom together," -explained the clerk. "If you do not mind I would like to put you in -stateroom No. 50, along with a very nice gentleman named Porter, and -give these gentlemen No. 45. Otherwise I will have to put one of them -with you and one with Mr. Porter. They prefer to be together." - -"It vill pe a great favor," said one of the Germans politely. - -"All right, I would just as lief go in with the gentleman you -mentioned," answered Robert. - -"Dank you very mooch," said the German. - -"You vos very kind," added his brother. - -"All right then, that's settled," said the clerk. "Mr. Frost, I will -have your baggage transferred, if you will give me your key." - -"I will transfer the baggage myself and take a look at the other -stateroom," rejoined Robert. - -Our hero and the clerk went below, and Robert took his bag to stateroom -No. 50, which was better than the other. Mr. Porter sat outside of -the door reading a newspaper, and the clerk introduced the pair. The -stranger proved to be a Chicago hardware merchant on his way into -Michigan on a business trip. - -"I am glad to know you," he said, smiling pleasantly. "I hate to travel -alone when there is the chance of an agreeable companion." - -"Thank you! I think I can say the same," replied Robert, with a smile. - -The boy retired at ten o'clock, and Mr. Porter with him. Soon Robert -was sound asleep. - -The Germans had gone to bed early, and both were in the land of dreams -and snoring lustily when Jean Le Fevre and Hammerditch stole up to the -door of stateroom 45. - -"This is the one," whispered the French Canadian. "I was lucky to get -the pincers, hey?" - -"Hush, make no noise, the boy may be awake," said the Englishman, -warningly. - -While Hammerditch stood on guard Le Fevre inserted a small pincers in -the key-hole of the door and managed to turn the key, which was stuck -in from the other side. - -Then the Frenchman opened the door several inches. - -"Ha! he is snoring loudly--he is fast asleep," he thought, not noticing -that two persons were in the stateroom instead of one, for the German -in the upper berth happened just then to be silent. - -In the dim light the French Canadian made out a valise standing on the -floor and grabbed it hastily. Then he came away, shutting the door -behind him. - -"I haf eet!" he whispered. "Come!" And he almost ran for the stateroom -assigned to him and Hammerditch. Once inside, the pair secured the door -and then turned up the light. - -"It's a mighty rusty-looking bag," was the Englishman's comment. "Have -you got the key?" - -"It ees in ze lock," answered La Fevre. - -Soon the valise was opened, and out tumbled a few articles of dirty -underwear and a pair of embroidered slippers. - -"I don't see any map!" exclaimed Hammerditch, in disgust. - -"'Tis ze wrong bag!" groaned the French Canadian. "See, ze clothing is -too big for a boy, and so are ze slippers." - -"You've made a mess of it," answered his companion. "Better take that -bag back or there'll be a jolly row all for nothing." - -Much crestfallen, Le Fevre took the bag back. On his second visit he -saw both Germans, and he retreated even more speedily than he had on -his first trip to the stateroom. - -"The cake is dough," announced Hammerditch. "But though we are foiled -this time, we must get that map away from the boy, no matter at what -cost." - - - - -CHAPTER XXX. - -ANOTHER PLOT AGAINST ROBERT. - - -Robert enjoyed his sleep, and did not awaken until after the _Arrow_ -had tied up at the dock in Muskegon. He was just finishing his toilet -when Mr. Porter opened his eyes. - -"Ah, so you are ahead of me!" cried the hardware dealer, springing up. -"Have we arrived?" - -"I believe we have," answered Robert. - -"May I ask where you are bound?" - -"For the depot. I am going to take a train for Timberville." - -"I know the place and the route well. You cannot get a train for -Timberville until eleven o'clock. Here is a time-table." And selecting -one of several from his pocket, Mr. Porter passed it over. - -A short examination showed Robert that his friend was right. - -"It's a long wait," he said. - -"It will give you time for breakfast and a chance to look around. -Supposing we dine together?" - -"Thank you! that will suit me first-rate." - -In less than half an hour they had left the boat, and were walking up -the main street of Muskegon. The gentleman knew the place well, and led -the way to a substantial restaurant where a good meal could be had at a -reasonable figure. - -Hammerditch and Le Fevre had followed the youth, and now came to a halt -outside of the eating resort. - -"He seems to have picked up a friend," said the Englishman. "That will -make our task so much harder." - -"Perhaps ze man vill not remain wid heem," suggested Le Fevre. - -Satisfied that Robert and his companion would not come out immediately, -the pair went to another restaurant and procured a hasty breakfast. - -Mr. Porter expected to do considerable business in Muskegon, and -breakfast over, he shook Robert by the hand cordially. - -"We must part now," he said. "I am glad to have met you, and trust we -shall meet again." - -"The same to you, Mr. Porter," replied our hero. "I wish you were -going to Timberville with me." - -"I'm afraid I wouldn't do much there. There is only one small store and -two or three sawmills. Of course, they use some hardware, but not a -great deal." - -And thus they parted. - -By consulting a clock Robert found he had still two hours to wait -before the departure of the train. Looking at the clock reminded him of -his lost watch, and he had remembered how Andy Cross had said that Jim -Huskin had left Chicago for Muskegon. - -"I would just like to land on that fellow," he said to himself. "He -deserves to be in prison quite as much as Cross does." - -Walking around to the depot, Robert purchased a ticket for Timberville, -made sure that he was right about the train, and had his valise checked -straight through. - -Although he was not aware of it, his movements were shadowed by -Hammerditch and Le Fevre. - -"He has checked the bag," said the Englishman. "I wonder if we can get -at it through the baggage master?" - -"It ees not likely," said the French Canadian. "Za are verra -particular here about baggage. If ve can get ze check ve be all right." - -"Let us follow him and see if anything turns up in our favor." - -So the two rascals followed Robert in his walk about the town. - -All unconscious of the nearness of his enemies, our hero sauntered from -street to street. - -His eyes were wide open for some glimpse of Jim Huskin, and it must be -confessed that he never gave a thought to being attacked from behind. - -Having traveled the main thoroughfares of Muskegon, the youth commenced -a tour of the streets of lesser importance. - -One street, near the docks, was lined with saloons, and here the worst -element of the town appeared to be congregated. - -"Set 'em up, lad," cried one 'longshoreman, as he bumped up against -Robert. - -"Thanks, I don't drink," answered Robert, coolly. - -"Don't drink?" cried the man. "Wot yer doin' down here, then?" - -"That is my business." - -"Don't yer git uppish about it." - -"Make him treat, Mike," put in another man, whose nose showed that -strong drink and he were no strangers. - -"Come on an' have jess one glass," went on the man who had first -addressed Robert. - -As he spoke he caught Robert by the shoulder. - -Our hero shook him off. - -"Don't you dare to touch me," he said sharply. "If you do you will be -laying up a good bit of trouble for yourself." - -"In fightin' trim, hey?" - -"I can defend myself, and more, if I am called upon to do it." - -The 'longshoreman leered at Robert for a moment. - -"Yer too soft," he sneered, and aimed a blow for Robert's head. - -As quick as a flash our hero ducked, and hit out in return. The blow -caught the tippler on the chin, and made him stagger up against the -saloon window. - -"Now I guess you'll leave me alone," remarked the boy. And then he -walked on, but kept glancing behind him, to be prepared for another -attack. - -"Phew, he's a fighter, Mike," said the second man. - -"Dat's wot he is," grumbled Mike, rubbing his chin, where the blow had -landed. "He must be wot da call a scientific boxer, hey?" - -"Are yer goin' ter drop him?" - -"Wot shall I do?" - -"Make him treat or lick him." - -"Maybe you want ter lick him," suggested Mike. - -"I kin if I set out fer ter do it." - -"Then pitch in, Pat." - -But Pat hesitated about going ahead. Robert looked strong, and he felt -that the youth could not be easily intimidated. - -"We kin do it tergether," he ventured. - -While the two roughs were conversing Hammerditch and Le Fevre drew near. - -They had seen the short encounter and saw how angry were the men who -wanted to be treated. - -"Got the best of you, did he?" said Hammerditch. - -"You mind your own business," growled Mike, crossly. - -"Why didn't you pitch into him?" went on the Englishman. "I would have -done so." - -"Dat's wot I'm a-tellin' him," put in Pat. - -"He's a boy zat wants taking down," said Le Fevre. - -The two roughs looked at the newcomers curiously. - -"Do yer know de boy?" demanded Mike. - -"Yes, I know him, and I would like to see him get a sound thrashing," -answered Hammerditch. - -"Gif him what he deserves and ve vill pay you vell for eet," added the -French Canadian. - -"Wot yer down on him fer?" questioned Pat. - -"He stole a baggage check from me," said Hammerditch, promptly. "Of -course, he claims the check, but it is mine." - -"I see. Do yer want ter git the check away from him?" - -"I do." - -"Where is it?" - -"In his trousers' pocket." - -"An' if we git it fer yer, wot will yer give us?" asked Pat. - -"Five dollars," quickly answered Hammerditch. - -To these roughs, who had not done a full day's work for a long time, -five dollars appeared quite a sum of money. - -"We'll go yer," said Pat promptly. "Aint dat right, Mike?" - -"If you'll work wid me," answered Mike. - -"All right; I'll follow you up for the check," said Hammerditch. "And -here is the five dollars." And he showed the bill, so that they might -know that he meant what he said. - -In a few minutes more the two roughs had laid their plans and were -stealing after Robert. - -"We can git dat check an' his money too," said Mike, and Pat agreed -with him. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI. - -THE MISSING BAGGAGE CHECK. - - -All unconscious of the plot being hatched out against him, Robert -walked on along the docks. - -At one point he saw a large lake steamer at anchor, and thought to walk -out to the craft to inspect her. - -The way took him past a large quantity of merchandise piled high on the -rear end of the dock. - -He was just passing around the merchandise when he found himself -suddenly seized from behind. - -He tried to cry out, but before he could do so a dirty hand was clapped -over his mouth. - -He struggled to free himself, but soon found that two men were holding -him. At last he managed to turn partly around and saw that the men were -the two roughs who had wanted him to treat. - -"Let me go!" he managed to say at last. - -"Hold him, Mike," cried Pat, and slipped his hand into Robert's -trousers' pocket. - -Robert struggled, but before he could break away Pat had secured not -only the baggage check, but also some loose change amounting to about a -dollar. - -"Now his udder pockets, Pat," panted Mike heavily. "Hurry up, I can't -hold him much longer." - -"You scoundrels!" exclaimed our hero, and breaking away at last, he -dealt Mike a staggering blow in the chest. - -But as the rough tumbled he caught the boy by the arm, and both fell, -Robert on top. - -"Help me, Pat!" roared Mike, seeing he was getting the worst of the -encounter. - -Pat started to jump in, but then thought better of it. As Robert leaped -up with fire in his clear eyes, the man began to run. - -"Stop, you thief!" yelled the boy, and made after him. Left to himself, -Mike also got up and limped away, his nose bleeding, and suffering from -a bruised rib, where Robert had stepped upon him. - -"Dat boy is a reg'lar lion," he murmured. "We was fools ter tackle him." - -Pat ran as he had never ran before, and coming to an alleyway, darted -to the lower end and hid behind some empty barrels. - -Robert ran past and then Pat came out again. - -"Only a dollar," he said to himself, as he sized up his dishonest haul. -"Well, wid that five I'm ter git fer de check it will be six. Dat aint -bad." - -Pat was no particular friend to Mike, and speedily resolved to keep the -haul for himself. - -"I'll tell Mike I didn't git no check and dat dere was only twenty -cents in de pocket," he reasoned. He was willing to allow Mike ten -cents for his share in the work, and no more. - -The roughs had agreed to meet Hammerditch on a certain corner, and to -this spot Pat made his way with all possible speed. - -"Come in out of sight!" said the rough, and motioned the way to a -nearby saloon. He was afraid Mike would come up before the transfer of -the check could be made. - -They went inside and ordered some drinks, and then Pat turned the -baggage check over to the Englishman, and received the five dollars -reward. - -"I'll bet yer goin' ter make a fortune out of dat check," observed Pat. - -"Not at all," answered Hammerditch. "The check is of little value -really. But I was bound to have it." - -Afraid that Robert would hurry to the railroad station as soon as the -loss of the check was discovered, the Englishman did not remain in the -drinking place long. At a hotel several squares away he met Le Fevre. - -"You haf eem?" queried the French Canadian anxiously. - -"I have, Jean. Come." - -"Ve vill haf von drink first," was the reply, and they went to the -barroom. Here they met several lumbermen they knew, and in consequence -it was some time before they could get away from the hotel. - -One of the lumbermen knew about the Amberton land claim, and thought -that it would be a hard matter to dispossess the present incumbent. - -"Ve vill do eet," grinned Le Fevre. "Ve hold ze vinning cards--not so, -Hammerditch?" - -"That is so," answered Hammerditch. - -The lumbermen wanted to know the particulars, but the others were not -willing to disclose all of their secrets. - -In the meantime Robert was hunting around for the rough called Pat. - -Mike he did not care so much about, since it had been Pat who had made -off with his belongings. - -"He didn't get much money," he mused. "But he got that baggage check, -and I don't want to lose that." - -At first he thought to inform the police of what had occurred. - -He was making for a policeman when he saw Pat coming out of the saloon. -The rough had had half a dozen glasses of liquor, and he was in -consequence quite hazy in his mind. - -"You rascal!" cried our hero, catching him by the shoulder. "Give me -back what you stole from me." - -"That's all right, boss--didn't steal nothin'," mumbled Pat. - -"I say you did--a baggage check and about a dollar in change. Give them -up or I'll have you arrested." - -"Aint got no check," hiccoughed Pat. "An' the money is spent." - -"Then you come with me." - -At this the tough grew alarmed, and at last he broke down and confessed -that he had got the check for another party who had given him five -dollars for it. He had part of the five dollars left, and out of this -he gave Robert a sum equal to that which had been stolen. - -"Who took that check?" demanded our hero, a sudden suspicion crossing -his mind. - -As well as he was able Pat described Hammerditch. - -"He's goin' ter git sumthin' on de check," he added. - -"Not if I can prevent it," answered Robert. "He wants to steal my -valise. You come with me." - -"I aint goin' ter!" roared Pat, and breaking away, he started on a -clumsy run. Robert could readily have caught him, but concluded not to -waste the time. - -"Hammerditch will be hot-footed after my bag," he thought. "He expects -to get that map." - -He looked around, and espying a hack standing near, leaped in, and -ordered the driver to get him to the depot with all possible speed. - -Pat ran for fully six blocks, and then sank down on a pile of lumber, -panting for breath. - -"I'm in fer it," he groaned, expecting that Robert was at his heels. - -But the boy was nowhere to be seen, and at once his courage arose, and -he concluded that Robert had given up the chase. He counted his money -and found that he had exactly a dollar and ten cents left. The balance -of the cash had been paid over to the saloon keeper and to Robert. - -"I guess I'll git anudder drink," he murmured, and rolled over to -the nearest dive. Here in less than half an hour every cent that had -been left was spent, and then Pat started for home. He could not walk -straight, and frequently bumped up against those he passed. He had -passed less than three blocks when he espied Mike coming toward him. - -"Bedad, I can't let him see me!" he reasoned, and tried to steer out -of sight. But Mike was too quick for him, and the pair confronted each -other at the entrance to a lumber yard. - -"Well, how much did yer git?" was Mike's first question. - -"Didn't git nuthin," answered Pat boldly. - -"Yer got a whole handful of money," retorted Mike. "I want half, do yer -mind dat?" - -"I ain't got nuthin," was all Pat could answer. - -A wordy quarrel followed, and then the two roughs came to blows. They -were encouraged to fight by the by-standers, who loved nothing better -than to witness a "scrap," and it was not until a policeman came up -that the encounter came to an end. Each contestant had a bloody nose, -and their eyes were so swollen they could scarcely see out of them. - -"You're both good for sixty days in jail," said the officer of the -law, and marched them to headquarters. Instead of sixty, each got -ninety days, and I think my readers will agree with me that they richly -deserved their sentences. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII. - -ROBERT DELIVERS THE PRECIOUS MAP. - - -"There aint no train now, boss," said the hack driver, after receiving -his directions from Robert. - -"I don't want to catch a train; I want to catch a couple of thieves who -want to make off with my valise," answered our hero. - -"Did you forget the valise?" - -"No, they have stolen my baggage check." - -"Oh, that's it! Well, I'll get you to the depot in short order." - -Away went the hack at a rate of speed which was far from agreeable so -far as riding was concerned. - -But, disagreeable as it was, it pleased Robert, and soon the railroad -station came in sight. - -"There are the fellows who are after my bag!" cried our hero, as the -hack came to a halt. He had espied Hammerditch and Le Fevre making -their way to the baggage room. - -"You are certain they are after the valise? Perhaps you may be -mistaken," went on the driver, who was a rather elderly man and -cautious. - -"I'll watch them and make sure," said Robert. - -Taking his station behind the baggage room door, our hero saw the -Englishman and the French Canadian approach the baggage master. - -"I am after my valise," said the Englishman, producing Robert's check. -"My son left it here a few hours ago. I have concluded to remain in -Muskegon over night." - -"All right, sir," answered the baggage master, taking the check. He -glanced at the piles of baggage which littered the room. "What kind of -a looking bag was it?" - -For the minute Hammerditch was nonplussed, as he did not remember -Robert's bag very well. - -"It was--er--a tan-colored bag, not very large," he stammered. "I just -bought it, so I don't remember it--er--very well." - -"I reckon this is it," said the baggage master, after a short hunt. -"Check 432,--that's right." - -Hammerditch was about to take the valise when Robert came up and seized -it. - -"No, you don't, you thief!" he exclaimed. "Your little game is nipped -in the bud." - -The Englishman turned and his face fell, and Le Fevre was also -discomfited. - -"What's the trouble?" asked the baggage master, in astonishment. - -"This rascal was about to steal my bag." - -"Your bag?" - -"Yes, my bag. Don't you remember my leaving it here a couple of hours -ago?" - -"I do." - -"He got a tough to steal my check, and he would have had the bag if I -hadn't got here just in time." - -"He said you were his son." - -"I wouldn't have him for a relative," cried Robert. "Mr. Hammerditch, -you are a thorough-paced scoundrel," he went on, facing the Englishman. - -"What, this to me!" gasped the schemer. - -"Yes, that to you. You are a would-be thief, and I reckon your -companion is little better." - -"Boy, boy! I vill haf ze law on you!" howled the French Canadian. - -"And I will have the law on you," retorted Robert. "You wanted to steal -that map. You need not deny it." - -"The bag is mine," said Hammerditch boldly. "This is a plot to get me -into trouble." - -"I reckon I can prove my property," said Robert. "Have you the key that -will unlock the bag?" - -"Never mind about that." - -"I have the key," went on our hero. He produced it and opened the bag. -"I wish you to bear witness that this bag contains my wearing apparel," -he said to the baggage master. - -"Yes, that must be your stuff," was the answer. - -"Here are my initials, R.F. My name is Robert Frost, while his name is -Oscar Hammerditch. There isn't a single thing here that belongs to him, -or that would fit him." - -"What did you say about a map?" went on the baggage man. - -"I have a map that he wants to steal, in order to lay claim to certain -lumber lands located near Timberville." - -"But I see no map." - -"The map is in my pocket, here," and Robert produced the document. - -If ever Hammerditch had looked sheepish it was now. He realized that -even if he had obtained the valise he would have been outwitted. -Plainly this American lad was too smart for him. - -"I'll see you about this later," he howled, and started to back out. - -"Wait a minute, I want to give you a bit of advice," said Robert, -catching him by the arm. "If I wanted to I could have you arrested on -the spot. But I am not going to take that trouble. But this baggage man -is a witness to the fact that you tried to steal my valise, and if you -or that Frenchman ever bother me again, I'll have you locked up on the -charge, and I'll see that you go to prison for it. Now you can clear -out." - -For the moment Hammerditch was speechless. He wanted to flare up, but -the words would not come. He grated his teeth, turned on his heel and -almost ran from the baggage room. With him went Jean Le Fevre; and it -may be added right here that that was the last Robert ever saw of the -dishonest pair. - -After the pair were gone Robert gave the baggage man the particulars of -what had occurred, so that he might remember, in case the affair came -up later. - -"I thought it was queer he couldn't remember how his bag looked," said -the baggage master. "I reckon, however, they won't bother you again in -a hurry." - -It was now nearly train time, and Robert remained in the depot. -Presently the train came in and he got on board, and the journey to -Timberville was continued. - -"I'll not forget my stop-off at Muskegon," he mused, as he sped on his -way. - -The remainder of the journey passed without special incident. -Hammerditch and Le Fevre had expected to take this same train, but -could not screw up the necessary courage to do so. - -Timberville was reached about three o'clock, and our hero alighted at -the depot, which was little better than a shed. As Mr. Porter had said -the village was small and looked almost deserted. - -"I wish to get to Mr. Felix Amberton's place," he said to the station -master. "How can I best reach it?" - -"It's several miles from here," was the reply. "Guess Joe Bandy will -take you along in his rig." - -Joe Bandy proved to be the mail carrier, who drove a two horse wagon -through the lumber region of the vicinity. He agreed to take Robert -along for the usual fare, thirty-five cents. Soon they were on the way. - -"Come out to try your luck?" questioned the mail carrier, with a grin. - -"No, I came out on business." - -"Say, you can't be the lawyer Mr. Marden is expectin'," went on the -mail carrier, with a look at the valise. - -"No, I'm no lawyer," laughed Robert. "But I am a friend to Mr. Marden. -How is Mr. Amberton?" - -"Doin' poorly. Those land sharks are worrying him to death. They want -to take his timber from him," answered Bandy. - -They passed over several hills and through a heavy forest, and then -made a sharp turn to the left. Presently a well-built cabin came into -sight. - -"There is Amberton's hang-out," said the driver, and drew up. - -"Hullo, Robert!" came a voice from behind some trees, and Dick Marden -rushed forth. His face wore a broad smile and he almost broke the -bones of Robert's fingers, so hearty was his hand shake. "How are you, -lad--well? And did you get that map?" - -"Yes, I'm well, and the map is safe in my pocket," answered Robert, and -then they walked to the cabin, while the mail carrier proceeded on his -way. - -Once inside of the place Robert was introduced to Dick Marden's uncle, -who sat in an old-fashioned easy chair by one of the little windows of -which the cabin boasted. Mr. Amberton seemed weak and careworn. - -"Dick has been telling me about you," he said, in a low voice. "He felt -sure you would manage to get the map." - -There was of course nothing for Robert to do but to tell his story from -beginning to end, and this he did without delay, Dick Marden in the -meantime ordering the negro servant to cook a good dinner for the youth. - -"Well, you outwitted Hammerditch and Le Fevre nicely," cried the miner. -"I would like to have seen them at the railroad station. They must have -felt cheap and no mistake." - -"They are rascals, and I always knew it," said Felix Amberton. "But now -we have a hold upon them, for through Robert we can show up their true -characters, if it becomes necessary." - -The map was examined with care, and Dick Marden announced that it was -just what was wanted. - -"They can't go behind this," he said. "Robert, I think you have saved -the estate for my uncle." - -"I think so myself," came from Felix Amberton. "But I am afraid I am in -for a long lawsuit, nevertheless." - -Inside of an hour a hot dinner awaited our hero, to which he, as was -usual with him, did full justice. - -The balance of the day passed quietly, and on the day following Dick -Marden took the boy over the timber lands. - -"Would you like it out here?" asked the miner. - -"I don't believe I would," answered Robert promptly. "I much prefer -city life." - -"Honestly spoken," cried Marden. "Now with me it is just the opposite. -I can remain in the city a couple of weeks, or possibly a month, and -then I feel that I must get somewhere where there is lots of elbow -room." - -Two days later a lawyer arrived--the one sent for by Marden and Felix -Amberton. - -"The claim is all right," said the legal gentleman. "This map is good -proof, too. If they want to fight let them. You will surely come out on -top." - -This was cheering news, and its effect upon Amberton was soon visible. - -"When it is settled I shall not forget you," he said to Robert. - -"Thank you," replied the boy, "but I am glad to have been of service -to you and Mr. Marden, my best friend. He helped me, you know, when I -actually did not know how to turn myself." - -On Monday of the week following Dick Marden announced his intention of -going to Chicago on business, and as there was nothing to keep Robert -in the lumber camp, he decided to accompany his friend back to the -great city by the lakes. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII. - -ROBERT VISITS HOME--CONCLUSION. - - -"You have had lots of adventures since last we met in Chicago," -remarked Dick Marden, while he and Robert were making the trip from -Timberville to Muskegon. - -"That is true, and some adventures that I didn't care much about," -returned our hero. - -"It's the way of the world, lad--you can't get through without some -pretty hard knocks and dangerous brushes. But tell me frankly, what -would you like to do next?" - -"I would like to obtain some good office situation. I like to keep -books, write business letters, and handle money--especially if the -business done is on a large scale." - -"I understand." Dick Marden mused for a moment. "I was thinking of -offering you a place at Timberville, or in my mine in California; but I -reckon you had best remain in Chicago. But I shan't forget to keep my -eye on you, and you can be sure that my uncle won't forget you if he -comes out on top, as that lawyer says." - -The run to Muskegon was without special incident, and once in the town -bordering the lake they found they had several hours to wait until a -steamer would leave for Chicago. - -"The wait will just suit me," said the miner. "I want to call on a man -who deals in lumber and make an arrangement with him to handle some of -my uncle's output." - -The office building in which the wholesale lumber dealer did business -was situated several blocks from the depot and thither the pair made -their way. - -As they entered the wide hallway Robert suddenly clutched Dick Marden -by the arm. - -"There he is at last!" he whispered. - -"He? Who?" - -"That rascal who robbed me--Jim Huskin!" - -And our hero pointed to where Huskin stood, in conversation with an old -gentleman in black. - -"You are certain he is the man?" asked the miner. - -"Yes; I would never forget that smooth face and those wicked eyes." - -"He seems to be playing some confidence game now," went on Dick Marden. - -The miner was right. Jim Huskin had the old man in black in an out of -the way corner and was conversing with him in great earnestness. - -"You cannot lose on the venture, Mr. Price," he said, as our hero and -Marden drew closer. "The shares will always be worth the money you put -into them. Better let me have the check now, and I will buy them inside -of the next hour." - -"Yes, yes, but are you quite sure it is safe?" asked the old man, in -a trembling voice. "You see, I cannot afford to lose four hundred -dollars." - -"You will not lose--I will guarantee the shares myself," answered the -confidence man earnestly. - -"Very well, if you will guarantee them," said the old man, and drew out -his pocketbook, which held several bankbills, and a filled in check for -the amount Huskin desired. - -At that moment Robert placed his hand upon the confidence man's -shoulder. - -"So we meet again, Jim Huskin," he said coldly. - -The rascal turned in amazement, and then his face fell. - -"Why--er--what--who are you?" he stammered, hardly being able to speak. - -"You know very well who I am," answered our hero. "I am the boy you -robbed in Chicago." - -"Robbed!" gasped the old man in black. "Did you say robbed?" - -"I did, sir. This man is a rascal and a thief." - -"You are mistaken----" began Jim Huskin, but his manner showed how -uncomfortable he felt. - -"A rascal and a thief!" murmured the old man, and looked as if he would -faint. It did not take him long to place his pocketbook in his pocket -again. - -Jim Huskin was a man who made up his mind quickly. He saw that Robert -had the best of him, and that his only chance for safety lay in flight. -Turning swiftly, he started to run from the building. - -But he had reckoned without Dick Marden, and he had scarcely taken two -steps when the miner put out his foot and sent him sprawling in the -hallway. At once a crowd began to collect. - -"What's the row here?" demanded the janitor of the building, as he -rushed up. - -"We've collared a thief," answered Marden. "Call a policeman." - -"What! do you mean to have me arrested?" demanded Jim Huskin, as he -got up, to find himself in the grasp of both Robert and his friend. - -"That's what," answered the miner coolly. - -Jim Huskin began to expostulate, but all to no purpose. Soon an officer -came in, followed by another crowd. - -"What has he done?" demanded the policeman. - -"I charge him with robbing me," answered Robert. "His name is Jim -Huskin." - -"My name isn't Huskin, it is Williams," put in the confidence man. - -"Jim Huskin?" repeated the officer. "I've heard that before." - -"He and another man named Andy Cross robbed me in Chicago. Cross was -caught, but this fellow came to Muskegon." - -"Oh, yes, I remember the case now. So this is Huskin, eh? You were -lucky to land on him." - -"This is all wrong," persisted Huskin. He turned to the old man in -black. "Mr. Price, won't you testify that my name is Williams?" - -"I don't know as I will," was the slow answer. "You said it was, but I -have no further proof of it." - -"He was going to get you to invest in some scheme, wasn't he?" asked -Robert. - -"Yes, he wanted to sell me some unlisted mining shares. Said they were -a good investment." - -"What were the shares?" asked Dick Marden. "I am an old miner and I -know the mines pretty well." - -"They were shares of the Golden Bucket Mine, of California." - -"The Golden Bucket! Why, that mine gave out six years ago. It never -paid back the money put into it. Why, it's dead, and so are the stocks. -You had a lucky escape." - -"I believe you," returned the old man, and looked greatly relieved. - -Inside of quarter of an hour Jim Huskin was transferred to the local -jail and his capture was telegraphed to Chicago. He was searched, -and on him were found about forty dollars belonging to Robert and a -pawn-ticket for the watch, showing that it had been pawned in Muskegon -for six dollars. Before he left the town Robert got the watch back. - -Later on Jim Huskin was taken back to Chicago, and he and Andy Cross -were tried together, and each received a sentence of two years in -State's prison for his misdeeds. - -On getting back to Mrs. Gibbs' boarding house Robert found a telegram -from his mother awaiting him. It read: - - "Come home at once. Your step-father is very ill." - -Without delay our hero started for Granville, arriving there late in -the evening. His mother met him at the front door, and it was plain to -see that she had been weeping. - -"Oh, Robert!" she cried, and embraced him. It was several minutes -before she could say more. - -"Mr. Talbot is very sick then?" asked the boy. - -"Yes, very sick, and the doctor is afraid he will never get well," -answered Mrs. Talbot. - -James Talbot was suffering from a sudden stroke of paralysis, which had -affected his stomach and his left side. He was almost unconscious, and -remained in that state for several days. During that time Mrs. Talbot -was at his bedside constantly, and Robert did all he could for both. - -At the end of two weeks the physician pronounced James Talbot out of -danger. The paralysis was gradually leaving him, and he could now take -a little nourishment. - -His sickness seemed to have changed him wonderfully, and his harshness -appeared to be a thing of the past. - -"I have had my eyes opened," he said to his wife and Robert. "I have -done wrong in the past, but from now on you will find me a different -man." - -These words pleased Mrs. Talbot greatly and removed a heavy load from -her heart. Robert, however, said but little on the subject. - -"I hope he does turn over a new leaf," he thought. "But I want to test -him for a while before I trust him." - -"Your step-father will be all right now, Robert," said his mother, -hopefully. - -"I sincerely trust so," he answered gravely. "For your sake even more -than for my own." - - * * * * * - -Here we will bring to a close the story of Robert Frost's adventures -while "Out for Business." He had succeeded in taking several forward -steps in life, and had brought to grief the enemies who had tried to -drag him down and overcome him. - -As soon as Mr. Talbot was on the mend our hero returned to Chicago and -called upon Mr. Gray. The cut-rate ticket broker had already opened -both his Chicago and his New York offices, and he at once agreed to -give the boy his position back, with two dollars per week added to -his salary. The next day found Robert again working beside Livingston -Palmer. - -"Right glad to see you!" cried Palmer. And he shook hands cordially. "I -reckon we have both had adventures enough for the present." - -"I know I have," answered Robert. "I hope in the future I am left alone -to buckle down to business." - -For the time being all went well. But there were still many adventures -in store for Robert, which will be related in a companion volume to -this, entitled: "Falling in with Fortune; or, The Experiences of a -Young Secretary." In this book we will meet all of our old friends and -some new ones, and also learn something more about James Talbot and his -schemes for getting possession of the Frost fortune. - -And now, kind reader, good-by, in the hope that some day we will meet -again. - - - - -The Famous Rover Boys Series - -By ARTHUR W. WINFIELD - -Each volume is hailed with delight by boys and girls everywhere. 12mo. -Cloth. Handsomely printed and illustrated. - -Price, 60 Cents per Volume. Postpaid. - - - THE ROVER BOYS DOWN EAST - - Or, The Struggle for the Stanhope Fortune - Old enemies try again to injure our friends. - - THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE - - Or, The Right Road and the Wrong - Brimming over with good nature and excitement. - - THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE - - Or, The Strange Cruise of the Steam Yacht - A search for treasure; a particularly fascinating volume. - - THE ROVER BOYS ON THE FARM - - Or, The Last Days at Putnam Hall - The boys find a mysterious cave used by freight thieves. - - THE ROVER BOYS IN SOUTHERN WATERS - - Or, The Deserted Steam Yacht - A trip to the coast of Florida. - - THE ROVER BOYS ON THE PLAINS - - Or, The Mystery of Red Rock Ranch - Relates adventures on the mighty Mississippi River. - - THE ROVER BOYS ON THE RIVER - - Or, The Search for the Missing Houseboat - The Ohio River is the theme of this spirited story. - - THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP - - Or, The Rivals of Pine Island - At the annual school encampment. - - THE ROVER BOYS ON LAND AND SEA - - Or, The Crusoes of Seven Islands - Full of strange and surprising adventures. - - THE ROVER BOYS IN THE MOUNTAINS - - Or, A Hunt for Fame and Fortune - The boys in the Adirondacks at a Winter camp. - - THE ROVER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES - - Or, The Secret of the Island Cave - A story of a remarkable Summer outing; full of fun. - - THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST - - Or, The Search for a Lost Mine - A graphic description of the mines of the great Rockies. - - THE ROVER BOYS IN THE JUNGLE - - Or, Stirring Adventures in Africa - The boys journey to the Dark Continent in search of their father. - - THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN - - Or, A Chase for a Fortune - From school to the Atlantic Ocean. - - THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL - - Or, The Cadets of Putnam Hall - The doings of Dick, Tom, and Sam Rover. - - -GROSSET & DUNLAP----NEW YORK - -Transcribers Note: -Some apparent misspellings have been left unchanged - aint/ain't - dumfounded/dumbfounded - dumstruck/dumbstruck -in the believe they are as the author intended. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Out For Business, by -Horatio Alger Jr. and Arthur M. Winfield and Edward Stratemeyer - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OUT FOR BUSINESS *** - -***** This file should be named 54737-8.txt or 54737-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/4/7/3/54737/ - -Produced by David Edwards, Graeme Mackreth and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -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. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - 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. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - diff --git a/old/54737-8.zip b/old/54737-8.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index ae92915..0000000 --- a/old/54737-8.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/54737-h.zip b/old/54737-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 91acd59..0000000 --- a/old/54737-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/54737-h/54737-h.htm b/old/54737-h/54737-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 315c5b9..0000000 --- a/old/54737-h/54737-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9587 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Robert Frost's Strange Career, by Horatio Alger. - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - -.small { - font-size: small} - -.medium { - font-size: medium} - -.large { - font-size: large} - -.x-large { - font-size: x-large} - - - h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -.p2 {margin-top: 2em;} -.p4 {margin-top: 4em;} -.p6 {margin-top: 6em;} - -.ph1, .ph2, .ph3, .ph4 { text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; } -.ph1 { font-size: xx-large; margin: .67em auto; } -.ph2 { font-size: x-large; margin: .75em auto; } -.ph3 { font-size: large; margin: .83em auto; } -.ph4 { font-size: medium; margin: 1.12em auto; } -.ph5 { font-size: small; margin: 1.12em auto;text-align: center; } -.ph6 { font-size: x-small; margin: 1.12em auto;text-align: center; } - - -.hang { - text-indent: -2em; - padding-left: 2em} - -p.drop:first-letter { - font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; - font-size: xx-large; - line-height: 70%} - -.uppercase { - font-size: small; - text-transform: uppercase} - - - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; - clear: both; -} - -hr.tb {width: 45%;} -hr.chap {width: 65%} -hr.full {width: 95%;} - -hr.r5 {width: 5%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;} -hr.r65 {width: 65%; margin-top: 3em; margin-bottom: 3em;} - - - -table { - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; -} - - .tdl {text-align: left;} - .tdr { text-align: right;} - .tdc {text-align: center;} - -.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; -} /* page numbers */ - - - -.blockquot { - margin-left: 5%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - - -.bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} - -.bl {border-left: solid 2px;} - -.bt {border-top: solid 2px;} - -.br {border-right: solid 2px;} - -.bbox {border: solid 2px; margin-left:20%; margin-right:20%;} -.bbox1 {border: solid 2px; margin-left:30%; margin-right:30%;} -.center {text-align: center;} - -.right {text-align: right;} - -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - -.u {text-decoration: underline;} - - - - - - - - - -/* Footnotes */ -.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} - -.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} - -.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} - -.fnanchor { - vertical-align: super; - font-size: .8em; - text-decoration: - none; -} - - - - - - - -/* Transcriber's notes */ -.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; - color: black; - font-size:smaller; - padding:0.5em; - margin-bottom:5em; - font-family:sans-serif, serif; } - -@media handheld { - .hidehand {display: none; visibility: hidden;} -} - - - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Out For Business, by -Horatio Alger Jr. and Arthur M. Winfield and Edward Stratemeyer - -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: Out For Business - or Robert Frost's Strange Career - -Author: Horatio Alger Jr. - Arthur M. Winfield - Edward Stratemeyer - -Release Date: May 17, 2017 [EBook #54737] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OUT FOR BUSINESS *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Graeme Mackreth and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - - - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/illus01.jpg" alt="illustration" /> -</p> - - - -<p class="center"><small> <span class="smcap">ROBERT OVERHEARS AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION.</span> -<i>Frontispiece</i></small></p> - - - - -<div class="bbox" style="margin-top:5em;"> -<p class="ph1">OUT FOR BUSINESS</p> - -<p class="ph6">OR</p> - -<p class="ph4"><i>ROBERT FROST'S STRANGE CAREER</i></p> -</div> -<div class="bbox"> -<p class="ph6">BY</p> - -<p class="ph4">HORATIO ALGER, <span class="smcap">Jr.</span></p><br /> -<br /> -<p class="ph5">AUTHOR OF "FALLING IN WITH FORTUNE," "LUCK OR PLUCK,"<br /> -"THE YOUNG BOATMAN," "ONLY AN IRISH BOY,"<br /> -"YOUNG MINER," ETC.</p> - -<p class="ph6">COMPLETED BY</p> - -<p class="ph4">ARTHUR M. WINFIELD</p> - -<p class="ph5">AUTHOR OF "THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL," "THE ROVER BOYS<br /> -ON THE OCEAN," "THE ROVER BOYS IN THE JUNGLE,"<br /> -"THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST," ETC.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="bbox"> -<p class="ph5">GROSSET & DUNLAP</p> - -<p class="ph5">PUBLISHERS :: :: NEW YORK</p> -</div> - - - - -<div class="bbox1" style="margin-top: 10em;"> -<p class="ph4">BY THE SAME AUTHOR</p> - - -<p class="ph5"> -THE YOUNG BOOK AGENT;<br /> -Or, Frank Hardy's Road to Success.<br /> -<br /> -FROM FARM TO FORTUNE;<br /> -Or, Nat Nason's Strange Experience.<br /> -<br /> -LOST AT SEA;<br /> -Or, Robert Roscoe's Strange Cruise.<br /> -<br /> -JERRY, THE BACKWOODS BOY;<br /> -Or, The Parkhurst Treasure.<br /> -<br /> -NELSON, THE NEWSBOY;<br /> -Or, Afloat in New York.<br /> -<br /> -YOUNG CAPTAIN JACK;<br /> -Or, The Son of a Soldier.<br /> -<br /> -OUT FOR BUSINESS;<br /> -Or, Robert Frost's Strange Career.<br /> -<br /> -FALLING IN WITH FORTUNE;<br /> -Or, The Experiences of a Young Secretary.<br /> -</p> -<p class="ph6"> -<i>12mo, finely illustrated and bound. Price per volume, 60 cents.</i></p> -<p class="ph5"> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">GROSSET & DUNLAP</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">PUBLISHERS NEW YORK</span> -</p> -</div> - - - - - -<p class ="ph5" style="margin-top: 3em;"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1900, by</span><br /> -THE MERSHON COMPANY -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">PREFACE.</p> - - -<p>"<span class="smcap">Out for Business</span>" is a complete tale in itself, but forms the -first of two companion stories, the second being entitled "Falling in -with Fortune."</p> - -<p>In this tale are related the various haps and mishaps which befall a -sturdy country youth, of high moral aim, who, by the harsh actions of -his step-father, is compelled to leave what had once been the best of -homes, and go forth into the world to make his own way.</p> - -<p>Robert Frost finds his path to fortune no easy one to tread. The thorns -of adversity line the way, and there is many a pitfall to be avoided. -But the lad is possessed of a good stock of hard, common sense, and in -the end we find him on the fair road to success—and a success richly -deserved.</p> - -<p>The two stories, "Out for Business" and "Falling in with Fortune," -give to the reader the last tales begun by that prince of juvenile -writers, Mr. Horatio Alger, Jr., whose books have sold<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a></span> to the extent -of hundreds of thousands of copies, not only in America, but also in -England and elsewhere. The gifted writer was stricken when on the point -of finishing the stories, and when he saw that he could not complete -them himself, it was to the present writer that he turned, and an -outline for a conclusion was drawn up which met with his approval,—and -it is this outline which has now been filled out in order to bring the -tales to a finish, so that both stories might be as nearly as possible -what Mr. Alger intended they should be. It may be that the stories will -not be found as interesting as if Mr. Alger had written them entirely, -nevertheless the present writer trusts that they will still hold the -reader's attention to the end.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 60%;"><span class="smcap">Arthur M. Winfield.</span></span><br /> -</p> - -<p>March 1st, 1900.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CONTENTS.</p> -<table summary="toc" width="80%"> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"><small>CHAPTER</small> -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td class="tdr"><small>PAGE</small> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">I. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">A Great Surprise</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_7">7</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">II. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">Mr. Talbot and the Dog</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_15">15</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">III. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">The Little Plot against Robert</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_24">24</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">IV. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">Mr. Talbot is Mystified</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_33">33</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">V. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">A Crisis</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_42">42</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">VI. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">On the Train</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_51">51</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">VII. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">Baffled</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_59">59</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">VIII. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">Peril</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_67">67</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">IX. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">At the Palmer House</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_75">75</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">X. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">Robert Gets a Place</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_83">83</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XI. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">Mr. Palmer's Infatuation</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_92">92</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XII. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">An Unlooked-for Scene</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_101">101</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XIII. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">Robert Receives a Letter</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_110">110</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XIV. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">James Talbot Learns Something of Importance</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_118">118</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XV. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">The Result of a Fire</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_127">127</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XVI. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">Two Disappointments</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_136">136</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XVII. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">Robert is Given a Mission</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_143">143</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XVIII. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">The Post-office Money Order</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_150">150</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XIX. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">An Unexpected Attack</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_160">160</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XX. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">The Escape of Cross and Huskin</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_169">169</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXI. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">Robert and the Old Lumberman</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_178">178</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span>XXII. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">A Clever Capture</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_187">187</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXIII. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">Palmer's Unfortunate Début</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_197">197</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXIV. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">Palmer Calls upon Robert's Mother</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_209">209</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXV. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">Another Talk about Robert</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_215">215</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXVI. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">Robert Speaks his Mind</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_222">222</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXVII. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">Mr. Talbot Receives another Set-back</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_229">229</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXVIII. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">The Conspirators are Disgusted</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_236">236</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXIX. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">A Lucky Change of Staterooms</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_245">245</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXX. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">Another Plot against Robert</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_253">253</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXXI. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">The Missing Baggage Check</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_261">261</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXXII. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">Robert Delivers the Precious Map</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_269">269</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">XXXIII. -</td> -<td> <span class="smcap">Robert Visits Home—Conclusion</span>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_279">279</a> -</td> -</tr> -</table> - - - - - - - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">OUT FOR BUSINESS.</p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></p> - -<p class="center">A GREAT SURPRISE.</p> - - -<p>Robert Frost, with his books under his arm, turned into the front yard -of a handsome residence in the village of Granville. He was a boy of -sixteen, strongly built, and with a handsome, expressive face.</p> - -<p>"I wish mother were at home," he soliloquized. "It seems very lonesome -when she is away."</p> - -<p>He opened the front door and let himself into the house. It was a -handsome and spacious hall. Two paintings hung on the walls, and both -were portraits. One represented a lady, with a pretty, but rather weak -face. She looked as if she had very little resolution, and might easily -be influenced by one with stronger will. The other picture was that of -a man of near forty. It was an attractive face. The strong resemblance -which it bore to the boy made it probable that it was his father, and -such was the case. Robert looked up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> to it regretfully, for he had not -yet got over the loss of his father, hardly twelve months dead.</p> - -<p>"I wish dad were alive," he thought sadly, "we were such good friends, -he and I."</p> - -<p>Mr. Frost had not died of disease. He was cut off in the full vigor of -life, the victim of a railroad accident. Robert remembered well when he -was taken home, mangled and hardly to be recognized.</p> - -<p>His death did not entail any privation upon his little family—Robert -was the only child—for he left a considerable fortune and was heavily -insured besides, so that they were still able to live in handsome style.</p> - -<p>"When will supper be ready, Jane?" Robert asked of the servant, as he -passed into the dining-room.</p> - -<p>"At half-past five o'clock, Master Robert."</p> - -<p>"All right, Jane. I will be on hand, and with a good appetite."</p> - -<p>He put on his hat, after laying down his books, and was about to go -out, when Jane arrested his steps.</p> - -<p>"Wait a minute, Master Robert. There's a telegram for you."</p> - -<p>He took the yellow envelope in some surprise.</p> - -<p>"When was it left?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Half an hour since."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It must be from mother," he said thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>"Very likely—I hope it isn't bad news."</p> - -<p>Robert echoed the wish, but did not say a word. He took out his -penknife and opened the envelope.</p> - -<p>There it was—just a few words, but they puzzled him.</p> - -<p>"What is it?" asked Jane, whose curiosity was excited.</p> - -<p>Robert read the telegram. It ran thus:</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p> - -"Gloucester, June 5.<br /> -</p> - -<p>"Shall be at home to-morrow. Prepare for a great surprise.</p> - -<p> -"Mother."<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p>Robert looked surprised and bewildered.</p> - -<p>"What can it mean, Jane, do you think?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"I don't know, I'm sure, Master Robert. Perhaps your mother is going to -bring you a present."</p> - -<p>"But she wouldn't call that a great surprise."</p> - -<p>"I don't know then. You'll know to-morrow."</p> - -<p>Yes, he would know to-morrow, but he could not help letting his mind -dwell on the mystery. It occurred to him that it might be a gold watch, -which he had long wanted, and which his mother<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> had promised to get him -very soon. But this would scarcely be considered a great surprise.</p> - -<p>"Well, there's no use guessing," he decided at length. "I'll only have -to wait till to-morrow, and then I shall know."</p> - -<p>The next day was Saturday, and school did not keep. Robert looked over -the railroad time-table, and concluded that his mother would arrive -about twelve o'clock. This would bring her in time for dinner, which -was usually on the table at half past twelve. He suggested to Jane to -get a better dinner than usual, as his mother would probably be present -to partake of it.</p> - -<p>This suggestion proved unnecessary, for about ten o'clock Jane herself -received a telegram to this effect.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"Have a good dinner ready at the usual time. I shall reach home in -time for it, and bring another with me."</p></blockquote> - -<p>"So that's the surprise!" reflected Jane. "She is going to bring a -friend with her. I wonder who it is. Maybe it's the lady she's been -visiting. I hope it isn't, for lady visitors are so fussy."</p> - -<p>However, Jane went to the market and ordered a pair of chickens, with -a variety of vegetables,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> and prepared apple dumplings, which she knew -Mrs. Frost always enjoyed.</p> - -<p>"Now," she said, "I'll have a dinner good enough for anybody."</p> - -<p>Robert intended to go to the depot to meet his mother, but he went on -an expedition with one of his schoolmates, and found that he would -scarcely have time to do so. So he returned home.</p> - -<p>"Has mother come, Jane?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"No, Master Robert, not yet."</p> - -<p>He posted himself at the front window, and five minutes later he saw -the depot carriage approaching the house.</p> - -<p>"She's coming, Jane!" he called out in excitement.</p> - -<p>"I forgot to tell you that she's going to bring a visitor."</p> - -<p>"How do you know?"</p> - -<p>"Because I received a telegraph this morning," answered Jane.</p> - -<p>"Did she say who was coming with her?"</p> - -<p>"No; can you see anyone in the carriage?"</p> - -<p>By this time the carriage had reached the entrance to the neat graveled -path which led from the gate to the front door.</p> - -<p>The door of the carriage was opened, and a man got out—a man of less -than medium size.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p> - -<p>Robert was surprised.</p> - -<p>"Why, Jane" he said, "it's a gentleman!"</p> - -<p>"Go out and meet them, Master Robert."</p> - -<p>Robert opened the front door quickly, and hurried out. Meanwhile, the -gentleman had helped Mrs. Frost out, and she was advancing up the walk, -leaning on the arm of her companion. Mrs. Frost smiled, and turning to -the man at her side, said, "This is my son Robert, James."</p> - -<p>"Ah, indeed!" said the other with a smile. "He looks like a stout, -strong boy."</p> - -<p>"I wonder who he is," thought Robert. But he was soon to learn.</p> - -<p>"Did you have a pleasant visit, mother?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes, very pleasant," answered his mother, with a meaning glance at her -companion. "Robert, did you receive my telegram?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, mother."</p> - -<p>"You remember what I said about the great surprise?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, mother."</p> - -<p>"Well, this gentleman is the great surprise," she said, simpering.</p> - -<p>By this time the whole party had entered the house.</p> - -<p>"I don't understand you, mother," said the boy,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> but a sudden suspicion -had entered his mind, and he was afraid that he did understand. He -waited in painful suspense for his mother to speak.</p> - -<p>"I have brought you a new father, Robert. This is my husband, Mr. -Talbot."</p> - -<p>"Oh, mother!" exclaimed Robert in a grief-stricken tone. "How could you -marry again?"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Talbot, for this was now her name, blushed and looked -uncomfortable. Her husband looked angry.</p> - -<p>"Really, young man," he said, "it seems to me that is a very improper -way of addressing your mother."</p> - -<p>For the first time Robert fixed his eyes upon this man whom he was so -suddenly called upon to think of as—not his father, for he could not -tolerate the thought—but as his mother's husband. As before mentioned, -he was a small-sized man, with black hair and side whiskers, a thin -face, aquiline nose, and an expression which, so far from attracting, -actually repelled the boy. It was a baleful look, which suggested -Mephistopheles, though this well-known character in Faust did not occur -to Robert, for he had never heard of him. The boy was not accustomed to -regard new acquaintances with repugnance, but this was the feeling with -which he regarded Mr. Talbot.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I hate you!" he blazed out in sudden fury. "Oh, mother, why did you -marry him?"</p> - -<p>This, it must be admitted, was not a very cordial welcome, and the -boy's anger was reflected in the face of his new step-father, who bit -his nether lip, and glared at our hero with wrathful eyes.</p> - -<p>"You are an impudent cub!" he exclaimed. "I won't forget the way you -have received me."</p> - -<p>"Oh, James, forgive him!" pleaded the mother. "He doesn't realize what -he says. He will get over it to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"I shall never get over it, mother!" said Robert. "If you must marry -again, why at least didn't you marry a gentleman?"</p> - -<p>"I'll get even with you for this, young man!" exclaimed Talbot -furiously.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Talbot screamed and sat upon a couch. Robert seized his hat, and -without waiting for dinner, dashed out of the house.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER II.</p> - -<p class="center">MR. TALBOT AND THE DOG.</p> - - -<p>"You didn't tell me what a violent temper your son had," said James -Talbot, when Robert had left the house.</p> - -<p>"He has a good temper, James, but I suppose he was taken by surprise."</p> - -<p>"I'll take him by surprise!" said Talbot spitefully. "He'll find out -that he has a master."</p> - -<p>"No, James," pleaded Mrs. Talbot. "Remember that he is my son."</p> - -<p>"I will treat him well if he treats me well, not otherwise. He has the -temper of a fiend."</p> - -<p>"I am so sorry," said the bride, and she indulged in weak tears. "I -looked forward with so much pleasure to this day, and now——"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps you are sorry you married me," said Talbot, biting his -mustache.</p> - -<p>"Oh no, not that, but Robert has gone away without his dinner."</p> - -<p>"Serves him right. When he gets hungry enough he will come back."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Promise, James, that you will overlook his rudeness."</p> - -<p>James Talbot was silent a moment, and then constrained his harsh -features into a smile, which he tried to make pleasant.</p> - -<p>"I will remember that he is your son, Sarah," he said, softening his -voice. "It will not be my fault if I do not teach him to like me."</p> - -<p>"Thank you! How good you are!"</p> - -<p>"And now, my love, let me remind you that I am hungry. Won't you order -dinner served? Really, I am almost famished."</p> - -<p>"Jane, you may put the dinner on the table," said Mrs. Talbot, looking -relieved.</p> - -<p>Jane followed directions.</p> - -<p>"And where is Master Robert, Mrs. Frost—no, I mean Mrs. Talbot?"</p> - -<p>"He has gone out for a short time. If he is not back before long, you -may save some dinner for him."</p> - -<p>"That's queer, his going out just as his mother gets back," thought -Jane, but she kept silence.</p> - -<p>She looked disapprovingly at the new husband.</p> - -<p>"Sure, he looks like a gorilla," she mused. "How could the mistress -marry him when her first husband was such a fine handsome man? I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> -mistrusts he and Master Robert won't get along very well together."</p> - -<p>James Talbot took the place at the head of the table, and began to -carve the fowls. Jane noticed that though he helped his wife first, he -reserved the nicest portion of the chicken for himself.</p> - -<p>"Sure, he's a selfish beast!" reflected Jane. "If he was a gentleman he -wouldn't take all the breast for himself."</p> - -<p>She was right. Talbot was selfish and had always been so. Some men can -conceal this trait. He did not try to do so. He did not trouble himself -about criticism, as long as he got what he wanted.</p> - -<p>"I wish Robert were here," said Mrs. Talbot plaintively. "I can't be -happy, thinking that he is going without his dinner."</p> - -<p>"He'll be all right to-morrow. I'll try to make friends with him."</p> - -<p>"Will you really? It will be so good of you."</p> - -<p>"I always try to be kind and considerate, my love. Your son is very -hasty, but he will soon understand me better."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I do hope so."</p> - -<p>After dinner Talbot said: "Now, my love, I wish you would show me over -the house—our house," he added with cat-like softness.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I shall be so glad to do so."</p> - -<p>They passed out into the hall, and the new husband's attention was -drawn to the portrait of Robert's father. He frowned slightly.</p> - -<p>"Who is that?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"It is my first husband."</p> - -<p>James Talbot glanced curiously at the picture. He was displeased to -notice that the portrait represented such a handsome man—a man with -whom he was not to be compared.</p> - -<p>"He was generally considered a fine-looking man," remarked the bride.</p> - -<p>"Humph! Tastes differ. No doubt he was a good man, but I don't consider -him handsome."</p> - -<p>Through the open door Jane heard this remark, and took instant offense, -for she had liked Mr. Frost, who was always kind to her.</p> - -<p>"He didn't look a gorilla, as you do," she said to herself, and would -like to have said aloud.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Robert went down to the village. He was the prey of -contending emotions. It looked as if all the happiness of their quiet -home was gone. This man—this interloper—would spoil it all.</p> - -<p>"How could mother marry him?" he said to himself.</p> - -<p>But in spite of his dissatisfaction, he felt hun<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span>gry. There was a -restaurant in the village, and he turned in there. He felt that on this -day at least he could not dine at home.</p> - -<p>He sat down at the table beside Mr. Jameson, a jeweler, and an old -friend of the family. The jeweler regarded Robert with surprise.</p> - -<p>"How is it that you don't dine at home?" he asked. "I believe, however, -that your mother is away."</p> - -<p>"It isn't that, for Jane prepares the meals."</p> - -<p>"You want a change then?" said Mr. Jameson smiling.</p> - -<p>"No, it isn't that either. Mother has got home," he added bluntly.</p> - -<p>"And you go away at such a time?"</p> - -<p>"I may as well tell you—everybody will know it soon. She has come home -with a new husband."</p> - -<p>"You amaze me! And you don't like the arrangement?" he asked, with a -keen glance at his young companion.</p> - -<p>"No; he's not a gentleman," answered Robert bitterly. "I don't see how -she could have married him—or anybody, after my father."</p> - -<p>"It is natural for you to feel so. Still, she had a right to do so."</p> - -<p>They talked further, and Mr. Jameson gradu<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span>ally modified Robert's -excited feelings. He made the boy promise that if Mr. Talbot should -show a disposition to be friendly, he would at any rate treat him with -courtesy.</p> - -<p>About three o'clock in the afternoon Robert met his new step-father -in the street. He paused, uncertain how to act. But James Talbot -approached him with a soft, ingratiating smile.</p> - -<p>"Robert," he said, "I am sorry you have taken such a dislike to me. You -will excuse my saying that it is quite unreasonable, as you can't know -anything about me."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I was hasty," Robert forced himself to say, "but it was a -trial to me to think my mother had married again."</p> - -<p>"Quite natural, I am sure, so I shall not look upon your manifestations -of dislike as personal to myself."</p> - -<p>"I suppose not," said Robert slowly. "Of course, I don't know much -about you."</p> - -<p>"When you do, I hope you will like me better," said Talbot cheerfully. -"Have you had any dinner?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"I hope you will come home to supper. It makes your mother feel very -sad to have you stay away."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes, I will come."</p> - -<p>"Shall we take a walk together? I don't know anything of your village. -You might show me something of it."</p> - -<p>Robert hesitated, but he was naturally polite, and, though rather -reluctantly, he walked through different parts of the village -and pointed out the churches and the public library, the center -school-house, and other buildings. Gradually they approached the -outskirts of the village till they reached a house occupied by an -eccentric old bachelor, who kept a large dog of an uncertain temper. As -the two passed, the dog bounded from the yard and ran after them. This -gave Robert a chance to judge of his step-father's courage.</p> - -<p>James Talbot turned pale with fright, and started to run.</p> - -<p>"Save me, Robert!" he called out, in tremulous accents. "Will he—will -he bite?"</p> - -<p>"I don't think so, Mr. Talbot," said Robert manfully, not exhibiting -the least alarm. "What do you mean, Tige?" he continued sternly, -addressing the dog.</p> - -<p>He snatched a stout stick from the side of the road, and made -threatening demonstrations.</p> - -<p>The dog stood still, evidently cowed.</p> - -<p>"I don't think he is dangerous, Mr. Talbot,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> Robert started to say, -but he looked in vain for his step-father.</p> - -<p>"Here I am, Robert," he heard in quavering accents.</p> - -<p>James Talbot had managed, with an agility hardly to be expected of a -man of forty-five, to climb into a tree by the roadside.</p> - -<p>"I—I thought I should be safer here," he said, Robert wanted to laugh, -but he was polite, and refrained.</p> - -<p>"I—I hope he won't bite you."</p> - -<p>"I'll risk it, sir."</p> - -<p>"What a terrible situation! I don't dare to come down."</p> - -<p>"I think you may, sir; I will protect you."</p> - -<p>"How can you? You wouldn't be a match for a dog like that."</p> - -<p>By this time Tiger had got over his fierce demonstrations, and seemed -quite friendly.</p> - -<p>"You see he has got over his fierceness. You had better come down."</p> - -<p>"Do you really think it would be safe?"</p> - -<p>"I am sure of it."</p> - -<p>James Talbot got down from the tree cautiously, eyeing the dog askance.</p> - -<p>"Now let us get away from here at once," he said nervously.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Very well, sir."</p> - -<p>They took the road for home, the dog making no hostile demonstrations.</p> - -<p>"I—I was always afraid of dogs," said Talbot, half ashamed. "If it had -been a man I wouldn't have cared." And then he began to tell Robert how -he had once frightened a burglar from the house where he was lodging; -but Robert didn't believe him. He felt contempt for his step-father as -a coward.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER III.</p> - -<p class="center">THE LITTLE PLOT AGAINST ROBERT.</p> - - -<p>Robert resumed his place in the home circle. Between him and his -step-father there was no cordiality, but formal politeness, though -at times Mrs. Talbot tried to cultivate more friendly relations. He -was somewhat ashamed of the cowardice he displayed during their walk -through the village. It was partly because Robert had been a witness of -his humiliation that he grew to dislike him the more and determined, -when occasion offered, to get even with the boy. He was somewhat afraid -of the spirited boy, but gradually plucked up courage for an encounter.</p> - -<p>When Robert came home from school three days later, he found his -step-father in the hall, standing on a chair, engaged in taking down -the portrait of Mr. Frost.</p> - -<p>"What are you doing, Mr. Talbot," he demanded indignantly.</p> - -<p>Talbot turned his head, and answered curtly, "I apprehend that is my -business."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Are you going to take down my father's portrait?"</p> - -<p>"That's exactly what I am going to do."</p> - -<p>"Why?" asked Robert sternly.</p> - -<p>"It is not fitting, now that your mother is my wife, that the picture -of her first husband should hang here."</p> - -<p>"Are you going to put yours in its place?"</p> - -<p>"As soon as I have one painted."</p> - -<p>Robert paused for a moment. After all, why should he interfere? His -mother had transferred her love and allegiance to another husband, and -his father's face would be a silent reproach to her.</p> - -<p>"Did my mother authorize this removal?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Certainly."</p> - -<p>"Then I have only one request to make, that the portrait be hung up in -my chamber. I still revere the memory of my father."</p> - -<p>"I have no objections. You can take it up to your room when you please."</p> - -<p>The portrait was taken down, and Robert received it. He at once carried -it upstairs. His heart swelled within him, and a look of bitterness -came over his young face.</p> - -<p>"I can't stand it long," he said to himself.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> "The sight of that man -fills me with indignation and disgust. I would as soon see a serpent."</p> - -<p>As yet, however, there had been no open outbreak, but it was to come -very soon.</p> - -<p>"May I ask a favor of you, James?" said his wife at the breakfast table.</p> - -<p>"What is it, my dear?"</p> - -<p>"I find that our woodpile needs replenishing. Will you stop at Mr. -Webber's on your way to the post-office and ask him to call? I want to -speak to him about sawing and splitting a new supply."</p> - -<p>"My dear," said her husband, "let me make a suggestion. Why employ Mr. -Webber when you have a strong, able-bodied boy in the house?"</p> - -<p>"Do you mean Robert?"</p> - -<p>"There is no other boy in the house, I take it."</p> - -<p>"But," expostulated Mrs. Talbot, "there is no occasion to put Robert at -such work. I am quite able to employ and pay Mr. Webber."</p> - -<p>"And bring up the boy in idleness. That's a very bad plan. He will be -getting lazy."</p> - -<p>"He has his studies to attend to."</p> - -<p>"He needs physical exercise."</p> - -<p>"He plays ball and foot-ball."</p> - -<p>"His time is thrown away. He could get quite as healthful exercise in -sawing and splitting wood, and it would save money."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p> - -<p>Mrs. Talbot was of a gentle, yielding temper, but she was not disposed -to adopt her husband's views. She still ventured to expostulate.</p> - -<p>"Robert is not lazy, James," she said. "If I were poor and there were -any need of it, he would willingly saw and split the wood."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps he would and perhaps he wouldn't. From what I have seen of -him, I am decidedly of the opinion that he has been pampered and -spoiled. He has a very bad temper——"</p> - -<p>"Oh, James!"</p> - -<p>"It is true, but it is partly because of his bringing-up. He needs to -have his will broken. He has always had his own way, and it is quite -time that he learned who is master here."</p> - -<p>"You are very hard and cruel, James," said his wife, the tears filling -her eyes.</p> - -<p>"You think so, but I am only seeking the boy's good. I am quite decided -on this point. We will drop the discussion."</p> - -<p>"Oh, what will happen?" thought the poor mother. "Robert will never -submit, and there will be serious trouble."</p> - -<p>The next morning was Saturday, and Robert had a holiday from school. -He was out in the yard, after breakfast, and was about to leave the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> -premises, when his step-father appeared in the doorway.</p> - -<p>"Stop a minute," he called out in a tone of command.</p> - -<p>Robert looked back in surprise.</p> - -<p>"What is wanted?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Where are you going?"</p> - -<p>"Out fishing with Harry Baker."</p> - -<p>"I think you had better postpone it."</p> - -<p>"Why?" demanded Robert in surprise.</p> - -<p>"Come out in the back-yard and I will tell you."</p> - -<p>Very much surprised, Robert followed his step-father out into the -back-yard.</p> - -<p>"What does all this mean?" he thought.</p> - -<p>"I want you to spend the forenoon in sawing and splitting wood. Your -mother tells me there is need of a fresh supply."</p> - -<p>"I don't understand you, sir," said Robert coldly. "Mr. Webber always -saws and splits wood for us."</p> - -<p>"He always has hitherto, but this arrangement is to be changed."</p> - -<p>Robert's eyes flashed. He was beginning to understand now.</p> - -<p>"Why? Is my mother unable to pay him?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p> - -<p>"That is not the point. You are strong and well able to do the work. -There is no need of going to unnecessary expense."</p> - -<p>Robert's lip curled.</p> - -<p>"You really expect me to work at the woodpile?" he said.</p> - -<p>"I do. What is more, I command you to go to work at once."</p> - -<p>Robert looked his step-father firmly in the face.</p> - -<p>"You command me to go to work?" he repeated slowly.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I do," blustered Mr. Talbot, thinking by his loud voice to -intimidate the boy.</p> - -<p>But he didn't understand the boy with whom he had to deal. Robert eyed -his step-father contemptuously. James Talbot, though perhaps an inch -taller, was less heavily built, and looked thin and puny beside the -sturdy boy whom he was trying to coerce. He felt the contempt which -Robert's face so plainly expressed, and it enraged him, for he was a -man of violent temper.</p> - -<p>"I think, Mr. Talbot," said Robert, after a pause, "that you will have -hard work in getting your orders obeyed."</p> - -<p>If James Talbot had not been beside himself with rage, he would not -have dared to act as he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> did. He seized a stout stick lying on the -ground and sprang towards his disobedient step-son.</p> - -<p>Robert instantly seized the ax, which was conveniently near, and -brandished it in a threatening manner.</p> - -<p>"Don't you dare to touch me!" he exclaimed in excitement.</p> - -<p>James Talbot turned pale.</p> - -<p>"Are you insane?" he demanded, drawing back in affright.</p> - -<p>"No, but I don't propose to be bulldozed. Just lay down that stick, if -you please."</p> - -<p>Mechanically Talbot dropped it.</p> - -<p>"You have a terrible temper!" he exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"I hope not, but I am quite prepared to defend myself, Mr. Talbot."</p> - -<p>"How old are you, sir?"</p> - -<p>"Sixteen."</p> - -<p>"Then you are under authority. You are bound to obey me."</p> - -<p>"Am I? I don't recognize you as having any authority over me."</p> - -<p>"Evidently you have a good deal to learn. Once more, will you obey me?"</p> - -<p>"Once more, I won't," returned Robert firmly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You will be sorry for your disobedience. You haven't seen the end of -this."</p> - -<p>He turned and walked back to the house, feeling with mortification that -he had been worsted in this first encounter with his step-son.</p> - -<p>"I'd like to flog that boy within an inch of his life," he muttered -spitefully. "I—I wish I dared to grapple with him."</p> - -<p>Robert and his step-father didn't meet at dinner or supper, as the -latter had to go away on business.</p> - -<p>"Mother," said Robert, "do you wish me to take Mr. Webber's place at -the woodpile?"</p> - -<p>"No, Robert. It was Mr. Talbot's idea. He thought it would be healthful -exercise for you."</p> - -<p>"Why not for him?"</p> - -<p>"I will try to get him off the idea."</p> - -<p>"It makes no difference. He can't make me do it, though he threatened -me with a stick this morning."</p> - -<p>"Surely he did not strike you?" said his mother nervously.</p> - -<p>"No, I guess not. He did not dare to."</p> - -<p>It so happened that James Talbot did not reach home till a late hour in -the evening, when Robert was already in bed. He went upstairs softly, -as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span>certained from Robert's regular breathing that he was sound asleep, -then taking the key from the lock inside, locked the door from the -outside, and went downstairs with a smile.</p> - -<p>"When the boy wakes up, he will find himself a prisoner," he said. "I -shall get even with him, after all."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER IV.</p> - -<p class="center">MR. TALBOT IS MYSTIFIED.</p> - - -<p>Robert slept soundly, and didn't wake till near breakfast-time. He -jumped out of bed and hastily dressed himself. Then he went to the door -of his chamber, and tried to open it. To his surprise, he found himself -unable to do so. For the first time he noticed that the key was not in -the lock.</p> - -<p>"What does this mean?" he asked himself.</p> - -<p>He peered through the key-hole and detected the key sticking in from -the other side of the door.</p> - -<p>"This is Mr. Talbot's work," he decided. "What does he expect to gain -by it?"</p> - -<p>Robert was quite cool, and upon the whole, rather amused. It seemed to -him a childish trick to play upon him.</p> - -<p>"What a contemptible fellow he is!" he said to himself. "It mortifies -me to think he is my mother's husband."</p> - -<p>Robert's room was a large front apartment on the third floor. It was -quite as handsome as any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> on the second floor. It was directly over the -room occupied by his mother. She, however, must already be downstairs.</p> - -<p>"I am sure mother can't know of this," he decided.</p> - -<p>Just then the breakfast bell rang, and Robert wondered whether anyone -would come up to see why he did not come down.</p> - -<p>Presently he heard a step on the stairs, and a minute later he heard -the voice of his step-father.</p> - -<p>"Robert!" he called out, "are you up?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Mr. Talbot. Why did you lock me in?"</p> - -<p>"I had my reasons. You were disobedient to me yesterday."</p> - -<p>Robert laughed, a little to Mr. Talbot's annoyance. He hoped to find -the boy in a state of alarm, ready to submit to his orders.</p> - -<p>"About the wood, I suppose you mean."</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Are you going to unlock the door?"</p> - -<p>His voice was quite calm, and he showed no nervousness nor excitement.</p> - -<p>"I will upon one condition."</p> - -<p>"You have no right to lock me up here, and no right to make -conditions."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p> - -<p>"That is for me to say. I will unlock the door on condition that you -agree to saw and split the wood, as I required yesterday."</p> - -<p>"To-day is Sunday. Do you expect me to work to-day?"</p> - -<p>Mr. Talbot was rather taken aback. He had forgotten when the evening -before he locked the door of Robert's chamber that the next day would -be Sunday.</p> - -<p>"No, but next week."</p> - -<p>"I don't agree," said Robert firmly.</p> - -<p>"All right; I will come up in an hour, and see if you have changed your -mind."</p> - -<p>With a malicious chuckle James Talbot drew the key from the lock, put -it in his pocket, and went downstairs. His wife was already sitting in -her place at the breakfast table.</p> - -<p>"What makes you so late, James," she asked.</p> - -<p>"I have been having a little interview with your son, my dear."</p> - -<p>"He is late, too. Is he coming down?"</p> - -<p>"No doubt he would like to," said her husband, chuckling.</p> - -<p>"I don't understand you, James. If he would like to come, why doesn't -he?"</p> - -<p>"Because he is locked in his chamber."</p> - -<p>"Who locked him there?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I did."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Talbot was a meek woman, but this excited her to anger.</p> - -<p>"I will go right up and let him out," she said.</p> - -<p>James Talbot laughed, but allowed his wife to leave the room without a -word.</p> - -<p>She hurried up to Robert's chamber.</p> - -<p>"Robert!" she called through the key-hole.</p> - -<p>"Is it you, mother?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Are you locked in?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Where is the key?"</p> - -<p>"In Mr. Talbot's pocket, I presume."</p> - -<p>"Why did he lock you in?"</p> - -<p>"Because I would not agree to saw and split the wood in place of Mr. -Webber next week."</p> - -<p>"That is shameful. Poor boy! and you have had no breakfast."</p> - -<p>"And am not likely to have, unless you can pass some through the -key-hole. You see what sort of a man you have married, mother."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Talbot was silent. She began to realize it herself.</p> - -<p>"How is this going to end?" she asked, half crying.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Don't mind me, mother. I'll get out some way."</p> - -<p>"I will ask James—Mr. Talbot for the key."</p> - -<p>"He won't give it to you. Let things take their course. I will consider -what is best to be done. But first, is there any other key in the house -that will fit this door?"</p> - -<p>"No, I don't think so."</p> - -<p>When Mrs. Talbot went downstairs her husband was half through breakfast.</p> - -<p>"I am afraid your breakfast will be cold, my dear," he said.</p> - -<p>"How can you act so meanly, James?"</p> - -<p>"It is all for Robert's good. He has been too much indulged. I want to -make a man of him. What did he say to you?"</p> - -<p>"He told me not to mind—that he would get out some way."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps through the key-hole," laughed James Talbot, apparently much -amused.</p> - -<p>"You are real mean," whimpered his wife. "The poor boy has had no -breakfast."</p> - -<p>"Don't let that interfere with your breakfasting, Mrs. T."</p> - -<p>"How can I eat when he is hungry?"</p> - -<p>"You see it doesn't affect my appetite. Really, this steak is unusually -good."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p> - -<p>Meanwhile Robert was considering how he was to escape. It was rather a -puzzling question to consider, and he could not think of any way. But -as he was looking out of the window he saw Sam Jones, a school friend, -pass by. An idea came to him. Sam's father was a carpenter, and the -owner of a tall ladder.</p> - -<p>"I say, Sam!" he called out.</p> - -<p>Sam looked up in the direction of the voice, and to his surprise saw -Robert at the window.</p> - -<p>"What's up?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"I am."</p> - -<p>"Why don't you come down?"</p> - -<p>"For a very good reason—because I am locked in."</p> - -<p>"What's that for?" asked Sam in natural surprise.</p> - -<p>Robert explained.</p> - -<p>"What are you going to do?"</p> - -<p>"Get out, if you will help me."</p> - -<p>"What shall I do?"</p> - -<p>"Ask your father to bring his tall ladder. I am sure it will reach up -to my window. Only be quick about it. I want to get out before Mr. -Talbot is through breakfast."</p> - -<p>"I'll do it. It will be good fun to circumvent the old rascal."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p> - -<p>Sam started on a run, and in less than ten minutes came back with his -father and the ladder. Mr. Jones was very ready to lend his assistance, -for he had taken a dislike to Mr. Talbot, who had beaten him down on -the price of some repairs he had made to the barn.</p> - -<p>The two together put up the ladder against the window, and Robert -stepping through the opening, put his foot on the top rung and quickly -descended.</p> - -<p>He breathed a sigh of relief and exultation as he set foot on the -ground.</p> - -<p>"That's the first time I was ever a prisoner, and I don't like it," he -said. "I wish I had old Talbot up there. He wouldn't dare to escape as -I did, for he is an awful coward."</p> - -<p>He told the story of the dog, and how frightened his step-father had -been. Sam and his father enjoyed the story.</p> - -<p>"Now, take away the ladder quick. I don't want Mr. Talbot to know how I -got out. I mustn't forget to thank you for your kindness."</p> - -<p>"You can do as much for me if father ever locks me up," said Sam.</p> - -<p>"I don't think there's much danger."</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, Mr. Talbot having got through<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> breakfast went upstairs to -enjoy the uncomfortable position of his step-son.</p> - -<p>"Robert!" he called through the key-hole.</p> - -<p>There was no answer.</p> - -<p>"You needn't be sullen. It will do you no good."</p> - -<p>Still there was no answer.</p> - -<p>"I would open the door," thought the man, "but he may be lying in wait -for me, and he is very strong for a boy."</p> - -<p>A third time he called, but still there was no answer.</p> - -<p>"I hope he hasn't done anything desperate," thought James Talbot.</p> - -<p>Finally he summoned up courage to unlock the door. Lo, the bird was -flown, and the window was open.</p> - -<p>"I wonder if he has jumped out!" said Talbot in alarm.</p> - -<p>He went to the window and looked out, but could see nothing of Robert.</p> - -<p>"It is very strange," he muttered. "If he had broken a limb, he would -be lying on the lawn."</p> - -<p>He went downstairs considerably perturbed. Hearing noise in the -dining-room, he looked in, and saw Robert sitting at the table.</p> - -<p>"Good morning, Mr. Talbot," said Robert,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> with much politeness. "You -will excuse my being late to breakfast, but circumstances prevented my -being on time."</p> - -<p>James Talbot sank into a chair and stared at Robert open-mouthed.</p> - -<p>"Did you get out of the window?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes, but next time I'd rather go through the door."</p> - -<p>"What a very remarkable boy!" thought his step-father.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER V.</p> - -<p class="center">A CRISIS.</p> - - -<p>Nothing more was said about the woodpile. Apparently Mr. Talbot -concluded that he was not likely to carry his point, and prudently -withdrew from the conflict. But his sense of defeat only made him the -more incensed against his rebellious step-son.</p> - -<p>"I would give five dollars to see that boy thrashed," he said to -himself moodily, as from the window he watched Robert playing ball in -the street with his friend Sam Jones.</p> - -<p>As Robert seemed to be enjoying himself, he could not resist the -temptation to interfere.</p> - -<p>So he opened the window and called out, "Robert, I wish you would stop -playing ball in the street."</p> - -<p>"Why?" asked his step-son.</p> - -<p>"Because the ball might come this way and break one of the windows."</p> - -<p>"There is no chance of it, Mr. Talbot. We are sending the ball up and -down the street."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Still there is danger."</p> - -<p>"I don't see it."</p> - -<p>"Will you be guided by my wishes?" demanded Talbot querulously.</p> - -<p>"I would if they were reasonable. I don't think they are."</p> - -<p>"I am the best judge of that. I don't want you to play ball in front of -my house."</p> - -<p>"Your house? How long has it been yours? It belongs to my mother."</p> - -<p>"Your mother is my wife."</p> - -<p>"I am sorry to say that you are right. But that doesn't make the house -yours."</p> - -<p>"I have no wish to quibble. I represent your mother, and I have a right -to ask you to stop playing ball in front of the house."</p> - -<p>"Even if the house were yours, you don't own the street. Go ahead, Sam!"</p> - -<p>Mr. Talbot banged the door and went into the house.</p> - -<p>"That is the most impudent cub I ever saw," he muttered. He was worsted -again, and he felt angry and provoked.</p> - -<p>"What a sweet step-father you've got, Robert," said Sam.</p> - -<p>"Isn't he? But don't call him my step-father. I want to forget that he -is connected<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> with me in any way. He is constantly nagging me. I don't -think I can stand it much longer."</p> - -<p>"How does your mother stand it?"</p> - -<p>"Mother has a very sweet temper, and she has no will of her own."</p> - -<p>"Unlike you," said Sam, smiling.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I have a will of my own. I don't think a boy or man can succeed -who hasn't."</p> - -<p>"You say you can't stand it. What will that lead to?"</p> - -<p>"It may lead to my leaving the house, and going out into the world to -seek my fortune. Our house is a large one, but it isn't large enough to -contain Mr. Talbot and myself."</p> - -<p>"I hope you won't have to go, Robert. I should miss you awfully."</p> - -<p>"And I should miss you, Sam. But time will show."</p> - -<p>Probably no persons could be more incompatible, or less likely to get -along together, than Robert and Mr. Talbot. The presence of one was -a constant irritation to the other. This could have but one issue. -One day, perhaps a week after the dispute about ball-playing, Robert -entered the gate on his way back from the village. Mr. Talbot was -standing on the lawn. He had scarcely entered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> the yard when a man -reeling under the influence of drink staggered by.</p> - -<p>"That man has more than he can carry," observed Robert.</p> - -<p>"Yes," answered Talbot with a smile. "Take care that you don't fall -into the same habit."</p> - -<p>"Why do you caution me," asked Robert curtly. "Do you think there is -any need of it?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, if all that I have heard is true."</p> - -<p>"What have you heard?"</p> - -<p>"That your father was an intemperate man."</p> - -<p>Robert's eyes flashed with intense anger.</p> - -<p>"It is a lie," he said. "Take it back."</p> - -<p>"I have every reason to believe it is true, and I won't take it back."</p> - -<p>This was too much for Robert, who was a boy of spirit, and had been -devotedly attached to his father.</p> - -<p>"Take it back!" he repeated in a tone of menace.</p> - -<p>"Do you think I would take it back at the order of a whipper-snapper -like you?" sneered his step-father.</p> - -<p>Robert waited to hear no more. His affection and reverence for his -father were so strong that he felt outraged by the insult to his -memory. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> made a sudden attack upon his step-father, so impetuous -that it dashed Mr. Talbot to the ground.</p> - -<p>The man was very much frightened. His encounter with the dog showed -that he was a coward, and though he, a grown person, was attacked by a -boy, he seemed helpless and over-whelmed.</p> - -<p>"Ah—what does this mean?" he gasped.</p> - -<p>"It means that I won't allow you or any other man to insult my father's -memory," answered Robert fiercely.</p> - -<p>"I will have you arrested," said Talbot venomously.</p> - -<p>"Do as you please," returned Robert contemptuously.</p> - -<p>He sprang to his feet, and without waiting for Mr. Talbot to rise, -entered the house and sought his mother, who had not witnessed the -fracas.</p> - -<p>The time had been brief, but he had already made up his mind to do what -had been in his mind for some time. He would leave home and seek his -fortune in the great world. He felt that to stay at home any longer—to -live under the same roof as his step-father—would be absolutely -impossible. He was not afraid to depend upon his own exertions. He was -young, well-educated,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> strong, and had confidence in his own ability to -earn a living. He would be sorry to leave his mother of course, but his -mother didn't seem to belong to him now that she was the wife of a man -whom he despised.</p> - -<p>Leaving James Talbot to pick himself up at his leisure, he sought his -mother, who was in the sitting room, engaged in sewing. She noticed -the flush upon Robert's face, and his excited air, and asked at once, -"What's the matter, Robert? You look disturbed."</p> - -<p>"I am disturbed, mother."</p> - -<p>"What is it? Tell me about it."</p> - -<p>"I got into a dispute with Mr. Talbot."</p> - -<p>"I wish you could be friendly with him."</p> - -<p>"It is impossible, mother. He is always irritating me. This time he -insulted my father's memory."</p> - -<p>"How did he do that?"</p> - -<p>"He said father was a man of intemperate habits."</p> - -<p>"Surely he did not mean it," said his mother, looking troubled.</p> - -<p>"I don't know whether he meant it or not. I only know that he said it. -And now, mother, you mustn't take too hard what I am going to say to -you."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What is it?" inquired Mrs. Talbot nervously.</p> - -<p>"I have made up my mind to leave home."</p> - -<p>"Surely you would not do that," said his mother startled.</p> - -<p>"Yes, it is the best way. I can't live under the same roof as Mr. -Talbot. Besides I am now sixteen. It is time I was earning my own -living."</p> - -<p>"But that is not necessary, Robert. I have enough for you."</p> - -<p>"I know it, but I can't live on you all my life. I want to go out into -the world, and see what I can do for myself."</p> - -<p>"Take time to think it over, Robert. You are not through school."</p> - -<p>"I shall be very soon. I have a good education already, and I can get -along."</p> - -<p>"What do you want to do?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know yet. Something will open up for me."</p> - -<p>"Wait till next week," pleaded his mother.</p> - -<p>"No, I must go this very day. I have had a fight with Mr. Talbot, and I -can't stay in the house any longer."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Robert, you will make me very unhappy."</p> - -<p>"I am sorry for that, mother, but I don't see how I can help it. Look -on the bright side. I think things will turn out well for me."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p> - -<p>"If you must go, you must let me give you some money," and Mrs. Talbot, -rising, went to her secretary.</p> - -<p>"No, mother; I have twenty dollars laid by. That will do for the -present. When that is gone I will write you for some more."</p> - -<p>"Will you promise to do it, Robert?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, mother?"</p> - -<p>"Where do you think of going?"</p> - -<p>"To Chicago, first."</p> - -<p>"But you don't know anyone there, and I am told there are a great many -bad men there who might lead you into temptation."</p> - -<p>"I hope I am strong enough to resist them. But I must go upstairs and -get ready."</p> - -<p>Robert went up to his chamber and drew out from a closet a large -grip-sack. Into this he put hurriedly a supply of shirts, socks, -handkerchiefs, and underclothing.</p> - -<p>"I came near forgetting a comb and brush," he said to himself, -unlocking the grip-sack after it was closed. "I am not used to -traveling, but I suppose I shall be in time."</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, Mr. Talbot after taking time to recover his equanimity, -sought his wife.</p> - -<p>"Mrs. T.," he said, "your promising son is getting worse and worse."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Explain yourself," she said coldly.</p> - -<p>"He sprang upon me with the ferocity of a tiger, after I had made an -inoffensive remark, and taking me unawares, actually threw me down. I -can't endure his presence."</p> - -<p>"You won't be obliged to. He has decided to leave home."</p> - -<p>"Where will he go?"</p> - -<p>"He is going out into the world to seek his fortune," she answered -sadly.</p> - -<p>"He will fetch up in jail," said his step-father savagely.</p> - -<p>"I think, Mr. Talbot, we will drop the subject. I do not feel equal -to discussing it when my dear and only child is about to leave home, -driven from it by you."</p> - -<p>She rose and left the room.</p> - -<p>"Well, I'm glad he's going," thought Talbot. "I can the better carry -out my plans."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER VI.</p> - -<p class="center">ON THE TRAIN.</p> - - -<p>His valise filled with a stock of necessary underwear, Robert walked to -the railway station. It was a very sudden start, and he had no time to -consider what he was to do, for the train moved off five minutes after -his arrival.</p> - -<p>He selected a seat by a window, and placed his valise on the seat -beside his own.</p> - -<p>It was not till the train had fairly started that he began to realize -the importance of the step that he was taking. He was leaving a -comfortable, nay, a luxurious home, where he was provided with every -comfort, and by his own choice was undertaking to earn his own living. -It was enough to make any boy feel serious. But Robert was manly and -resolute, and he decided that anything would be better than to live -under the same roof with his odious step-father.</p> - -<p>Five minutes later a tall thin man walked over from the opposite side -of the car, and said, "Will you allow me to sit beside you?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Certainly," answered Robert courteously, and removed his grip-sack.</p> - -<p>"Thank you. I am tired of sitting alone, and thought I should like a -chat with an intelligent young man."</p> - -<p>Robert smiled.</p> - -<p>"So you think I am an intelligent young man?" he said.</p> - -<p>"I am sure of it."</p> - -<p>"I am very much obliged, but what makes you think so?"</p> - -<p>"I am well versed in character reading, being a professional -phrenologist and a student of physiognomy. Are you going to the city?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir. I think so."</p> - -<p>"So am I. Are you connected with any business house there?"</p> - -<p>"Not yet, sir. I may be before long."</p> - -<p>"I may be able to help you get a place. I am extensively acquainted -with business firms. But perhaps you have a place already secured?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir."</p> - -<p>"Are you well acquainted in Chicago?"</p> - -<p>"I know scarcely anyone there—no one of any prominence."</p> - -<p>"You may have to wait for a position. Pardon me—it is none of my -business—but you ought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> to have money enough to carry you on a few -weeks in case you have to wait."</p> - -<p>"I have some money," said Robert cautiously.</p> - -<p>"That is well. I am glad to hear it. Are you well educated?"</p> - -<p>"Tolerably so."</p> - -<p>"Do you know anything about bookkeeping?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"I have a brother-in-law who is a commission merchant. Indeed I may say -that Mr. Claflin, the great merchant, is a cousin of mine."</p> - -<p>"Indeed, sir."</p> - -<p>"I was once in Claflin's employ," continued the stranger. "I was head -of one of the departments, with a salary of five thousand dollars a -year."</p> - -<p>"What made you leave so good a place?"</p> - -<p>"I don't wonder you ask. It was because Claflin interfered with me. -I felt that I ought to have full charge of my department, and would -tolerate no interference. He interfered with me, and in a fit of anger -I threw up my position. I dare say you think me foolish?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I do," answered Robert frankly.</p> - -<p>"You are right, but an angry man doesn't stop to consider. Claflin -seemed surprised, and no doubt he was sorry, but he is a proud man and -he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> wouldn't demean himself by asking me to stay. So I put on my coat -and left."</p> - -<p>"Have you got on well since?"</p> - -<p>"I went over to a rival merchant, but had to take less pay. Still I got -on very well, till last spring, when I had an attack of malaria. That -broke me down in health and pocket, and now I am what you call hard up."</p> - -<p>"Hadn't you saved up anything from your large salary?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but I invested in running stock, and lost all."</p> - -<p>"I wonder what he is telling me all this for?" mused Robert.</p> - -<p>"I have about recovered my health, and now I shall soon get a good -place," went on the stranger.</p> - -<p>Here Robert took out his watch—it was an excellent Waltham silver -watch—and consulted it.</p> - -<p>"Let me look at your watch!" said the stranger.</p> - -<p>Robert put it in his hands.</p> - -<p>"A very good watch! Let me show you mine."</p> - -<p>He drew from his pocket a showy gold watch—at least it was yellow, and -had a good appearance.</p> - -<p>"What do you think of it?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It is showy."</p> - -<p>"Yes, and is of high grade. It is well worth seventy-five dollars, -though I have had it for three years."</p> - -<p>Robert was not especially interested. His own watch had cost but -twenty-five, but it was a gift from his father, and as such he valued -it.</p> - -<p>"I have a great mind to offer you a bargain," said his companion.</p> - -<p>Robert looked at him inquiringly.</p> - -<p>"If you will give me ten dollars to boot, I will exchange with you."</p> - -<p>"Why should you do that? You say your watch is worth seventy-five -dollars."</p> - -<p>"So it is, but, my young friend, I am very short of money. The silver -watch would keep as good time, and the money would be of great service -to me."</p> - -<p>Robert shook his head.</p> - -<p>"My watch was a present," he said, "I should not care to part with it."</p> - -<p>"Of course, that is a consideration," said the stranger, appearing -disappointed.</p> - -<p>"Besides I could not very well spare ten dollars."</p> - -<p>"You could easily pawn the watch for forty dollars."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Why don't you do that?"</p> - -<p>"Egad! I didn't think of it. I believe I will. By the way, will you do -me a favor?"</p> - -<p>"What is it?"</p> - -<p>"Will you keep the watch for fifteen minutes? I am going out into the -smoking-car, and I may go to sleep. That is the way smoking affects me. -I might get robbed, but if you hold the watch I shall feel easy."</p> - -<p>This seemed a strange proposal to make, but after all it was plausible. -It seemed a trifling favor to grant. Why should he object?</p> - -<p>"But how do you know I am honest," asked Robert. "You have only known -me a few minutes."</p> - -<p>"Didn't I tell you I was skilled in reading character? You have an -honest face."</p> - -<p>"Thank you for your favorable opinion."</p> - -<p>"Do you consent?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. How long will you be gone?"</p> - -<p>"I shall come back before we reach the city."</p> - -<p>"Very well, if you are anxious to have me take charge of it."</p> - -<p>"Yes; I shall feel safe if it is in your hands."</p> - -<p>"All right, sir."</p> - -<p>Robert wore a sack coat with pockets on each<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> side. He put the watch in -one of these pockets, and resumed looking out of the window.</p> - -<p>His companion left the car and went to the car in the rear, which was -the smoking-car.</p> - -<p>Half an hour passed, and then a stout, thick-set man of thirty-five -entered the car and walked through it, looking at the passengers as he -passed along.</p> - -<p>He paused in front of Robert's seat.</p> - -<p>"Young man," he said, "show me your watch."</p> - -<p>Robert looked at him in astonishment.</p> - -<p>"What do you mean?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"I mean that I have had my watch stolen, and I am sure some passenger -has taken it."</p> - -<p>"What kind of a watch was it?"</p> - -<p>"It was a gold watch. Have you such a watch about you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but——"</p> - -<p>"Never mind about any buts," said the other fiercely. "I can tell by -your expression that you have got my watch. Let me have it at once."</p> - -<p>"A gentleman, now in the smoking-car, gave me a watch to keep for him."</p> - -<p>"And you have it about you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Give it to me at once."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I couldn't, without his permission."</p> - -<p>"That won't go down. Either give me the watch, or I will have you -arrested."</p> - -<p>"I have no right to give you the watch. If it is yours it was stolen by -the man who handed it to me to keep for him."</p> - -<p>"I give you two minutes to produce the watch. If you will do this, and -pay me ten dollars besides, I will overlook your offense."</p> - -<p>Robert's face flushed. He felt that he was in a tight place. This man -might be a confederate of the other. But how was he to prove it?</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER VII.</p> - -<p class="center">BAFFLED.</p> - - -<p>The charge had come upon Robert so suddenly that he hardly knew what to -say. Gradually, his presence of mind returned to him.</p> - -<p>"What made you fix upon me as the one likely to have the watch?" he -asked. "Why didn't you select some other passenger?"</p> - -<p>The stout man hesitated. He could not say what was the truth, that -Robert had been described to him by his confederate.</p> - -<p>"It was your guilty look," he answered, after a pause.</p> - -<p>"So you think I look guilty?" said our hero, with an amused smile.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I do," said the other defiantly. "I have had a great deal to do -with crooks in my time."</p> - -<p>"No doubt of it," chimed in a new voice.</p> - -<p>Both Robert and the man who accused him looked round. The voice -proceeded from a tall, rough-looking man who sat behind Robert.</p> - -<p>The accuser looked a little uneasy.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p> - -<p>"As I said, I know a crook when I see him."</p> - -<p>"So do I," said the rough-looking man, who had the appearance of a -Western miner.</p> - -<p>"My friend," said the claimant of the watch severely, "will you do me -the favor to mind your own business?"</p> - -<p>"That's good advice. I hope you follow it yourself."</p> - -<p>"Will you give me the watch, or are you prepared to be arrested?"</p> - -<p>"Describe the watch," said Robert composedly.</p> - -<p>"I have. It is a gold watch."</p> - -<p>"So is this," said the miner, producing a heavy gold watch from his fob.</p> - -<p>"You needn't put in your oar," said the claimant, frowning.</p> - -<p>"The boy is right. Describe the watch."</p> - -<p>"I have already said that it is a gold watch."</p> - -<p>"So is this. Do you claim this watch as yours?"</p> - -<p>"No. I suppose it is your watch. The watch in the boy's pocket is not -his."</p> - -<p>"Correct, squire. But that doesn't prove it is yours."</p> - -<p>"Where is the man who handed it to me?" asked Robert.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I don't know. I don't believe there is any such man."</p> - -<p>"Bring him here, and I will hand it to him."</p> - -<p>"That's where your head's level, boy," said the miner. "If this man -wants any proof that he asked you to keep it for him, he can call on -me. I saw him do it."</p> - -<p>"No doubt!" sneered the accuser. "I presume you are in league with the -boy."</p> - -<p>The miner coolly lifted the window beside his seat.</p> - -<p>"Do you see that window," he asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes. What of it?"</p> - -<p>"Have you any particular desire to be thrown out?"</p> - -<p>"No," answered the other, in evident alarm.</p> - -<p>"Then don't you dare to insinuate that I am in league with anybody for -crooked work."</p> - -<p>As he spoke, he rose to his full height, showing a muscular figure, -rather more than six feet in length. Robert's antagonist was about six -inches shorter.</p> - -<p>"No offense, mister," he said meekly.</p> - -<p>"You seem to be coming to your senses. Now, is this watch yours?"</p> - -<p>"What watch?"</p> - -<p>"The watch in the boy's pocket."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"How did the other man get hold of it?"</p> - -<p>"If he had it at all, he stole it from me."</p> - -<p>"Very good; we'll investigate this. My young friend, come with me into -the smoking-car."</p> - -<p>The claimant protested uneasily, but the miner insisted.</p> - -<p>He and Robert left the car and went into the one behind.</p> - -<p>There about the middle of the car sat the man from whom Robert had -received the watch.</p> - -<p>"Give it back to him," said the miner.</p> - -<p>Robert walked up to his first acquaintance.</p> - -<p>"I want you to take back your watch," he said. "This man says it -belongs to him."</p> - -<p>The tall, thin man looked at his confederate. He saw that their little -plan of frightening Robert into giving them ten dollars had failed.</p> - -<p>"Did you send him in to me?" went on Robert.</p> - -<p>"There is some mistake. I sent him in for it, but he misunderstood me."</p> - -<p>He looked askance at the miner, who he saw was disposed to be a friend -of Robert.</p> - -<p>"Look here," said the miner sternly, "you are a precious pair of -rascals. Your little game hasn't worked. I have seen such men as you -before. I was on the vigilance committee in San<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> Francisco some years -ago, and such fellows as you we strung up to the nearest lamp-post. Can -you make it convenient to get off at the next station?"</p> - -<p>"That's where we intend to stop," said the tall man meekly.</p> - -<p>"That is fortunate. It will save you a good deal of trouble. Now, boy, -come back into the other car. We have no further business with these -gentlemen."</p> - -<p>Going back, they sat down in the same seat.</p> - -<p>"I am very much obliged to you for getting me out of the scrape," said -Robert gratefully.</p> - -<p>"Don't mention it."</p> - -<p>"Do you really think they were——?"</p> - -<p>"Crooks? Yes. They had all the signs. I've rubbed against such fellows -before now. These fellows are not smart. They don't understand the -rudiments of the business."</p> - -<p>"You spoke of San Francisco. Have you been there?" asked Robert with -interest.</p> - -<p>"I lived there and at the mines for five years."</p> - -<p>"Were you lucky?"</p> - -<p>"You mean, did I strike it rich? Well, I had middling luck. I didn't -go there for nothing. How much do you think I had when I landed at -Frisco?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p> - -<p>"A hundred dollars?"</p> - -<p>"I had just three dollars and a half. I had one extra shirt, and that -was about all."</p> - -<p>"That wasn't a very large supply. Where did you go from?"</p> - -<p>"I was raised in Vermont. Worked on a farm for dad till I was -twenty-two. Then with fifty dollars, which I had in the savings bank, -I started for California. Well, I got there at last, but my funds were -almost gone. I got a chance to do some rough work till I had enough to -go to the mines. There I made something of a pile, enough to pay off -the mortgage on the old farm, and have ten thousand dollars left. I've -just come from there."</p> - -<p>"Do you ever expect to go back to the mines?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. I should not be satisfied now to remain at the East. Where are -you going?"</p> - -<p>"To the city."</p> - -<p>"To get a place?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, if I can."</p> - -<p>"Have you parents living?"</p> - -<p>"I have a mother," said Robert slowly.</p> - -<p>"And you want to get work to help support her?"</p> - -<p>"No, she has plenty of money."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Then why do you leave home?"</p> - -<p>Robert looked at his companion. His plain, honest face impressed him -favorably. He felt that he was a man in whom he could confide.</p> - -<p>"I have a step-father," he said briefly.</p> - -<p>"I understand. You and he don't hitch horses. Is that so?"</p> - -<p>"You are right."</p> - -<p>"Tell me all about it."</p> - -<p>"I will. I should like to ask somebody's advice. I want to know whether -I have done right."</p> - -<p>"Go ahead, my lad."</p> - -<p>Robert told the story, and the miner listened attentively.</p> - -<p>"Do you know what I think of that step-father of yours?"</p> - -<p>"Tell me."</p> - -<p>"I think he is about as mean a skunk as I ever heard mentioned. What -made your mother marry him?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know. She must have been infatuated."</p> - -<p>"I suppose you had an easy time at home."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I did."</p> - -<p>"And now you will have to work for a living?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but I don't mind that."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I see you're the right sort," said the miner approvingly.</p> - -<p>They had reached the next station. In the next car there was a tumult -and a noise as of men scuffling. The miner rose and opened the door of -the car.</p> - -<p>He and Robert saw the two men who had tried to swindle our hero in -the hands of two angry men, who hustled them out of the car with such -violence that they fell prostrate beside the track.</p> - -<p>"What's the matter?" asked the miner.</p> - -<p>"These men tried to relieve me of my watch. They won't try it again in -a hurry."</p> - -<p>Bruised by the fall, the two men picked themselves up and slunk away.</p> - -<p>"They're a precious pair of rascals," said the miner. "If we had them -at the mines, they would soon dangle from the branch of a tree."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER VIII.</p> - -<p class="center">PERIL.</p> - - -<p>Jones and Barlow, the two men who had been so ignominiously expelled -from the train, picked themselves up, and with faces flaming with anger -shook their fists at the train in impotent wrath.</p> - -<p>"This is an outrage, Jones," said Barlow, the taller of the two.</p> - -<p>"So it is," said Jones, rubbing his knee, which had received an -abrasion from falling on a flinty stone.</p> - -<p>"They don't know how to treat a gentleman."</p> - -<p>"No, they don't. You're right, Barlow."</p> - -<p>"I suppose the boy and that long-legged miner are laughing in their -sleeves."</p> - -<p>As he spoke, both turned their glances upon the car in which Robert -and the miner were located, and saw both looking out of a car window. -The miner's face wore a look of amusement and satisfaction, which was -enough to anger the two adventurers.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Good-by, boys!" he said. "You're leaving us in a hurry, but we won't -forget you."</p> - -<p>In reply, Jones, who was the more choleric of the two, shook his fist -at the miner, but did not indulge himself in any remarks. His feelings -were probably too deep for words.</p> - -<p>"What shall we do, Barlow?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Foot it to the next station, I reckon. I'm used to walkin', aint you?"</p> - -<p>"I've done a little of it in my time," said Jones, with a grin.</p> - -<p>"Then we can take the next train that comes along. That cursed miner -won't be on board, and we can be received as gentlemen."</p> - -<p>"Say, have you got a clothes-brush, Barlow? My knees—that is the knees -of my pants—are all over mud."</p> - -<p>"So are mine. Yes, I believe I have, but don't let us repair damages -here. They will be looking out of the car-windows and laughing at us."</p> - -<p>"Go ahead, then. I'll follow."</p> - -<p>They started in the direction in which the train was going. Two -minutes later they fell in with a young Irish boy, who surveyed their -dilapidated appearance with amusement.</p> - -<p>"Say," he remarked, "have youse been racin' wid de train?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Why do you ask, boy?" inquired Barlow with lofty dignity.</p> - -<p>"I take it all back. I guess you've been on your knees prayin'."</p> - -<p>"Boy, don't you know how to address a gentleman?"</p> - -<p>"Where's the gentleman?" inquired the youth, with a vacant look.</p> - -<p>"Jones, chase that boy and give him a lesson."</p> - -<p>Jones undertook to do so, but he was short and fat, and the boy easily -eluded him. He climbed over a fence on one side of the railway, and -began to make faces at the pair.</p> - -<p>"What would you have done to me if you had caught me?" he asked in a -mocking and derisive tone.</p> - -<p>"Given you a first-class thrashing," growled Jones.</p> - -<p>"Then I'm glad you didn't catch me. Say, I saw you get out of the -train."</p> - -<p>"Suppose you did?"</p> - -<p>"You were kicked out. What had you been doin'?"</p> - -<p>Angry as the two adventurers were at their humiliating treatment, their -feeling of indignation was intensified by the boy's taunts. Jones was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> -about to make an angry retort, when Barlow stopped him.</p> - -<p>"Don't mind the boy," he said. "We'd better be getting on."</p> - -<p>They walked briskly till they had probably got a quarter of a mile on -their way to the next station. Then they paused and looked back, for on -the way they had passed the train.</p> - -<p>"What's the matter with the train?" asked Barlow.</p> - -<p>"Don't know. It's making quite a stop."</p> - -<p>"I wish it would get wrecked."</p> - -<p>This gave an idea to Jones.</p> - -<p>"So I say. We'd get even with that miner, and the men that hustled us -off the train. What do you say to wrecking it?"</p> - -<p>"We can do it. See that switch?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. What of it?"</p> - -<p>"I'm an old switchman. Tended switch for three years on a Western road. -All we'll have to do is to reverse that switch," pointing to one a -hundred feet farther on, "and there'll be a smash."</p> - -<p>Barlow's breath came quick. He was not as daring a rascal as his -companion.</p> - -<p>"Do you really mean it, Jones?" he said.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I do."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Suppose we get caught?"</p> - -<p>"We won't get caught."</p> - -<p>"Somebody may see us."</p> - -<p>"There's no one around. Look and satisfy yourself."</p> - -<p>"If you think it safe?"</p> - -<p>"Of course it's safe. Besides, if there's a wreck, there'll be booty -for us. I'd like to rifle the pockets of that miner."</p> - -<p>The train had been detained at a signal tower by a telegram, and this -allowed the two adventurers to arrange their plans for wrecking it. But -on trying to move the switch, Jones found a difficulty. He had not the -necessary appliances.</p> - -<p>"Can't you move it?" asked Barlow.</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"Then we must give up the plan."</p> - -<p>"No, there's another way. Do you see that rock?"</p> - -<p>He pointed to a square rock, weighing not far from a hundred pounds, by -the side of the railroad.</p> - -<p>"Yes, that'll do the business. But there's no time to lose. The train -may come along at any moment. I don't know why it has been so delayed."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Come along then, and help me move it. It is heavy."</p> - -<p>The two rascals bent over and lifted the rock in concert.</p> - -<p>They grumbled over the weight, neither of them being used to hard labor.</p> - -<p>"I should think it weighed most half a ton," grumbled Barlow.</p> - -<p>"Never mind. We will soon have it in position. Quick! I hear the train!"</p> - -<p>The rumbling of the train could be heard at a considerable distance. -The two scoundrels didn't trouble themselves about the possible, or -probable consequences of their dastardly plot. They only thought of -revenging themselves upon the men who had ejected them from the train, -and they felt, besides, an animosity against Robert and his miner -friend.</p> - -<p>They thought themselves without a witness, but in this they -were mistaken. The boy already mentioned, whom they had pursued -ineffectually, had followed them at a distance, having a feeling of -curiosity about them.</p> - -<p>"I wonder what they're up to?" he soliloquized, as he watched them -tampering with the switch. He could not quite understand the meaning -of their movements. But when they took the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> rock, and between them -conveyed it to the railroad track, and put it in the way of the coming -train, he understood.</p> - -<p>"I believe the mean chaps want to wreck the train," he said to himself.</p> - -<p>What should he do?</p> - -<p>He bethought himself of calling out to them, and trying to prevent -their plot. But he was sure they would pay no attention to him, and -besides there was no time. He could already hear the thundering sound -of the approaching train.</p> - -<p>Tommy was on a bluff about fifteen feet above the roadbed. To descend -the bank and run to meet the train would consume more time than he had -at command.</p> - -<p>"Oh, dear!" muttered Tommy. "There'll be a smash, and lots of people -will be killed."</p> - -<p>But there was one thing that neither Tommy nor the two scoundrels had -seen. It was a cow that somehow or other had found its way through a -gap in the fence from a pasture to the left, and was leisurely walking -along the track, full in the path of the approaching train.</p> - -<p>The engineer could not see the rock, for it was too small an object, -but by great good luck he did see the cow.</p> - -<p>With a tremendous effort, he stopped the engine<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> just in time. When -the train halted, it was only ten feet away from the animal, who was -looking with startled eyes at the coming train.</p> - -<p>The shock of the sudden stop was such that the passengers started to -their feet, and the engineer leaped from the engine.</p> - -<p>By this time Tommy had descended the bank, and was standing only a few -feet away.</p> - -<p>"We have had a narrow escape," said the miner, wiping the perspiration -from his brow.</p> - -<p>"You have had two narrow escapes," said Tommy, pointing to the large -rock which lay across one of the rails fifteen feet further on.</p> - -<p>The engineer started, and seemed horror-struck.</p> - -<p>"Who put that rock on the track?" he demanded sternly.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER IX.</p> - -<p class="center">AT THE PALMER HOUSE.</p> - - -<p>Tommy Keegan pointed to Barlow and Jones, who rather imprudently had -maintained their position, in the hope that the train would be wrecked.</p> - -<p>The engineer and the group of passengers around him eyed the two men -with a quick, scrutinizing glance. Their appearance made the charge a -probable one.</p> - -<p>"How do you know, boy?" asked the engineer.</p> - -<p>"I seed them put the rock on the track," answered Tommy.</p> - -<p>"It's a lie!" blustered Jones. "The boy did it himself."</p> - -<p>"The boy could not lift a rock of that size," said the engineer -positively.</p> - -<p>Among the group of passengers were Robert and the miner.</p> - -<p>"Why, it's the scamps that were put off the train!" exclaimed the -miner.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You recognize them?" asked the engineer.</p> - -<p>"Yes, they were put off the train at the last station for trying to -swindle some of the passengers."</p> - -<p>"What have you to say to this, man?" demanded the engineer sternly.</p> - -<p>"It's a lie. The gentleman is mistaken."</p> - -<p>"No, he isn't. I was one of those who put them off the train," said one -of the other passengers.</p> - -<p>"Tell all you know about it, boy," said the engineer.</p> - -<p>"I seed them try to turn the switch first," said Tommy. "They couldn't -do that, so they got the rock and put dat on the track just before the -train come along."</p> - -<p>Barlow and Jones saw that things were getting serious for them, and -very foolishly started to run. But a dozen men went in pursuit, -prominent among them being the miner, whose long legs soon brought him -abreast of the rascally pair. He seized Barlow by the collar, and at -the same time another passenger grasped Jones.</p> - -<p>"Now," said the engineer, "what was your object in trying to wreck the -train?"</p> - -<p>"We didn't do it. The boy lies," said Jones sullenly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It was in revenge for being put off the train," suggested the miner.</p> - -<p>"Lynch them! Hang them to the nearest tree!" shouted half a dozen.</p> - -<p>"That's my idea," said the miner.</p> - -<p>Had the engineer sanctioned this, it would have been done without -further delay, but he was a man of good judgment, and would not -countenance such a proceeding.</p> - -<p>"No," he said, "secure them and take them on board the train."</p> - -<p>"Come here, boy," said the miner, beckoning to Tommy. "The passengers -owe you something for exposing these infamous rascals. Who will chip -in?"</p> - -<p>He took off his hat and dropped in a piece of money. Others followed -suit, and the happy Tommy went away the richer by over thirty dollars. -The two men were secured by a strong cord, and once again boarded the -train as passengers, but under very unfavorable circumstances, and with -gloomy forebodings as to the fate that was in store for them.</p> - -<p>As they neared Chicago the miner turned to Robert and asked: "Are you -intending to go to a hotel, my lad?"</p> - -<p>Robert hesitated.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I don't think I can afford it," he said. "I have but little money, and -I don't know how long I may have to wait for work."</p> - -<p>"Don't let that worry. I am going to the Palmer House, and will take -you along with me."</p> - -<p>"Isn't it a high-priced hotel?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but it will cost you nothing. You can stay with me two or three -days while you are looking around for work."</p> - -<p>"You are very kind," said Robert gratefully, "but I am a stranger to -you."</p> - -<p>"Not now. I feel as well acquainted with you as if I had known you for -years. I have been poor myself, and it will go hard if Dick Marden -can't take care of a boy who is looking out for a chance to make a -living. Well, youngster, what do you say?"</p> - -<p>"I can only say that I accept your offer with gratitude, Mr. Marden."</p> - -<p>"That's all right. You may consider me your guardian for the time -being."</p> - -<p>Twenty minutes more brought them to the Chicago station.</p> - -<p>The hackmen were on hand with their offers of transportation, but the -miner declined.</p> - -<p>"I want to unfold myself," he said, "and I reckon I'll walk. My bag -isn't heavy, for I don't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> carry round a dress suit. I suppose you're -able to walk, Robert?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I would prefer it."</p> - -<p>So, unheeding the hackmen, they started for the Palmer House, which was -less than half a mile distant. When Robert came in sight of the hotel, -he was impressed by the large size and handsome appearance of the -structure.</p> - -<p>"I shouldn't dare to put up at such a hotel if I were alone," he said -with a smile.</p> - -<p>"No, I reckon not. As it is, you are all right. Let us go in."</p> - -<p>They walked in to the office.</p> - -<p>"I want a room with two beds," said the miner, after registering his -name.</p> - -<p>"All right, sir. Front!"</p> - -<p>A bell-boy came up at the summons.</p> - -<p>"Take this gentleman and his son to 297."</p> - -<p>The bell-boy took their bags and preceded them to the elevator.</p> - -<p>"Did you hear what the clerk said, Robert? He called you my son."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I heard him."</p> - -<p>"I haven't chick nor child, and have no right to have, as I never -married, but if I did have a son, you would suit me as well as any boy -I know."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Thank you, Mr. Marden; I consider that a compliment."</p> - -<p>"I mean it. Now let us see what sort of a room has been assigned to us."</p> - -<p>It proved to be a very good room, moderately spacious, with two beds, -one on each side of the apartment.</p> - -<p>"I think we'll be comfortable here, Robert," said his new friend.</p> - -<p>"I feel sure of it," replied the boy, looking about him with an air of -satisfaction.</p> - -<p>"You can have that bed and I'll take the other. Now, do you feel -hungry?"</p> - -<p>"I think I could eat something, Mr. Marden."</p> - -<p>"Don't call me Mr. Marden. I'm not used to it."</p> - -<p>"What shall I call you?"</p> - -<p>"Call me Dick."</p> - -<p>"If you wish me to, though I am afraid it is hardly respectful, -considering how much older you are than I am."</p> - -<p>"Oh, hang respect! That won't bother me any. Take a wash, if you want -to, and we'll go down to the dining-room."</p> - -<p>Robert was glad to do so, as he felt heated and dusty. Mr. Marden -followed his example.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p> - -<p>They went down to the dining-room, and both did justice to the -excellent meal provided.</p> - -<p>They had just commenced on the dessert when a small man with a slight -hump entered the dining-room, and took a seat opposite. He glanced -across the table.</p> - -<p>"Why, Dick Marden!" he cried in surprise. "Is that you?"</p> - -<p>The miner looked across the table.</p> - -<p>"Well, well, who would have expected to see you here, Peter Gray?" he -returned, arching his eyebrows.</p> - -<p>"Strange things will happen, Dick. I've been in Chicago for nearly a -year."</p> - -<p>"Are you in business here?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I keep a cut-rate ticket office on Clark street."</p> - -<p>"Are you making money?"</p> - -<p>The small man shrugged his shoulders.</p> - -<p>"I'm not rich yet," he answered. "I suppose you are."</p> - -<p>"I have a little money," he answered.</p> - -<p>"Let me see; the last time I saw you was at the diggings?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, we were both in hard luck then. How are you fixed?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I've got a little, and my business gives me a living."</p> - -<p>"It must, if you are boarding here."</p> - -<p>"I am not. I generally eat at a restaurant, but once a week I come in -here and get a good dinner. The remembrance of it lasts me a week, and -makes my other meals more palatable."</p> - -<p>"You are a sensible man."</p> - -<p>"Is that your son, Dick?"</p> - -<p>"No, I wish he were. He is a young friend of mine, who is for a short -time under my protection. His name is Robert Frost. Don't you want a -clerk in your office?"</p> - -<p>"Well, I don't know," said Mr. Gray. "If he were your son now——"</p> - -<p>"Consider him my son, then. But we'll speak of this after dinner."</p> - -<p>"All right, Dick."</p> - -<p>Robert's eyes lighted up with pleasant anticipation. He felt that he -would indeed be fortunate if he should obtain a place at once. He would -not be able to look up to his employer, for the cripple was a little -less than five feet in height, but their relations might be pleasant, -nevertheless.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER X.</p> - -<p class="center">ROBERT GETS A PLACE.</p> - - -<p>"You can go out and take a walk, Robert, while I go with Mr. Gray to -his office."</p> - -<p>"All right, sir."</p> - -<p>"Now," said Marden, as they emerged into State street, "will you take -the boy?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but I can't pay him much."</p> - -<p>"How much?"</p> - -<p>"Five dollars a week."</p> - -<p>"That won't support him. He has been well brought up, and will need -twelve."</p> - -<p>Peter Gray stopped short and whistled in his surprise.</p> - -<p>"I can't possibly pay twelve dollars to any clerk, not even if he were -experienced—and this boy probably isn't."</p> - -<p>"He knows nothing of the business."</p> - -<p>"Then, Marden——"</p> - -<p>"Stop a minute! I propose that you shall pay him twelve dollars a week, -but I will undertake to pay seven of it."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You must take a great interest in the lad."</p> - -<p>"I do—a most unusual interest."</p> - -<p>"Of course that will make a difference."</p> - -<p>"I should say so."</p> - -<p>"In that case he can come at once."</p> - -<p>"He will come day after to-morrow. To-morrow I want to show him -Chicago."</p> - -<p>"All right. Oh, there is one thing I must mention. I have another -clerk—twenty-two years of age—whom I only pay ten dollars a week. He -mustn't know that the boy gets twelve."</p> - -<p>"Very well; I will caution Robert. Should the young man find out, let -him understand that only five dollars come from you."</p> - -<p>"That will be satisfactory."</p> - -<p>Marden went to the office of his old acquaintance. It was small, but as -large as many in the same line of business.</p> - -<p>At four he returned to the hotel.</p> - -<p>"Well, Robert," he said, "it's arranged. You will go to work on -Thursday morning. Here is the card of your employer. To-morrow I will -go round the city with you."</p> - -<p>"Shall I receive enough to pay my board, Mr. Marden," asked Robert -anxiously.</p> - -<p>"You will receive twelve dollars a week."</p> - -<p>Robert was amazed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I don't see how Mr. Gray should be willing to pay me so much," he said.</p> - -<p>Marden smiled.</p> - -<p>"Oh, he has a little private arrangement with me. There is another -clerk, considerably older than you. He is not to know how much you get. -Let him understand that it is five dollars."</p> - -<p>"I understand. How generous you are, Mr. Marden."</p> - -<p>"Not Mr. Marden—Dick."</p> - -<p>"Well, Dick. But you ought not to pay so much for me."</p> - -<p>"Why not? Consider me your uncle, and take care to do credit to my -recommendation."</p> - -<p>"I will," said Robert earnestly. "Shall you remain in the city, Uncle -Dick?"</p> - -<p>"I may come here now and then, but I expect day after to-morrow to go -to the northern part of Michigan, to visit an old friend there, who is -in the lumber business."</p> - -<p>"Then, hadn't I better be looking for a boarding-place?"</p> - -<p>"Well thought of. We'll look over the <i>Record</i> and hunt up a place."</p> - -<p>Within an hour Robert had selected a small room not far from La Salle -street, where he was to have full board for five dollars a week. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> -room was not equal to the one he had at home, but he would spend very -little time there.</p> - -<p>During the day following, Robert and his miner friend made an extensive -tour of Chicago, and Robert felt impressed with the magnitude of the -city and the extent of the business that was carried on in it.</p> - -<p>"Do you think you shall like Chicago, Robert?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Uncle Dick; I begin to feel like a man of business already."</p> - -<p>"And you will be contented?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but I shall miss you."</p> - -<p>"I am glad to hear that, boy. Let me see, how long have we known each -other?"</p> - -<p>"Only two days."</p> - -<p>"And yet you seem like my own boy. I never had anyone belonging to me -before."</p> - -<p>"You may get tired of me, Uncle Dick."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps so, but I don't believe it."</p> - -<p>"Will you write to me?"</p> - -<p>"I'm not much on letter writing, but I reckon I'll be able to scribble -a few lines occasionally."</p> - -<p>Robert remained with the miner till Thursday morning, and then made his -way to Mr. Gray's office.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p> - -<p>He found a tall young man with tallowy hair and freckles standing -behind the counter.</p> - -<p>"What can I do for you, boy?" he asked with lofty politeness.</p> - -<p>Robert smiled.</p> - -<p>"I'm the new clerk," he said. "Didn't Mr. Gray mention me?"</p> - -<p>"I believe he did say something about hiring a boy. What's your name?"</p> - -<p>"Robert Frost."</p> - -<p>"Well, Frost, my name is Mr. Livingston Palmer."</p> - -<p>"Indeed! Are you related to Mr. Palmer who keeps the hotel?"</p> - -<p>"I—ahem! I believe we are distantly related. Do your people live in -Chicago?"</p> - -<p>"No. Some distance out in the country."</p> - -<p>"Got a father and mother?"</p> - -<p>"No, a mother—and a step-father."</p> - -<p>"I sympathize with you. So have I a step-father. He drinks."</p> - -<p>"I don't think that is true of Mr. Talbot—my step-father—but if he -did, I should not dislike him any more. How do you like this business?"</p> - -<p>"So-so."</p> - -<p>"Does Mr. Gray treat you well?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, I can't complain. He doesn't pay me enough salary."</p> - -<p>"That is a common complaint, I suppose," said Robert, smiling.</p> - -<p>"How much are you to get?"</p> - -<p>"From Mr. Gray—five dollars."</p> - -<p>"That's what I got the first year. Now I only get ten."</p> - -<p>"That is considerably more."</p> - -<p>"Yes, but it isn't enough. Why, I am the brains of the establishment."</p> - -<p>Robert was amused. But he saw that Mr. Livingston Palmer was quite in -earnest.</p> - -<p>"How about the boss?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, he's a fair business man, but he couldn't get along without me."</p> - -<p>"Then I hope he won't have to. I will take it as a favor if you will -help me along. I am quite inexperienced. I never was in any business -before."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I'll look after you. If Mr. Gray knew what was to his interest, -he would take me into partnership."</p> - -<p>"Did you ever suggest it to him?"</p> - -<p>"Well, no, not exactly, but I've given him a delicate hint, but he -never seemed to understand what I meant."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p> - -<p>Just then Peter Gray came in. He looked quite insignificant compared -with either of his two clerks, but Robert soon found that he was a -hustler and a good man of business.</p> - -<p>"So you are here on time?" he said pleasantly.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"Where is my old friend, Marden?"</p> - -<p>"He starts this forenoon for Michigan."</p> - -<p>"So? He seems to feel a great interest in you."</p> - -<p>"I am glad to say he does."</p> - -<p>"He says you are a smart, go-ahead boy. I hope you will prove so."</p> - -<p>"I'll try, Mr. Gray."</p> - -<p>"If you try you'll succeed. Now, let me tell you a little about the -business. You understand that this is a cut-rate railroad ticket -office?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"You'll soon get to understand our way of doing business—that is, if -you pay attention."</p> - -<p>"I will do that."</p> - -<p>The day passed, and Robert, who was on the alert, began to get an -insight into the business. He found that it was not very hard, and -could be soon mastered. He was not as much impressed as he expected to -be by the business ability of Mr. Livingston Palmer, who had claimed -to be the "brains of the business." It seemed to him that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> Mr. Palmer -was slow, and prone to make mistakes, but those were only his first -impressions, which might be modified hereafter.</p> - -<p>The office closed at six.</p> - -<p>"Where do you board, Frost?" asked the senior clerk.</p> - -<p>Robert told him.</p> - -<p>"I have a room, and get my meals at restaurants."</p> - -<p>"I don't think I should like that so well."</p> - -<p>"We live on the same street. Have you any engagement this evening?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"I would invite you to go to some amusement with me, but I am almost -broke."</p> - -<p>"Then suppose you go to some amusement with me, Mr. Palmer?"</p> - -<p>"With pleasure," said the elder clerk, brightening up—"that is, if you -don't mind the expense."</p> - -<p>"No, I can afford it."</p> - -<p>"I don't see how you can on five dollars a week."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I have an allowance besides."</p> - -<p>"You're in luck. I wish I had."</p> - -<p>Mr. Palmer selected a variety theater, and Robert purchased two -orchestra seats, although he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> would have preferred some performance of -a higher class.</p> - -<p>"Do you know why I wanted to come here?" asked Palmer in a low -confidential tone.</p> - -<p>"No. Why?"</p> - -<p>"There's a girl that sings here—she's a daisy, and I have reason to -think that she's sweet on me. There's her name on the bill—Alameda -Churchill. When she comes out, give me your opinion of her."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XI.</p> - -<p class="center">MR. PALMER'S INFATUATION.</p> - - -<p>In about twenty minutes Miss Churchill appeared. She was a stout young -lady, weighing at least one hundred and sixty pounds. She had a high -color, black hair, and a loud metallic voice.</p> - -<p>Mr. Palmer surveyed her with rapt intensity.</p> - -<p>"That's she!" he whispered. "Didn't I tell you she was a daisy?"</p> - -<p>Robert was tempted to smile. He had a very indefinite idea of what -might be considered a feminine daisy, but he recognized his companion's -conception of the term.</p> - -<p>Miss Churchill sang in a loud voice and with plenty of action one of -the popular songs of the day. Livingston Palmer looked the picture -of rapture. With his head thrown back and his eyes fastened upon his -charmer, he could hardly fail to attract her attention.</p> - -<p>She paused between two of the verses, and looked at him with a smile.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Did you see?" he whispered in delight, "she smiled at me."</p> - -<p>"Yes," answered Robert, "I noticed that she did."</p> - -<p>"It looks as if she was sweet on me, don't you think so?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps so, I don't know much about young ladies. I can't read their -thoughts."</p> - -<p>"How would it do for me to write her a note?"</p> - -<p>"What could you write? You don't know her?"</p> - -<p>"But she has taken notice of me. I might ask her for an interview."</p> - -<p>"I don't feel competent to give you advice, Mr. Palmer; I am only a -boy."</p> - -<p>"That is true. I—I think I will venture."</p> - -<p>"But what will it lead to? Your attachment is not serious, I presume?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know but it may be. The fact is, Robert, I am in love."</p> - -<p>"Were you ever in love before, Mr. Palmer?"</p> - -<p>"Never. This is the first time I have met my ideal."</p> - -<p>"You surely wouldn't think of marrying her," said Robert.</p> - -<p>"Why not?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I thought perhaps you would not care to marry on ten dollars a week."</p> - -<p>"I could not. But she is probably earning considerably more. If we both -of us worked, there would be a nice income between us."</p> - -<p>"Then you would not object to your wife appearing in a theater?"</p> - -<p>"No, Robert. I have no narrow prejudices."</p> - -<p>"Then you think she would marry you?"</p> - -<p>"You saw for yourself how sweetly she smiled on me. Oh, Robert, I am -very happy!" and the infatuated young man looked in the seventh heaven -of bliss.</p> - -<p>"Excuse me for ten minutes, Robert," he said. "I am going into the -Sherman House to write a note. I will try to get it to her this -evening."</p> - -<p>Robert smiled. He was a good deal amused by Palmer's romantic -infatuation, but he did not feel called upon to remonstrate with him.</p> - -<p>"I will wait for you here," he said.</p> - -<p>In fifteen minutes Livingston Palmer returned to his seat.</p> - -<p>"Well, have you written the note?" asked Robert.</p> - -<p>"Yes, here it is. Cast your eye over it, and see what you think of it."</p> - -<p>Robert glanced at the note.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p> - -<p>This was the way it was expressed:</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">"Adorable Alameda:</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>"Doubtless you will know from whom this note comes. It is from the -young man in the fourth row of the orchestra on whom you smiled so -sweetly this evening. I am sure you read my devotion in my face. I have -never spoken to you, but I feel that I love you, and I have never loved -before. Will you appoint a time when I can meet you? Perhaps I flatter -myself too much when I say that you seem to be kindly disposed towards -me. I will send this by the usher, and will beg for a reply.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">"Yours devotedly,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">"Livingston Palmer."</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>"What do you think of it?" asked Palmer eagerly.</p> - -<p>"I think it ought to make a favorable impression on the young lady," -said Robert, doubtfully, however.</p> - -<p>"I think it is pretty good, myself," said Palmer complacently.</p> - -<p>When the entertainment was over, Palmer went up to one of the ushers.</p> - -<p>"My friend," he said, "do you know Miss Alameda Churchill, the singer?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"Can you manage to put this note into her hands?"</p> - -<p>"When?"</p> - -<p>"To-night."</p> - -<p>"Well, I might if——"</p> - -<p>"I will pay you for your trouble."</p> - -<p>"All right, sir. I see you are a gentleman. Give it to me."</p> - -<p>"I shall be glad if she will send me an answer."</p> - -<p>A few minutes later the usher returned.</p> - -<p>"Did you give it to her?" asked Palmer eagerly.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"Did she send an answer?"</p> - -<p>"Here it is."</p> - -<p>It was a small scrap of paper, folded diagonally.</p> - -<p>Palmer opened and read it, his heart beating with feverish excitement. -Then he smiled.</p> - -<p>"Shall I read it to you, Robert?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes, if you like."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Many thanks for your pretty note. To-morrow evening at eleven be under -the window at No. 98 Lemore street.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">"Alameda."</span><br /> -</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What do you think of that?" said Livingston Palmer triumphantly. "Do -you notice that she signs herself Alameda?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"That seems nice and friendly, doesn't it?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, it seems so."</p> - -<p>"She is evidently taken with me. Oh, Robert, I never was so happy."</p> - -<p>Robert, of course, being a boy, could not enter fully into Palmer's -feelings. However, he answered in a sympathetic tone which satisfied -his fellow clerk.</p> - -<p>"I never thought I should be so fortunate," he said. "Oh, Robert, you -don't know how I feel towards that girl."</p> - -<p>"No, I suppose not, Mr. Palmer."</p> - -<p>"It isn't to be expected, for you are only a boy."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I am only a boy."</p> - -<p>"I suppose I was the same at your age. How fortunate it was that you -invited me to accompany you this evening. I feel under the greatest -obligations to you," and Palmer, seizing our hero's hand, shook it with -impulsive energy.</p> - -<p>"I am sure you are quite welcome, Mr. Palmer."</p> - -<p>Robert was beginning to be weary. To his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> mind, Palmer seemed to be -acting in a very silly manner. However, as he reflected, he was only a -boy, and could not comprehend the effect of a grand passion on a man -like his fellow clerk.</p> - -<p>The next day Palmer was like a man in a dream. He was at his desk -in the office, but he found it hard to attend to his duties in an -intelligent manner. He made some ludicrous blunders, which finally -attracted his employer's notice.</p> - -<p>"It seems to me, Mr. Palmer," he said quietly, "that you are not quite -yourself. Where did the man you just waited on wish to go?"</p> - -<p>"Alameda," blurted out Palmer. "No," he corrected himself in some -confusion, "Denver, Colorado."</p> - -<p>"You seem to have Alameda on the brain. We don't sell tickets to -Alameda."</p> - -<p>"No, sir."</p> - -<p>"Do you know where Alameda is?"</p> - -<p>"No," answered Palmer hesitatingly.</p> - -<p>"I believe there is such a place in California, but we never had any -tickets for it."</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"For the rest of the day try to keep your wits about you."</p> - -<p>"Do you think he suspects?" asked Palmer in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> a whisper to Robert, when -Mr. Gray had gone out for a minute.</p> - -<p>"No; how should he?"</p> - -<p>"Really, I hope not. It makes me feel embarrassed and confused."</p> - -<p>"I see it does. Can't you put the matter out of your mind during -business hours?"</p> - -<p>"I will try to, but oh, Robert, when I think of to-night I feel like -dancing a Highland fling right in the office."</p> - -<p>"If you did I am sure Mr. Gray would think you were crazy."</p> - -<p>"Of course, I don't mean that exactly, Robert, I was speaking -figuratively."</p> - -<p>"You refer to the figure you would cut when you were dancing the -Highland fling?"</p> - -<p>"I see you are witty, Robert."</p> - -<p>"No one ever accused me of that before," said Robert demurely.</p> - -<p>Livingston Palmer laughed, and managed with an effort to devote himself -for the rest of the day strictly to business.</p> - -<p>"You will be with me to-night, Frost," he said, as they closed the -office, and started on their way to supper.</p> - -<p>"Do you mean that I am to go to 98 Lemore street with you?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes, you could stand on the other side of the street."</p> - -<p>"Your appointment is at eleven o'clock. What are you going to do before -that time comes? Will you go to the theater?"</p> - -<p>"No. I could not enjoy it. May I pass the evening in your room?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly, if you like."</p> - -<p>"You know we can speak of her. That will be better than having my -thoughts taken up by a variety entertainment. But, oh, how long the -evening will be!"</p> - -<p>"We shall get through it after a while. You might go round and take -supper with me. I look upon you as my confidential friend."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XII.</p> - -<p class="center">AN UNLOOKED-FOR SCENE.</p> - - -<p>As the clocks of the city struck eleven Robert and his friend Palmer -turned into Lemore street. It was a small, narrow street, lined with -brick houses, and evidently far from fashionable. The house indicated -by the singer was no better than its neighbors.</p> - -<p>"I wonder which is her room?" murmured Palmer. "There seems to be no -light in any of the windows."</p> - -<p>But as he spoke, one of the windows was lighted up by a lamp, which was -lighted from within.</p> - -<p>"That's her room," said Palmer joyfully. "She is expecting me."</p> - -<p>The curtain was lifted, and the fair face of Alameda peered out. She -looked across the street and smiled, as she caught sight of Palmer and -his young companion.</p> - -<p>"You see?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Perhaps I had better go now."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No; stay till she opens the window and speaks to me."</p> - -<p>"Very well, if you wish it."</p> - -<p>Livingston Palmer walked across the street, and taking a harmonica from -his pocket, started on a tune. It was the only instrument on which he -knew how to play, and that is why he selected it. It might have been -hard to distinguish the tune, but that was not of so much importance. -He felt that it was the proper thing to do, to serenade his charmer.</p> - -<p>Robert maintained his position, and wondered what would come next. He -had not long to wait.</p> - -<p>The window opened, and Alameda leaned out with something in her hand.</p> - -<p>The next moment Palmer was drenched by the contents of a pitcher, which -Alameda poured out, locating him with careful precision, so that he -should receive the full benefit of it.</p> - -<p>Palmer started with a cry of dismay, and turned quickly. But too late. -His collar, his hat, and coat were thoroughly wet. It was certainly -very aggravating, and his mortification was increased by a hard, cold -laugh, evidently proceeding from his charmer.</p> - -<p>"Good-night," she said, and then shut the window.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span></p> - -<p>Robert hurried across the street to where Palmer was standing -motionless, as if dazed. He did not laugh, as most boys would have -done, for he felt indignant at the treatment his unlucky companion had -received.</p> - -<p>"Are you much wet?" he asked in a tone of sympathy.</p> - -<p>"Yes," answered Livingston Palmer in a hollow voice. "But it is not -that that troubles me. She is false, heartless. Oh, Robert, my heart is -broken!"</p> - -<p>And the poor fellow actually shed tears.</p> - -<p>"Brace up, Palmer!" said Robert in a cheery voice. "She is not worthy -of you. You are lucky to have found her out so soon."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps you are right," said Palmer in a mournful voice. "But how -could she be so false, so cruel?"</p> - -<p>"You had not known her long?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"And you will soon forget her, now that you know how false she is."</p> - -<p>"I don't know, Robert," said the poor fellow sadly. "I don't think I -shall ever get over it."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, you will. You will meet someone else, who will appreciate -your devotion."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p> - -<p>They heard the window opening again, and fearing a second deluge, drew -quickly away.</p> - -<p>It was just in time, for the pitcher was again emptied, but this time -the water only wet the sidewalk.</p> - -<p>"Surely you can't love her after that," said Robert.</p> - -<p>"No. She is not what my fancy painted her. What can I do?"</p> - -<p>"You had better let the matter drop."</p> - -<p>"No. I will go home and write her a reproachful letter. I will make her -ashamed of herself."</p> - -<p>"Better not. She will only laugh at it."</p> - -<p>"But it will make me feel better. I—would you mind going into the -Sherman House with me while I write the letter?"</p> - -<p>"Better wait till to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"No, it will ease my breaking heart if I write to her to-night."</p> - -<p>Sympathizing with his friend, Robert made no further opposition, and -Palmer stepped into the Sherman House, procured a sheet of paper, and -wrote thus:</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p> - -"Perfidious Girl:<br /> -</p> - -<p>"How could you find it in your heart to treat so cruelly one who -loves you so wildly? You led<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> me to think that you returned my -love, at any rate that you felt an interest in me. I have just -returned from the house in Lemore street. I will not refer to the -way you received me. It was cruel and unwomanly. I feel that my -heart has received a wound from which it will never recover. Yet, -if you acted in a thoughtless manner, and did not mean to wound -me, I am ready to forgive and forget all. Once more I will come to -your side, and renew my vows of devotion. I put my business address -below, and shall be most glad to hear from you.</p> - -<p> -"Your faithful friend,<br /> -<br /> -"Livingston Palmer."<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p>"What do you think of that, Robert?" asked Palmer, handing the boy the -letter to read.</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't have said anything about going back to her, if I had been -you."</p> - -<p>"But perhaps she only meant it in fun. Girls sometimes act that way."</p> - -<p>"Not if they love a person."</p> - -<p>"But if there is any chance of getting in with her again, I don't want -to lose it."</p> - -<p>"Well, Mr. Palmer, if you are satisfied with the letter, you had better -mail it."</p> - -<p>"I'll get a stamp and mail it to-night."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Now I think we had better go home and go to bed."</p> - -<p>"I shall not sleep to-night, Robert," said Palmer mournfully. "My -poor heart is too sore;" and he placed his hand on the place where he -supposed his heart to be.</p> - -<p>"I am glad I am not old enough to have any heart troubles."</p> - -<p>"Yes, you are fortunate. But your time will come."</p> - -<p>Robert doubted whether he should ever be affected like Palmer, but he -dropped the subject, and went home to bed.</p> - -<p>Palmer appeared at business the next day. His face showed a mild -melancholy, but there were no indications of a breaking heart.</p> - -<p>Whenever the postman entered the office, he looked up hopefully. But -there was no letter for him till three o'clock. And then it was not -directed in a feminine hand. But he opened it eagerly. As he read it -his face became blanched. Then he laid it down on the counter and -beckoned to Robert. Mr. Gray was not in the office.</p> - -<p>"Is the letter from her?" asked Robert.</p> - -<p>"No, but it is about her. Read it."</p> - -<p>Robert cast his eye over the letter. It was written in a large -masculine hand. It ran thus:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p> - -"Mr. Livingston Palmer.<br /> -</p> - -<p>"Dear Sir: You have dared to write an insulting letter to my wife -and I demand an apology. You are evidently seeking to alienate her -affections from me. If ever she should forsake me it won't be for -such a man as you. She requests me to say that your attentions are -unwelcome, and that she has never given you any encouragement. If -you renew them, I will horsewhip you on sight.</p> - -<p> -"Yours, etc.,<br /> -<br /> -"Peter Churchill.<br /> -</p> - -<p>"Should you take offense at my letter, I am willing to meet you on -the field of honor. You have the choice of weapons."</p> -</blockquote> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"So Alameda is a married woman?" said Robert, rather amused.</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"And her husband charges you with trying to alienate her affections?"</p> - -<p>"It is terrible!" murmured Palmer.</p> - -<p>"And he hints at a duel. Shall you meet him on the field of honor, Mr. -Palmer?"</p> - -<p>"No! no! I wouldn't fight a duel for anything. What do you think I had -better do?"</p> - -<p>"Write a letter of apology. Tell him you did<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> not know she was a -married woman, and will withdraw your attentions."</p> - -<p>"I will. I—I don't think I love her any more, now that I know she is -another man's wife."</p> - -<p>"You are quite right. It would not be honorable."</p> - -<p>"Still she encouraged me."</p> - -<p>"You had better not say anything about that. Mr. Churchill might take -offense, and insist on your fighting a duel."</p> - -<p>"My dream is at an end. I will never think of her again."</p> - -<p>"You are wise."</p> - -<p>Livingston Palmer wrote a letter of apology, and mailed it just after -supper. After that he seemed more cheerful. Robert concluded that his -heart was not quite broken.</p> - -<p>The next day about eleven o'clock a large dark-complexioned man with -black hair and whiskers and a deep, hoarse voice entered the office.</p> - -<p>"What can I do for you, sir?" asked Robert, who was nearest the door.</p> - -<p>"Is Mr. Livingston Palmer employed here?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir. That is he."</p> - -<p>The new arrival strode up to where Palmer was standing.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Mr. Palmer," he said. "I have received your letter. I am Peter -Churchill."</p> - -<p>Palmer turned pale, his knees knocked together, and he looked -terror-stricken.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XIII.</p> - -<p class="center">ROBERT RECEIVES A LETTER.</p> - - -<p>As Palmer looked at the stalwart black-bearded man facing him a -terrible fear sent a tremor through his slender frame. Suppose the -fellow had come to inflict punishment upon him? Suppose he had a -cowhide somewhere concealed about his clothes? He felt ready to sink -through the floor.</p> - -<p>"I hope," he said tremulously, "you found my letter satisfactory. I—I -didn't know Alameda—I mean Mrs. Churchill—was married."</p> - -<p>"Oh, that's all right. So you supposed her single?"</p> - -<p>"I assure you I do."</p> - -<p>"Well, at any rate she got even with you. She told me of the pitcher of -water she threw on you out of the window. How did it feel?"</p> - -<p>"Very wet," responded Palmer with a faint smile.</p> - -<p>"Good joke!" said Churchill, laughing boisterously. "I wish I had been -there."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span></p> - -<p>Somehow Palmer did not enjoy having the scene which had been so -harrowing to him recalled. Yet this man must be propitiated.</p> - -<p>"I was there," he said with a feeble attempt at a joke.</p> - -<p>"So you were, so you were. When Alameda told me about it I nearly -laughed myself to death."</p> - -<p>Palmer began to recover from his alarm. Evidently the injured husband -was not disposed to take things seriously, for he seemed in a good -humor.</p> - -<p>"I hope you don't object to my admiring your wife?" he said.</p> - -<p>"No, it does credit to your taste, but I can't have you flirting with -her."</p> - -<p>"I assure you my intentions were and are strictly honorable."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Alameda will take care of that. I'll tell you what I came about."</p> - -<p>"As long as it isn't about a duel, I don't mind," thought Palmer.</p> - -<p>"My wife is to have a benefit next Thursday evening. Tickets are a -dollar each. How many will you take?"</p> - -<p>"I'll take one."</p> - -<p>"Better take two. You can scare up some young lady to take with you."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I don't know many young ladies."</p> - -<p>"Don't tell me that. You were not so very bashful with Alameda."</p> - -<p>"I—I believe I'll take two."</p> - -<p>"All right! Here they are."</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid I haven't got two dollars with me," said Palmer -embarrassed. In fact, he lived so closely up to his income that he -seldom had that amount about him.</p> - -<p>Peter Churchill frowned a little.</p> - -<p>"I can't leave the tickets without the money," he said.</p> - -<p>"I'll lend you the money, Mr. Palmer," said Robert.</p> - -<p>"Thank you," said the senior clerk gratefully.</p> - -<p>"Won't you take a couple of tickets, young fellow?" asked Churchill.</p> - -<p>"No, sir. I will use one of Mr. Palmer's tickets."</p> - -<p>The tickets were paid for and transferred to Palmer's vest-pocket. Then -Alameda's husband left the office.</p> - -<p>"I'm glad he's gone," said Livingston Palmer feebly. "I—I really -thought he'd come in to horsewhip me."</p> - -<p>"I guess he could do it," said Robert, with a smile.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Isn't he a terrible looking ruffian? To think the divine Alameda -should be married to such a man!"</p> - -<p>"It's a pity she didn't meet you first. But I say, Mr. Palmer, you'd -better give up paying attentions to her. It wouldn't be safe."</p> - -<p>"I shall never dare to speak to her again."</p> - -<p>"And you won't try to alienate her affections from him."</p> - -<p>"No," answered Palmer fervently. "I—I feel that I have had a narrow -escape."</p> - -<p>Two weeks passed without any event of importance. Robert had no -difficulty in "getting the run" of the business in the office, and -it is not too much to say that he became in that short time quite as -efficient as Livingston Palmer, though the latter had been in the -office for several years. Robert was on the whole satisfied with his -position, but it must be confessed that he was looking around for -something better.</p> - -<p>"I am sure Mr. Marden wouldn't want me to remain here if I could -improve myself," he thought. "In fact, I think he would like me the -better for striking out for myself."</p> - -<p>"It's a terribly dull life—this in a stuffy office," said Livingston -Palmer one day. Since his upsetting with the variety singer the senior<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> -clerk had hardly known what to do with himself.</p> - -<p>"That's true," answered Robert. "But it's much better than doing -nothing."</p> - -<p>"That's true."</p> - -<p>"When I struck out from home I was at first afraid I would be left -stranded."</p> - -<p>"Humph! that wouldn't happen to me," said Palmer loftily. "I am certain -I could strike something at once, if I tried."</p> - -<p>Robert did not agree with his fellow clerk, since he had seen many a -poor fellow on the streets begging for work of any kind. But he saw it -would be useless to attempt to argue Palmer out of his high opinion of -himself.</p> - -<p>On the day following there came a long letter for Robert. It was -postmarked Timberville, Michigan, and was from Dick Marden.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"My dear Robert," wrote the miner, "I've been wanting to drop you a -few lines for some time, but could not get around to do it. When I -arrived here I found my uncle, Felix Amberton, very ill, and I have -had to take practically entire charge of his affairs. My uncle is -a bachelor like myself, so he hadn't even a wife to depend upon in -this emergency.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p> - -<p>"My uncle owns a large lumber interest here, close to the upper end -of the State, and several Canadians are trying to force him into a -sale of his lands at a low price. They claim to have some hold upon -the land.</p> - -<p>"I must say I wish you were up here with me—to help run the lumber -office. I have to be out on the lands a greater part of the time, -and the office clerk is not to be trusted, since he is a great -friend of the Canadians I mentioned. I am in hopes that my uncle -will soon recover, to take charge for himself."</p></blockquote> - -<p>Dick Marden's letter interested Robert greatly. The confinement of city -life was beginning to tell on the boy, who had heretofore lived more or -less in the open at home.</p> - -<p>"I'd like to go to Timberville," he said to Palmer, when he showed the -communication. "The smell of pine and spruce would do a fellow a world -of good."</p> - -<p>"It wouldn't suit me," said Palmer, with a decided shake of his head. -"Why, you have no amusements in a place like that—no theaters, no -concerts, no billiard parlors, nothing."</p> - -<p>"And yet people get along very well without them," smiled Robert.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p> - -<p>"They can't have very elevated tastes."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps more elevated than you think, Livingston. I've known some -lumbermen who were very well educated."</p> - -<p>"If I made a change do you know what I would do?" asked Palmer.</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"I would go on the stage," said the senior clerk earnestly.</p> - -<p>"What stage? Perhaps the variety stage the adorable Alameda is on, eh?"</p> - -<p>"No! no! I am done with that forever. I would go in for tragedy."</p> - -<p>"Tragedy doesn't pay, so I've heard said."</p> - -<p>"Good, real talent will pay, I feel sure of it."</p> - -<p>"And what would you play, Hamlet?"</p> - -<p>"I would play all of Shakespeare's plays, but the part of Sparticus the -Gladiator would suit me better."</p> - -<p>"Did you ever act?"</p> - -<p>"Twice—at the Twice-a-week Club. We gave Julius Cćsar, and I was -Cćsar. The performance was a great success from an artistic standpoint."</p> - -<p>"How about it financially?"</p> - -<p>"Well, to tell the truth, we ran about thirty-three dollars behind."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Which proves what I said, that tragedy doesn't pay," said Robert, with -a short laugh.</p> - -<p>"My support was very poor, and, besides, our performance was not -advertised widely enough."</p> - -<p>"I presume the newspapers gave you some favorable notices."</p> - -<p>"No, they did nothing of the sort. We had not given them much -advertising and so they ignored us. You know they won't do a thing -without being paid for it."</p> - -<p>"I didn't know it. I thought they gave the news. Why, sometimes they -condemn a play even while they advertise it."</p> - -<p>"Never mind, they ought to have praised our play, but they didn't." And -here Palmer walked away and the subject was dropped.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XIV.</p> - -<p class="center">JAMES TALBOT LEARNS SOMETHING OF IMPORTANCE.</p> - - -<p>A week passed and nothing of special interest happened. During that -time Robert wrote to his mother, telling her where he was and what -he was doing. He hoped to receive a letter in return, and was quite -disappointed when no word came back.</p> - -<p>The trouble was that the letter he had sent fell into James Talbot's -hands.</p> - -<p>"Here is a letter for Mrs. Talbot," said the postmaster, one day to -Talbot, when the latter had called at the place for the mail.</p> - -<p>"All right, I'll take it home to her," answered Robert's step-father.</p> - -<p>"It's from Chicago," said the postmaster, whose name was Joel Blarcomb. -"It looks like Robert's handwriting, too."</p> - -<p>"Do you know Robert's writing?" questioned Mr. Talbot.</p> - -<p>"Very well. He once did some writing for me in my books, when I had -injured my finger on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> a nail in a sugar barrel," said the postmaster, -who also kept the principal store in Granville.</p> - -<p>"Well, give me the letter and I will take it home," said Mr. Talbot, -and soon after left the store with the communication in his pocket.</p> - -<p>As soon as he was out of sight of the store he began to inspect the -letter and wondered what it contained.</p> - -<p>"More than likely the young rascal has sent to his mother for money," -he thought. "I've a good mind to open the letter and read it."</p> - -<p>The communication was not sealed very well, and by breathing repeatedly -upon the flap James Talbot soon had the envelope open. Then he drew out -the letter and read it.</p> - -<p>He was chagrined to learn that his step-son was doing so nicely and -needed no assistance.</p> - -<p>"He seems to have fallen upon his feet," he murmured. "Well, I'll wager -it won't last. Sooner or later he'll be back home and wanting me and -his mother to take care of him. When that time comes, I'll dictate -pretty stiff terms to him, or my name isn't James Talbot."</p> - -<p>One passage in the letter positively angered him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p><blockquote> - -<p>"I trust Mr. Talbot treats you as you should be treated," wrote -Robert. "If he does not, let me know, and I will compel him to do -what is right. He must remember that the house and everything else -belongs to you so long as you live."</p></blockquote> - -<p>"Belongs to you so long as you live," mused James Talbot. "Can it be -possible that the estate goes to Robert after his mother's death? I -must look into this."</p> - -<p>At first he was of a mind to destroy the letter, but thought better of -it and placed it again in the envelope.</p> - -<p>When he reached the house he found his wife in the garden, sitting -under a grape arbor. Mrs. Talbot's face showed that she had been -weeping.</p> - -<p>"Why, my love, what is the matter?" he asked softly. Of late he had -been treating her well, having what is popularly called "an ax to -grind."</p> - -<p>"Nothing is the matter, James."</p> - -<p>"But your face shows that you have been crying."</p> - -<p>"It is nothing."</p> - -<p>"Have you had any trouble with Jane?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"Then what is it?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I was thinking of Robert. Isn't it terrible that I get no word from -him?"</p> - -<p>Mr. Talbot started, and his hand went into the pocket where the letter -rested. Then he recovered and shrugged his shoulders.</p> - -<p>"I have already told you what I think of the boy," he said. "My love, -he is unworthy of your tears."</p> - -<p>"Oh, James!"</p> - -<p>"It is true. He has gone out into the world and has forgotten you."</p> - -<p>"No, no! Robert would never be so heartless."</p> - -<p>"I think I know him better than do you. You are blind to the truth -because you are his mother."</p> - -<p>"He may be penniless, or sick, so that he cannot write."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps he is out on the ocean, or on the Great Lakes," said Mr. -Talbot.</p> - -<p>"Even so, I am sure he would have written before going."</p> - -<p>"You must not think so much of him, my love. You are altogether too -melancholy. I have just learned that we are to have a first-class -theatrical company in Granville next week. I will get good seats and -take you there."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I do not care to go to any play. Life is too real to me for that."</p> - -<p>"You are blue, Sarah. Forget the boy and you will feel better," said -James Talbot, and receiving no answer to this, he walked away.</p> - -<p>"Forget Robert! forget my only child!" thought Mrs. Talbot. "Never! Oh, -if I only knew where I could write to him!"</p> - -<p>On the day following Mrs. Talbot had occasion to call at Joel -Blarcomb's store to order a number of groceries for the house.</p> - -<p>"I hope you got good news from Robert," said the postmaster, after she -had given her order.</p> - -<p>"Good news?" she repeated, in bewilderment. "I haven't any news, Mr. -Blarcomb."</p> - -<p>"Oh, then that Chicago letter wasn't from him?"</p> - -<p>"What Chicago letter?"</p> - -<p>"The one I gave to Mr. Talbot yesterday. I felt certain it was your -son's handwriting on the envelope."</p> - -<p>"He gave me no letter," answered the lady, and then a sudden fear came -into her heart that made her feel faint. Had her husband received a -letter from her son and destroyed it?</p> - -<p>"No, no, he would not be so cruel," she thought.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, the letter was for you, whether you got it or not," said Joel -Blarcomb bluntly. He did not like James Talbot any more than did many -others in the little town. All who had had dealings with Robert's -step-father had found him mean to the last degree.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps he has forgotten to give it to me," said Mrs. Talbot, and -abruptly left the store. Joel Blarcomb gazed after her pityingly.</p> - -<p>"She didn't make no happy match an' I know it," he muttered. "That -Talbot aint half the man Frost was."</p> - -<p>Arriving at home, Mrs. Talbot at once sought out her husband.</p> - -<p>"James, where is the letter Mr. Blarcomb gave you for me?" she demanded.</p> - -<p>"The letter?" he said carelessly. "Why—er—that didn't amount to -anything."</p> - -<p>"Did you open it?"</p> - -<p>"Yes—by mistake. It was only an advertisement from a Chicago -investment company. The men who run it are little better than swindlers -and I don't want you to have anything to do with them."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Talbot's heart sank. The letter was not from Robert after all.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Still, I would like to see the letter," she continued.</p> - -<p>"I am sorry, my love, but I really believe I tore it up—in fact I am -sure I did."</p> - -<p>"You shouldn't have done that, since it was addressed to me."</p> - -<p>"As your husband, I didn't do so very wrong to open the letter. When -I saw what it was I thought best to destroy it—I didn't want you to -place any of your money in the hands of such swindlers. If you did that -you would never see a dollar of it again."</p> - -<p>"Don't you think I am capable of looking out a little bit for myself, -James?"</p> - -<p>"Not in money matters, Sarah. Such things a woman should leave entirely -to her husband."</p> - -<p>"I feel I must differ with you. After Mr. Frost died I became the sole -executrix of his will, and I do not know that anything has gone wrong."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I do not say that." James Talbot paused for a moment. "Speaking of -Mr. Frost," he continued. "May I ask, did he leave his estate entirely -to you?"</p> - -<p>"No, he left me my choice of one-half of all he possessed, the other -half to go to Robert, or the use of everything so long as I lived, all -to go to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> Robert after my death, providing he was living at that time."</p> - -<p>"And which did you choose," asked Talbot, trying vainly to conceal his -intense interest in the matter.</p> - -<p>"I chose a life interest only, and signed the necessary papers for the -surrogate."</p> - -<p>"Then when you die, all will go to that good-for-nothing boy."</p> - -<p>"All will go to Robert, yes; but he is not a good-for-nothing boy."</p> - -<p>"That is where we differ, Mrs. Talbot. Once he gets the fortune he will -run through it like wildfire, mark my words."</p> - -<p>"Robert is far too sensible to do any such thing."</p> - -<p>"Suppose he dies before you do, what then becomes of the estate?"</p> - -<p>"It becomes mine absolutely."</p> - -<p>"I see."</p> - -<p>"But I do not anticipate Robert will die before I do," went on Mrs. -Talbot. "He is a strong, healthy lad."</p> - -<p>"True, but there is many an accident happens to a boy that is knocking -around like him."</p> - -<p>"Mr. Talbot, do you wish any harm to befall<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> my son?" demanded the lady -of the house, half angrily.</p> - -<p>"Oh, no, of course not. But in knocking around he is taking a big risk, -you must admit that."</p> - -<p>At these words Mrs. Talbot's face became a study and she left her -husband without another word.</p> - -<p>"I really believe he wishes Robert out of the way," she thought. "Then -the money would be mine, and he would try to get me to leave it to him."</p> - -<p>Left to himself James Talbot walked up and down in moody contemplation.</p> - -<p>"Here's a nice mess," he muttered. "I thought the whole estate belonged -to her. If she died to-morrow I would be turned out without a cent and -that boy or his guardian would take sole possession. I half wish I -could get him out of my way for good, I really do." And then he began -to speculate upon how such a dark deed could be accomplished.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XV.</p> - -<p class="center">THE RESULT OF A FIRE.</p> - - -<p>On the following Sunday morning Robert attended one of the principal -churches in Chicago and heard what he considered a very fine sermon on -charity.</p> - -<p>"I suppose we ought all to be more charitable," he thought, on coming -out. "But I must say I find it very hard to have any charitable -feelings for Mr. Talbot. I do hope he is treating mother as he should."</p> - -<p>He was walking down State Street when he heard a commotion on the -thoroughfare. A fire engine was coming along, followed by a long hook -and ladder truck. He watched them and to his surprise saw them draw -up almost in front of the tall office building in which Mr. Gray's -cut-rate ticket establishment was located.</p> - -<p>"Can it be possible that our place is on fire?" he cried, and ran to -the office with all speed.</p> - -<p>He soon discovered that the building was a mass of flames from top to -bottom, the fire having<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> started in the boiler room in the basement and -found a natural outlet through the elevator shafts. He tried to get -into the office, but the door was locked and he had no key.</p> - -<p>"Back there, young man!" came from a policeman, as he rushed up to -force the gathering crowd out of the firemen's way.</p> - -<p>"I work in this office," answered Robert. "Hadn't I better try to save -something?"</p> - -<p>"Are your books in your safe?"</p> - -<p>"I presume they are."</p> - -<p>"Then you had better get back. Something may cave in soon, you know."</p> - -<p>While Robert hesitated another officer came along, and then everybody -was ordered back, and a rope was stretched across the street at either -end of the block. Meanwhile the fire kept increasing until it was easy -to see that the office building was doomed.</p> - -<p>"It's too bad," thought Robert, as he watched the progress of the -flames. "This will upset Mr. Gray's business completely."</p> - -<p>Half an hour later, as the boy was moving around in the dense crowd, he -ran across Livingston Palmer.</p> - -<p>"This will throw us out of employment, Livingston," he said.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It looks like it, Robert," answered the senior clerk. "Still, I can't -say that I care so much."</p> - -<p>"You do not?"</p> - -<p>"No. You see, after we closed up Saturday night I met my friend Jack -Dixon, of the Combination Comedy Company, and he has offered me a place -to travel with the organization."</p> - -<p>"And you are going to accept?"</p> - -<p>"I certainly shall now. At first I was on the fence about it, for I -wanted to get with a tragedy company. But I suppose this will do for a -stepping stone to something better."</p> - -<p>Robert had his doubts about this, for Palmer had recited several times -for him, and he had thought the recitations very poor. But the senior -clerk was thoroughly stage-struck, and Robert felt that it would do no -good to argue the matter with him.</p> - -<p>"Your leaving may throw Mr. Gray into a worse hole than ever," he -ventured.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I guess not. He will have you to fall back on. I doubt if he will -be able to resume business immediately."</p> - -<p>Livingston Palmer was right in the latter surmise. The next day Robert -found his employer in an office on the opposite side of the street.</p> - -<p>"I am all upset, Frost," said Mr. Gray. "The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> safe has dropped to the -bottom of the ruins and it will be a week or two before they can dig it -out."</p> - -<p>"Shall you resume at once?"</p> - -<p>"I hardly think so. The fact is, I have telegraphed to my brother in -New York about business there. It may be that I shall open up in that -city instead of here."</p> - -<p>"Then I fancy I can consider myself disengaged for the present."</p> - -<p>"Yes. I am sorry for you, but you can see it cannot be helped."</p> - -<p>"I don't blame you in the least, Mr. Gray. I am sorry on your own -account, as well as mine, that you have been burnt out. I hope you were -fully insured."</p> - -<p>"I was, in a way. Yet I have lost valuable records which no amount of -money can replace."</p> - -<p>When Robert left the office it was with a sober face. He was out of a -position. What should he do next?</p> - -<p>"It's too bad," he mused. "And just after writing to mother that I was -doing so nicely."</p> - -<p>All told he had saved up about twenty-five dollars, and he resolved -to be very careful of this amount and not spend a cent more than was -necessary, until another situation was secured.</p> - -<p>Feeling that no time was to be lost, he pro<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span>cured two of the morning -papers and carefully read the want columns. There were several -advertisements which seemed to promise well, and he made a note of -these and then started to visit the addresses given.</p> - -<p>The first was at a restaurant where a cashier was wanted. Robert found -the resort to be anything but high-styled. It was on a side street and -looked far from clean.</p> - -<p>"Well, a fellow can't be too particular," he thought, and marched -inside without hesitation.</p> - -<p>"This way," said the head waiter, thinking he had come in to get -something to eat.</p> - -<p>"I wish to see the proprietor," answered Robert. "He advertised for a -cashier."</p> - -<p>"He's got one."</p> - -<p>"Oh, if that's so, excuse me for troubling you," and the boy turned on -his heel to walk out.</p> - -<p>"Hold on," said the head waiter. "I don't think the new man suits Mr. -Hinks entirely. Perhaps he'll give you a show after all. You'll find -Mr. Hinks over at the pie counter yonder," and the waiter jerked his -thumb in the direction.</p> - -<p>Robert walked to the counter and found a short, stout man in charge. -The individual had a pair of crafty eyes that the boy did not at all -admire.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I came to see about that position which you advertised," he said.</p> - -<p>"Yes? Have you had any experience?"</p> - -<p>"I worked in a cut-rate ticket office—the one that was burned out on -Sunday last. I think I could do the work of an ordinary cashier."</p> - -<p>"No doubt you could, if you are used to handling money. Did you work -for Gray?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"Well, I reckon he wouldn't have you unless you were all right," said -Mr. Hinks. "I've got a new man on but he don't suit—he's too fussy -and particular. Last night he left his desk and ran all the way to the -sidewalk to give a man a dollar bill which he had forgotten."</p> - -<p>"Well, that shows he is honest," said Robert, with a laugh.</p> - -<p>"Yes, but my desk might have been robbed in the meantime."</p> - -<p>"I suppose that is true."</p> - -<p>"I don't want a man to be so honest as all that,—that is, with the -customers,—although he must be honest with me. If a customer is -foolish enough to leave his change behind, why let him lose it, that's -my motto. What do you want a week?"</p> - -<p>"I was getting twelve dollars."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Phew! That's pretty stiff."</p> - -<p>"I might start in for less."</p> - -<p>"I never pay a man over five dollars."</p> - -<p>"I cannot live on five dollars, I am afraid."</p> - -<p>"Well, you pick up a good deal, you know," replied Mr. Hinks, and -closed one eye suggestively.</p> - -<p>"You mean in the way of tips?"</p> - -<p>"Tips? Oh, no, they go to the waiters. But through making change and -the like," and Mr. Hinks closed one eye again.</p> - -<p>Robert's face flushed.</p> - -<p>"Do you mean by giving people the wrong change?" he demanded -indignantly.</p> - -<p>"I didn't say so. But I know almost every cashier picks up lots of -extra money in one way and another."</p> - -<p>"Not if they are honest, sir. And I would not be dishonest—I would -starve first. I am out for business, but not the kind of business you -seem to expect of your employees."</p> - -<p>At this plain talk Mr. Hinks scowled darkly at Robert.</p> - -<p>"Here, here, I won't have you speak to me in this fashion," he -blustered. "If you don't like the offer I've made you, you can get out."</p> - -<p>"I don't like the offer, and I think it is an out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span>rage that you are -allowed to conduct business on such principles," replied Robert, and -lost no time in quitting the place. The proprietor followed him to the -door and shook his fist after him.</p> - -<p>The next place was a map-maker's office. Here there was a large force -of clerks, and the youth was received very politely.</p> - -<p>"I am sorry to keep you waiting," said the clerk who advanced to see -what the boy wanted. "But Mr. Ruggles is very busy at present. Will you -sit down or call again?"</p> - -<p>"I'll wait a little while," said Robert, who was favorably impressed by -the surroundings. "That is, if the place that was advertised is still -open."</p> - -<p>"I can't say as to that. There have been several applicants, but the -entire matter is in Mr. Ruggles' hands."</p> - -<p>The clerk turned away and Robert dropped on a long bench running up one -side of the waiting room. Hardly had he settled himself than two men -came in. One looked like an Englishman while the other was evidently -French.</p> - -<p>The clerk greeted them as if they had been there before.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Stanhope will see you directly," he said.</p> - -<p>"We cannot wait too long," said the English<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span>man. "My friend—Jean Le -Fevre, must get back to Michigan as soon as possible."</p> - -<p>"I will tell Mr. Stanhope," said the clerk, and vanished into an inner -office.</p> - -<p>Left to themselves, the Englishman and the Frenchman began to converse -rapidly, the subject of their talk being a certain tract of timber land -in the upper section of Michigan. This interested Robert, who could not -help but hear all that was said.</p> - -<p>"Ze map—zat is what we want," he heard the French Canadian—for such -Jean Le Fevre was—say. "Once we have zat, and the land will be ours."</p> - -<p>"Right you are," answered the Englishman. "And then old Felix Amberton -can whistle for his money. His claim won't be worth the paper it is -written upon."</p> - -<p>Robert was startled at these words. He remembered that Felix Amberton -was the name of Dick Marden's uncle, the Michigan lumberman. Were these -the fellows who wished to get the lumberman's lands away from him?</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XVI.</p> - -<p class="center">TWO DISAPPOINTMENTS.</p> - - -<p>"I must hear all they have to say," thought Robert.</p> - -<p>Ordinarily he despised playing the part of an eavesdropper, but in the -present instance he felt justified in doing so.</p> - -<p>"It ees a great pity zat man came to help Mistair Amberton," went on -the Canadian. "Who is he, do you know, Mistair Hammerditch?"</p> - -<p>"His name is Marden and he is Amberton's nephew."</p> - -<p>"He seem to be verra smart, as you call heem."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps he is smart, Le Fevre. But I don't think he can outwit me," -returned Oscar Hammerditch. He was one of the kind of men who hold a -very exalted opinion of themselves.</p> - -<p>The French Canadian nodded his round head rapidly.</p> - -<p>"No, he cannot outwit you—nor Jean Le Fevre. Once we have ze map and -all will be well."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p> - -<p>At that moment the clerk came forward again.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Ruggles is at liberty now," he said to Robert. "You had best go in -at once, before one of the clerks engages him."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, I will," answered the boy.</p> - -<p>"I wish he had left me to listen to those schemers a bit longer," was -what he thought.</p> - -<p>But there seemed no help for it, and leaving the Englishman and the -Canadian talking earnestly to each other he entered the private office -of the proprietor of the firm.</p> - -<p>Mr. Ruggles proved to be a pleasant man past middle age.</p> - -<p>"If you have been waiting to see me I am sorry for you," he said, after -Robert had stated the object of his visit. "I engaged a clerk less than -an hour ago."</p> - -<p>This was a set-back and the boy's face fell.</p> - -<p>"I am sorry too," he said. "I imagine this office would just suit me."</p> - -<p>"You can leave your name and address. Perhaps the other young man may -not be suitable. Have you any recommendations?"</p> - -<p>"I worked for Mr. Peter Gray, the cut-rate ticket man. We were burnt -out, and Mr. Gray doesn't know what he is going to do next."</p> - -<p>"I know Mr. Gray, and if he can recommend<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> you that will be sufficient. -Here is a sheet of paper. Do you know what I pay a clerk at the start?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir?"</p> - -<p>"Can you keep an ordinary set of books?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"How about writing an ordinary business letter?"</p> - -<p>"I wrote many letters for Mr. Gray."</p> - -<p>"In that case I would be willing to start you at eight dollars per -week, and after six months I would raise you to ten dollars."</p> - -<p>"That would be satisfactory."</p> - -<p>"Then leave your name and address. Even if that new clerk does suit -there may be another opening before long—although I would not advise -you to lay back and depend upon it."</p> - -<p>"I couldn't afford to lay back, sir."</p> - -<p>"You have to support yourself?"</p> - -<p>"I do."</p> - -<p>"Then I trust you get an opening soon—if I cannot use you," concluded -Mr. Ruggles.</p> - -<p>Robert wrote out his name in his best style, and added the address of -his boarding house. The handwriting pleased the map-publisher, but he -put it on file without comment. Then the boy bowed himself out.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What a nice man," he thought. "I like him even better than I do Mr. -Gray."</p> - -<p>He was pleased to think that, although there was no immediate opening -for him, there might be one in the near future.</p> - -<p>As Robert entered the outer office he looked around for the Englishman -and the Canadian. They were nowhere to be seen.</p> - -<p>"They are either in one of the other offices or they have gone," he -said to himself. "I'd give a good deal to know just what they are up -to. When I write to Mr. Marden I must tell him about the pair."</p> - -<p>Once on the sidewalk the boy hardly knew how to turn. He had one more -place on his list—that of a wholesale butcher, but the idea of working -in a packing house did not please him.</p> - -<p>"I don't believe it would suit me," he said to himself. "Especially if -I had to work down by the stockyards."</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, he was resolved not to remain idle if it could be helped, -and so started out to find the address.</p> - -<p>The locality was some distance from the center of the city and in a -neighborhood filled with factories and saloons. At the corner of the -block<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> upon which the packing establishment was located, Robert came to -a halt.</p> - -<p>"I don't believe mother would like me to work in such a place as this," -he mused. "The folks may be honest enough, but they don't know the -meaning of the word refinement."</p> - -<p>"Lookin' fer sumthin', mister?"</p> - -<p>The question came from a very small and very dirty boy who had brushed -up against Robert's elbow.</p> - -<p>"Hardly," answered Robert. "Is that Rogers' packing house over there?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, that's all I wanted to know."</p> - -<p>"Goin' in to see Mr. Rogers?"</p> - -<p>"I was thinking of it."</p> - -<p>"Better not go now?"</p> - -<p>"Why?"</p> - -<p>"He jest came out of O'Grady's saloon and he's more'n half full."</p> - -<p>"Do you mean drunk?"</p> - -<p>"Dat's it."</p> - -<p>"Then I don't think I care to see him."</p> - -<p>"Does he owe you anything?" went on the street urchin, with a coolness -that swallowed up the impertinence of the question.</p> - -<p>"No, he doesn't owe me anything. He ad<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span>vertised for a clerk and I had -a notion I would strike for the situation," answered Robert, who could -not help but like the street lad, he had such an open, friendly face.</p> - -<p>"He had a fight with one o' his clerks day before yesterday, an' the -clerk got a black eye."</p> - -<p>"Indeed. And what did the clerk do?"</p> - -<p>"I heard dad say he was going to have old Rogers arrested, but Rogers -gave him some extry money to keep still about it."</p> - -<p>"And that is the reason he wants a new clerk, eh?" said Robert, with a -short laugh. "Well, I don't think I'll apply."</p> - -<p>"Couldn't you lick old Rogers if he hit you first?"</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't want to get into a fight with him."</p> - -<p>"He's a terror when he's half drunk—my dad says so."</p> - -<p>"Does he work in the place?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, he's a butcher."</p> - -<p>"And did he ever have any trouble?"</p> - -<p>"Lots of times. Once old Rogers followed my dad with a butcher knife, -but dad up and knocked the knife from his hand with a club."</p> - -<p>"And what did your father do then?"</p> - -<p>"He was goin' to have old Rogers locked up for salt the battery, or -sumt'ing like that, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> Rogers he raised dad's wages a dollar a week, -an' so dad didn't do nuthin."</p> - -<p>"Evidently Mr. Rogers thinks money will cover everything," said Robert. -"Well, it wouldn't cover everything with me."</p> - -<p>"I'd like to see old Rogers git one good wallopin'—an' so would all of -the boys around here. He won't let none of us around the packing house -to see what's going on. He calls us all a set of thieves."</p> - -<p>"He certainly must be a hard man to work for," concluded Robert. "I -don't want to go near him," and with this remark he walked back the way -he had come.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XVII.</p> - -<p class="center">ROBERT IS GIVEN A MISSION.</p> - - -<p>"Well, what luck?" asked Livingston Palmer, when he and Robert met -again.</p> - -<p>"No luck at all," answered Robert.</p> - -<p>"That's bad."</p> - -<p>"One man said he might have an opening in the near future."</p> - -<p>"That's all right, but a fellow can't live on promises."</p> - -<p>"Exactly my idea."</p> - -<p>"Why don't you try the stage, as I am going to do."</p> - -<p>"I don't believe I can act."</p> - -<p>"No one knows what is in him until he tries. Didn't you ever recite?"</p> - -<p>"In school, yes. But I don't think I ever made a hit, as actors call -it."</p> - -<p>"If you managed to get in with Jack Dixon I might be able to coach you -in your part," said Livingston Palmer loftily.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Have you had a part assigned to you yet?" asked Robert curiously.</p> - -<p>"Yes. We are to play two plays, 'The Homeless Sister,' and 'All for -Love.' In 'The Homeless Sister' I am to take the part of a heartless -landlord, and in 'All for Love' I am a butler in a Fifth Avenue mansion -in New York."</p> - -<p>"Are they leading parts?"</p> - -<p>"Well—er—hardly. Dixon says he can't put me in leading parts yet, for -it would make the older actors jealous."</p> - -<p>"I see."</p> - -<p>"He says he will shove me ahead as soon as I've made a hit."</p> - -<p>"Then I trust you make a hit on the opening night."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I certainly shall. I have my lines down fine, and Dixon says my -make-up is just what it ought to be."</p> - -<p>"Aren't you afraid of being nervous?"</p> - -<p>"Nervous? Not a bit. Did you ever see me nervous, Frost?"</p> - -<p>"No—excepting——" Robert was going to mention the time when the -adorable Alameda's husband had called at the ticket office, but cut -himself short.</p> - -<p>"Excepting when?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It's of no consequence, Palmer."</p> - -<p>"But I demand to know when I was ever nervous," insisted the would-be -actor.</p> - -<p>"Well, you were rather put out when the husband of that variety actress -called upon you."</p> - -<p>"Oh! Well—er—I'll admit it. But that was an unusual case, wasn't it?"</p> - -<p>"I presume so. Does she know you are going on the stage?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; I took particular pains to let her hear of it, through one of the -ladies of our combination."</p> - -<p>"And did you hear what she said?"</p> - -<p>"The lady says she laughed and said I would ruin Dixon. But I'll show -her that she is mistaken," added Livingston Palmer, drawing himself -up to his full height and inflating his chest. "Robert, I am a born -actor—I feel it in my bones."</p> - -<p>"Do your bones ache?"</p> - -<p>"You know what I mean. Shall I give you a sample of what I am to do?"</p> - -<p>"If you get through by the time the supper bell rings. My walk has made -me tremendously hungry."</p> - -<p>"The part of the landlord is not a long one—in fact it contains but -six speeches each about thirty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> words in length. At first I come into -the parlor where the guests have arrived. I make a low bow and turn -to the gentleman and say: 'What, it is my father's friend, Roger -Brockbury, as I live! Thrice welcome to the Lion Inn, sir. And what is -the matter with the lady, sir?'"</p> - -<p>As Palmer began to recite he strutted around in grand style, ending by -elevating his eyebrows, clenching his fists and throwing his head so -far back that he nearly lost his balance.</p> - -<p>"Is that what you have to say?" questioned Robert, who could scarcely -keep from laughing outright.</p> - -<p>"Yes. How do you like it?"</p> - -<p>"You'll certainly make them take notice of you?"</p> - -<p>"I knew you would say that. Why, Robert, it won't be a month before I'm -the star of the combination."</p> - -<p>"You have my best wishes."</p> - -<p>"Shall I take you to see Jack Dixon?"</p> - -<p>"No—at least, not for the present."</p> - -<p>"But you may be missing the chance of your life."</p> - -<p>"No, I'm no actor. I believe I was cut out for some office business and -nothing else."</p> - -<p>"Do you mean to say you would be content to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> sit on a high stool -keeping books all your life? That wouldn't suit me."</p> - -<p>"No, I don't mean that exactly. I would like to manage some large -office business—after I had learned it thoroughly."</p> - -<p>"Of course that is somewhat better."</p> - -<p>At that moment the supper bell rang, and Palmer took his leave, to go -to the theater for rehearsal. As Robert went down to the dining room of -the boarding house he could not help but utter a short sigh.</p> - -<p>"Poor Palmer," he mused. "He means well, but I'm afraid he will make an -awful mess of it."</p> - -<p>The evening was spent in his room reading a paper, for Robert was in no -humor to go anywhere, even if he had felt like spending any money.</p> - -<p>"I must try my luck again to-morrow," was his resolve. "And I must get -around early, too."</p> - -<p>He was up before seven o'clock, and dressing hastily, went out and -purchased several newspapers. At the house he sat down in the sitting -room to examine the Help Wanted columns, as he had done the day before.</p> - -<p>Presently he heard the postman's whistle and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> ring. Soon after one of -the servant girls came in with a letter for him.</p> - -<p>It was from Timberville, as he could see by the postmark, and he tore -it open eagerly, feeling it must have been sent by Dick Marden.</p> - -<p>The communication interested Robert deeply. It ran as follows:</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p> - -"My Dear Robert:<br /> -</p> - -<p>"I have just learned by the newspapers that Peter Gray's office was -burnt out last Sunday. I see that the loss was heavy, and in an -interview Gray says he may not resume.</p> - -<p>"This will, of course, throw you out of a position. In one way I am -sorry of it; in another, I am glad.</p> - -<p>"I hate to have you compelled to make a change, yet, as matters -have turned, I would like to have a smart boy like you up here -to help me, since my uncle is worse than before and those -swindlers—for such they are—are determined to get the lumber -lands away from him.</p> - -<p>"In the crowd are two men, a French Canadian Le Fevre and an -Englishman named Hammerditch. They want to get hold of an old map -which was in the possession of a certain lumberman named Herman -Wenrich. This lumber<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span>man used to live in upper Michigan but now -resides in Chicago.</p> - -<p>"If you can do so, I would like you to find Herman Wenrich and -get the map from him, even if you have to pay fifty or a hundred -dollars for it. The map will be valuable in showing up the actual -grants which belong to my uncle.</p> - -<p>"In case Wenrich cannot be found in the course of two or three days -you can drop the matter and come on to here without further delay. -I send you some money in case the fire has left you short, and in -case you have a chance to buy the map.</p> - -<p> -"Yours truly,<br /> -"Richard Marden."<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p>Enclosed in the letter were money orders amounting to one hundred and -fifty dollars.</p> - -<p>"I'm glad I didn't get a job now," thought Robert. "If I had I would -only had to have thrown it up. I'll go down to the post-office at -once, get those money orders cashed, and then go on a hunt for Herman -Wenrich."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XVIII.</p> - -<p class="center">THE POST-OFFICE MONEY ORDER.</p> - - -<p>Robert had been to the post-office a number of times for Mr. Gray, so -he made his way there after breakfast without difficulty.</p> - -<p>He found the money-order department somewhat crowded, and had to take -his place at the end of a line numbering a dozen persons or more.</p> - -<p>While he was moving toward the window his attention was attracted to a -loudly-dressed individual, who came in and glanced around as if looking -for somebody he knew.</p> - -<p>The man singled out Robert and came up to him.</p> - -<p>"Are you acquainted here, young man?" he asked, in a low tone, so that -those standing around might not hear.</p> - -<p>"What do you mean?" asked the youth.</p> - -<p>He was positive he had never seen the loudly-dressed individual before.</p> - -<p>"I mean do they know you at yonder window?"</p> - -<p>"One of the clerks knows me."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Then I wish you would do me a favor. My name is Charles Shotmore. I -come from Lexington. I received a money order yesterday from my aunt, -with whom I reside, and I want to get the order cashed."</p> - -<p>"Well?"</p> - -<p>"Won't you identify me? Of course, it's a mere matter of form, but it -places one in a regular hole if one is not known," went on the man -glibly. "You know they are very particular just at present, although -they didn't used to be."</p> - -<p>"But I don't know you," said Robert, with considerable surprise.</p> - -<p>"I have just told you my name—Charles Shotmore, of Lexington. My -aunt's name is Caroline Shotmore. And your name is——?" The man -paused, expecting Robert to fill in the blank.</p> - -<p>But the youth had seen enough of city life to make him shy of -strangers, and he did not mention his name.</p> - -<p>"Never mind about my name," he said coldly.</p> - -<p>"Won't you identify me?"</p> - -<p>"How can I when I do not know you."</p> - -<p>"I have just told you my name. Isn't that sufficient?"</p> - -<p>"Why don't you tell them the same thing at the window?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Because they are too particular."</p> - -<p>"I don't think they are."</p> - -<p>"Then you won't do me the favor?" And the loudly-dressed individual -frowned darkly.</p> - -<p>"I cannot, conscientiously."</p> - -<p>"Humph! it seems to me you are mighty particular."</p> - -<p>"And you are very forward," retorted Robert, and turned his back on the -fellow. The man started to say more, but suddenly turned and walked to -the corner of the room.</p> - -<p>Robert had no difficulty in getting his money orders cashed.</p> - -<p>"For yourself?" said the clerk, with a smile.</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"You're in luck."</p> - -<p>"I've got to use most of the money," answered the boy, and left the -window.</p> - -<p>A hundred and fifty dollars was quite a sum, even for Robert to handle, -and he placed the amount in the breast pocket of his coat.</p> - -<p>The flashily-dressed man saw the youth stow the bank bills away, and -his eyes glistened greedily.</p> - -<p>He was a sharper by the name of Andy Cross, and it is doubtful if he -had ever done an honest day's work in his life.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p> - -<p>The money order he carried was one belonging to a man who had been -stopping at the same boarding place at which Andy Cross had put up.</p> - -<p>The order had come in a letter the day before, and Cross was anxious to -get it cashed before Charles Shotmore should become aware of his loss.</p> - -<p>"I've a good mind to follow that boy and see if I can't get hold of -that money," said Cross to himself.</p> - -<p>As Robert went out of the post-office he came behind him.</p> - -<p>Not far away was a drug store, where several directories lay on a stand -for the use of the public.</p> - -<p>Robert stepped into the drug store to look for Herman Wenrich's name in -the directory, and Andy Cross took a stand outside where he might watch -the boy.</p> - -<p>While the sharper was waiting, he felt himself touched on the arm, and -wheeling about, found himself confronted by the man to whom the stolen -money order belonged.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Smith, I wish to speak to you," said Charles Shotmore, somewhat -excitedly. He did not know Cross' real name, for he had never heard it.</p> - -<p>"What do you want?" demanded Andy Cross,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> as coolly as he could, -although he was much disconcerted.</p> - -<p>"I—I—that is, I believe you have a letter belonging to me."</p> - -<p>"A letter belonging to you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"I have no such letter, Mr. Shotmore. What makes you think I have?"</p> - -<p>"The servant at the boarding house says a letter came yesterday for me, -and that she saw you pick it up from the hall rack."</p> - -<p>"She is mistaken."</p> - -<p>"She says she is positive, and—and she says your record is none of the -best."</p> - -<p>"Sir, do you mean to insult me!" demanded Cross, but his face turned -pale with sudden fear.</p> - -<p>"The girl comes from the South End, and she says you are known by the -name of Cross. She is positive you took my letter, and I want it."</p> - -<p>"Preposterous! Why should I take your letter?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know. But I was expecting a money order from my aunt, and if -it was in the letter I want it."</p> - -<p>"Did you follow me to here?" asked Andy Cross, nervously.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I came down to the post-office, yes, for that is where they cash money -orders."</p> - -<p>"Well, I haven't your money order, and that is all there is to it. Let -go of my arm."</p> - -<p>For Charles Shotmore had clutched the sharper while they were -conversing.</p> - -<p>At that moment Robert came out of the drug store. On catching sight of -Cross in the grasp of another, he paused in wonder.</p> - -<p>"Something is wrong," he thought, and drew closer to the pair.</p> - -<p>"I am of the opinion that you have the money order," said Charles -Shotmore. "If you are an honest man you will not object to being -searched."</p> - -<p>"But I do object!" burst out Andy Cross, fiercely, and tried to wrench -himself loose. He had almost succeeded when Robert came to Charles -Shotmore's assistance.</p> - -<p>"I'll help you hold him, sir," he said quietly, but firmly.</p> - -<p>"Let go, boy!" fumed the sharper. "Let go, or it will be the worse for -you!"</p> - -<p>"I'll not let go." Robert turned to the other man. "Do you know this -fellow, sir?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I had better ask you that question," returned Charles -Shotmore, cautiously.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I was at the post-office a while ago and he wanted me to identify him. -He said his name was Charles Shotmore."</p> - -<p>"Why, that is my name."</p> - -<p>"He had a money order he wished to have cashed."</p> - -<p>"My money order, I'll wager a new hat. You villain. I have caught you -just in time," and Charles Shotmore clutched Cross tighter than before.</p> - -<p>It must be confessed that the sharper was nonplussed, for he had not -expected to have Shotmore follow him up thus rapidly.</p> - -<p>"This is—er—a—a great mistake," he stammered.</p> - -<p>"I guess it was a mistake—for you," said Shotmore grimly.</p> - -<p>"If I—I have the letter, I took it by mistake," went on Andy Cross. -"Sometimes I have violent headaches, and during those periods I do the -most extraordinary things."</p> - -<p>"Indeed!" sneered Charles Shotmore. "Never mind the headaches, just you -hand over the money order."</p> - -<p>As he spoke he slipped his hand into Cross' breast pocket and drew -forth the letter.</p> - -<p>"Mine, sure enough!" he ejaculated.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Is the money order in it?" questioned Robert.</p> - -<p>"Yes. My boy, you have done me a valuable service."</p> - -<p>"I am glad of it."</p> - -<p>"I really believe I ought to have this rascal arrested."</p> - -<p>"I think you are justified, Mr. Shotmore. It's bad policy to have such -dishonest persons running around loose."</p> - -<p>"Arrest me?" gasped Andy Cross. "If you have me arrested you will make -the greatest mistake of your lives."</p> - -<p>"I'll risk it," said Charles Shotmore.</p> - -<p>He started to look around for an officer.</p> - -<p>As he did so, Andy Cross gave a pull and freed himself from both -Shotmore and Robert. Then he dashed into the street, among the cars and -trucks going in both directions.</p> - -<p>"Hi! stop him!" cried Shotmore. "Police! Police!"</p> - -<p>Robert at once took up the chase. Soon Shotmore joined in. But Andy -Cross was fleet of foot, and fear lent speed to his feet. By the time -the other side of the crowded thoroughfare was gained he was nowhere to -be seen.</p> - -<p>"He's disappeared," panted Robert, coming to a halt at the corner.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p> - -<p>"So I see," returned Charles Shotmore. "He could run, couldn't he?"</p> - -<p>"Well, he had something to run for."</p> - -<p>"That's right." Shotmore indulged in a low laugh. "I'm glad I got my -letter and money order away from him before he started."</p> - -<p>"Do you know him?"</p> - -<p>"No more than that he boarded at the same house with me. I fancy he is -an all-round sharper, from what the servant girl said of him."</p> - -<p>"Then it's a pity he escaped."</p> - -<p>"I may meet him again some day. But I owe you something for your aid."</p> - -<p>"You are welcome to whatever I have done for you."</p> - -<p>"But I would like to pay you something," persisted Charles Shotmore.</p> - -<p>"I don't wish it."</p> - -<p>"May I ask your name?"</p> - -<p>Robert gave it, and they shook hands.</p> - -<p>"I hope we meet again," said the gentleman, and after a few more words -they parted, Shotmore going over to have his money order cashed without -further delay,—he being already known at the post-office.</p> - -<p>From the directory in the drug store Robert had obtained Herman -Wenrich's address. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> old lumberman lived on the outskirts of the -city, on the other side of the Chicago River, and the youth set off for -the place, little dreaming of what trouble his visit was to bring to -him.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XIX.</p> - -<p class="center">AN UNEXPECTED ATTACK.</p> - - -<p>Andy Cross ran for several blocks after leaving Charles Shotmore and -Robert so unceremoniously. Then he turned into a large office building -and took the elevator to one of the upper floors.</p> - -<p>Here he felt himself tolerably safe from pursuit.</p> - -<p>He stood at a hall window, which overlooked the street, and gazing down -saw a friend walking along on the opposite sidewalk.</p> - -<p>"Jim Huskin," he murmured. "I wonder if he has anything new on?"</p> - -<p>Feeling that Shotmore and Robert must have given up the pursuit by this -time, he descended again and hurried after the man he had recognized.</p> - -<p>"Hullo, Jim!" he said, as he caught the other by the arm.</p> - -<p>Jim Huskin started, half fearing that it was a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> detective who had -accosted him, for he was wanted for several petty crimes—indeed the -two rascals were well matched, and had committed many a wrong deed -together.</p> - -<p>"Andy!" replied Jim Huskin. "How are you?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing to brag of," answered Andy Cross.</p> - -<p>"Then you haven't been striking it rich lately."</p> - -<p>"On the contrary, I've had mighty poor luck. Have you got another -cigar, Jim?" He said this for Huskin was smoking.</p> - -<p>"No. I got this out of a gent at the Palmer House. I tried to work him -for a loan, but it was no go."</p> - -<p>"Then I reckon you haven't any more money than I."</p> - -<p>"I've got a quarter," answered Jim Huskin, frankly.</p> - -<p>"You are exactly five cents richer than yours truly."</p> - -<p>Both sharpers laughed at this. With them it was "easy come, easy go," -and temporary poverty did not bother them.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I am five cents richer," went on Jim Huskin. "But I owe my -hotel three weeks' board."</p> - -<p>"It's a wonder they let you stay that long."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I've got a well-filled trunk in my room." And Huskin chuckled and -winked one eye.</p> - -<p>"Filled with bricks, eh?"</p> - -<p>"No, paving stones—although they are about the same thing. Say, when -the hotel keeper opens that he'll have enough to build on another -addition."</p> - -<p>"He won't build it on to accommodate such guests as you."</p> - -<p>"I don't suppose he will—and I don't care."</p> - -<p>"I am behind two weeks with my landlady. She's sharp after me—but I -don't care. I can't go back, even if I wanted to."</p> - -<p>"Had a falling out with somebody?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. One of the boarders got a money order and I tried to get it -cashed for him."</p> - -<p>"And it didn't work, eh?"</p> - -<p>"No, it didn't—and what's more, the man and a boy came close to having -me arrested. I'll tell you what, Jim, I would like to get that boy in -some spot where I could go through his pockets."</p> - -<p>"Has he got much?"</p> - -<p>"He's got a good silver watch, and I saw him cash money orders at the -post office amounting to one hundred and fifty dollars."</p> - -<p>"Phew! that would make a nice haul. Where is the boy?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I don't believe he's far off. I left him near the post office."</p> - -<p>"Why not look him up?"</p> - -<p>"He would recognize me and make trouble."</p> - -<p>"Then point him out to me, and I'll see what I can do."</p> - -<p>Andy Cross was willing to do this, providing Jim Huskin would "whack -up" with anything which was netted from the proceedings, and the pair -sauntered the way Cross had come.</p> - -<p>"There he is now!" cried the sharper presently.</p> - -<p>He pointed across the street to where Robert was walking, bound for the -place where Herman Wenrich lived.</p> - -<p>"You are sure that's the boy?" asked Huskin.</p> - -<p>"I am positive."</p> - -<p>"Is the money in his vest pocket?"</p> - -<p>"I think he put it in his breast pocket."</p> - -<p>"Then I'll soon have it from him, providing I get half a chance."</p> - -<p>"You've got to be careful. He's a smart customer, I can tell you that."</p> - -<p>"I've never met the boy or man I couldn't work—if I had half a show," -returned Jim Huskin confidently. "What will you do, follow me?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. If you can corner him and want assist<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span>ance, whistle, and I'll do -all I can," added Andy Cross.</p> - -<p>So it was arranged, and a moment later Jim Huskin crossed the street -and placed himself at Robert's heels.</p> - -<p>By this time the boy was close to the river, and crossing the bridge at -the foot of the street, he hurried on in the direction where the old -lumberman resided.</p> - -<p>"I wonder if he lives over here?" thought Huskin. "If he does I must -tackle him before he reaches home."</p> - -<p>Several blocks were passed, and Robert came to a halt on a street -corner.</p> - -<p>As he did so Huskin stooped down and pretended to pick up a -handkerchief.</p> - -<p>"Excuse me, but you dropped your handkerchief," he said, holding out -the article.</p> - -<p>Robert felt in his pocket.</p> - -<p>"You are mistaken, the handkerchief is not mine," he answered.</p> - -<p>"Is that so? Why, I was sure you dropped it." And Jim Huskin appeared -much surprised. "It's a pretty good article," he continued. "I guess -I'll keep it."</p> - -<p>"You might as well—if you can't find the owner."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I once had a funny thing happen with a handkerchief," went on Jim -Huskin, as he ranged up alongside of Robert when the boy started off -again. "A lady dropped hers in a street car. I picked it up, and as I -did so, out rolled, what do you think?"</p> - -<p>"I'm sure I cannot imagine."</p> - -<p>"A set of false teeth. The lady had been wiping her mouth and the -teeth had dropped into the handkerchief. Maybe both of us weren't -embarrassed. The lady got as red as a beet, and left the car at the -very next corner." And Jim Huskin laughed loudly. "A good joke, wasn't -it?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps for the others in the car; not for the lady," answered Robert, -yet he could not help smiling.</p> - -<p>"Live down this way?" asked the sharper carelessly.</p> - -<p>"No, I am a stranger in this part of Chicago. I am looking for Grandon -street."</p> - -<p>"Grandon Street. I can take you there easily enough. I own property on -that street."</p> - -<p>"Do you? Then perhaps you can take me to number 238—that is, if you -are going there now."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I was bound there—to see one of my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> tenants who talks of moving. -Number 238 is less than a block from my houses. I think the Nelsons -live at 238,—or is it the Romers."</p> - -<p>"I am looking for a man named Herman Wenrich—an old lumberman from -Michigan."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, to be sure. I know him fairly well. Doesn't he live in the -house with the Nelsons,—or maybe it's next door?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know who he lives with, or if he lives alone. He is a stranger -to me. I want to see him on a little business."</p> - -<p>"And you have never been in this part of Chicago before?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>Jim Huskin turned his head to conceal a smile. "I reckon I can lead him -where I please now," he thought. Then he looked back, to see Andy Cross -following them at a distance of less than a block.</p> - -<p>Several squares were covered, and Huskin took Robert around a corner -into a street which was little better than an alleyway.</p> - -<p>"This is a short cut," he said. "The street is all torn up a bit -further on, and unless we go this way we will have to walk several -blocks out of our way."</p> - -<p>"Any way will suit me," answered Robert.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> "Only I may have some -difficulty in finding my way back."</p> - -<p>"Not if you take the street two blocks to our left."</p> - -<p>As they entered the alleyway Jim Huskin began to whistle a lively air. -It was the signal for Andy Cross to draw closer.</p> - -<p>"I always whistle when I get here," explained the sharper, glibly, -as he stopped for a second. "I was born and brought up in this -neighborhood, and the scene takes me back to my boyhood days."</p> - -<p>Robert was not favorably impressed by the surroundings. On one side -of the alleyway were a number of deserted tenement houses, and on the -other the high brick wall surrounding a factory yard. "He must have -been pretty poor to have lived in one of those shanties," thought the -boy.</p> - -<p>"In those days these houses were well kept, and where the factory -stands was a pretty open lot," said Huskin, as if reading his thoughts. -"Everything is changed now. Will you mind my stopping at one of the -houses for a minute? An old negro lives here, and I want to see if he -is sick."</p> - -<p>"All right."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p> - -<p>Jim Huskin entered one of the tenements, to find it as he expected, -deserted.</p> - -<p>"Say, just look here a minute!" he cried, coming to the front door. -"What do you think is the matter with this poor fellow?"</p> - -<p>Wondering what was up, Robert advanced and entered the hallway of the -tenement.</p> - -<p>The light was poor, and for several seconds he could see but little.</p> - -<p>"I don't see anybody—" he began, when, without warning, Jim Huskin -leaped upon him and caught him by the arm and collar.</p> - -<p>"Give me that money and your watch!" he cried, harshly. "Give it to me -instantly, or it will be the worse for you."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XX.</p> - -<p class="center">THE ESCAPE OF CROSS AND HUSKIN.</p> - - -<p>For the moment Robert was dumfounded, for he had not dreamed that this -pleasant stranger was about to attack him.</p> - -<p>"Do you hear? Give me that money," repeated Huskin, and tightened his -grip.</p> - -<p>"Let me go!" returned Robert. "Would you rob me?"</p> - -<p>"I want that money you drew out of the post-office. And I want it -instantly."</p> - -<p>"I won't give you a cent," cried Robert, and began to struggle with all -the strength at his command.</p> - -<p>Although but a boy, he was strong, and soon it looked as if he might -break away in spite of all the sharper could do to hold him. Seeing -this, Huskin whistled loudly three times,—a signal that Andy Cross -must join him at once.</p> - -<p>The signal had scarcely come to an end when Andy Cross pushed his way -into the hallway.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Quick—hold him!" shouted Jim Huskin. "He's a regular eel."</p> - -<p>"I've got him," answered Andy Cross, and caught Robert from behind, and -soon his bony fingers were pressing themselves directly into the poor -youth's windpipe, so that it looked as if Robert would be choked to -death.</p> - -<p>Robert could not see Cross, but he recognized the sharper's voice, and -at once came to the conclusion that the two men had laid a plot to rob -him.</p> - -<p>Nearly strangled, he let go his hold of Huskin, and tried to break Andy -Cross' grip.</p> - -<p>The moment Jim Huskin felt himself free he wrenched Robert's watch and -chain from their fastening and placed them in his own pocket.</p> - -<p>Then he dove into the boy's coat.</p> - -<p>"Let—let me go!" spluttered Robert. "Help! thiev——"</p> - -<p>He could go no farther, for now his wind was cut off entirely. All grew -black before his eyes, and it was only in a hazy fashion that he felt -Huskin snatch the money from where he had placed it with care.</p> - -<p>"Got what you want?" asked Andy Cross.</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Sure about the money?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Here is a package of five and ten dollar bills."</p> - -<p>"That's it. And the watch?"</p> - -<p>"Safe."</p> - -<p>"Then we had better make tracks."</p> - -<p>"Ram his head against the wall first. We don't want him to give the -alarm too soon."</p> - -<p>Andy Cross understood what Huskin meant, and between them the sharpers -raised the boy's body up and threw him with great violence against the -hard wall close at hand.</p> - -<p>The shock landed mainly upon Robert's head, as was intended, and with a -groan, the youth sank down in a heap unconscious.</p> - -<p>"I guess he's done for," said Cross.</p> - -<p>"He is for a while, anyway," responded Huskin. "Come, the sooner we get -out of this neighborhood the better off we will be."</p> - -<p>Running to the doorway of the tenement, both sharpers peered forth.</p> - -<p>"A man is coming!" cried Cross.</p> - -<p>"Let us get out by the back way," said his companion.</p> - -<p>They hurried back past Robert, and into the kitchen.</p> - -<p>Here, to their surprise, a fire was burning in a dilapidated stove.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Hullo! I thought this place was deserted," ejaculated Jim Huskin, in -astonishment.</p> - -<p>"We must not be caught," added Cross. "Here is a back door and another -alleyway."</p> - -<p>The door was unlocked, and they slipped outside. Soon the rascals had -placed several blocks between themselves and the scene of the nefarious -encounter.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the man coming up the alleyway paused at the tenement.</p> - -<p>He lived in the place, paying no rent. He was very old, and could -hardly walk, and his eyesight was poor.</p> - -<p>He had been to the corner grocery to buy himself a few of the -necessities of life.</p> - -<p>Entering the semi-dark hallway he shambled along until his foot struck -Robert's body.</p> - -<p>"Why, what can this be?" he muttered, and bent over that he might see.</p> - -<p>He was greatly amazed to find a boy there, suffering from a slight cut -over one eye, from which the blood was flowing.</p> - -<p>"Something is wrong," he thought. "Has the lad met with foul play?"</p> - -<p>He was half of a mind to summon the police, but was afraid he could not -find an officer short of six or seven blocks off.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p> - -<p>Setting down his basket, he raised up Robert's head. As he did this, -our hero gave a groan and a shiver.</p> - -<p>"Don't, don't hit me again," he murmured. "Don't!"</p> - -<p>"I ain't hit ye," answered the old man. "How did ye git here?"</p> - -<p>But Robert did not answer, having relapsed again into unconsciousness.</p> - -<p>Not without considerable trouble did the old man bring some cold water -and bathe Robert's face, and bind up the wound with an old towel. He -carried the boy to the kitchen and set him down on a worn-out lounge.</p> - -<p>"How do you feel?" he asked as Robert opened his eyes and stared around -him.</p> - -<p>"Where are they—the rascals?" asked Robert. He was completely -bewildered.</p> - -<p>"Who do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"I mean the men who attacked me."</p> - -<p>"I don't know anything about 'em. I found ye in the hallway in a heap."</p> - -<p>"Two men attacked me and robbed me."</p> - -<p>"Gee shoo! Did they git much?"</p> - -<p>"Yes." Robert gave a groan. "They got my watch and over a hundred and -fifty dollars."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span></p> - -<p>At this announcement the eyes of Lemuel Branley almost started from -their sockets.</p> - -<p>"A hundred and fifty dollars!"</p> - -<p>"Yes; and a watch worth twenty-five more."</p> - -<p>"What was ye a-doing with so much money about ye?"</p> - -<p>"I was expecting to use the most of it to buy something with. So you -didn't see the men?"</p> - -<p>Lemuel Branley shook his head.</p> - -<p>"They couldn't have left so long ago."</p> - -<p>"Then they didn't go out by the front door, for I was at the top of the -alleyway quite a spell."</p> - -<p>"Is there a rear way out?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; and come to think of it, the back door was wide open when I first -came in for the water."</p> - -<p>"Then they went out that way."</p> - -<p>There was a pause.</p> - -<p>"Did you know them?" asked the old man, curiously.</p> - -<p>"I knew one of them in a way. The other introduced himself to me while -I was on my way over here."</p> - -<p>And Robert related how he had fallen in with Jim Huskin, and how the -sharper had gotten him to enter the tenement hallway.</p> - -<p>"You're lucky to escape with your life," said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> Lemuel Branley. "You -don't know how bad some of the criminals in Chicago are."</p> - -<p>"I must try to get on their track. I can't afford to lose my money, -nor the watch, either." And Robert's face grew serious. The watch was -the one his father had given him, and without the money how was he to -purchase the map Dick Marden was so anxious to possess?</p> - -<p>"You'll have to hustle to find them rogues, to my way of thinking," -said Lemuel Branley. "Like as not they'll quit Chicago just as soon as -possible."</p> - -<p>Robert stood up. He felt strangely weak and far from able to pursue -anybody.</p> - -<p>"Can you call a policeman?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Certainly."</p> - -<p>Lemuel Branley made off, and while he was gone the boy brushed off his -clothing and washed himself. Luckily he had a bit of court-plaster in -his pocket, and this he plastered over the cut on forehead, thus doing -away with the ragged towel.</p> - -<p>By the time he had finished he felt a little stronger. Soon the old man -came back, followed by a tall, heavy-set officer of the law.</p> - -<p>"I saw you and one of the men a while ago," said the policeman, -after our hero had told his story. "The man didn't impress me very -favor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span>ably. I rather think I've seen his picture in the rogues' -gallery."</p> - -<p>"Then you would know him again?"</p> - -<p>"I think I would."</p> - -<p>"I wish you would try to hunt him up."</p> - -<p>"I will. Will you go along."</p> - -<p>Robert was willing, and they left the tenement by the back way, our -hero first thanking Lemuel Branley for what he had done.</p> - -<p>But nothing was to be seen of Andy Cross and Jim Huskin, and in an hour -the policeman and the youth gave up the hunt. The officer directed -Robert to the nearest station house, and here the particulars of the -robbery were taken down. A large book of photographs was placed before -Robert, and he soon found Jim Huskin's portrait.</p> - -<p>"That's the man," he said.</p> - -<p>"You are certain."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I would know him out of a thousand."</p> - -<p>Andy Cross' photograph could not be found, since he had not yet sat for -the rogues' gallery, even though he richly deserved it.</p> - -<p>The officer in charge took down Robert's address, and told our hero if -anything was learned he would let the youth know.</p> - -<p>With this small consolation Robert had to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> content. He left the -station house much crestfallen.</p> - -<p>"Everything seems to be going wrong," he mused. "I do hope those -rascals are caught, and that very soon."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XXI.</p> - -<p class="center">ROBERT AND THE OLD LUMBERMAN.</p> - - -<p>It must be confessed that Robert was in no humor to hunt up Herman -Wenrich.</p> - -<p>"Even if I find him, what good will it do, if I can't offer him the -money for the map?" was his mental comment.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, there seemed to be nothing else to do, and so, after a -lunch, he started again for No. 238 Grandon Street.</p> - -<p>He was careful where he went this time, and found the thoroughfare -without further difficulty. It was fully eight blocks from the tenement -where he had been robbed.</p> - -<p>The number he was searching for was a block away, and as he walked -toward it two men passed him whom he instantly recognized. The men were -Jean Le Fevre and Oscar Hammerditch.</p> - -<p>"Well, I declare!" muttered the boy. "Can it be possible that they have -been calling upon Herman Wenrich?"</p> - -<p>It certainly would seem so, yet Robert had no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> way of proving it. Both -the Canadian and the Englishman were walking rapidly, and soon they -passed out of sight around the corner.</p> - -<p>Robert found No. 238 Grandon Street a modest dwelling set in the rear -of a tiny garden of flowers. As he entered the garden a girl came out -on the front porch and gazed up and down the street anxiously. She -was probably fifteen years of age, and was pale and thin, as if just -getting over a long sickness, which was the case.</p> - -<p>"Does Mr. Herman Wenrich live here?" asked Robert politely, as he -tipped his hat.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir," answered the girl.</p> - -<p>"Is he in?"</p> - -<p>"He is, but he is not very well."</p> - -<p>As she spoke the girl eyed Robert sharply, wondering what he wanted.</p> - -<p>"He doesn't look like one of these traveling agents," she thought. She -had been bothered with agents a great deal lately.</p> - -<p>"I am sorry to hear Mr. Wenrich is not well," said Robert. "I wished to -see him on a little business."</p> - -<p>"May I ask your name?"</p> - -<p>"My name is Robert Frost. But he doesn't know me. You might tell him -that I came here at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> the request of Richard Marden, who is a nephew of -Felix Amberton, of Timberville, Michigan. I wish to see him about a -lumber tract up there."</p> - -<p>"Why, that is what those two men came about!" cried the girl.</p> - -<p>"You mean the two men I just met on the street?"</p> - -<p>"I presume they are the same. The men left but a minute before you -came."</p> - -<p>"Can you tell me if they came for a map?"</p> - -<p>"Why, yes, they——" The girl stopped short. "I do not know as I have -any right to talk of these things, Mr. Frost. My father might not like -it."</p> - -<p>"So Mr. Wenrich is your father."</p> - -<p>"Yes. My name is Nettie Wenrich."</p> - -<p>Robert bowed. "I certainly would not wish to make any trouble for you," -he said, with a smile. "But I would like to see your father."</p> - -<p>Nettie Wenrich hesitated for a moment. "He looks like a nice boy," she -thought. "I like him better than I did those men."</p> - -<p>"Come into the parlor and I will tell father you are here," said she.</p> - -<p>Robert found the parlor small but cozy. There were several covered -chairs, some pictures and books, and in one corner stood a small organ. -The youth sat down near a window and waited.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span></p> - -<p>The girl was gone fully five minutes. When she returned her face bore a -puzzled look.</p> - -<p>"Father does not know what to make of this," she said. "You say you -came because Mr. Amberton sent you?"</p> - -<p>"Mr. Marden sent me. He is Mr. Amberton's nephew and has taken full -charge, now that Mr. Amberton is sick."</p> - -<p>"Father says Mr. Hammerditch, one of the men who just called, said Mr. -Amberton sent him for the map."</p> - -<p>"What!" cried Robert, leaping to his feet. "That cannot be possible."</p> - -<p>"Why?"</p> - -<p>"Because those men are enemies of Mr. Amberton. They wish to get some -of his lumber lands away from him."</p> - -<p>The girl studied Robert's honest face for a moment.</p> - -<p>"I believe you. But it is a queer mix-up," was her comment.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I can explain some things, Miss Wenrich. But I would like to -talk with your father first."</p> - -<p>"Very well. But my father is quite sick, and I would not like to have -you excite him."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I will be careful. But I hope he didn't let them have the map."</p> - -<p>"No, he is holding that. They made a proposition to him and he said he -would think it over."</p> - -<p>Nettie Wenrich led the way to the second story of the cottage, and to -the front bedchamber. Here, on a snowy couch lay Herman Wenrich, feeble -with age and a malady that had attacked his digestive organs.</p> - -<p>"I do not wish to disturb you, Mr. Wenrich," said Robert, after -introducing himself and shaking hands. "But I think it very strange -that I should come here right after those two men I met outside."</p> - -<p>"It is strange, lad," responded Herman Wenrich feebly. "I cannot -understand it."</p> - -<p>"I think I can safely say that Mr. Amberton never sent them and that he -knows nothing of their coming," continued our hero.</p> - -<p>"That makes the whole thing even more strange."</p> - -<p>"They wish to get a certain map from you—a map of some lumber lands in -upper Michigan."</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, there is but one map," cried Herman Wenrich. "I have kept it -safely for years."</p> - -<p>"Papa, please do not excite yourself," pleaded Nettie Wenrich, coming -to the bedside.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I am not excited, my child."</p> - -<p>"I do not know a great deal about the matter," continued Robert. -"But I do know that those two men, Le Fevre and Hammerditch, are Mr. -Amberton's enemies and not his friends."</p> - -<p>"Can you prove that?"</p> - -<p>For the instant the youth was nonplussed. Then he thought of Dick -Marden's letter.</p> - -<p>"Here is a letter I got from Timberville," he said. "You can read that."</p> - -<p>"My eyesight is poor. Nettie, read the letter."</p> - -<p>At once the daughter complied. Herman Wenrich listened attentively.</p> - -<p>"Ah, yes, I remember this Marden now," he said slowly. "He was the son -of Amberton's youngest sister. Where does he come from?"</p> - -<p>"He belongs in California and is a rich miner. But he was brought up -down east—in Vermont, if I remember rightly."</p> - -<p>"Exactly—he is Grace Amberton's boy. A good fellow, too—if he takes -after his mother. So Amberton is sick and has put Dick Marden in -charge. Then what those two men told me is a—a string of falsehoods."</p> - -<p>"You can see what I am authorized to offer you for the map," said -Robert. "I started for here with the money in my pocket——"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Stop, Mr. Frost. You do not understand old Herman Wenrich. I am not -thinking to sell the map."</p> - -<p>"But you are willing to see justice done to Mr. Amberton, are you not?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes—full justice—for he deserves it. He could have had the map -before, but it affected some land of mine—which I have since sold."</p> - -<p>"Then you will let him have the map!" exclaimed Robert, much delighted. -"I will pay——"</p> - -<p>"Not a cent, my lad, not a cent. He can have it and welcome. -But—but——"</p> - -<p>"But what, sir?"</p> - -<p>"I must be dead sure, as they say, of what I am doing. You look honest -enough, but so did those men."</p> - -<p>"Those men didn't look very honest to me," came from Nettie Wenrich, -who had taken a strong liking to Robert, and it must be admitted that -the feeling was reciprocated. "I could not bear that Englishman."</p> - -<p>"I cannot blame you for being suspicious," said Robert gravely. "I wish -I had been so this morning. I might have saved my watch and some of -my money." He did not feel called upon to state that he had lost the -amount which was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> to be paid over to Herman Wenrich for the map.</p> - -<p>Of course he had to tell his story—or, at least, a part of it. Nettie -Wenrich was quite affected.</p> - -<p>"It was too bad!" she cried. "I hope you get your watch and money back -and succeed in sending those bad men to prison."</p> - -<p>"I will tell you what I will do," said Herman Wenrich, after several -minutes of silent thinking. "Let Felix Amberton send me a written order -to deliver the map to you and I will do so."</p> - -<p>"That is fair," said Robert. "No honest person could ask more at your -hands. But what of those two men? They are to call again, I believe."</p> - -<p>"I will put them off, for, say three days. You ought to be able to get -your order by that time."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I can get it sooner, but I wish you would make it four days. -There may be some delay, especially if Mr. Amberton is very ill."</p> - -<p>"Very well, we will make it four days then," said Herman Wenrich, and -thanking him for his kindness Robert withdrew and followed Nettie -Wenrich downstairs.</p> - -<p>"Do your father and you live here alone?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I hope he gets well soon," said the youth gravely, and his voice was -full of a sympathy which went straight to the girl's heart.</p> - -<p>"I am afraid he will never get well," answered Nettie, and the tears -sprang into her eyes.</p> - -<p>He took her hand and shook it warmly. "You must hope for the best," he -said. And then, as she looked straight into his clear, honest eyes, he -added, "If I can ever be of service to you don't hesitate to call upon -me."</p> - -<p>And a minute later he was gone.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XXII.</p> - -<p class="center">A CLEVER CAPTURE.</p> - - -<p>As Robert was approaching his boarding house he ran into Livingston -Palmer, valise in hand, bound for the theater.</p> - -<p>"I'm off," said Palmer. "Our company leaves town to-day."</p> - -<p>"Well, I wish you every success."</p> - -<p>"Have you struck anything yet?" asked Palmer curiously.</p> - -<p>"I have and I haven't. I've got a letter from Mr. Marden requesting me -to come to Timberville in Michigan."</p> - -<p>"It wouldn't suit me to bury myself in such a hole."</p> - -<p>"I don't know that I will stay there any great length of time. I am to -go up on a little private business."</p> - -<p>"I see. Well, I must hurry. What time have you?"</p> - -<p>"No time at all. My watch is gone."</p> - -<p>"Hullo! Do you mean to say you've had to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> pawn it already. I thought -you were one of the saving kind, to look out for a rainy day."</p> - -<p>"The watch was stolen from me."</p> - -<p>"Indeed!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and some of my money went with it."</p> - -<p>"That's too bad, Robert," and Palmer's face was full of real sympathy.</p> - -<p>"It is bad."</p> - -<p>"I would loan you some money if I had it. But the truth is, I'm broke -excepting for a couple of dollars that Jack Dixon advanced me on my -salary."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, Livingston, but I am not quite broke, even if I have been -robbed."</p> - -<p>"I'm glad to hear it. Now I am off, or I will be left behind."</p> - -<p>And with a hearty grasp of Robert's hand the would-be actor hurried -down the street. Robert gazed after him meditatingly.</p> - -<p>"I hope his engagement proves all he wishes," he thought. "But I am -afraid he is running up against a tremendous disappointment."</p> - -<p>Retiring to his room, Robert wrote a long letter to Dick Marden, -telling of the receipt of the money orders and of his interview with -Herman Wenrich. He also mentioned Le Fevre and Hammerditch and asked -for the order from Felix<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> Amberton for the map. At first he thought to -put in about the stolen money and the watch, but then reconsidered the -matter.</p> - -<p>"I'll wait, since the map is not to be paid for," he said to himself. -"Perhaps the police will catch the sharpers. If the worst comes to the -worst I guess I can scrape up enough money to take me to Timberville -without applying to Mr. Marden for more."</p> - -<p>The letter finished, Robert went down to the post-office to post it. -There now seemed nothing to do but to wait, and he returned to his -boarding house worn out with the exertions of the day.</p> - -<p>A good sleep made the youth feel much better, and while he was eating -his breakfast he began to deliberate upon what to do during the time in -which he would have to wait for an answer from his miner friend.</p> - -<p>The front door bell rang, and presently he heard somebody ask to see -the landlady of the house.</p> - -<p>"Please, mum, a gentleman to see you," said Mary, coming into the -dining room.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Gibbs, the landlady, went into the parlor at once, thinking the -newcomer might be somebody for board.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span></p> - -<p>"This is the landlady?" asked the man, bowing.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I am Mrs. Gibbs."</p> - -<p>"I am looking for a nice, quiet boarding place," went on the newcomer. -"Have you any vacant rooms?"</p> - -<p>"I have one room vacant, but it is on the third floor."</p> - -<p>"Is it a nice, quiet room?"</p> - -<p>"It is in the rear and looks out on a small private garden. I think you -will find it quiet enough."</p> - -<p>"I cannot stand a noise. I used to board on the other side of the city, -but there was a factory in the neighborhood and the rumble set me wild."</p> - -<p>"We have no noises of that kind here."</p> - -<p>"And what do you ask for board and room?"</p> - -<p>"With one person in the room my charges are ten dollars per week. If -two gentlemen take the room together the rate is eight dollars each."</p> - -<p>"I prefer to be alone, madam."</p> - -<p>"I will show you the room," said Mrs. Gibbs, moving toward the door. "I -am sure you will find it as nice as any for the price."</p> - -<p>"I think so myself—for the house shows it," replied the man, with a -glance around at the well-kept parlor.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p> - -<p>Mrs. Gibbs led the way into the hall. As she did so Robert came out of -the dining room.</p> - -<p>The man glanced carelessly at our hero and then fell back as if he had -received a shock.</p> - -<p>Then Robert uttered a cry of amazement.</p> - -<p>"You!" he gasped, and rushing forward caught the man by the arm.</p> - -<p>"Let go of me, young man!" cried the man savagely.</p> - -<p>"I will not," answered Robert firmly. "I know you, and I am going to -hand you over to the police."</p> - -<p>At these words Mrs. Gibbs uttered a little shriek.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Mr. Frost, what can this mean?" she demanded.</p> - -<p>"It means that this man is a thief," declared Robert. "I met him in the -post-office yesterday, where he saw me cash several money orders. After -that he and a confederate robbed me of both money and my watch."</p> - -<p>At these words the face of Andy Cross—for it was really he—became a -study.</p> - -<p>The sharper had not dared to go back to his former boarding house. -He had calculated to find some new victim and to keep "shady" by -pretending to be too ill to leave his room for sev<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span>eral days. Now his -little game was knocked completely in the head.</p> - -<p>"He is a thief?" ejaculated the landlady. "Oh, my! and to think I was -going to take him in to board!"</p> - -<p>And the good old lady appeared ready to faint.</p> - -<p>"There is some strange mistake here," said Andy Cross. "Young man, how -dare you call me a thief!"</p> - -<p>"I dare to because it is the truth."</p> - -<p>"Do you know who I am?"</p> - -<p>"You are what I just called you."</p> - -<p>"I have a strong inclination to knock you down, but I will try to curb -my temper, as all Christian people should. I am Ralph Goodwill, the son -of the Reverend Amos Goodwill, of Denver. I have come to Chicago to -complete my studies for the ministry."</p> - -<p>"You'll have to turn over a new leaf before you become a minister," -answered Robert.</p> - -<p>"Evidently you do not believe me."</p> - -<p>"Why should I? You are a thief, and you cannot humbug me into believing -otherwise."</p> - -<p>"Mr. Frost, there may be some mistake," put in the landlady timidly.</p> - -<p>"There is no mistake, Mrs. Gibbs. Did you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> ever see a seminary student -sporting such a suit of clothing."</p> - -<p>"Well—er—I don't know as to that."</p> - -<p>"The suit is one I picked up in the slums," said Andy Cross glibly. -"I have been doing some work there, assisted by some Salvation Army -people. You can work better among the poor, lost ones if you are -dressed like them," he added softly.</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, I presume that is so," said Mrs. Gibbs, who was somewhat -interested in slum work herself.</p> - -<p>"He is an out and out fraud," said Robert, as firmly as ever. "Mrs. -Gibbs, will you send Mary to call a policeman? I will be responsible -for the arrest."</p> - -<p>"But if there is a mistake——"</p> - -<p>"Haven't I said that I will be responsible? I am not going to let him -escape if I can help it."</p> - -<p>At that moment the front door opened, to admit one of the lady -boarders. Robert stepped back to let her pass, and as he did so Andy -Cross wrenched himself free and leaped for the door.</p> - -<p>"Stop!" cried Robert. "Stop!"</p> - -<p>"Go to blazes!" snarled the sharper, and pulling the door back, he -leaped out on the piazza.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span></p> - -<p>Our hero's blood was up and he was determined that Cross should not -escape him again.</p> - -<p>He, too, leaped for the doorway, and as the sharper gained the piazza -Robert put out his foot to trip him up.</p> - -<p>The movement was far more successful than anticipated.</p> - -<p>Down went Andy Cross on his knees, and before he could recover he went -down the steps, bump! bump! bump! to the sidewalk.</p> - -<p>The wind was knocked completely out of him, and he was sadly bruised -about the head, while the blood spurted from his nose in a stream.</p> - -<p>"Oh! oh! I'm killed!" he moaned, as he sat up.</p> - -<p>"If you were, you wouldn't be able to groan over it," answered Robert. -"Stay where you are, if you know when you are well off."</p> - -<p>"Don't have me arrested," pleaded the sharper. The unexpected fall had -taken all his self-possession from him.</p> - -<p>At that moment a policeman showed himself at the corner, and Robert -called to him to come up.</p> - -<p>"What's the trouble?" demanded the officer of the law.</p> - -<p>Seeing to it that Andy Cross did not get away, Robert told his story.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes, I have the report of the robbery," said the policeman. "You were -lucky to fall in with him."</p> - -<p>In vain the sharper protested that he was innocent. The policeman -marched him off to the nearest station house.</p> - -<p>Here he was examined and searched, and fifty dollars of Robert's -money was found in the envelope which our hero had obtained at the -post-office.</p> - -<p>"What of the rest of the money and the watch?" asked Robert.</p> - -<p>Seeing there was no help for it, Andy Cross made a confession. He -stated that Jim Huskin had kept both the timepiece and the rest of the -money, and left Chicago the night before.</p> - -<p>"And where did he go?" asked Robert.</p> - -<p>"He took a steamer for Muskegon, Michigan," answered Andy Cross.</p> - -<p>"Muskegon!" cried our hero. And then he said no more. But he was filled -with interest, for he had thought to journey to Timberville by way of a -steamer to the town named and then by railroad for the balance of the -journey.</p> - -<p>"We will look this matter up and telegraph to the authorities at -Muskegon," said the officer who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> was examining Cross. "If we learn -anything we will let you know."</p> - -<p>This ended the matter for the time being, and Andy Cross was locked up. -Robert returned to his boarding house, feeling lighter in both heart -and mind than he had a couple of hours before.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XXIII.</p> - -<p class="center">PALMER'S UNFORTUNATE DEBUT.</p> - - -<p>It had made James Talbot feel very bitter to think that should his wife -die the Frost fortune would go entirely to his step-son.</p> - -<p>"He doesn't deserve a cent of it—with his impudence to me and his -running away from home," he said to himself. "The money ought to come -to me."</p> - -<p>The more he thought over the matter the more bitter did he become. He -tried to think of some way by which he could alter the conditions of -Mr. Frost's will, but nothing came to his mind that was satisfactory.</p> - -<p>Of course he did not dare show his wife his real feelings. She was -still angry over the lost letter, and he was afraid of causing an open -rupture.</p> - -<p>He concluded to do everything he could to win her good graces, and then -question her again about the will and the property. Perhaps he might be -able, he thought, to get control of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> money lying in the bank, which -amounted to about thirty thousand dollars.</p> - -<p>"Once I get control of that," he told himself, "Robert can whistle for -his share. I'll run away to Europe before I'll give it up."</p> - -<p>The first thing he did was to buy Mrs. Talbot a new bonnet, since he -had heard that a woman will be pleased over a new bonnet, if over -nothing else. The lady, however, received the gift rather coldly.</p> - -<p>"It is very nice," she said. "But I do not need it, James."</p> - -<p>"Never mind, my love, I want my wife to look as good as or better than -any lady in Granville."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, but I never tried to set the fashion."</p> - -<p>"I know that. But you should—with so much money behind you."</p> - -<p>"The money is for Robert, not for me." And Mrs. Talbot sighed as she -thought of her son, and wondered how he was faring.</p> - -<p>"Always the boy," thought James Talbot savagely. "Will she never forget -him?"</p> - -<p>"There is going to be a play at the opera house to-night," he said -sweetly. "I would like you to go. You can wear the new bonnet, if you -will."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Thank you. What is the play, James?"</p> - -<p>"'All for Love,' a romance of high life in New York. The newspaper says -it is a good play."</p> - -<p>"The newspapers cannot always be depended upon. Do you know anything of -the company?"</p> - -<p>"It is the Dixon Combination Comedy Company of Chicago."</p> - -<p>"I never heard of it."</p> - -<p>"I am afraid, my love, that you do not keep very good track of -theatrical affairs."</p> - -<p>"I like to read about the good ones in the papers."</p> - -<p>"This company has some very good advertising. One of the bills says -they carry ten star actors and actresses. I am sure you will like the -play."</p> - -<p>"I will go if you wish me to," answered Mrs. Talbot, although she was -doubtful if she would enjoy the performance. During the time Mr. Frost -had been living, husband and wife had gone to both the theater and to -the concert, but only to the very best. But Mr. Talbot had no taste for -such things, and an ordinary performance pleased him about as well as -one which was far superior.</p> - -<p>There had been no show in Granville for over<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> two weeks. Consequently -when the doors of the opera house were opened that night, the -fair-sized hall became crowded in short order.</p> - -<p>The Dixon Combination Comedy Company was entirely unknown, and for good -reason—it had never existed until two weeks previous to the opening at -Granville.</p> - -<p>Jack Dixon, the manager, had been a "hanger-on" among theatrical people -for several years, and having received several hundred dollars through -the death of a rich aunt, had at once set to work to put a company of -his own on the road.</p> - -<p>The man meant well, but he knew very little about the business, as was -proved by his hiring Livingston Palmer and several others who were no -better actors.</p> - -<p>Rehearsals had been backward and unsatisfactory from the start, and the -combination would have done much better had it held back for another -week for practice before appearing in public.</p> - -<p>But everyone was anxious to make a hit, and nobody thought failure -possible.</p> - -<p>"We will carry the town by storm," said the leading man, a fellow by -the name of Caster. He had been on the boards for several years, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> -had never before risen to a position higher than that of being a member -of a stock company attached to a dime museum.</p> - -<p>"Yes, we will show them what real acting is," answered Livingston -Palmer. "To-morrow the newspapers will be full of complimentary -notices."</p> - -<p>At quarter to eight the orchestra, consisting of a piano player, a -violinist, a flutist, and a cornetist, struck up on the overture, and -at eight o'clock sharp the curtain went up on the first act of "All for -Love."</p> - -<p>The scene represented Fifth avenue, in New York—at least, so the -programme said,—although it is doubtful if anybody living on that -fashionable thoroughfare would have recognized the locality. People -were coming and going, and doing this as if their lives depended upon -it, the same person appearing and disappearing every half minute or so.</p> - -<p>In the crowd was a girl who was supposed to be a companion to a rich -old lady. As she stood waiting for something, the villain of the play, -a fashionably-dressed man, came up and tried to tempt her into stealing -the rich lady's jewels. While this was going on the butler of the -lady's mansion appeared and overheard the plot.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span></p> - -<p>The acting was crude from the start, but at the opening of a play few -people pay much attention, and it was not until Livingston Palmer -appeared as the spying butler that the audience began to grow attentive.</p> - -<p>"Ha, what is this I hear!" cried Palmer, as he peered forth from -behind a dry goods box set up against a building marked Hotel. -"She is plotting to rob my mistress. Base woman that she is, I -will—will—will——"</p> - -<p>Palmer should have said, "I will expose her to Mrs. Ulmer and have her -arrested," but the words would not come, for he had caught sight of -the hundreds of faces in the audience and become stage-frightened in -consequence.</p> - -<p>"I will—will—I will——" he stammered, trying again.</p> - -<p>"Will you?" came a voice from the gallery. "All right, Willie!"</p> - -<p>There was a laugh and then a hiss.</p> - -<p>"I will expose her," whispered the prompter, who stood in the -prompter's box with the book of the play in his hand.</p> - -<p>"I will—will expose her!" burst out Livingston Palmer. "I will -expose her, base—I mean—I will expose her to be arrested—to—by—I -mean—Mrs. Ulmer shall arrest her!" and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> then he fell back out of -sight, and all but overcome.</p> - -<p>At once the prompter ran up to him.</p> - -<p>"You fool!" he whispered wildly. "That wasn't right. You've ruined the -scene."</p> - -<p>"Have I?" asked Palmer, in awe-stricken tones. "Oh, I—I—something -slipped my mind. But—but I'll be all right in the next scene."</p> - -<p>"I hope so. Better study your lines before you go on."</p> - -<p>"I will," answered the would-be actor, and began to study as never -before.</p> - -<p>In the meantime the scene went on, the actors reciting their lines -without a break, but with so little dramatic action that scarcely -anyone in the audience was interested.</p> - -<p>"Do you like it, my love?" asked James Talbot, who sat beside his wife -in one of the orchestra rows.</p> - -<p>"No, it is very stupid so far," answered Mrs. Talbot.</p> - -<p>"The next act may be better, Sarah. The best plays rarely start well."</p> - -<p>"That young man missed his part entirely," was Mrs. Talbot's comment.</p> - -<p>The second act of the play represented the drawing room of Mrs. Ulmer's -mansion. There<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> was at first a love scene which promised very well. -But the lover in the play was as nervous as he might have been in real -life, and when he started to kiss his lady-love good-by, he smacked her -so warmly that his false mustache fell off into her lap.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" she cried, and there was a roar of laughter from the audience.</p> - -<p>The lover snatched the mustache up in a trice and hurried off as if he -was leaving an enemy, instead of her whose heart he was supposed to -have won.</p> - -<p>The rich old lady came in, supported on the arm of her nephew, a -captain of the regular army. The captain was wearing his sword, but he -was not used to the weapon, and it got tangled up between his legs more -than once, and came near to upsetting him.</p> - -<p>"Take it off!" cried a voice from the gallery. Of course a laugh -followed the bit of advice.</p> - -<p>The captain was about to conclude an important interview with his rich -aunt, when the butler walked in with a tray, on which were a bottle -supposed to contain wine, and two glasses.</p> - -<p>"Be careful there, Willie, or you'll drop the tray!" cried the voice -from the gallery.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Will—he?" said another voice, with an attempt at a pun.</p> - -<p>"Ah, so this is honest John!" exclaimed the captain, turning to the -butler. "John, what have you to say to the captain who used to go -horseback riding on your foot?"</p> - -<p>"I'm glad to see you, sir," said Livingston Palmer. "Very glad, sir." -Then he took a deep breath, and started again, so that his next lines -might not escape him. "Mrs. Ulmer, Ihavea secret to tell." He meant, "I -have a secret to tell," but some of his words ran one into another.</p> - -<p>"A secret, John. What can it be?"</p> - -<p>"You'retoberobb'd, yes, madam, youretobe robb'd."</p> - -<p>"Robbed!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, madam, robb'd. Oneyou have fondly robbed intendsto loveyou."</p> - -<p>A shout went up at this, a shout that speedily became a roar. Of course -Palmer meant to say, "One you have fondly loved intends to rob you," -but he was hopelessly bewildered, and hardly knew what he was doing. -For once his self-confidence had entirely left him.</p> - -<p>"Go! I will not believe it!" cried the rich lady. "Leave my sight!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, madam, Iwillgo, but—but——" Living<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span>ston Palmer stared around -wildly. He wanted to add, "I can prove what I have to say," but the -words became mixed as before. "Icansay—whatIcanprove—I mean, I -provetosay what I can—I can say what Icansay——"</p> - -<p>"Then go and say it!" yelled somebody from the gallery. "Say it, and -give somebody else a chance to talk."</p> - -<p>"Say, but this is a bum company," added somebody else.</p> - -<p>"Worst I ever saw!" came from a third party. And then followed a storm -of hisses. In the midst of this Palmer hurried from the stage. At once -Dixon collared him.</p> - -<p>"Palmer, what do you mean by this?" demanded the manager. "Have you -lost your wits?"</p> - -<p>"No, but—but—it's awful to have so many folks staring at you, and -cat-calling, too."</p> - -<p>"You spoiled both acts."</p> - -<p>"I did my best," pleaded Livingston Palmer.</p> - -<p>"Then you'll never make an actor if you live to be a hundred years," -responded Jack Dixon, and with this cold cut he walked off, leaving -Palmer the picture of misery and despair.</p> - -<p>But the scene was not yet ended, and scarcely had Dixon turned away -when there came another<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> roar and a hiss. The unfortunate captain had -fallen down with his sword between his feet. In trying to pick himself -up he had upset a small table, scattering the books thereon in every -direction. His wig came off, and when he managed to gain his feet once -more it was found that his coat was split up the back for a foot and -over.</p> - -<p>"They are a disgrace to the opera house!" came the cry.</p> - -<p>"They are no good!"</p> - -<p>"Let us give 'em something to remember us by!"</p> - -<p>The last suggestion was greeted with a wild assent, and soon half a -dozen different articles landed on the stage, including the core of an -apple and a half-decayed orange. In the midst of the uproar a number -of the audience started to leave and the drop curtain came down with a -bang.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XXIV.</p> - -<p class="center">PALMER CALLS UPON ROBERT'S MOTHER.</p> - - -<p>Among the first to leave the opera house were Mrs. Talbot and her -husband.</p> - -<p>"I have had quite enough of this," said the lady to James Talbot. "The -company and the play are both very poor."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps you are right," he admitted. "I must say I looked for -something much better myself. That poor butler couldn't act at all."</p> - -<p>"He was dumstruck," said Mrs. Talbot, and felt compelled to laugh. -"Poor fellow, he ought to go at some other line of work."</p> - -<p>They were soon on the way home. Mr. Talbot had ordered a carriage to -come for them when the performance was over, but this was not at hand, -so they were forced to walk.</p> - -<p>"I didn't make much by taking her out to-night," said the schemer to -himself. "Next time I'll have to make sure that I am taking her to -something that is really first-class."</p> - -<p>When the pair reached home James Talbot<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> wished his wife to come into -the sitting-room, to talk over their business affairs. The fact of the -matter was, he was running short of money, and he desired his wife to -make him an advance.</p> - -<p>"I have something of a headache, James," she said. "I think I had -better retire early."</p> - -<p>"I will not detain you long, my love," he answered.</p> - -<p>Soon they were in the sitting-room and the lady dropped into an easy -chair. He could not sit down, but began to walk up and down nervously.</p> - -<p>"I hate very much to mention the matter to you, Sarah," he began, "but -the fact is, a remittance from a man in Chicago who owes me quite some -money has been delayed, and this has cut me short."</p> - -<p>"Do you want money?"</p> - -<p>"If you can spare it, I would like to have a hundred dollars or so -until the remittance comes."</p> - -<p>"Very well, you can have it in the morning," answered Mrs. Talbot -quietly.</p> - -<p>James Talbot had told her before they were married that he was fairly -well-to-do, but since they had become man and wife she had not seen a -dollar of his money.</p> - -<p>It was true, he had a little money, or had had it, but the amount was -less than a thousand dol<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span>lars, and it was now tied up in a speculation -that promised little or no return. James Talbot had no head for -business, and even his wife was beginning to find that out. He could -be miserly, but miserliness is not true economy. He pretended to deal -in real estate, but he was too shiftless and lazy to apply himself to -steady work.</p> - -<p>"I will be all right as soon as the money comes," went on Talbot -cheerfully. "After this I trust I shall never have to trouble you -again."</p> - -<p>"How is the real estate business progressing?" she asked.</p> - -<p>"Fairly well. Granville is not a booming town."</p> - -<p>"I know that."</p> - -<p>"I am half of a mind to try my luck in Chicago. That is where they make -fortunes in real estate every year."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps; but they have to have a large capital to start on."</p> - -<p>"Exactly, my love. But with a large capital it is a dead sure thing, -for it cannot burn up, cannot be stolen from you, and constantly -increases in value. What do you think of my plan to start in Chicago?"</p> - -<p>"I am sure I have no objection, although I am comfortably situated -here."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You could keep this home if you wished—at least, at first, and I -could come out every Saturday afternoon and remain until Monday. The -trouble is, the venture would require quite some capital."</p> - -<p>"I presume it would."</p> - -<p>"If I had five or ten thousand dollars to spare, I would start at once."</p> - -<p>"Haven't you that much, James?" she asked, with interest.</p> - -<p>"Not in ready money. My cash is tied up in investments. But you could -loan me the amount, couldn't you, my love?"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Talbot's face flushed, and her eyes sought the floor. She had been -afraid that this was what was coming.</p> - -<p>"I—I suppose so," she faltered, hardly knowing what to say.</p> - -<p>"Of course you would be secured. I would see to that."</p> - -<p>"Yes, James, I would want that. For the money is to go to Robert, you -know."</p> - -<p>His face fell. "The boy always!" he thought. "Oh, I wish he would never -be heard from again!"</p> - -<p>"But if I make a barrel of money out of my investments, that must go to -you," he said aloud.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No, you shall keep the money," she replied. "I have as much as I will -ever need."</p> - -<p>In a few minutes more Mrs. Talbot retired. James Talbot walked the -sitting-room floor with considerable satisfaction.</p> - -<p>"Ten thousand dollars will be a nice sum," he mused, rubbing his horny -hands together. "Robert, eh? Well, he'll never see the cash, I'll give -James Talbot's word on that! It will be several years before he becomes -of age, and who knows how much more of the fortune will come my way -before that time?"</p> - -<p>The morning paper contained a long and semi-humorous account of the -performance of "All for Love." It said the actors and actresses were -probably well-meaning amateurs who had yet much to learn before they -would become successful in their profession. They advised the butler in -the play to perfect himself in the part of a stuttering comedian! By -the account it was evident that the play had come to a conclusion in a -perfect uproar, and that many in the audience had demanded their money -back.</p> - -<p>James Talbot had gone off to his real estate office, to perfect his -plans for opening up in Chicago, when the door-bell rang and Jane -announced a visitor to see Mrs. Talbot.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p> - -<p>"He gives his name as Livingston Palmer," said Jane.</p> - -<p>"Livingston Palmer?" mused the lady of the house. "Why, where have -I heard that before? Oh, I remember now. It was on that theatrical -programme," and she looked it up to make sure. "He was that butler who -started all the trouble. What can he want of me?"</p> - -<p>She descended to the parlor to greet her visitor. Livingston Palmer was -seated on the edge of a chair, his face far more careworn than ever -before, and his clothing much soiled and torn.</p> - -<p>"Good-morning," he said humbly. "This is Mrs. Talbot, who used to be -Mrs. Frost, I believe."</p> - -<p>"Yes," she answered.</p> - -<p>"I am a stranger to you, madam, but I come from Chicago, and I am well -acquainted with your son Robert."</p> - -<p>"Indeed!" cried Mrs. Talbot, and her whole manner changed. "Is Robert -in Chicago?"</p> - -<p>"He is—or at least he was when I left there, two days ago."</p> - -<p>"Can you tell me what he is doing?"</p> - -<p>"He and I were clerks in a cut-rate ticket office. But a fire threw us -both out of employment."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></p> - -<p>"And you joined a theatrical company," added Mrs. Talbot.</p> - -<p>"How do you know that?"</p> - -<p>"I was at the opera house last night and saw you on the stage."</p> - -<p>For once in his life Livingston Palmer's face grew as red as a beet.</p> - -<p>"You—er—witnessed that unfortunate affair," he stammered. "I—I——"</p> - -<p>"I thought you were new at acting," said the lady candidly. "It was, as -you say, unfortunate."</p> - -<p>"The people used us meanly," exclaimed Palmer. "I was struck in half -a dozen places, and my coat was nearly torn from my back, and in the -struggle to get away I lost my money and could not find it again."</p> - -<p>"When was this? I came away at the conclusion of the second act."</p> - -<p>"It was after the play was over. A regular mob congregated around the -stage door, and we could scarcely escape with our lives. I never shall -go on the stage again, never!" And Palmer shook his head bitterly. He -meant what he said, and let it be recorded here that he kept his word.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XXV.</p> - -<p class="center">ANOTHER TALK ABOUT ROBERT.</p> - - -<p>Mrs. Talbot saw plainly that Livingston Palmer was suffering, both -from humiliation and from the manner in which he had been treated -physically, and her heart was touched.</p> - -<p>"I am very sorry for you, Mr. Palmer," she said. "If there is anything -I can do for you I will do it willingly. But I would first like to hear -something of my son."</p> - -<p>"I will tell you all I know," answered the young man quickly. "I was in -hope that Robert's mother might aid me. We have been good friends. He's -a splendid lad."</p> - -<p>"Yes, Robert is a good boy and always was. Is he well?"</p> - -<p>"Perfectly well, and was, as I said before, doing finely, until the -fire threw us both out."</p> - -<p>"How much was he getting a week?"</p> - -<p>"Five dollars."</p> - -<p>"I do not call that very good," cried Mrs. Tal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span>bot. "He cannot live -very well on that in such a city as Chicago."</p> - -<p>"He told me he had an allowance besides."</p> - -<p>"An allowance?" Mrs. Talbot looked puzzled. "I can't understand that. I -made him no allowance, for he would not permit it. He said he was going -to make his own way in the world."</p> - -<p>"Well, I can only tell you what he said," returned Livingston Palmer.</p> - -<p>"Will you give me his address, so that I can write to him?"</p> - -<p>"Why, haven't you his address? I am sure he wrote to you."</p> - -<p>"I never got the letter." And then Mrs. Talbot's face flushed, as she -remembered about the letter her husband had destroyed. Had she been -deceived in the matter, after all?</p> - -<p>"Then I will write the address down for you," said Palmer, and did so.</p> - -<p>A long talk followed, and the young man told Mrs. Talbot all he knew -about Robert, and also mentioned Dick Marden, but not in such a way -that the lady suspected the allowance Robert received came from the -miner.</p> - -<p>Palmer frankly admitted that he was without means of any sort.</p> - -<p>"If I were in Chicago, this would not matter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> so much," he added. "But -in Granville I know nobody but you and the members of our company, or -rather the company to which I belonged. I was discharged, and Dixon -refuses to even give me my carfare back to the city."</p> - -<p>"I shall be pleased to give you what you need," replied Mrs. Talbot. "I -am overjoyed to learn that Robert is well. I am going to pay Chicago a -visit soon, and then if he will not come to me I will go to him."</p> - -<p>"He will come to you fast enough, madam. It is only his step-father -whom he dreads."</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, I know." Mrs. Talbot thought best to change the subject. -"Will you not have breakfast with me, Mr. Palmer?"</p> - -<p>"With pleasure," answered the young man. "But I—er—I would like to -brush and wash up first."</p> - -<p>"To be sure." Mrs. Talbot surveyed him critically. "I really believe -some of Robert's clothing would fit you. At least his coat would."</p> - -<p>"Yes, his coat would."</p> - -<p>"Then I can perhaps replace that torn garment you are wearing."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Talbot was as good as her word, and half an hour later Livingston -Palmer came down from the room Robert had occupied, thoroughly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> brushed -and washed and wearing a coat and vest which had belonged to the -boy. They were rather tight, it is true, but they were almost new, -and a vast improvement over the ragged garments Palmer had worn upon -presenting himself.</p> - -<p>A substantial breakfast followed, of fish, omelet, hot rolls, and -coffee, and it is perhaps needless to say that Palmer did full justice -to all that was set before him. And small wonder, for he had eaten -nothing since the afternoon of the day before.</p> - -<p>It was nearly noon before the young man prepared to take his departure, -with twenty dollars in his pocket, which he had insisted should be a -loan only, to be paid back as soon as the opportunity afforded.</p> - -<p>"I am very grateful to you, Mrs. Talbot," he said, on parting. "You -have treated me like a king. Why Robert should leave such a home and -such a mother I can't understand."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Talbot was visibly affected.</p> - -<p>"It was entirely on his step-father's account, Mr. Palmer. Robert is -high spirited and would not bend as Mr. Talbot wished."</p> - -<p>"Then let me be bold enough to say that I imagine Robert was in the -right."</p> - -<p>To this Mrs. Talbot made no reply. But she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> begged Palmer to keep an -eye on her son, and if anything went wrong to let her know by sending -her a letter in care of the postmaster, and marked for personal -delivery only. Then Palmer hurried away, to catch the first train he -could for the great city by the lakes.</p> - -<p>When her visitor was gone Mrs. Talbot sat down to review the situation -in her mind. Her thoughts were not pleasant ones. Her second marriage -was proving to be anything but agreeable. She realized that her husband -was not the man she had imagined him to be.</p> - -<p>Dinner was on the table at twelve, for Mr. Talbot insisted on having -his main meal at mid-day. Yet the man did not come in until nearly half -an hour later, and then he appeared to be much put out about something.</p> - -<p>"I understand you had a visitor this morning," he began, as he and his -wife sat down to the table, and Jane brought on the food.</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Some friend of that reckless son of yours," went on Mr. Talbot. "What -did Robert send him for, money?"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Talbot was surprised.</p> - -<p>"How did you learn my visitor was a friend of Robert?" she asked.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I got it from Sproggens at the depot. He was talking with the fellow -while he was waiting for a train. I hope you didn't encourage him, -Sarah. If the boy sees fit to run away and stay away, let him make his -own way."</p> - -<p>"That is just what Robert is doing, James," cried the lady, her face -flushing.</p> - -<p>"Then why did Robert send that young man here?"</p> - -<p>"He didn't send him here."</p> - -<p>"Humph!" James Talbot was on the point of saying that he did not -believe the statement, but cut himself short. If he angered his wife -now he might have trouble in getting the five or ten thousand dollars -she had said she would loan him.</p> - -<p>"The young man belonged to that theatrical company we went to see," -continued Mrs. Talbot. "He knew Robert and so he thought he would call -here and see me."</p> - -<p>"What did he have to say about the boy?"</p> - -<p>"He said Robert had been doing very well, but a fire burnt out the -office in which he was employed."</p> - -<p>"And what is the boy doing now?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing, just at present."</p> - -<p>"He won't find it easy to get another opening."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Mr. Palmer said Robert might go up to Michigan in a few days. He had -to do something for a man interested in some timber lands in the upper -part of that State."</p> - -<p>"Humph! I shouldn't wonder if the boy came home soon. He'll get tired -of roughing it."</p> - -<p>"Robert has a stout heart, Mr. Talbot, and I doubt if he ever comes -home so long as you are here."</p> - -<p>And with these words Mrs. Talbot arose and swept from the dining room, -hardly having touched a mouthful of the food Jane had taken so much -pains to prepare.</p> - -<p>James Talbot finished his meal in silence, and ate as heartily as ever, -for seldom did anything interfere with his appetite. From the kitchen -Jane eyed him in a manner which was anything but agreeable.</p> - -<p>"The old gorilla," she said to herself, as she rattled the pans -angrily. "He ought to be thrown out of the house. If it wasn't for the -poor mistress, sure and I wouldn't stay another minute. I wish the -victuals would choke him." And then she vowed that the next time she -fixed the dessert she would make Mr. Talbot's portion so bad that he -could not eat it.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XXVI.</p> - -<p class="center">ROBERT SPEAKS HIS MIND.</p> - - -<p>Robert waited for two days for a letter from Dick Marden. In the -meantime he went down to the police station twice to learn if anything -had been found out about Jim Huskin.</p> - -<p>"We telegraphed to Muskegon and several other points," said the officer -in charge. "But so far no one has seen the rascal."</p> - -<p>In the evening mail of the second day came two letters for the boy, -both of which he perused with great interest.</p> - -<p>The first was from his mother, telling of the meeting with Livingston -Palmer, and of what the would-be actor had told her.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"I am glad to hear that you have not suffered so far, Robert," -she wrote. "But I am afraid that the fire may prove an unexpected -set-back for you, and so I enclose twenty dollars, which may come -in useful. So far I have received no letter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> from you, although Mr. -Palmer says you have written. When you write again send it in care -of the postmaster, and mark it for personal delivery only. Then I -am sure Mr. Blarcomb will give it to me and to nobody else."</p></blockquote> - -<p>It may be imagined that Robert was indignant.</p> - -<p>"I'll wager old Talbot stole that letter," he told himself. "And I -guess mother thinks as much. Oh, what a mistake she made in marrying -that man! I'll write her another letter this very night." And he did -so, and posted it before retiring. In the communication he told her to -beware of his step-father and not trust him in money matters, as she -might be very sorry for it.</p> - -<p>"It's best to open her eyes," he reasoned, "even if it does cause her -pain."</p> - -<p>The second letter was from Dick Marden, enclosing the order from Felix -Amberton for the map. In this the old miner urged Robert to obtain the -document at the earliest possible moment.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"Our enemies are hedging us in and intend to proceed against us in -the county court in a day or two," he added. "As soon as we get -the map we will know just where we stand, and our lawyer will know -exactly what claims he can make.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> My uncle is of the opinion that -the other side is making a big bluff in the hope that we will offer -to compromise."</p></blockquote> - -<p>"I'll go and get the document the first thing in the morning," Robert -told himself. "And if all goes well I'll be on my way to Timberville by -noon."</p> - -<p>With the money recovered from Andy Cross, and with what his mother had -sent to him, he now had ample funds for the trip. After writing the -letter to his parent, he packed his valise, that nothing might delay -his start.</p> - -<p>A surprise awaited him the next morning just after he had left the -dining room, and while he was telling Mrs. Gibbs that he intended to go -away, to be gone an indefinite time.</p> - -<p>"A gentleman to see Mr. Frost," announced the girl, and entering the -parlor Robert found himself confronted by his step-father.</p> - -<p>"Good-morning, Robert," said James Talbot, smiling affably and -extending his hand.</p> - -<p>"Good-morning, Mr. Talbot," replied our hero coldly. He pretended not -to see the outstretched hand.</p> - -<p>"I suppose you are surprised to see me here," began Mr. Talbot -awkwardly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I am surprised. How did you learn my address?"</p> - -<p>"Never mind that now, Robert. I came to see how you are getting along."</p> - -<p>"You ought to know. You got my letter, even if my mother didn't," -answered Robert bitterly.</p> - -<p>"I got no letter, my lad, upon my honor I did not. I came out of pure -friendliness to you."</p> - -<p>"Then let me tell you that I am doing very well."</p> - -<p>"I heard something about your being out of work on account of a fire."</p> - -<p>"Did Mr. Gray tell you?"</p> - -<p>"Never mind who told me." James Talbot cleared his throat. "As you are -out of work I thought perhaps that you would like to come to work for -me."</p> - -<p>"Work for you!"</p> - -<p>"Exactly. I don't mean for you to go back to Granville. I am going -to open a real-estate office in Chicago, and I shall want a clerk. I -understand that you take to that sort of thing."</p> - -<p>"I don't believe I'll take to clerking for you," returned Robert -bluntly.</p> - -<p>"Ahem! That is rather harsh of you, Robert. I mean to do well by you. -Why not take a fresh<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> start? I am sure we shall get along very well -together."</p> - -<p>"Are you going to give up the office you opened in Granville?"</p> - -<p>"Not just yet. But I may in the future—after the office here is in -full blast. I expect to make a big thing of the business here."</p> - -<p>"A big business here means the investment of a lot of money," said the -boy shrewdly. "Where is that to come from?"</p> - -<p>"Never mind about the money. It will be forthcoming as it is needed."</p> - -<p>"Is my mother going to let you have some of her money?"</p> - -<p>"If she did, it would be no more than right that she should depend upon -her husband in her investments."</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't advise her to depend upon you. With your own money you -can do as you please, but I don't think you ought to touch any of her -funds."</p> - -<p>"You are decidedly plain-spoken, boy!" cried James Talbot, frowning.</p> - -<p>"Because one must speak plainly to such a man as you, Mr. Talbot. -I don't know why my mother married you, but I think I know why you -married my mother."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span></p> - -<p>"And why?"</p> - -<p>"To get hold of her money."</p> - -<p>James Talbot leaped from the chair upon which he had been sitting. He -was enraged, but quickly calmed himself.</p> - -<p>"You are entirely mistaken, boy, entirely mistaken. Why, I have all the -money I want."</p> - -<p>"I saw you borrow fifty dollars from my mother once."</p> - -<p>"Merely a bit of accommodation because I didn't have the cash handy. -Why I can draw my check for twenty or thirty thousand dollars if I wish -to."</p> - -<p>Robert did not believe the statement. Yet as he had no way to disprove -it, he remained silent on the point.</p> - -<p>"Then you are going to use your own money entirely in this real estate -venture in Chicago?"</p> - -<p>"Well—er—most likely. Of course I may become pushed for ready cash at -times and will then look to your mother to help me out a little. Every -man, no matter how well off, gets pushed at times, when he cannot turn -his securities into ready cash, you know."</p> - -<p>"I shall advise my mother to keep her fortune in her own hands."</p> - -<p>"You will!" James Talbot became more en<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span>raged than ever. "Don't you -dare to interfere between my wife and myself."</p> - -<p>"I will do all I can to keep her money out of your reach."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps you want it yourself?" sneered Talbot.</p> - -<p>"No, I want her to keep it and enjoy it as long as she lives. I don't -believe you are any kind of a business manager, and if she put the -money in your care she might be a beggar in a year or two."</p> - -<p>"Boy, boy, this to me! me, your father!" cried Talbot.</p> - -<p>"You are not my father, Mr. Talbot, and you need not call yourself -such. My father was a far better man than you are, I can tell you that. -He made his own way in the world, just as I am trying to do, and ask no -favors from anybody."</p> - -<p>"You are impertinent—a thorough good-for-nothing!" howled James -Talbot, hardly knowing what to say. "I want to do you a kindness, and -this is the way you receive me. I will not speak to you longer. But -don't you dare to set my wife against me, or there will be trouble, -mind that—there will be trouble!"</p> - -<p>And thus talking he left the parlor, clapped his silk hat on his head, -and dashed from the boarding house.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XXVII.</p> - -<p class="center">MR. TALBOT RECEIVES ANOTHER SET-BACK.</p> - - -<p>"He's in a rage, it's easy to see that. I wonder what he will do next?"</p> - -<p>Such was the mental question Robert asked when he found himself once -more alone.</p> - -<p>James Talbot had tried a little plan of his own, and it had failed and -left him in a worse position than before.</p> - -<p>He had hoped by offering Robert a good salary—to be paid out of Mrs. -Talbot's money—to get the youth under his thumb. But our hero had -refused to have anything to do with him and had threatened to do all he -could to induce Mrs. Talbot to keep her fortune in her own control.</p> - -<p>"He's a regular imp," muttered James Talbot, as he hurried down the -street, so enraged that he scarcely knew where he was walking. "If he -writes home to his mother it will be harder than ever to do anything -with her. I wish he was at the bottom of the sea!"</p> - -<p>His soliloquy was brought to a sudden and un<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span>expected termination when -he passed around a corner and ran full tilt into another individual. -Both went sprawling, and both were for the instant deprived of their -wind.</p> - -<p>"Who—what—?" spluttered James Talbot, as he picked himself up.</p> - -<p>"You fool, you!" panted the other individual. "What do you mean by -driving into me in this fashion?"</p> - -<p>"I—I didn't see you," answered Talbot.</p> - -<p>"You must be blind," stormed the party who had been knocked down.</p> - -<p>"I'm not blind. I—I—was in a tremendous hurry." James Talbot looked -at the other man curiously. "I—er—I—think I've met you before."</p> - -<p>"I don't remember you."</p> - -<p>"Isn't your name Livingston Palmer?"</p> - -<p>"It is."</p> - -<p>"I saw you in Granville—at the theater, and later on at the railroad -station."</p> - -<p>Palmer, for it was really he, flushed up.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps you belonged to that mob that assaulted our troupe," he -sneered. "Your actions here are in the same line."</p> - -<p>"No, I had no fault to find with the theatrical company," returned -James Talbot slowly. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> meeting had surprised him greatly, and he -began to wonder how he might turn it to account. "I wonder if you know -who I am?" he added, after a pause.</p> - -<p>"I can't say that I do."</p> - -<p>"I am James Talbot, the husband of the lady upon whom you called."</p> - -<p>"Oh! Then you are Robert Frost's step-father," exclaimed Livingston -Palmer.</p> - -<p>"I am. May I ask what induced you to call upon my wife?"</p> - -<p>Again Palmer flushed up.</p> - -<p>"I think, Mr. Talbot, that that was my affair."</p> - -<p>"Do you mean to say you refuse to tell?"</p> - -<p>"Well, if you must know, I will tell you—so that Mrs. Talbot may not -get into trouble over it. Your townpeople treated me so shabbily that -I called upon your wife for a small loan, so that I might get back to -Chicago."</p> - -<p>"Humph! Then Robert didn't send you to see her?"</p> - -<p>"No, Robert knew nothing about my going to Granville."</p> - -<p>"I thought you and he were great friends?"</p> - -<p>"So we are, but he didn't know where I was going when we separated."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span></p> - -<p>"A likely story," sneered James Talbot. "I believe that boy sent you to -my wife with a message."</p> - -<p>"You can think as you please," cried Palmer hotly. "I have told you the -plain truth. But I guess Robert will have to send a private messenger, -since his letters don't reach his mother."</p> - -<p>The shot told, and James Talbot grew pale for the moment. Then he -recovered himself.</p> - -<p>"I won't stand any of your slurs, young man. I reckon you are no better -than Robert."</p> - -<p>"I don't want to be any better than Robert. He's a first-rate fellow."</p> - -<p>"He is an impudent cub."</p> - -<p>"That is only your opinion."</p> - -<p>"I am his step-father, and in the eyes of the law I am as a real father -to him. Yet instead of minding me he openly defies me."</p> - -<p>"I don't know but what I would do the same," answered Palmer coolly.</p> - -<p>"I want to do what is right by him—make something of him—but he won't -let me do it."</p> - -<p>"He is able to take care of himself."</p> - -<p>"No, he is not. Sooner or later he'll be going to the dogs."</p> - -<p>"He told me all about how you had treated him. I don't blame him for -leaving home, al<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span>though it may be possible that he would have done -better by sticking to his mother."</p> - -<p>"Do you mean to insinuate that his mother may need him?"</p> - -<p>"I don't wonder if she does, Mr. Talbot. As I understand the matter she -is rich."</p> - -<p>"Well?"</p> - -<p>"It would be a great temptation for some husbands to try to get that -money in their own hands."</p> - -<p>James Talbot grew crimson.</p> - -<p>"You insult me!" he ejaculated.</p> - -<p>Livingston Palmer shrugged his shoulders.</p> - -<p>"You can take it as you please. I didn't stop you. You ran into me and -knocked me down."</p> - -<p>"Where are you going?"</p> - -<p>"That is my affair."</p> - -<p>"You are going to call upon Robert."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I am."</p> - -<p>"If you do, let me warn you not to talk about me and my wife. Did she -send the boy a message?"</p> - -<p>"If she did I shan't deliver it to you," answered Livingston Palmer, -and proceeded on his way. James Talbot gazed after him in anger and -disappointment.</p> - -<p>"Another who is against me," he muttered.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> "I must hurry my schemes, or -it will be too late to put them through."</p> - -<p>Livingston Palmer had just reached Mrs. Gibbs' boarding house when he -met Robert coming out, on his way to see Herman Wenrich about the map.</p> - -<p>"Robert!" cried the former clerk. "I'm glad I caught you."</p> - -<p>"Why, Livingston, I thought you were on the road," returned Robert, as -he shook hands.</p> - -<p>"Not much! No more theatrical life for me," said Palmer.</p> - -<p>"What, have you had enough already?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and got it in your native town, too."</p> - -<p>"In Granville?"</p> - -<p>"Exactly. We opened in Granville and we busted in Granville," said -Palmer, and in such a dubious fashion that our hero could scarcely keep -from laughing outright.</p> - -<p>"What, has the Dixon Combination Comedy Company gone to pieces?"</p> - -<p>"It has—at least so far as I am concerned. Dixon isn't going to show -again until the performers have rehearsed for another couple of weeks."</p> - -<p>Palmer did not wish to go into the details of his bitter experience, so -without delay he began<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> to tell of his visit to Mrs. Talbot and of what -she had done and said, and then before Robert could interrupt him he -told of the meeting with James Talbot.</p> - -<p>"Yes, my step-father was here," said Robert. "I am satisfied that he -is not to be trusted. I shall write my mother a long letter about him -as soon as I can get the chance. But now I must be off, as I have some -important business to attend to for Mr. Marden. What are you going to -do?"</p> - -<p>"I am going to call upon Mr. Gray and see if he intends to open up -again," answered Livingston Palmer. "After this office life will be -good enough for me."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XXVIII.</p> - -<p class="center">THE CONSPIRATORS ARE DISGUSTED.</p> - - -<p>Less than an hour later found Robert at Herman Wenrich's modest home. -A ring at the door bell brought Nettie Wenrich, who smiled pleasantly -upon seeing our hero.</p> - -<p>"My father is much better, thank you," said the girl, in reply to -Robert's question concerning her parent's health. "I was afraid he -would not get well before, but now I am sure he will."</p> - -<p>"I am glad to hear that," answered the boy.</p> - -<p>"Those men were here again," went on Nettie. "They are very anxious to -get the map, and they offered my father fifty dollars for it."</p> - -<p>"They offered two hundred dollars," came from the bedchamber, for -Robert and Nettie were ascending the stairs, and old Herman Wenrich had -overheard the talk. "The fifty dollar offer was only their first."</p> - -<p>The old lumberman shook hands cordially.</p> - -<p>"But you have the map, haven't you?" questioned Robert eagerly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p> - -<p>"To be sure I have, my lad. Herman Wenrich's word is as good as his -bond."</p> - -<p>"You know I am authorized to give you a hundred dollars," went on -Robert.</p> - -<p>"And didn't I say I didn't want a cent from Felix Amberton?" cried the -old man. "All I want is that order, to make certain that I am not going -astray—not but what you look honest enough."</p> - -<p>"Here is the order, just received by mail," and Robert handed it over.</p> - -<p>Herman Wenrich had his daughter bring spectacles and he perused the -paper with great care.</p> - -<p>"That's all right—I know Amberton's signature well—saw it on many a -check he gave me. You shall have the map. Nettie, bring me my tin box."</p> - -<p>"I will, father," answered the daughter, and left the room.</p> - -<p>"What did those men have to say when you told them that I had said they -were not working for Felix Amberton's interest?" asked Robert while she -was gone.</p> - -<p>"I didn't tell them anything about it. I merely told them to hold off -for a day or two, and I would consider their offer."</p> - -<p>"They'll be mad when they learn the truth."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I shall show them this order for the map. They probably know -Amberton's signature as well as I do."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps so."</p> - -<p>"I suppose you are going to send that to Timberville by the first mail."</p> - -<p>"I am going to take it up myself. Mr. Marden wants to come up."</p> - -<p>"You will find it a wild section of the country—a good bit different -from around here."</p> - -<p>"I shan't mind that—in fact, I think I'll rather like the change."</p> - -<p>"It's a good place for a fellow who is strong and healthy. There are -fortunes in the lumber business."</p> - -<p>"I've no doubt of it."</p> - -<p>"I went into the district a poor man, and worked at cutting lumber at a -dollar and a half a day. Inside of fifteen years I came out something -like twelve thousand dollars ahead. Of course that isn't a fortune, but -you must remember that I lost about ten thousand dollars by two spring -freshets which carried off nearly all I at those times possessed. If I -had remained there I would have been better off. But I came to Chicago -and speculated, and now my fortune amounts to very little, I can tell -you that."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span></p> - -<p>By this time Nettie came back with a long tin box painted black. It was -locked, and the key was in a pocketbook under the sick man's pillow. -Soon the box was opened and Herman Wenrich took out a paper yellow with -age.</p> - -<p>"This is the map," he said. "If I were you I would be very careful of -how I handled it, or it may go to pieces. Nettie, haven't you a big -envelope in which to place it?"</p> - -<p>"I think I have, father," she replied, and went off to hunt up the -article.</p> - -<p>During her absence Robert looked over the document, and found that it -contained not only a map but also a long written description of several -lumber tracts, including that which Felix Amberton had once purchased -from a man named Gregory Hammerditch.</p> - -<p>"This must be some relative to the Hammerditch I met," said our hero.</p> - -<p>"It was an uncle. The trouble started through this Gregory Hammerditch -and the Canadian, Jean Le Fevre. They claimed the land was never paid -for, I believe."</p> - -<p>At that moment came a ring at the front door bell.</p> - -<p>"It is those two men!" cried Nettie, who stood close to the window.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You mean the Canadian and the Englishman?" asked Robert.</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Do you wish to meet them?" questioned Herman Wenrich. "If so, I have -no objection."</p> - -<p>"I would like to hear what they have to say, sir."</p> - -<p>"You can go into the back bedroom, if you wish."</p> - -<p>The idea struck Robert as a good one, and while Nettie went below to -let the visitors in our hero entered the rear apartment, leaving the -door open several inches.</p> - -<p>Soon he heard Hammerditch and Le Fevre ascending the stairs.</p> - -<p>"Good-morning," said both, as they came in and sat down close to Herman -Wenrich's bedside.</p> - -<p>"Good-morning," replied the old lumberman shortly.</p> - -<p>"Well, I trust you have decided to sell us the map," continued the -Englishman.</p> - -<p>"I have decided not to do so."</p> - -<p>"Indeed." The faces of both men fell. "The map is of no use to you, Mr. -Wenrich," went on Hammerditch.</p> - -<p>"That may be true."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span></p> - -<p>"And it is no more than right that we should have it."</p> - -<p>"Dat is so," said the Canadian. "Ze map should be ours."</p> - -<p>"You said Mr. Amberton had sent you for the map," said Herman Wenrich.</p> - -<p>"So he did," answered Hammerditch, and Le Fevre nodded.</p> - -<p>"Did he give you a written order?"</p> - -<p>"He did not. He didn't think it was necessary."</p> - -<p>"I have received a written order—or rather, a written request, for it."</p> - -<p>At this both of the visitors were dumfounded.</p> - -<p>"A written order?" gasped Hammerditch.</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"By mail?"</p> - -<p>"No, a young man brought it."</p> - -<p>"Ze order must be von forgery!" came from the French Canadian.</p> - -<p>"Certainly it must be a forgery," added his companion.</p> - -<p>"It is no forgery, gentlemen."</p> - -<p>The voice came from the rear doorway, and Robert confronted them.</p> - -<p>"Who are you?" demanded Hammerditch roughly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span></p> - -<p>"My name is Robert Frost."</p> - -<p>"I never heard of you before."</p> - -<p>"I am a friend to Mr. Richard Marden, the nephew of Felix Amberton."</p> - -<p>"And you come for ze map?" queried Jean Le Fevre.</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"It's an outrage!" burst out Hammerditch. "The map belongs to us."</p> - -<p>"No, it belongs to Mr. Wenrich."</p> - -<p>"What do you intend to do with it?"</p> - -<p>"I intend to turn it over to Mr. Amberton and Mr. Marden."</p> - -<p>"It will do them no good."</p> - -<p>"I think it will."</p> - -<p>"Amberton shall never have that timber land."</p> - -<p>"How will you stop him?"</p> - -<p>"Never mind, he shall never have it."</p> - -<p>"We haf ze other map," said Le Fevre.</p> - -<p>"There isn't any other map," put in Herman Wenrich.</p> - -<p>"Yes, there is," said Hammerditch.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps it's one you had made down to Cresson & Page," said Robert, -mentioning the firm of mapmakers, to whom he had applied for a -situation.</p> - -<p>Both Le Fevre and Hammerditch were amazed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What do you know of that?" demanded the Englishman.</p> - -<p>"He haf played ze part of a spy!" hissed the French Canadian.</p> - -<p>"I have spied upon nobody. I was at Cresson & Page's place when you -came there, and I couldn't help overhear what you said about the map."</p> - -<p>"Bah, he is a spy, sure enough," ejaculated Hammerditch, in disgust. -"Jean, we have played into the hands of our enemies."</p> - -<p>"Zat is so, but it shall do zem no good," answered the Canadian. "We -haf better git back to Timberville as soon as possible," he added, in a -whisper.</p> - -<p>"I reckon you are about right," said Hammerditch. He bowed himself -toward the door.</p> - -<p>"You are going?" asked Herman Wenrich.</p> - -<p>"Yes, we are going. You have played us for a pair of fools," replied -the Englishman.</p> - -<p>He ran down the stairs, with Le Fevre at his heels. Soon both were -outside and stalking up the street rapidly. Robert began to laugh.</p> - -<p>"They are a pair of rascals," he remarked. "I am awfully glad I -outwitted them."</p> - -<p>"So am I glad," answered Herman Wenrich.</p> - -<p>"And I am glad, too," said Nettie, with a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> bright smile. "But if I were -you I wouldn't lose any time in getting to Timberville with the map."</p> - -<p>"I will leave this afternoon," answered the boy.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XXIX.</p> - -<p class="center">A LUCKY CHANGE OF STATEROOMS.</p> - - -<p>Robert found that the afternoon boat for Muskegon left at half past -three, so there was still time left in which to get back to Mrs. Gibbs' -house for a late dinner.</p> - -<p>At the boarding house he found a short note from Livingston Palmer.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"Mr. Gray is going to go into business again," it read; "with one -office here and another in New York. He is going to take me back -and he says you can return too, if you desire."</p></blockquote> - -<p>"That's nice," thought Robert. "But I'll have to see Dick Marden before -I decide upon what's best to do next."</p> - -<p>While waiting for dinner he penned a hasty reply to the note, and -also a letter to his mother. In the latter he mentioned that he had -seen Palmer, and that his step-father had called upon him,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> and urged -her to keep her financial affairs entirely under her own control. He -was careful to send the letter in care of Mr. Blarcomb, for personal -delivery only.</p> - -<p>"She'll get that, I know," he said to himself. "And I hope it does some -good."</p> - -<p>At the proper time our hero went down to the dock and boarded the -<i>Arrow</i>, as the steamer was named. He found about two hundred -passengers besides himself bound for Muskegon and other points along -the Michigan shore. Besides passengers the <i>Arrow</i> carried a large -quantity of baggage and freight.</p> - -<p>The distance from Chicago to Muskegon is about one hundred and -twenty-five miles. The <i>Arrow</i> was rather a slow boat and did not -reach the latter point until some time in the early morning, so that -Robert must spend a night on board. This being so, he lost no time in -obtaining a berth.</p> - -<p>He had just turned away from the clerk's office when he saw two men -approaching. They were Hammerditch and Le Fevre.</p> - -<p>"Hullo, they are going too," he thought, and was about to step out of -sight, when the Englishman espied him.</p> - -<p>"Humph! so you are going with us," said the man, with a scowl.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Not with you," answered Robert quietly. "I believe this is a public -boat."</p> - -<p>"You have been following us again."</p> - -<p>"Excuse me, Mr. Hammerditch, but I never followed you in my life."</p> - -<p>"Then why are you on this boat?"</p> - -<p>"Because I am going to take a trip in her."</p> - -<p>"To Muskegon?"</p> - -<p>"That is my affair."</p> - -<p>"I suppose if we get off at Muskegon you will get off too."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I shall."</p> - -<p>"Don't you know that you may get into a good deal of trouble through -following us, young man?"</p> - -<p>"As I said before, I am not following you. I have my own business to -attend to and I am attending to it."</p> - -<p>"Bah, do you think we will believe zat," burst in Jean Le Fevre. "You -are von spy. Perhaps you are von—vot you call heem?—von detective."</p> - -<p>At this Robert laughed. "No, I am no detective. Only a young fellow out -for business."</p> - -<p>"Zen you are on ze way to Timberville, hey?"</p> - -<p>"If I am that is my business."</p> - -<p>At this the French Canadian began to dance around and shook his fist in -Robert's face.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I know you!" he shouted. "But ve vill see who comes out best! Ha! ve -vill see zat!"</p> - -<p>"Hush!" interrupted Hammerditch. "Don't raise a disturbance on the -boat," and he led his companion away to the upper deck.</p> - -<p>"I shall have to keep my eye on them," thought Robert. "That Frenchmen -wouldn't like anything better than to get into a fight. I might fight -one of them, but I don't think I could get the best of both."</p> - -<p>Once on the upper deck and away from observation, Hammerditch began to -talk earnestly to his companion.</p> - -<p>"We made a mistake by quarreling with him," he said.</p> - -<p>"I cannot see eet," muttered Le Fevre.</p> - -<p>"If we had made friends with him he might have shown us the map."</p> - -<p>"Ha! zat is so."</p> - -<p>"I would give a good lot to get hold of the map," continued the -Englishman. "Our false map may help us some, but that real map ought to -be out of the way."</p> - -<p>At this Le Fevre clutched his companion by the arm.</p> - -<p>"I haf an idee," he whispered. "Let us see if ze boy has got a -stateroom."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span></p> - -<p>"We can find that out at the office."</p> - -<p>"And if he is to sleep alone."</p> - -<p>"All right."</p> - -<p>A little later they went to the office and looked over the register.</p> - -<p>"Here he is—Robert Frost, room 45," said Hammerditch.</p> - -<p>"Anybody else in zat room?"</p> - -<p>They looked over the register, but could find nobody else.</p> - -<p>"He will haf ze room all to himself," chuckled Jean Le Fevre. "Now if I -can find a way to open ze door——"</p> - -<p>"You mean to search his valise for the map?"</p> - -<p>"To be sure."</p> - -<p>"A good idea. We must work the plan, by all means," replied Hammerditch.</p> - -<p>In the meantime Robert had gone to the bow of the boat and was enjoying -the sea breeze.</p> - -<p>Presently the clerk of the boat came up, followed by two burly Germans.</p> - -<p>"I believe this is Mr. Robert Frost," said the clerk.</p> - -<p>"That's my name," answered Robert, wondering what was wanted.</p> - -<p>"These gentlemen are brothers and desire a stateroom together," -explained the clerk. "If<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> you do not mind I would like to put you in -stateroom No. 50, along with a very nice gentleman named Porter, and -give these gentlemen No. 45. Otherwise I will have to put one of them -with you and one with Mr. Porter. They prefer to be together."</p> - -<p>"It vill pe a great favor," said one of the Germans politely.</p> - -<p>"All right, I would just as lief go in with the gentleman you -mentioned," answered Robert.</p> - -<p>"Dank you very mooch," said the German.</p> - -<p>"You vos very kind," added his brother.</p> - -<p>"All right then, that's settled," said the clerk. "Mr. Frost, I will -have your baggage transferred, if you will give me your key."</p> - -<p>"I will transfer the baggage myself and take a look at the other -stateroom," rejoined Robert.</p> - -<p>Our hero and the clerk went below, and Robert took his bag to stateroom -No. 50, which was better than the other. Mr. Porter sat outside of -the door reading a newspaper, and the clerk introduced the pair. The -stranger proved to be a Chicago hardware merchant on his way into -Michigan on a business trip.</p> - -<p>"I am glad to know you," he said, smiling pleasantly. "I hate to travel -alone when there is the chance of an agreeable companion."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Thank you! I think I can say the same," replied Robert, with a smile.</p> - -<p>The boy retired at ten o'clock, and Mr. Porter with him. Soon Robert -was sound asleep.</p> - -<p>The Germans had gone to bed early, and both were in the land of dreams -and snoring lustily when Jean Le Fevre and Hammerditch stole up to the -door of stateroom 45.</p> - -<p>"This is the one," whispered the French Canadian. "I was lucky to get -the pincers, hey?"</p> - -<p>"Hush, make no noise, the boy may be awake," said the Englishman, -warningly.</p> - -<p>While Hammerditch stood on guard Le Fevre inserted a small pincers in -the key-hole of the door and managed to turn the key, which was stuck -in from the other side.</p> - -<p>Then the Frenchman opened the door several inches.</p> - -<p>"Ha! he is snoring loudly—he is fast asleep," he thought, not noticing -that two persons were in the stateroom instead of one, for the German -in the upper berth happened just then to be silent.</p> - -<p>In the dim light the French Canadian made out a valise standing on the -floor and grabbed it hastily. Then he came away, shutting the door -behind him.</p> - -<p>"I haf eet!" he whispered. "Come!" And he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> almost ran for the stateroom -assigned to him and Hammerditch. Once inside, the pair secured the door -and then turned up the light.</p> - -<p>"It's a mighty rusty-looking bag," was the Englishman's comment. "Have -you got the key?"</p> - -<p>"It ees in ze lock," answered La Fevre.</p> - -<p>Soon the valise was opened, and out tumbled a few articles of dirty -underwear and a pair of embroidered slippers.</p> - -<p>"I don't see any map!" exclaimed Hammerditch, in disgust.</p> - -<p>"'Tis ze wrong bag!" groaned the French Canadian. "See, ze clothing is -too big for a boy, and so are ze slippers."</p> - -<p>"You've made a mess of it," answered his companion. "Better take that -bag back or there'll be a jolly row all for nothing."</p> - -<p>Much crestfallen, Le Fevre took the bag back. On his second visit he -saw both Germans, and he retreated even more speedily than he had on -his first trip to the stateroom.</p> - -<p>"The cake is dough," announced Hammerditch. "But though we are foiled -this time, we must get that map away from the boy, no matter at what -cost."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XXX.</p> - -<p class="center">ANOTHER PLOT AGAINST ROBERT.</p> - - -<p>Robert enjoyed his sleep, and did not awaken until after the <i>Arrow</i> -had tied up at the dock in Muskegon. He was just finishing his toilet -when Mr. Porter opened his eyes.</p> - -<p>"Ah, so you are ahead of me!" cried the hardware dealer, springing up. -"Have we arrived?"</p> - -<p>"I believe we have," answered Robert.</p> - -<p>"May I ask where you are bound?"</p> - -<p>"For the depot. I am going to take a train for Timberville."</p> - -<p>"I know the place and the route well. You cannot get a train for -Timberville until eleven o'clock. Here is a time-table." And selecting -one of several from his pocket, Mr. Porter passed it over.</p> - -<p>A short examination showed Robert that his friend was right.</p> - -<p>"It's a long wait," he said.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It will give you time for breakfast and a chance to look around. -Supposing we dine together?"</p> - -<p>"Thank you! that will suit me first-rate."</p> - -<p>In less than half an hour they had left the boat, and were walking up -the main street of Muskegon. The gentleman knew the place well, and led -the way to a substantial restaurant where a good meal could be had at a -reasonable figure.</p> - -<p>Hammerditch and Le Fevre had followed the youth, and now came to a halt -outside of the eating resort.</p> - -<p>"He seems to have picked up a friend," said the Englishman. "That will -make our task so much harder."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps ze man vill not remain wid heem," suggested Le Fevre.</p> - -<p>Satisfied that Robert and his companion would not come out immediately, -the pair went to another restaurant and procured a hasty breakfast.</p> - -<p>Mr. Porter expected to do considerable business in Muskegon, and -breakfast over, he shook Robert by the hand cordially.</p> - -<p>"We must part now," he said. "I am glad to have met you, and trust we -shall meet again."</p> - -<p>"The same to you, Mr. Porter," replied our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> hero. "I wish you were -going to Timberville with me."</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid I wouldn't do much there. There is only one small store and -two or three sawmills. Of course, they use some hardware, but not a -great deal."</p> - -<p>And thus they parted.</p> - -<p>By consulting a clock Robert found he had still two hours to wait -before the departure of the train. Looking at the clock reminded him of -his lost watch, and he had remembered how Andy Cross had said that Jim -Huskin had left Chicago for Muskegon.</p> - -<p>"I would just like to land on that fellow," he said to himself. "He -deserves to be in prison quite as much as Cross does."</p> - -<p>Walking around to the depot, Robert purchased a ticket for Timberville, -made sure that he was right about the train, and had his valise checked -straight through.</p> - -<p>Although he was not aware of it, his movements were shadowed by -Hammerditch and Le Fevre.</p> - -<p>"He has checked the bag," said the Englishman. "I wonder if we can get -at it through the baggage master?"</p> - -<p>"It ees not likely," said the French Canadian.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> "Za are verra -particular here about baggage. If ve can get ze check ve be all right."</p> - -<p>"Let us follow him and see if anything turns up in our favor."</p> - -<p>So the two rascals followed Robert in his walk about the town.</p> - -<p>All unconscious of the nearness of his enemies, our hero sauntered from -street to street.</p> - -<p>His eyes were wide open for some glimpse of Jim Huskin, and it must be -confessed that he never gave a thought to being attacked from behind.</p> - -<p>Having traveled the main thoroughfares of Muskegon, the youth commenced -a tour of the streets of lesser importance.</p> - -<p>One street, near the docks, was lined with saloons, and here the worst -element of the town appeared to be congregated.</p> - -<p>"Set 'em up, lad," cried one 'longshoreman, as he bumped up against -Robert.</p> - -<p>"Thanks, I don't drink," answered Robert, coolly.</p> - -<p>"Don't drink?" cried the man. "Wot yer doin' down here, then?"</p> - -<p>"That is my business."</p> - -<p>"Don't yer git uppish about it."</p> - -<p>"Make him treat, Mike," put in another man,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> whose nose showed that -strong drink and he were no strangers.</p> - -<p>"Come on an' have jess one glass," went on the man who had first -addressed Robert.</p> - -<p>As he spoke he caught Robert by the shoulder.</p> - -<p>Our hero shook him off.</p> - -<p>"Don't you dare to touch me," he said sharply. "If you do you will be -laying up a good bit of trouble for yourself."</p> - -<p>"In fightin' trim, hey?"</p> - -<p>"I can defend myself, and more, if I am called upon to do it."</p> - -<p>The 'longshoreman leered at Robert for a moment.</p> - -<p>"Yer too soft," he sneered, and aimed a blow for Robert's head.</p> - -<p>As quick as a flash our hero ducked, and hit out in return. The blow -caught the tippler on the chin, and made him stagger up against the -saloon window.</p> - -<p>"Now I guess you'll leave me alone," remarked the boy. And then he -walked on, but kept glancing behind him, to be prepared for another -attack.</p> - -<p>"Phew, he's a fighter, Mike," said the second man.</p> - -<p>"Dat's wot he is," grumbled Mike, rubbing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> his chin, where the blow had -landed. "He must be wot da call a scientific boxer, hey?"</p> - -<p>"Are yer goin' ter drop him?"</p> - -<p>"Wot shall I do?"</p> - -<p>"Make him treat or lick him."</p> - -<p>"Maybe you want ter lick him," suggested Mike.</p> - -<p>"I kin if I set out fer ter do it."</p> - -<p>"Then pitch in, Pat."</p> - -<p>But Pat hesitated about going ahead. Robert looked strong, and he felt -that the youth could not be easily intimidated.</p> - -<p>"We kin do it tergether," he ventured.</p> - -<p>While the two roughs were conversing Hammerditch and Le Fevre drew near.</p> - -<p>They had seen the short encounter and saw how angry were the men who -wanted to be treated.</p> - -<p>"Got the best of you, did he?" said Hammerditch.</p> - -<p>"You mind your own business," growled Mike, crossly.</p> - -<p>"Why didn't you pitch into him?" went on the Englishman. "I would have -done so."</p> - -<p>"Dat's wot I'm a-tellin' him," put in Pat.</p> - -<p>"He's a boy zat wants taking down," said Le Fevre.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span></p> - -<p>The two roughs looked at the newcomers curiously.</p> - -<p>"Do yer know de boy?" demanded Mike.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I know him, and I would like to see him get a sound thrashing," -answered Hammerditch.</p> - -<p>"Gif him what he deserves and ve vill pay you vell for eet," added the -French Canadian.</p> - -<p>"Wot yer down on him fer?" questioned Pat.</p> - -<p>"He stole a baggage check from me," said Hammerditch, promptly. "Of -course, he claims the check, but it is mine."</p> - -<p>"I see. Do yer want ter git the check away from him?"</p> - -<p>"I do."</p> - -<p>"Where is it?"</p> - -<p>"In his trousers' pocket."</p> - -<p>"An' if we git it fer yer, wot will yer give us?" asked Pat.</p> - -<p>"Five dollars," quickly answered Hammerditch.</p> - -<p>To these roughs, who had not done a full day's work for a long time, -five dollars appeared quite a sum of money.</p> - -<p>"We'll go yer," said Pat promptly. "Aint dat right, Mike?"</p> - -<p>"If you'll work wid me," answered Mike.</p> - -<p>"All right; I'll follow you up for the check,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> said Hammerditch. "And -here is the five dollars." And he showed the bill, so that they might -know that he meant what he said.</p> - -<p>In a few minutes more the two roughs had laid their plans and were -stealing after Robert.</p> - -<p>"We can git dat check an' his money too," said Mike, and Pat agreed -with him.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XXXI.</p> - -<p class="center">THE MISSING BAGGAGE CHECK.</p> - - -<p>All unconscious of the plot being hatched out against him, Robert -walked on along the docks.</p> - -<p>At one point he saw a large lake steamer at anchor, and thought to walk -out to the craft to inspect her.</p> - -<p>The way took him past a large quantity of merchandise piled high on the -rear end of the dock.</p> - -<p>He was just passing around the merchandise when he found himself -suddenly seized from behind.</p> - -<p>He tried to cry out, but before he could do so a dirty hand was clapped -over his mouth.</p> - -<p>He struggled to free himself, but soon found that two men were holding -him. At last he managed to turn partly around and saw that the men were -the two roughs who had wanted him to treat.</p> - -<p>"Let me go!" he managed to say at last.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Hold him, Mike," cried Pat, and slipped his hand into Robert's -trousers' pocket.</p> - -<p>Robert struggled, but before he could break away Pat had secured not -only the baggage check, but also some loose change amounting to about a -dollar.</p> - -<p>"Now his udder pockets, Pat," panted Mike heavily. "Hurry up, I can't -hold him much longer."</p> - -<p>"You scoundrels!" exclaimed our hero, and breaking away at last, he -dealt Mike a staggering blow in the chest.</p> - -<p>But as the rough tumbled he caught the boy by the arm, and both fell, -Robert on top.</p> - -<p>"Help me, Pat!" roared Mike, seeing he was getting the worst of the -encounter.</p> - -<p>Pat started to jump in, but then thought better of it. As Robert leaped -up with fire in his clear eyes, the man began to run.</p> - -<p>"Stop, you thief!" yelled the boy, and made after him. Left to himself, -Mike also got up and limped away, his nose bleeding, and suffering from -a bruised rib, where Robert had stepped upon him.</p> - -<p>"Dat boy is a reg'lar lion," he murmured. "We was fools ter tackle him."</p> - -<p>Pat ran as he had never ran before, and coming<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> to an alleyway, darted -to the lower end and hid behind some empty barrels.</p> - -<p>Robert ran past and then Pat came out again.</p> - -<p>"Only a dollar," he said to himself, as he sized up his dishonest haul. -"Well, wid that five I'm ter git fer de check it will be six. Dat aint -bad."</p> - -<p>Pat was no particular friend to Mike, and speedily resolved to keep the -haul for himself.</p> - -<p>"I'll tell Mike I didn't git no check and dat dere was only twenty -cents in de pocket," he reasoned. He was willing to allow Mike ten -cents for his share in the work, and no more.</p> - -<p>The roughs had agreed to meet Hammerditch on a certain corner, and to -this spot Pat made his way with all possible speed.</p> - -<p>"Come in out of sight!" said the rough, and motioned the way to a -nearby saloon. He was afraid Mike would come up before the transfer of -the check could be made.</p> - -<p>They went inside and ordered some drinks, and then Pat turned the -baggage check over to the Englishman, and received the five dollars -reward.</p> - -<p>"I'll bet yer goin' ter make a fortune out of dat check," observed Pat.</p> - -<p>"Not at all," answered Hammerditch. "The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> check is of little value -really. But I was bound to have it."</p> - -<p>Afraid that Robert would hurry to the railroad station as soon as the -loss of the check was discovered, the Englishman did not remain in the -drinking place long. At a hotel several squares away he met Le Fevre.</p> - -<p>"You haf eem?" queried the French Canadian anxiously.</p> - -<p>"I have, Jean. Come."</p> - -<p>"Ve vill haf von drink first," was the reply, and they went to the -barroom. Here they met several lumbermen they knew, and in consequence -it was some time before they could get away from the hotel.</p> - -<p>One of the lumbermen knew about the Amberton land claim, and thought -that it would be a hard matter to dispossess the present incumbent.</p> - -<p>"Ve vill do eet," grinned Le Fevre. "Ve hold ze vinning cards—not so, -Hammerditch?"</p> - -<p>"That is so," answered Hammerditch.</p> - -<p>The lumbermen wanted to know the particulars, but the others were not -willing to disclose all of their secrets.</p> - -<p>In the meantime Robert was hunting around for the rough called Pat.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span></p> - -<p>Mike he did not care so much about, since it had been Pat who had made -off with his belongings.</p> - -<p>"He didn't get much money," he mused. "But he got that baggage check, -and I don't want to lose that."</p> - -<p>At first he thought to inform the police of what had occurred.</p> - -<p>He was making for a policeman when he saw Pat coming out of the saloon. -The rough had had half a dozen glasses of liquor, and he was in -consequence quite hazy in his mind.</p> - -<p>"You rascal!" cried our hero, catching him by the shoulder. "Give me -back what you stole from me."</p> - -<p>"That's all right, boss—didn't steal nothin'," mumbled Pat.</p> - -<p>"I say you did—a baggage check and about a dollar in change. Give them -up or I'll have you arrested."</p> - -<p>"Aint got no check," hiccoughed Pat. "An' the money is spent."</p> - -<p>"Then you come with me."</p> - -<p>At this the tough grew alarmed, and at last he broke down and confessed -that he had got the check for another party who had given him five -dollars for it. He had part of the five dollars left,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> and out of this -he gave Robert a sum equal to that which had been stolen.</p> - -<p>"Who took that check?" demanded our hero, a sudden suspicion crossing -his mind.</p> - -<p>As well as he was able Pat described Hammerditch.</p> - -<p>"He's goin' ter git sumthin' on de check," he added.</p> - -<p>"Not if I can prevent it," answered Robert. "He wants to steal my -valise. You come with me."</p> - -<p>"I aint goin' ter!" roared Pat, and breaking away, he started on a -clumsy run. Robert could readily have caught him, but concluded not to -waste the time.</p> - -<p>"Hammerditch will be hot-footed after my bag," he thought. "He expects -to get that map."</p> - -<p>He looked around, and espying a hack standing near, leaped in, and -ordered the driver to get him to the depot with all possible speed.</p> - -<p>Pat ran for fully six blocks, and then sank down on a pile of lumber, -panting for breath.</p> - -<p>"I'm in fer it," he groaned, expecting that Robert was at his heels.</p> - -<p>But the boy was nowhere to be seen, and at once his courage arose, and -he concluded that Robert had given up the chase. He counted his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> money -and found that he had exactly a dollar and ten cents left. The balance -of the cash had been paid over to the saloon keeper and to Robert.</p> - -<p>"I guess I'll git anudder drink," he murmured, and rolled over to -the nearest dive. Here in less than half an hour every cent that had -been left was spent, and then Pat started for home. He could not walk -straight, and frequently bumped up against those he passed. He had -passed less than three blocks when he espied Mike coming toward him.</p> - -<p>"Bedad, I can't let him see me!" he reasoned, and tried to steer out -of sight. But Mike was too quick for him, and the pair confronted each -other at the entrance to a lumber yard.</p> - -<p>"Well, how much did yer git?" was Mike's first question.</p> - -<p>"Didn't git nuthin," answered Pat boldly.</p> - -<p>"Yer got a whole handful of money," retorted Mike. "I want half, do yer -mind dat?"</p> - -<p>"I ain't got nuthin," was all Pat could answer.</p> - -<p>A wordy quarrel followed, and then the two roughs came to blows. They -were encouraged to fight by the by-standers, who loved nothing better -than to witness a "scrap," and it was not until a policeman came up -that the encounter came to an end. Each contestant had a bloody nose,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> -and their eyes were so swollen they could scarcely see out of them.</p> - -<p>"You're both good for sixty days in jail," said the officer of the -law, and marched them to headquarters. Instead of sixty, each got -ninety days, and I think my readers will agree with me that they richly -deserved their sentences.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XXXII.</p> - -<p class="center">ROBERT DELIVERS THE PRECIOUS MAP.</p> - - -<p>"There aint no train now, boss," said the hack driver, after receiving -his directions from Robert.</p> - -<p>"I don't want to catch a train; I want to catch a couple of thieves who -want to make off with my valise," answered our hero.</p> - -<p>"Did you forget the valise?"</p> - -<p>"No, they have stolen my baggage check."</p> - -<p>"Oh, that's it! Well, I'll get you to the depot in short order."</p> - -<p>Away went the hack at a rate of speed which was far from agreeable so -far as riding was concerned.</p> - -<p>But, disagreeable as it was, it pleased Robert, and soon the railroad -station came in sight.</p> - -<p>"There are the fellows who are after my bag!" cried our hero, as the -hack came to a halt. He had espied Hammerditch and Le Fevre making -their way to the baggage room.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You are certain they are after the valise? Perhaps you may be -mistaken," went on the driver, who was a rather elderly man and -cautious.</p> - -<p>"I'll watch them and make sure," said Robert.</p> - -<p>Taking his station behind the baggage room door, our hero saw the -Englishman and the French Canadian approach the baggage master.</p> - -<p>"I am after my valise," said the Englishman, producing Robert's check. -"My son left it here a few hours ago. I have concluded to remain in -Muskegon over night."</p> - -<p>"All right, sir," answered the baggage master, taking the check. He -glanced at the piles of baggage which littered the room. "What kind of -a looking bag was it?"</p> - -<p>For the minute Hammerditch was nonplussed, as he did not remember -Robert's bag very well.</p> - -<p>"It was—er—a tan-colored bag, not very large," he stammered. "I just -bought it, so I don't remember it—er—very well."</p> - -<p>"I reckon this is it," said the baggage master, after a short hunt. -"Check 432,—that's right."</p> - -<p>Hammerditch was about to take the valise when Robert came up and seized -it.</p> - -<p>"No, you don't, you thief!" he exclaimed. "Your little game is nipped -in the bud."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Englishman turned and his face fell, and Le Fevre was also -discomfited.</p> - -<p>"What's the trouble?" asked the baggage master, in astonishment.</p> - -<p>"This rascal was about to steal my bag."</p> - -<p>"Your bag?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, my bag. Don't you remember my leaving it here a couple of hours -ago?"</p> - -<p>"I do."</p> - -<p>"He got a tough to steal my check, and he would have had the bag if I -hadn't got here just in time."</p> - -<p>"He said you were his son."</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't have him for a relative," cried Robert. "Mr. Hammerditch, -you are a thorough-paced scoundrel," he went on, facing the Englishman.</p> - -<p>"What, this to me!" gasped the schemer.</p> - -<p>"Yes, that to you. You are a would-be thief, and I reckon your -companion is little better."</p> - -<p>"Boy, boy! I vill haf ze law on you!" howled the French Canadian.</p> - -<p>"And I will have the law on you," retorted Robert. "You wanted to steal -that map. You need not deny it."</p> - -<p>"The bag is mine," said Hammerditch boldly. "This is a plot to get me -into trouble."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I reckon I can prove my property," said Robert. "Have you the key that -will unlock the bag?"</p> - -<p>"Never mind about that."</p> - -<p>"I have the key," went on our hero. He produced it and opened the bag. -"I wish you to bear witness that this bag contains my wearing apparel," -he said to the baggage master.</p> - -<p>"Yes, that must be your stuff," was the answer.</p> - -<p>"Here are my initials, R.F. My name is Robert Frost, while his name is -Oscar Hammerditch. There isn't a single thing here that belongs to him, -or that would fit him."</p> - -<p>"What did you say about a map?" went on the baggage man.</p> - -<p>"I have a map that he wants to steal, in order to lay claim to certain -lumber lands located near Timberville."</p> - -<p>"But I see no map."</p> - -<p>"The map is in my pocket, here," and Robert produced the document.</p> - -<p>If ever Hammerditch had looked sheepish it was now. He realized that -even if he had obtained the valise he would have been outwitted. -Plainly this American lad was too smart for him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I'll see you about this later," he howled, and started to back out.</p> - -<p>"Wait a minute, I want to give you a bit of advice," said Robert, -catching him by the arm. "If I wanted to I could have you arrested on -the spot. But I am not going to take that trouble. But this baggage man -is a witness to the fact that you tried to steal my valise, and if you -or that Frenchman ever bother me again, I'll have you locked up on the -charge, and I'll see that you go to prison for it. Now you can clear -out."</p> - -<p>For the moment Hammerditch was speechless. He wanted to flare up, but -the words would not come. He grated his teeth, turned on his heel and -almost ran from the baggage room. With him went Jean Le Fevre; and it -may be added right here that that was the last Robert ever saw of the -dishonest pair.</p> - -<p>After the pair were gone Robert gave the baggage man the particulars of -what had occurred, so that he might remember, in case the affair came -up later.</p> - -<p>"I thought it was queer he couldn't remember how his bag looked," said -the baggage master. "I reckon, however, they won't bother you again in -a hurry."</p> - -<p>It was now nearly train time, and Robert re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span>mained in the depot. -Presently the train came in and he got on board, and the journey to -Timberville was continued.</p> - -<p>"I'll not forget my stop-off at Muskegon," he mused, as he sped on his -way.</p> - -<p>The remainder of the journey passed without special incident. -Hammerditch and Le Fevre had expected to take this same train, but -could not screw up the necessary courage to do so.</p> - -<p>Timberville was reached about three o'clock, and our hero alighted at -the depot, which was little better than a shed. As Mr. Porter had said -the village was small and looked almost deserted.</p> - -<p>"I wish to get to Mr. Felix Amberton's place," he said to the station -master. "How can I best reach it?"</p> - -<p>"It's several miles from here," was the reply. "Guess Joe Bandy will -take you along in his rig."</p> - -<p>Joe Bandy proved to be the mail carrier, who drove a two horse wagon -through the lumber region of the vicinity. He agreed to take Robert -along for the usual fare, thirty-five cents. Soon they were on the way.</p> - -<p>"Come out to try your luck?" questioned the mail carrier, with a grin.</p> - -<p>"No, I came out on business."</p> - -<p>"Say, you can't be the lawyer Mr. Marden is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> expectin'," went on the -mail carrier, with a look at the valise.</p> - -<p>"No, I'm no lawyer," laughed Robert. "But I am a friend to Mr. Marden. -How is Mr. Amberton?"</p> - -<p>"Doin' poorly. Those land sharks are worrying him to death. They want -to take his timber from him," answered Bandy.</p> - -<p>They passed over several hills and through a heavy forest, and then -made a sharp turn to the left. Presently a well-built cabin came into -sight.</p> - -<p>"There is Amberton's hang-out," said the driver, and drew up.</p> - -<p>"Hullo, Robert!" came a voice from behind some trees, and Dick Marden -rushed forth. His face wore a broad smile and he almost broke the -bones of Robert's fingers, so hearty was his hand shake. "How are you, -lad—well? And did you get that map?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I'm well, and the map is safe in my pocket," answered Robert, and -then they walked to the cabin, while the mail carrier proceeded on his -way.</p> - -<p>Once inside of the place Robert was introduced to Dick Marden's uncle, -who sat in an old-fashioned easy chair by one of the little windows<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> of -which the cabin boasted. Mr. Amberton seemed weak and careworn.</p> - -<p>"Dick has been telling me about you," he said, in a low voice. "He felt -sure you would manage to get the map."</p> - -<p>There was of course nothing for Robert to do but to tell his story from -beginning to end, and this he did without delay, Dick Marden in the -meantime ordering the negro servant to cook a good dinner for the youth.</p> - -<p>"Well, you outwitted Hammerditch and Le Fevre nicely," cried the miner. -"I would like to have seen them at the railroad station. They must have -felt cheap and no mistake."</p> - -<p>"They are rascals, and I always knew it," said Felix Amberton. "But now -we have a hold upon them, for through Robert we can show up their true -characters, if it becomes necessary."</p> - -<p>The map was examined with care, and Dick Marden announced that it was -just what was wanted.</p> - -<p>"They can't go behind this," he said. "Robert, I think you have saved -the estate for my uncle."</p> - -<p>"I think so myself," came from Felix Amberton. "But I am afraid I am in -for a long lawsuit, nevertheless."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span></p> - -<p>Inside of an hour a hot dinner awaited our hero, to which he, as was -usual with him, did full justice.</p> - -<p>The balance of the day passed quietly, and on the day following Dick -Marden took the boy over the timber lands.</p> - -<p>"Would you like it out here?" asked the miner.</p> - -<p>"I don't believe I would," answered Robert promptly. "I much prefer -city life."</p> - -<p>"Honestly spoken," cried Marden. "Now with me it is just the opposite. -I can remain in the city a couple of weeks, or possibly a month, and -then I feel that I must get somewhere where there is lots of elbow -room."</p> - -<p>Two days later a lawyer arrived—the one sent for by Marden and Felix -Amberton.</p> - -<p>"The claim is all right," said the legal gentleman. "This map is good -proof, too. If they want to fight let them. You will surely come out on -top."</p> - -<p>This was cheering news, and its effect upon Amberton was soon visible.</p> - -<p>"When it is settled I shall not forget you," he said to Robert.</p> - -<p>"Thank you," replied the boy, "but I am glad to have been of service -to you and Mr. Marden,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> my best friend. He helped me, you know, when I -actually did not know how to turn myself."</p> - -<p>On Monday of the week following Dick Marden announced his intention of -going to Chicago on business, and as there was nothing to keep Robert -in the lumber camp, he decided to accompany his friend back to the -great city by the lakes.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XXXIII.</p> - -<p class="center">ROBERT VISITS HOME—CONCLUSION.</p> - - -<p>"You have had lots of adventures since last we met in Chicago," -remarked Dick Marden, while he and Robert were making the trip from -Timberville to Muskegon.</p> - -<p>"That is true, and some adventures that I didn't care much about," -returned our hero.</p> - -<p>"It's the way of the world, lad—you can't get through without some -pretty hard knocks and dangerous brushes. But tell me frankly, what -would you like to do next?"</p> - -<p>"I would like to obtain some good office situation. I like to keep -books, write business letters, and handle money—especially if the -business done is on a large scale."</p> - -<p>"I understand." Dick Marden mused for a moment. "I was thinking of -offering you a place at Timberville, or in my mine in California; but I -reckon you had best remain in Chicago. But I shan't forget to keep my -eye on you, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> you can be sure that my uncle won't forget you if he -comes out on top, as that lawyer says."</p> - -<p>The run to Muskegon was without special incident, and once in the town -bordering the lake they found they had several hours to wait until a -steamer would leave for Chicago.</p> - -<p>"The wait will just suit me," said the miner. "I want to call on a man -who deals in lumber and make an arrangement with him to handle some of -my uncle's output."</p> - -<p>The office building in which the wholesale lumber dealer did business -was situated several blocks from the depot and thither the pair made -their way.</p> - -<p>As they entered the wide hallway Robert suddenly clutched Dick Marden -by the arm.</p> - -<p>"There he is at last!" he whispered.</p> - -<p>"He? Who?"</p> - -<p>"That rascal who robbed me—Jim Huskin!"</p> - -<p>And our hero pointed to where Huskin stood, in conversation with an old -gentleman in black.</p> - -<p>"You are certain he is the man?" asked the miner.</p> - -<p>"Yes; I would never forget that smooth face and those wicked eyes."</p> - -<p>"He seems to be playing some confidence game now," went on Dick Marden.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span></p> - -<p>The miner was right. Jim Huskin had the old man in black in an out of -the way corner and was conversing with him in great earnestness.</p> - -<p>"You cannot lose on the venture, Mr. Price," he said, as our hero and -Marden drew closer. "The shares will always be worth the money you put -into them. Better let me have the check now, and I will buy them inside -of the next hour."</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, but are you quite sure it is safe?" asked the old man, in -a trembling voice. "You see, I cannot afford to lose four hundred -dollars."</p> - -<p>"You will not lose—I will guarantee the shares myself," answered the -confidence man earnestly.</p> - -<p>"Very well, if you will guarantee them," said the old man, and drew out -his pocketbook, which held several bankbills, and a filled in check for -the amount Huskin desired.</p> - -<p>At that moment Robert placed his hand upon the confidence man's -shoulder.</p> - -<p>"So we meet again, Jim Huskin," he said coldly.</p> - -<p>The rascal turned in amazement, and then his face fell.</p> - -<p>"Why—er—what—who are you?" he stammered, hardly being able to speak.</p> - -<p>"You know very well who I am," answered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> our hero. "I am the boy you -robbed in Chicago."</p> - -<p>"Robbed!" gasped the old man in black. "Did you say robbed?"</p> - -<p>"I did, sir. This man is a rascal and a thief."</p> - -<p>"You are mistaken——" began Jim Huskin, but his manner showed how -uncomfortable he felt.</p> - -<p>"A rascal and a thief!" murmured the old man, and looked as if he would -faint. It did not take him long to place his pocketbook in his pocket -again.</p> - -<p>Jim Huskin was a man who made up his mind quickly. He saw that Robert -had the best of him, and that his only chance for safety lay in flight. -Turning swiftly, he started to run from the building.</p> - -<p>But he had reckoned without Dick Marden, and he had scarcely taken two -steps when the miner put out his foot and sent him sprawling in the -hallway. At once a crowd began to collect.</p> - -<p>"What's the row here?" demanded the janitor of the building, as he -rushed up.</p> - -<p>"We've collared a thief," answered Marden. "Call a policeman."</p> - -<p>"What! do you mean to have me arrested?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> demanded Jim Huskin, as he -got up, to find himself in the grasp of both Robert and his friend.</p> - -<p>"That's what," answered the miner coolly.</p> - -<p>Jim Huskin began to expostulate, but all to no purpose. Soon an officer -came in, followed by another crowd.</p> - -<p>"What has he done?" demanded the policeman.</p> - -<p>"I charge him with robbing me," answered Robert. "His name is Jim -Huskin."</p> - -<p>"My name isn't Huskin, it is Williams," put in the confidence man.</p> - -<p>"Jim Huskin?" repeated the officer. "I've heard that before."</p> - -<p>"He and another man named Andy Cross robbed me in Chicago. Cross was -caught, but this fellow came to Muskegon."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, I remember the case now. So this is Huskin, eh? You were -lucky to land on him."</p> - -<p>"This is all wrong," persisted Huskin. He turned to the old man in -black. "Mr. Price, won't you testify that my name is Williams?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know as I will," was the slow answer. "You said it was, but I -have no further proof of it."</p> - -<p>"He was going to get you to invest in some scheme, wasn't he?" asked -Robert.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes, he wanted to sell me some unlisted mining shares. Said they were -a good investment."</p> - -<p>"What were the shares?" asked Dick Marden. "I am an old miner and I -know the mines pretty well."</p> - -<p>"They were shares of the Golden Bucket Mine, of California."</p> - -<p>"The Golden Bucket! Why, that mine gave out six years ago. It never -paid back the money put into it. Why, it's dead, and so are the stocks. -You had a lucky escape."</p> - -<p>"I believe you," returned the old man, and looked greatly relieved.</p> - -<p>Inside of quarter of an hour Jim Huskin was transferred to the local -jail and his capture was telegraphed to Chicago. He was searched, -and on him were found about forty dollars belonging to Robert and a -pawn-ticket for the watch, showing that it had been pawned in Muskegon -for six dollars. Before he left the town Robert got the watch back.</p> - -<p>Later on Jim Huskin was taken back to Chicago, and he and Andy Cross -were tried together, and each received a sentence of two years in -State's prison for his misdeeds.</p> - -<p>On getting back to Mrs. Gibbs' boarding house<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> Robert found a telegram -from his mother awaiting him. It read:</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"Come home at once. Your step-father is very ill."</p></blockquote> - -<p>Without delay our hero started for Granville, arriving there late in -the evening. His mother met him at the front door, and it was plain to -see that she had been weeping.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Robert!" she cried, and embraced him. It was several minutes -before she could say more.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Talbot is very sick then?" asked the boy.</p> - -<p>"Yes, very sick, and the doctor is afraid he will never get well," -answered Mrs. Talbot.</p> - -<p>James Talbot was suffering from a sudden stroke of paralysis, which had -affected his stomach and his left side. He was almost unconscious, and -remained in that state for several days. During that time Mrs. Talbot -was at his bedside constantly, and Robert did all he could for both.</p> - -<p>At the end of two weeks the physician pronounced James Talbot out of -danger. The paralysis was gradually leaving him, and he could now take -a little nourishment.</p> - -<p>His sickness seemed to have changed him won<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span>derfully, and his harshness -appeared to be a thing of the past.</p> - -<p>"I have had my eyes opened," he said to his wife and Robert. "I have -done wrong in the past, but from now on you will find me a different -man."</p> - -<p>These words pleased Mrs. Talbot greatly and removed a heavy load from -her heart. Robert, however, said but little on the subject.</p> - -<p>"I hope he does turn over a new leaf," he thought. "But I want to test -him for a while before I trust him."</p> - -<p>"Your step-father will be all right now, Robert," said his mother, -hopefully.</p> - -<p>"I sincerely trust so," he answered gravely. "For your sake even more -than for my own."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Here we will bring to a close the story of Robert Frost's adventures -while "Out for Business." He had succeeded in taking several forward -steps in life, and had brought to grief the enemies who had tried to -drag him down and overcome him.</p> - -<p>As soon as Mr. Talbot was on the mend our hero returned to Chicago and -called upon Mr. Gray. The cut-rate ticket broker had already opened -both his Chicago and his New York<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> offices, and he at once agreed to -give the boy his position back, with two dollars per week added to -his salary. The next day found Robert again working beside Livingston -Palmer.</p> - -<p>"Right glad to see you!" cried Palmer. And he shook hands cordially. "I -reckon we have both had adventures enough for the present."</p> - -<p>"I know I have," answered Robert. "I hope in the future I am left alone -to buckle down to business."</p> - -<p>For the time being all went well. But there were still many adventures -in store for Robert, which will be related in a companion volume to -this, entitled: "Falling in with Fortune; or, The Experiences of a -Young Secretary." In this book we will meet all of our old friends and -some new ones, and also learn something more about James Talbot and his -schemes for getting possession of the Frost fortune.</p> - -<p>And now, kind reader, good-by, in the hope that some day we will meet -again.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - - - -<p class="ph2" style="margin-top: 10em;">The Famous Rover Boys Series</p> - -<p>By ARTHUR W. WINFIELD</p> - -<p>Each volume is hailed with delight by boys and girls everywhere. 12mo. -Cloth. Handsomely printed and illustrated.</p> - -<p>Price, 60 Cents per Volume. Postpaid.</p> - - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">THE ROVER BOYS DOWN EAST</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or, The Struggle for the Stanhope Fortune</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Old enemies try again to injure our friends.</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or, The Right Road and the Wrong</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Brimming over with good nature and excitement.</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or, The Strange Cruise of the Steam Yacht</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">A search for treasure; a particularly fascinating volume.</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">THE ROVER BOYS ON THE FARM</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or, The Last Days at Putnam Hall</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The boys find a mysterious cave used by freight thieves.</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">THE ROVER BOYS IN SOUTHERN WATERS</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or, The Deserted Steam Yacht</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">A trip to the coast of Florida.</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">THE ROVER BOYS ON THE PLAINS</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or, The Mystery of Red Rock Ranch</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Relates adventures on the mighty Mississippi River.</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">THE ROVER BOYS ON THE RIVER</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or, The Search for the Missing Houseboat</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The Ohio River is the theme of this spirited story.</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or, The Rivals of Pine Island</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">At the annual school encampment.</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">THE ROVER BOYS ON LAND AND SEA</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or, The Crusoes of Seven Islands</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Full of strange and surprising adventures.</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">THE ROVER BOYS IN THE MOUNTAINS</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or, A Hunt for Fame and Fortune</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The boys in the Adirondacks at a Winter camp.</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">THE ROVER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or, The Secret of the Island Cave</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">A story of a remarkable Summer outing; full of fun.</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or, The Search for a Lost Mine</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">A graphic description of the mines of the great Rockies.</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">THE ROVER BOYS IN THE JUNGLE</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or, Stirring Adventures in Africa</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The boys journey to the Dark Continent in search of their father.</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or, A Chase for a Fortune</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">From school to the Atlantic Ocean.</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or, The Cadets of Putnam Hall</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The doings of Dick, Tom, and Sam Rover.</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p>GROSSET & DUNLAP——NEW YORK</p> - -<div class="transnote"> -<p>Transcribers Note: -Some apparent misspellings have been left unchanged<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 5%;">aint/ain't</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 5%;">dumfounded/dumbfounded</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 5%;">dumstruck/dumbstruck</span><br /> -in the believe they are as the author intended.</p> -</div> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Out For Business, by -Horatio Alger Jr. and Arthur M. Winfield and Edward Stratemeyer - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OUT FOR BUSINESS *** - -***** This file should be named 54737-h.htm or 54737-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/4/7/3/54737/ - -Produced by David Edwards, Graeme Mackreth and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -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. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - 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. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - - -</pre> - -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/54737-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/54737-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 6d966d1..0000000 --- a/old/54737-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/54737-h/images/illus01.jpg b/old/54737-h/images/illus01.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index bcb4fcd..0000000 --- a/old/54737-h/images/illus01.jpg +++ /dev/null |
