[image]JACK WAS SOON AS BUSY AS A BEE, PUTTING THE MACHINES IN RUNNING ORDER AND OVERHAULING OTHER FARMING IMPLEMENTS."Why didn't you stop this morning?" asked the farmer, presently. He had intended going reaping, but Jack's handy use of tools interested him and made him linger.In an easy manner that did not interfere with his work, the young machinist narrated the particulars of what had occurred to detain him."Well, now, that beats all! Trouble piling right up on top of ye! Wonder if I don't know this Mosey," continued the farmer, reflectively. "Is he a short man with a red beard?""Yes.""Didn't he use to work over to Redrock?""I believe he did.""Then I reckon I do. He's a bad egg. I used to sell the company he worked for hay for packing, and Mosey used to weigh it. Several times, when I was sure it was correct, he reported short, and when I spoke to him about it, he said it would never be right until I made it right with him, or, in other words, paid him for his good will.""How did it turn out?" asked Jack, interested in the story."Oh, I spoke of it to the owners, but they believed his side of the story, and I lost their trade. But, all the same, he was discharged a month later for being drunk. If I ain't mistaken, I saw him pass early yesterday morning.""I just wish I could lay hands on him," returned the young machinist; "I don't believe he would keep out of the way if he wasn't guilty.""Maybe I'll see him," said the farmer. "If I do I'll watch him, and let you know."It was close on to six o'clock when Jack finished the work. During the afternoon he had done jobs for which he asked five dollars, and farmer Farrell, who knew that he would have been charged twice as much in the town, paid the bill without a murmur.Ten minutes later, with his kit under his arm, and the new five-dollar bill tucked safely in his vest pocket, the young machinist started for home.The sun was setting, and the road, shaded for its greater part by large trees, was growing dark rapidly.About midway of the distance to Corney stood an old mill, abandoned several years before, whose disused water-wheel still hung idly over the swiftly flowing river beneath.It was a ghostly looking structure, and having the reputation of being haunted, was seldom visited, except by adventurous tourists and by amateur photographers, who remained at a safe distance to take views of the really picturesque locality.As Jack passed the mill, he saw a man approach from the opposite direction. Judge of his astonishment when he recognized the individual as Andy Mosey!He had seen the young machinist at the same instant, and turning rapidly from the road, he darted to one side of the mill.For a second Jack stood still, hardly able to move. But he quickly recovered, and dropping his kit, which was heavy, he started in pursuit."He shall not escape me," he resolved. "He is larger than I, but I am not afraid to meet him face to face."There was a large shed attached to the mill, and entering this, the young machinist looked carefully around to see if he could find any trace of the man. But a brief search assured him that the place had not been disturbed for months.Passing through the partly open door, he entered the lower floor of the mill, and found himself in the presence of Dennis Corrigan, Mosey's brother-in-law."What do you want here?" demanded Corrigan, springing up from the bench upon which he had been seated.Jack could hardly form a proper reply. With two men against him, he realized that he was in a bad fix."Why, I didn't know that you were here, Corrigan," he began. "I thought----"Jack never finished the sentence. He heard a noise behind him, but before he could turn to see what it was, he received a cruel blow on the head, and then all became a dark, terrible blank.CHAPTER VII.INTO THE RIVERSlowly and painfully, with a dull ache in his head, and an uncertain look in his eyes, Jack returned to his senses. A thin stream of blood trickled down his neck, and putting up his hand he felt a large lump under the hair."It must have been Mosey who struck me," was his first thought as he gathered his scattered faculties together. "Well, thank God, he didn't kill me."It was some time before he felt any desire to rise, and when he finally did so, he found himself weaker than he had anticipated."The coward!" was the young machinist's comment. "To strike me unawares. I knew he disliked me, but hasn't he wronged me enough already?"Jack did not know--nor, indeed, could he have understood--the bitter hatred the Irishman bore him.The only pride of Andy Mosey's life was his bull pup and his son Mike, and to have the young machinist occupying a position he thought his son should have, had always been more than this hot-tempered fellow was inclined to bear.The place in which Jack found himself was totally dark, whether because it had no windows, or because it was night, he could not tell.He groped around, and seeing a ray of light coming up from beneath, applied his eye to what proved to be a knot-hole in the floor.He was surprised to find the river flowing directly below, and knew at once that he was in the lowest part of the old mill, opposite the ancient wheel."They must have carried me here," he said to himself. "I wonder how long ago?"He felt his way along the walls, and at last reached the door. He was on the point of lifting the latch, when it was thrown open, and by the the rays of a lantern that at first dazzled him, he saw himself confronted by Dennis Corrigan and Andy Mosey."So ye'v cum to yer sinses at last, have ye?" was Mosey's greeting, as he set down the lantern. "Ye wint down moighty easy, so ye did.""I'd like to know what right you have to treat me in this shameful manner," demanded Jack, indignantly."Never moind," returned the Irishman; "it will teach ye a lesson not to tell lying stories about me.""I haven't said anything but what I believe to be true," replied Jack, pointedly."Sure, now, is that raly so? Well, ye can suffer for thinking wrong," continued Mosey. "Oi niver----""Oh, stop your everlasting jaw!" broke in Corrigan, who was more practical in his way than his brother-in-law. "Never mind what you've done, and what you haven't done. The question is, what are we to do with the boy, now he's here?"The Irishman scratched his head."It won't do to let him go," he said."Suppose we search his pockets," suggested Corrigan.Jack uttered an exclamation."What do you mean?" he demanded; "you wouldn't dare?"Corrigan laughed. The young machinist did not yet know that this man was at heart a thorough villain."Wait and see," he remarked, coolly. "Put your back to the door, Andy, and don't let him escape."Corrigan was a heavily built and powerful man, and in his present condition Jack knew that he was no match for such an opponent."What do you want?" asked the young machinist."Want to see what you have with you. Come, show up."Jack's head still ached from the rough treatment it had received. He did not wish to court another such blow, and so did as demanded.A knife, ten cents, the five-dollar bill farmer Farrell had given him, and a copy of his agreement with Mr. Benton were all the articles of value that he carried."Here's something for you, Andy," observed Corrigan, tossing over the ten-cent piece. "The price of a drink."Corrigan quietly slipped the five-dollar bill into his own clothes. Then opening the agreement, he held it near the lantern and read it carefully. It seemed to interest him greatly, and muttering something to himself, he shoved it into the inside pocket of his coat."Do you intend to rob me outright?" exclaimed Jack, whose blood boiled at such treatment."If that's what you call it, I suppose we do," was Corrigan's reply.The young machinist was now becoming more used to the situation, and he determined to submit no longer. He noticed that Mosey had unconsciously moved to one side, and watching his chance, he sprang for the door.But Corrigan was too quick for him, and with a reach of his long arm he caught the young machinist by the collar, and held him until Mosey had again reached the door.Jack's grit was up and he wrestled with all his strength. He caught his antagonist by the waist, and literally threw him to the floor."Hit him. Andy, hit him!" screamed Corrigan, trying to regain his feet.Mosey approached Jack with the same stick he had used in the first encounter. The young machinist caught the blow upon the left arm, and retaliated by landing one square from the shoulder on the Irishman's nasal organ. He did not believe in pugilism, but knew something of the art of self-defense; and used his knowledge to good advantage.He followed up the first blow by another, and had just gained the door for the second time, when Corrigan, with a vile exclamation, seized the heavy brass lantern, and swinging it over his head, brought it down with all force upon Jack's neck.The blow half stunned the young machinist, and before he could recover he was on his back, with Corrigan on top of him."Phat shall we do?" asked Mosey in bewilderment. Jack's unexpected attack had surprised and dismayed him."Get that rope upstairs," gasped Corrigan, who was well-nigh winded; "we'll bind him so tight that he won't give us any more trouble."The Irishman disappeared for a few moments.When he returned he held a stout cord in his hand, with which the two bound the young machinist securely, hands and feet."We'll leave him here for the present," said Corrigan, when they had finished their work. "Come on," and taking up the lantern, which in spite of its rough usage still remained lit, he led the way up stairs followed by Mosey."Well, I'm in a pretty fix, and no mistake," was Jack's mental decision when alone. "So far, my exertions to gain freedom haven't amounted to anything. But if they think that I'm going to give up already, they are mistaken."He tugged at the cords, and by a strong effort managed, though not without painful squeezing, to pull his feet free.His hands, however, were placed altogether too closely to allow of a similar proceeding, and he endeavored to find some means of cutting the fastening.He remembered that the latch of the door was a rusty one, and rough on its lower side. Walking over to this, he began to rub the cord along the edge in the hope of severing it, but the improvised saw--if it might be called such--was not a handy tool, and half an hour passed before he made any material progress."It's mighty slow work," he said to himself: "but it's bound to wear away sooner or later."Presently a heavy step sounded outside on the stairs, and a moment later Andy Mosey pitched into the room.He was in a sad state of intoxication, and his face was red with anger."Been tellin' foine sthories about me!" he exclaimed. "Saying I sthole yer match-box an' set foire to old Gray's house! Oi'll fix ye!"[image]"BEEN TELLIN' FOINE STHORIES ABOUT ME!" HE EXCLAIMED. "SAYIN' I STHOLE YER MATCH-BOX AN' SET FOIRE TO OLD GRAY'S HOUSE! OI'LL FIX YE!"He held a heavy stick in his hand, and as he spoke he brought it down with full force on Jack's head. The young machinist went down like a shot."Tellin' loies about me!" continued Mosey, as he dragged the half senseless body to the water's edge."Help! Help!" cried Jack, in a feeble voice.But his cries were of no avail, and the next instant the young machinist was being swept by the rushing tide down the stream, to the roaring falls below.CHAPTER VIII.SOMETHING ABOUT THE MODELDeb grew anxious when seven o'clock came and Jack did not put in an appearance. Under ordinary circumstances, she would not have minded it, but the events of the past two days combined to make her worry more than usual. She sat by the window, watching the stream of people returning from work, and then, when it was half after the hour, put on her hat and descended to the street below.She walked slowly in the direction of the Redrock road, in hope of meeting her brother. At the end of three blocks, she came face to face with Mont Gray, who had just been finishing up some accounts at the tool works."Where are you going, may I ask?" he said, with a smile."To meet Jack," replied Deb. "He ought to be home by this time.""Perhaps the work took longer than he expected," observed the young man. "You know he hates to leave a job until it's done.""Oh, I know that. But I wish he would come, anyway; I can't bear to have him away now.""Depend upon it, he can take good care of himself," added Mont. "Come, shall I walk home with you?""I suppose I might as well go," returned the girl, slowly, and turned back. "Oh, I'm so awfully nervous," she added."Your troubles have been too much for you," he answered, kindly. "They would have been for almost any one."Though Mont's capital was, as we know, rather limited, he was anxious to help Deb and Jack all he could. Yet he hardly knew how to broach the subject."Did you--did Mr. Hammerby call again?" he asked, hesitatingly."Yes, and gave us a three days' notice to quit," replied the girl. "He----""He shall not put you out!" exclaimed the young man, vehemently. "It's an outrage! It's bad enough for my uncle to believe your brother guilty, but to put you out----""But we are not going," continued Deb."I don't blame you. If I can help you----?" he began."No, you don't understand," returned Deb, quickly. "It's real good of you to offer help, but we don't need it," and she told him of the money Mr. Benton was to pay over on the following morning."I'm glad to hear you're going to get some cash out of that man," remarked Mont. "Although even so, he made a sharp bargain with Jack."A few minutes later they reached the house."Will you come up?" asked Deb."I haven't time," he replied. "I've got to do an errand for my uncle. Maybe afterward, if I have a chance I'll take a look for Jack, and come up with him.""Oh, I wish you would," she returned, "I know it's dreadfully silly for me to be so easily worried, but I can't help it.""Oh, it's all right, I suppose. If I was in his place maybe I'd like to be worried about, too," and away went Mont, whistling quite a merry air.The young girl entered the kitchen and lit the lamp. It was now half-past eight, and as the people of the neighborhood were hard workers. who retired early, the streets were comparatively quiet.She left the supper dishes upon the table, and putting some extra coal into the stove, set the tea and other things so that they might keep warm.It was a dreary evening for her. She did not care much to read--actual life interested her far more than books--and now all her thoughts were centered on Jack."It's a pretty long walk from that farmer's place," she kept saying to herself. "But he will come soon, oh, he must come soon."Her reflections were broken by hearing an unknown step upon the stairs, followed by a sharp rap at the door.Hardly knowing whom to expect at this hour of the night, she bade the person enter.The newcomer was Dennis Corrigan!Deb did not know the man. She had seen him on the streets, but though he was fairly well dressed, she was not taken by his general appearance."Does Jack Willington live here?" asked Corrigan, with a hasty glance around the kitchen, to see who might be present."Yes, sir," replied Deb, and then realizing that the man might have news for her, she continued quickly: "Did he send you?""Yes, Miss. He said I was to get a model that he had here."This assertion surprised the girl. What in the world could Jack want with his model this time of night?"Where is my brother?" she asked.Corrigan was not prepared to answer this question."He is--down the street," he stammered."Where?""Why--down in McGlory's saloon."This reply was a fatal blunder for Corrigan, who by a little scheme of his own, had proposed to get the model into his possession without any difficulty."In McGlory's saloon!" repeated Deb, in amazement. "Why, Jack doesn't drink.""Oh, yes, he does--once in a while," replied Corrigan, glibly."You're mistaken!" returned Deb, sharply. "What does he want the model for?"She was growing a trifle suspicious. The article in question was valuable, and just now doubly so."I don't know what he's going to do with it. Got it handy?"Involuntarily Deb glanced over to where the model stood covered with a cloth. She regretted the action an instant after, for Corrigan's eyes watched her closely."How far is that saloon from here?" she asked."Only a few blocks.""Queer he didn't come for it himself.""He was too busy. He asked me to go for him, and sent this paper as an order. He said you'd know all about it," replied Corrigan, and he handed out the agreement he had stolen from Jack.Deb recognized the paper at once. Jack must certainly have given it to the man, and yet, for a reason she could not explain, she felt that all was not right.One thing she remembered; her brother had repeatedly cautioned her not to let outsiders examine the model under any plea. To place it, therefore, in a stranger's hands seemed a risk she did not care to assume."What's the matter?" asked Corrigan, as Deb still hesitated. "Ain't it all right?"He was growing uneasy, fearful of being interrupted just at the moment when the prize was almost within his grasp."I would rather have my brother come for it himself," said the girl finally."He can't come; he's too busy," persisted the intruder."It wouldn't take long to get it if he is only a few blocks away.""Yes, but he doesn't want to leave. He has a chance of selling it to a man for big money, and he's afraid the man may back out if he leaves him."Deb was sorely perplexed. The man might be speaking the truth, in which case she did not for the world wish Jack to lose the chance of striking a bargain."So I'll take it right along at once," continued Corrigan, stepping over to where the model stood.But, at this instant, a bright idea came into the girl's head. She knew that she could trust Mr. Snitzer, or one of his sons, and was sure that any one of them would do her a favor willingly."You need not take so much trouble," she exclaimed, stepping between the man and the model. "Just leave the address of the place, and I will send it up at once."This was a staggerer for Corrigan, and he knew not how to answer."No, I'll take it myself," he replied, roughly.His words sent a dreadful chill to Deb's heart. In an instant she realized the man's true object, and her own helpless condition."What do you mean?" she cried in terror."I mean that if you won't give me the model I'll take it."The words had hardly been uttered before Deb gave a terrible scream."Stop your noise!" hissed Corrigan, jumping to her side, and clapping his hand over her mouth.The girl struggled to escape, but she was as a feather in this powerful fellow's arms, and half fainting, she felt herself borne into the next room, and the door locked upon her.Then she heard Corrigan pick up the model, and hurry down the stairs and out of the house.CHAPTER IX.MR. BENTON MAKES TROUBLE"Help! Help!""Vas is dot?" exclaimed Mrs. Snitzer, who had been dozing in the rocking chair awaiting her son's return."Sounds like some von vas in troubles," replied her husband, from the sofa.Both sprang to their feet and hurried to the door.Mrs. Snitzer had scarcely opened it when a man rushed past her and out of the front hall-way."Help! Help!""It vas Deb, for sure!" cried the German woman, and she ascended the stairs as fast as her portly form would permit, closely followed by her husband.It took but a moment to pass through the kitchen and unlock the door of the adjoining chamber. They found Deb half dead from fright, and vainly endeavoring to escape."Oh, Mrs. Snitzer, a man has just stolen Jack's model!" gasped the poor girl. "He ran down stairs.""Ve saw him," put in Mr. Snitzer. "I go me after him," he continued, hurrying off as rapidly as his legs would move."Oh, what will Jack say when he hears that it's gone!" moaned Deb."Tell me apout it," said the kindly German woman.She took the excited girl in her arms, and stroking the soft, curly hair, tried to calm Deb as best she could.In a nervous voice the girl told her story. She was on the verge of hysterics, and it was only Mrs. Snitzer's quick sense of comprehension that enabled her fully to understand the situation.In about ten minutes Mr. Snitzer returned. The look upon his face told plainly that he had failed in the pursuit."It vas no use," he said, "I couldn't see nodding of him;" and he dropped into a chair exhausted.Deb's grief was hard to witness. It was bad enough to have Jack away, but to have some one steal his precious model, the idea of his life, was too dreadful to contemplate."I shall never get over it," she sobbed; "I ought to have been more careful!"Mrs. Snitzer let her cry it out. Experience had taught her that it would do no good to check the flow of tears. She motioned her husband to leave, while she herself made preparations to stay all night.As the hours wore on Deb for a while forgot the model in her anxiety concerning Jack's welfare. As long as she could remember, her brother had never remained away over night, and whether by premonition or otherwise, she was positive something dreadful had happened.With the first break of day she was on the watch. She prepared no breakfast, nor did she touch that which the German woman generously offered.Deb wandered up and down the street for two hours.Still no Jack.She visited the neighbors. Had this one seen him? No. Perhaps that one had? Not since yesterday morning.Suddenly she grew very pale, and with faltering steps approached the jail.The doorkeeper greeted her with evident surprise."What brings you here this morning?" he asked."My brother has been missing since last night," replied Deb, in a choking voice, "and I thought that perhaps you had--had locked him up again!""Why, no. Haven't seen him since he left," replied the man. "Missing, eh!" He gave a low whistle, "Hope he hasn't jumped his bail.""What do you mean?""Run away to escape trial.""Jack wouldn't do that.""Can't tell. Fellows do unexpected things sometimes. So you don't know where he's gone?""No."The doorkeeper reflected for a moment."Didn't he accuse somebody else of being the cause of the fire?" he asked."Yes, sir; he was almost certain it was done by a man named Mosey.""And I believe this Mosey couldn't be found?""Yes, sir.""Then maybe your brother has a clue, and is on the man's track."This put the affair in a new light."Perhaps you are right," said Deb, slowly."Guess I am. Hope so, anyway.""Thank you."The girl breathed more freely when she got to the street. There was a good deal of consolation in what the doorkeeper had said.She walked over toward the tool works, and saw Mont at one of the windows. A second later the young man came out with a packet of letters."I've just finished what remained of the work," he said. "Now I won't have hardly anything to do until we start up again."He was surprised to learn that Jack had not yet put in his appearance."The doorkeeper must be right," he observed reflectively. "Who it was though, that stole the model, I can't imagine. Tell you what I'll do. I'll post these letters, and then walk out to that farmer's place and find out what I can."When Deb returned home she found a man and a boy in the hall, waiting for her."Are you Miss Willington?" asked the man, politely."Yes, sir.""Then I'm sorry, but unless you are able to pay the rent that is due, I have orders to put you out of the house."Deb shrunk back in horror."Out of the house?" she repeated!"Yes, ma'am, Mr. Hammerby served you with a three days' notice to quit, I believe?""He did--two days ago.""Three days----""No, only two.""Will you please let me see the paper?""He dated it a day back," explained Deb.The man shrugged his shoulders."If he did, you should have complained of it at the time. I am a constable, and we people always go by the paper. I'm sorry to disturb you.""Where will you--you put us?" faltered the girl, with a white face."Set your goods in the street," was the matter-of-fact reply. The constable was old in the service, and many cruel scenes had hardened his heart."Into the street!" wailed the poor girl."That's what I said, unless, of course, you can raise the eight dollars that's due.""I haven't it now. But my brother expected to get fifty dollars from a man for an interest in an invention of his.""When?""To-day. But my brother is away.""Can't you get it?""Perhaps I can," replied Deb, hesitatingly. "I'll try, anyway. Will you wait till I come back?""Certainly," replied the constable, and he took a chair, and began to read the morning paper that he had brought with him.While Deb was getting ready for her urgent errand, there was a noise outside, and Mr. Benton himself appeared."Where is your brother?" he demanded, without any preliminary salutation."I don't know, sir," replied the girl, her breath almost taken away by the suddenness of the question."They told me he was missing," continued the speculator. "I suppose that you have the model safe?""No, sir. It was stolen last evening."Deb began to cry again. Mr. Benton caught her arm roughly."I don't believe a word you say!" he exclaimed, in harsh tones. "It's only a plot to do me out of my rights! But it won't work, understand that, it won't work. Either you must produce the model, or else I'll have you arrested for fraud!"CHAPTER X.DRIVEN FROM HOMEDeb looked at Mr. Benton in horror. It was only after several seconds that she fully realized the terrible accusation which he had brought against her."A plot!" she faltered. "What do you mean?""Only this," continued Mr. Benton, "your brother has run away to escape trial, and he has taken the model with him. You have helped him to do this. But it won't work. I pay my way, and a bargain's a bargain. If I have to pay the thousand dollars, I'll have the model or I'll know the reason why.""But how do you know Jack has run away?""If he hasn't, where is he?""He went to a job in the country yesterday morning and hasn't returned yet.""And you expect me to believe that story?" sneered the speculator."It's the truth," replied Deb, bursting into tears. "I'm sure Jack will come back. The model was stolen by a man who said my brother had sent him for it.""And are you positive that your brother did not send him for it?""Almost, sir, because the man ran away with it when I promised to send it by some one else.""Humph! Well, we'll see; I'll let the matter rest until to-morrow, and then we'll have a settlement."With these words Mr. Benton pulled his hat more tightly than usual over his small, round head, and tripped down the stairs and out of the building.Deb's heart sank like a clod. Her last hope was gone. She had counted on getting help from the speculator, and the result had been directly the opposite."Rec'on you won't get anything out of him," was the constable's grim comment. He had listened in silence to the brief interview, and now arose to continue his disagreeable but necessary duty."Isn't there any way at all of having this thing stopped?" asked the girl, bitterly."No; unless you get the money," was the man's reply, and pulling off his coat, he took up a couple of chairs, and marched down stairs.Deb jumped up and followed him. Her heart beat wildly, and something in her throat nearly choked her. What could she do? Her thoughts ran to Mrs. Snitzer. She knew the kind German woman needed money as much as any of the tool works people did, but perhaps she could give some help, or offer some advice.She flew to the door of her neighbor's apartments, and knocked eagerly. No answer came, and then she knocked more loudly than ever.Suddenly she remembered that Mrs. Snitzer had signified her intention of taking her whole family to her brother's farm for a few days, and possibly until the end of the shut-down."It's no use, they're all gone!" she sighed. "There is no help to be had!"Meanwhile the constable worked rapidly. In his time he had been in situations where the neighbors had interfered with him, and he wished to get away as soon as possible.Soon there was quite a respectable stock of furniture and other household effects piled upon the sidewalk. Deb packed up the smaller stuff as fast as she could--the china and crockery in baskets, and the clothing and linen in the two old family trunks. Truth to admit, the constable did not hurry her a bit more than he could help.Presently Deb went below to see that no one should walk away with some of their belongings. Her eyes were red and swollen, and a more wretched girl could not have been found in all Corney.As she sat down on one of the upturned wash tubs she wondered what she was to do. She had no neighbors, and with the exception of the Snitzers they were all strangers to her--they on their part deeming her "stuck up," and perhaps rejoicing to see her placed in her present humiliating position.The wild hope of Jack's return came constantly to her mind, and twice she ran down to the corner vainly straining her eyes to catch sight of his well-known form."If I had only accepted Mont's aid," she thought, "I wonder where I could find him?"Presently the constable brought down the very last of the goods, and locking up the rooms, went away."Why, Deb, I declare, I didn't know you were going to move. You didn't say anything of it last Sunday. How lucky I came before you were gone! or, perhaps, how unlucky to come when you are all upside down. Never mind, go right ahead, and don't pay any attention to me. It's an awful job, isn't it? I haven't experienced moving in ten years, but I remember well that I didn't get straightened out for two months, and then it took twice that long to get accustomed to the new place. Where did you say you were moving to?"And having thus delivered herself in one breath, the speaker, a middle-aged lady, who wore blue glasses, and was slightly deaf, took Deb's hand in a quick, nervous grasp, and peered into the care-worn face."Oh, Miss Parks, we are not moving at all!" cried out the girl, laying her head on her Sunday-school teacher's shoulder."Glad I called?" queried Miss Parks, misunderstanding her. "Well, now, seeing things as they are, I didn't expect it. But, maybe I can help you. I'm not overdressed, so just tell me what to do, and I'll go right to work. Hasn't the truck-man come yet?""We--are--not--moving," repeated Deb, putting her mouth close to Miss Parks's ear."No? Why--why--then something dreadful has happened, all your furniture out here on the sidewalk, with the dust a-blowing on 'em. What is it--fire? That's a dreadful thing. Even if things are not burned up, the smoke gets in 'em, and you can't get it out.""It isn't fire," returned the unhappy girl, "it's because we can't pay the rent.""Oh, dear!" Miss Parks was all sympathy at once. "I thought your brother was doing pretty well now," she added."So he was. But the tool works have shut down, and we can't get a cent from the bank."The elderly maiden caught at the words."The bank! Isn't it awful. They wouldn't give me mine, yesterday, and I wanted it the worst way, too. But tell me about your trouble."In a few words, spoken as plainly as possible, Deb poured her tale into the lady's ear."I heard about your brother being arrested for the fire," remarked Miss Parks. "But I didn't believe it. Mr. Long says Jack is such a good fellow, and such an excellent scholar.""I'm glad you think so," burst out the girl. "Oh, Miss Parks, if people only knew Jack as well as I do, they wouldn't say such horrid things about him.""Well, dear, we all have our trials, and must ask Him to help us bear them," replied the elderly maiden, with sincere piety. "But about the rent. How much is it?""Six dollars.""Not much, truly. But it's more than I have, or I'd pay it in a minute. Have you any money at all?""Not over three dollars."Miss Parks drew out her pocketbook, and examined the contents."Just a dollar," she exclaimed. "I declare we are both poor, with money in the bank, too." She paused a moment in deep thought. "I'll tell you what you might do.""What?" asked Deb, eagerly."Move your things down to my house. I'll let you have the back bedroom and attic, and when you're settled we'll see what is to be done. Jack will be back before a great while, I'm certain."Miss Parks was entirely alone in the world. The house that she occupied was her own, left her by an invalid uncle, whom she had nursed constantly during the last four years of his life. She was a dress-maker, and a lady's companion, and earned a fair living--a goodly portion of which found its way to charity and the church--for she was a devout Christian, and an earnest worker in the cause."Oh, thank you!" cried Deb, a heavy weight taken from her mind. "But won't it be inconvenient for you?""Not a bit. In fact I think I'll enjoy company.""Then I'll accept your offer," continued the girl, "And I think it is real good of you to let me come."Miss Parks bent down and kissed the tired cheeks."You're a good girl, Deb," she said. "You don't deserve such a trial as this."A little later a truckman was engaged who speedily transferred the household goods to Deb's new home.
[image]JACK WAS SOON AS BUSY AS A BEE, PUTTING THE MACHINES IN RUNNING ORDER AND OVERHAULING OTHER FARMING IMPLEMENTS.
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JACK WAS SOON AS BUSY AS A BEE, PUTTING THE MACHINES IN RUNNING ORDER AND OVERHAULING OTHER FARMING IMPLEMENTS.
"Why didn't you stop this morning?" asked the farmer, presently. He had intended going reaping, but Jack's handy use of tools interested him and made him linger.
In an easy manner that did not interfere with his work, the young machinist narrated the particulars of what had occurred to detain him.
"Well, now, that beats all! Trouble piling right up on top of ye! Wonder if I don't know this Mosey," continued the farmer, reflectively. "Is he a short man with a red beard?"
"Yes."
"Didn't he use to work over to Redrock?"
"I believe he did."
"Then I reckon I do. He's a bad egg. I used to sell the company he worked for hay for packing, and Mosey used to weigh it. Several times, when I was sure it was correct, he reported short, and when I spoke to him about it, he said it would never be right until I made it right with him, or, in other words, paid him for his good will."
"How did it turn out?" asked Jack, interested in the story.
"Oh, I spoke of it to the owners, but they believed his side of the story, and I lost their trade. But, all the same, he was discharged a month later for being drunk. If I ain't mistaken, I saw him pass early yesterday morning."
"I just wish I could lay hands on him," returned the young machinist; "I don't believe he would keep out of the way if he wasn't guilty."
"Maybe I'll see him," said the farmer. "If I do I'll watch him, and let you know."
It was close on to six o'clock when Jack finished the work. During the afternoon he had done jobs for which he asked five dollars, and farmer Farrell, who knew that he would have been charged twice as much in the town, paid the bill without a murmur.
Ten minutes later, with his kit under his arm, and the new five-dollar bill tucked safely in his vest pocket, the young machinist started for home.
The sun was setting, and the road, shaded for its greater part by large trees, was growing dark rapidly.
About midway of the distance to Corney stood an old mill, abandoned several years before, whose disused water-wheel still hung idly over the swiftly flowing river beneath.
It was a ghostly looking structure, and having the reputation of being haunted, was seldom visited, except by adventurous tourists and by amateur photographers, who remained at a safe distance to take views of the really picturesque locality.
As Jack passed the mill, he saw a man approach from the opposite direction. Judge of his astonishment when he recognized the individual as Andy Mosey!
He had seen the young machinist at the same instant, and turning rapidly from the road, he darted to one side of the mill.
For a second Jack stood still, hardly able to move. But he quickly recovered, and dropping his kit, which was heavy, he started in pursuit.
"He shall not escape me," he resolved. "He is larger than I, but I am not afraid to meet him face to face."
There was a large shed attached to the mill, and entering this, the young machinist looked carefully around to see if he could find any trace of the man. But a brief search assured him that the place had not been disturbed for months.
Passing through the partly open door, he entered the lower floor of the mill, and found himself in the presence of Dennis Corrigan, Mosey's brother-in-law.
"What do you want here?" demanded Corrigan, springing up from the bench upon which he had been seated.
Jack could hardly form a proper reply. With two men against him, he realized that he was in a bad fix.
"Why, I didn't know that you were here, Corrigan," he began. "I thought----"
Jack never finished the sentence. He heard a noise behind him, but before he could turn to see what it was, he received a cruel blow on the head, and then all became a dark, terrible blank.
CHAPTER VII.
INTO THE RIVER
Slowly and painfully, with a dull ache in his head, and an uncertain look in his eyes, Jack returned to his senses. A thin stream of blood trickled down his neck, and putting up his hand he felt a large lump under the hair.
"It must have been Mosey who struck me," was his first thought as he gathered his scattered faculties together. "Well, thank God, he didn't kill me."
It was some time before he felt any desire to rise, and when he finally did so, he found himself weaker than he had anticipated.
"The coward!" was the young machinist's comment. "To strike me unawares. I knew he disliked me, but hasn't he wronged me enough already?"
Jack did not know--nor, indeed, could he have understood--the bitter hatred the Irishman bore him.
The only pride of Andy Mosey's life was his bull pup and his son Mike, and to have the young machinist occupying a position he thought his son should have, had always been more than this hot-tempered fellow was inclined to bear.
The place in which Jack found himself was totally dark, whether because it had no windows, or because it was night, he could not tell.
He groped around, and seeing a ray of light coming up from beneath, applied his eye to what proved to be a knot-hole in the floor.
He was surprised to find the river flowing directly below, and knew at once that he was in the lowest part of the old mill, opposite the ancient wheel.
"They must have carried me here," he said to himself. "I wonder how long ago?"
He felt his way along the walls, and at last reached the door. He was on the point of lifting the latch, when it was thrown open, and by the the rays of a lantern that at first dazzled him, he saw himself confronted by Dennis Corrigan and Andy Mosey.
"So ye'v cum to yer sinses at last, have ye?" was Mosey's greeting, as he set down the lantern. "Ye wint down moighty easy, so ye did."
"I'd like to know what right you have to treat me in this shameful manner," demanded Jack, indignantly.
"Never moind," returned the Irishman; "it will teach ye a lesson not to tell lying stories about me."
"I haven't said anything but what I believe to be true," replied Jack, pointedly.
"Sure, now, is that raly so? Well, ye can suffer for thinking wrong," continued Mosey. "Oi niver----"
"Oh, stop your everlasting jaw!" broke in Corrigan, who was more practical in his way than his brother-in-law. "Never mind what you've done, and what you haven't done. The question is, what are we to do with the boy, now he's here?"
The Irishman scratched his head.
"It won't do to let him go," he said.
"Suppose we search his pockets," suggested Corrigan.
Jack uttered an exclamation.
"What do you mean?" he demanded; "you wouldn't dare?"
Corrigan laughed. The young machinist did not yet know that this man was at heart a thorough villain.
"Wait and see," he remarked, coolly. "Put your back to the door, Andy, and don't let him escape."
Corrigan was a heavily built and powerful man, and in his present condition Jack knew that he was no match for such an opponent.
"What do you want?" asked the young machinist.
"Want to see what you have with you. Come, show up."
Jack's head still ached from the rough treatment it had received. He did not wish to court another such blow, and so did as demanded.
A knife, ten cents, the five-dollar bill farmer Farrell had given him, and a copy of his agreement with Mr. Benton were all the articles of value that he carried.
"Here's something for you, Andy," observed Corrigan, tossing over the ten-cent piece. "The price of a drink."
Corrigan quietly slipped the five-dollar bill into his own clothes. Then opening the agreement, he held it near the lantern and read it carefully. It seemed to interest him greatly, and muttering something to himself, he shoved it into the inside pocket of his coat.
"Do you intend to rob me outright?" exclaimed Jack, whose blood boiled at such treatment.
"If that's what you call it, I suppose we do," was Corrigan's reply.
The young machinist was now becoming more used to the situation, and he determined to submit no longer. He noticed that Mosey had unconsciously moved to one side, and watching his chance, he sprang for the door.
But Corrigan was too quick for him, and with a reach of his long arm he caught the young machinist by the collar, and held him until Mosey had again reached the door.
Jack's grit was up and he wrestled with all his strength. He caught his antagonist by the waist, and literally threw him to the floor.
"Hit him. Andy, hit him!" screamed Corrigan, trying to regain his feet.
Mosey approached Jack with the same stick he had used in the first encounter. The young machinist caught the blow upon the left arm, and retaliated by landing one square from the shoulder on the Irishman's nasal organ. He did not believe in pugilism, but knew something of the art of self-defense; and used his knowledge to good advantage.
He followed up the first blow by another, and had just gained the door for the second time, when Corrigan, with a vile exclamation, seized the heavy brass lantern, and swinging it over his head, brought it down with all force upon Jack's neck.
The blow half stunned the young machinist, and before he could recover he was on his back, with Corrigan on top of him.
"Phat shall we do?" asked Mosey in bewilderment. Jack's unexpected attack had surprised and dismayed him.
"Get that rope upstairs," gasped Corrigan, who was well-nigh winded; "we'll bind him so tight that he won't give us any more trouble."
The Irishman disappeared for a few moments.
When he returned he held a stout cord in his hand, with which the two bound the young machinist securely, hands and feet.
"We'll leave him here for the present," said Corrigan, when they had finished their work. "Come on," and taking up the lantern, which in spite of its rough usage still remained lit, he led the way up stairs followed by Mosey.
"Well, I'm in a pretty fix, and no mistake," was Jack's mental decision when alone. "So far, my exertions to gain freedom haven't amounted to anything. But if they think that I'm going to give up already, they are mistaken."
He tugged at the cords, and by a strong effort managed, though not without painful squeezing, to pull his feet free.
His hands, however, were placed altogether too closely to allow of a similar proceeding, and he endeavored to find some means of cutting the fastening.
He remembered that the latch of the door was a rusty one, and rough on its lower side. Walking over to this, he began to rub the cord along the edge in the hope of severing it, but the improvised saw--if it might be called such--was not a handy tool, and half an hour passed before he made any material progress.
"It's mighty slow work," he said to himself: "but it's bound to wear away sooner or later."
Presently a heavy step sounded outside on the stairs, and a moment later Andy Mosey pitched into the room.
He was in a sad state of intoxication, and his face was red with anger.
"Been tellin' foine sthories about me!" he exclaimed. "Saying I sthole yer match-box an' set foire to old Gray's house! Oi'll fix ye!"
[image]"BEEN TELLIN' FOINE STHORIES ABOUT ME!" HE EXCLAIMED. "SAYIN' I STHOLE YER MATCH-BOX AN' SET FOIRE TO OLD GRAY'S HOUSE! OI'LL FIX YE!"
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"BEEN TELLIN' FOINE STHORIES ABOUT ME!" HE EXCLAIMED. "SAYIN' I STHOLE YER MATCH-BOX AN' SET FOIRE TO OLD GRAY'S HOUSE! OI'LL FIX YE!"
He held a heavy stick in his hand, and as he spoke he brought it down with full force on Jack's head. The young machinist went down like a shot.
"Tellin' loies about me!" continued Mosey, as he dragged the half senseless body to the water's edge.
"Help! Help!" cried Jack, in a feeble voice.
But his cries were of no avail, and the next instant the young machinist was being swept by the rushing tide down the stream, to the roaring falls below.
CHAPTER VIII.
SOMETHING ABOUT THE MODEL
Deb grew anxious when seven o'clock came and Jack did not put in an appearance. Under ordinary circumstances, she would not have minded it, but the events of the past two days combined to make her worry more than usual. She sat by the window, watching the stream of people returning from work, and then, when it was half after the hour, put on her hat and descended to the street below.
She walked slowly in the direction of the Redrock road, in hope of meeting her brother. At the end of three blocks, she came face to face with Mont Gray, who had just been finishing up some accounts at the tool works.
"Where are you going, may I ask?" he said, with a smile.
"To meet Jack," replied Deb. "He ought to be home by this time."
"Perhaps the work took longer than he expected," observed the young man. "You know he hates to leave a job until it's done."
"Oh, I know that. But I wish he would come, anyway; I can't bear to have him away now."
"Depend upon it, he can take good care of himself," added Mont. "Come, shall I walk home with you?"
"I suppose I might as well go," returned the girl, slowly, and turned back. "Oh, I'm so awfully nervous," she added.
"Your troubles have been too much for you," he answered, kindly. "They would have been for almost any one."
Though Mont's capital was, as we know, rather limited, he was anxious to help Deb and Jack all he could. Yet he hardly knew how to broach the subject.
"Did you--did Mr. Hammerby call again?" he asked, hesitatingly.
"Yes, and gave us a three days' notice to quit," replied the girl. "He----"
"He shall not put you out!" exclaimed the young man, vehemently. "It's an outrage! It's bad enough for my uncle to believe your brother guilty, but to put you out----"
"But we are not going," continued Deb.
"I don't blame you. If I can help you----?" he began.
"No, you don't understand," returned Deb, quickly. "It's real good of you to offer help, but we don't need it," and she told him of the money Mr. Benton was to pay over on the following morning.
"I'm glad to hear you're going to get some cash out of that man," remarked Mont. "Although even so, he made a sharp bargain with Jack."
A few minutes later they reached the house.
"Will you come up?" asked Deb.
"I haven't time," he replied. "I've got to do an errand for my uncle. Maybe afterward, if I have a chance I'll take a look for Jack, and come up with him."
"Oh, I wish you would," she returned, "I know it's dreadfully silly for me to be so easily worried, but I can't help it."
"Oh, it's all right, I suppose. If I was in his place maybe I'd like to be worried about, too," and away went Mont, whistling quite a merry air.
The young girl entered the kitchen and lit the lamp. It was now half-past eight, and as the people of the neighborhood were hard workers. who retired early, the streets were comparatively quiet.
She left the supper dishes upon the table, and putting some extra coal into the stove, set the tea and other things so that they might keep warm.
It was a dreary evening for her. She did not care much to read--actual life interested her far more than books--and now all her thoughts were centered on Jack.
"It's a pretty long walk from that farmer's place," she kept saying to herself. "But he will come soon, oh, he must come soon."
Her reflections were broken by hearing an unknown step upon the stairs, followed by a sharp rap at the door.
Hardly knowing whom to expect at this hour of the night, she bade the person enter.
The newcomer was Dennis Corrigan!
Deb did not know the man. She had seen him on the streets, but though he was fairly well dressed, she was not taken by his general appearance.
"Does Jack Willington live here?" asked Corrigan, with a hasty glance around the kitchen, to see who might be present.
"Yes, sir," replied Deb, and then realizing that the man might have news for her, she continued quickly: "Did he send you?"
"Yes, Miss. He said I was to get a model that he had here."
This assertion surprised the girl. What in the world could Jack want with his model this time of night?
"Where is my brother?" she asked.
Corrigan was not prepared to answer this question.
"He is--down the street," he stammered.
"Where?"
"Why--down in McGlory's saloon."
This reply was a fatal blunder for Corrigan, who by a little scheme of his own, had proposed to get the model into his possession without any difficulty.
"In McGlory's saloon!" repeated Deb, in amazement. "Why, Jack doesn't drink."
"Oh, yes, he does--once in a while," replied Corrigan, glibly.
"You're mistaken!" returned Deb, sharply. "What does he want the model for?"
She was growing a trifle suspicious. The article in question was valuable, and just now doubly so.
"I don't know what he's going to do with it. Got it handy?"
Involuntarily Deb glanced over to where the model stood covered with a cloth. She regretted the action an instant after, for Corrigan's eyes watched her closely.
"How far is that saloon from here?" she asked.
"Only a few blocks."
"Queer he didn't come for it himself."
"He was too busy. He asked me to go for him, and sent this paper as an order. He said you'd know all about it," replied Corrigan, and he handed out the agreement he had stolen from Jack.
Deb recognized the paper at once. Jack must certainly have given it to the man, and yet, for a reason she could not explain, she felt that all was not right.
One thing she remembered; her brother had repeatedly cautioned her not to let outsiders examine the model under any plea. To place it, therefore, in a stranger's hands seemed a risk she did not care to assume.
"What's the matter?" asked Corrigan, as Deb still hesitated. "Ain't it all right?"
He was growing uneasy, fearful of being interrupted just at the moment when the prize was almost within his grasp.
"I would rather have my brother come for it himself," said the girl finally.
"He can't come; he's too busy," persisted the intruder.
"It wouldn't take long to get it if he is only a few blocks away."
"Yes, but he doesn't want to leave. He has a chance of selling it to a man for big money, and he's afraid the man may back out if he leaves him."
Deb was sorely perplexed. The man might be speaking the truth, in which case she did not for the world wish Jack to lose the chance of striking a bargain.
"So I'll take it right along at once," continued Corrigan, stepping over to where the model stood.
But, at this instant, a bright idea came into the girl's head. She knew that she could trust Mr. Snitzer, or one of his sons, and was sure that any one of them would do her a favor willingly.
"You need not take so much trouble," she exclaimed, stepping between the man and the model. "Just leave the address of the place, and I will send it up at once."
This was a staggerer for Corrigan, and he knew not how to answer.
"No, I'll take it myself," he replied, roughly.
His words sent a dreadful chill to Deb's heart. In an instant she realized the man's true object, and her own helpless condition.
"What do you mean?" she cried in terror.
"I mean that if you won't give me the model I'll take it."
The words had hardly been uttered before Deb gave a terrible scream.
"Stop your noise!" hissed Corrigan, jumping to her side, and clapping his hand over her mouth.
The girl struggled to escape, but she was as a feather in this powerful fellow's arms, and half fainting, she felt herself borne into the next room, and the door locked upon her.
Then she heard Corrigan pick up the model, and hurry down the stairs and out of the house.
CHAPTER IX.
MR. BENTON MAKES TROUBLE
"Help! Help!"
"Vas is dot?" exclaimed Mrs. Snitzer, who had been dozing in the rocking chair awaiting her son's return.
"Sounds like some von vas in troubles," replied her husband, from the sofa.
Both sprang to their feet and hurried to the door.
Mrs. Snitzer had scarcely opened it when a man rushed past her and out of the front hall-way.
"Help! Help!"
"It vas Deb, for sure!" cried the German woman, and she ascended the stairs as fast as her portly form would permit, closely followed by her husband.
It took but a moment to pass through the kitchen and unlock the door of the adjoining chamber. They found Deb half dead from fright, and vainly endeavoring to escape.
"Oh, Mrs. Snitzer, a man has just stolen Jack's model!" gasped the poor girl. "He ran down stairs."
"Ve saw him," put in Mr. Snitzer. "I go me after him," he continued, hurrying off as rapidly as his legs would move.
"Oh, what will Jack say when he hears that it's gone!" moaned Deb.
"Tell me apout it," said the kindly German woman.
She took the excited girl in her arms, and stroking the soft, curly hair, tried to calm Deb as best she could.
In a nervous voice the girl told her story. She was on the verge of hysterics, and it was only Mrs. Snitzer's quick sense of comprehension that enabled her fully to understand the situation.
In about ten minutes Mr. Snitzer returned. The look upon his face told plainly that he had failed in the pursuit.
"It vas no use," he said, "I couldn't see nodding of him;" and he dropped into a chair exhausted.
Deb's grief was hard to witness. It was bad enough to have Jack away, but to have some one steal his precious model, the idea of his life, was too dreadful to contemplate.
"I shall never get over it," she sobbed; "I ought to have been more careful!"
Mrs. Snitzer let her cry it out. Experience had taught her that it would do no good to check the flow of tears. She motioned her husband to leave, while she herself made preparations to stay all night.
As the hours wore on Deb for a while forgot the model in her anxiety concerning Jack's welfare. As long as she could remember, her brother had never remained away over night, and whether by premonition or otherwise, she was positive something dreadful had happened.
With the first break of day she was on the watch. She prepared no breakfast, nor did she touch that which the German woman generously offered.
Deb wandered up and down the street for two hours.
Still no Jack.
She visited the neighbors. Had this one seen him? No. Perhaps that one had? Not since yesterday morning.
Suddenly she grew very pale, and with faltering steps approached the jail.
The doorkeeper greeted her with evident surprise.
"What brings you here this morning?" he asked.
"My brother has been missing since last night," replied Deb, in a choking voice, "and I thought that perhaps you had--had locked him up again!"
"Why, no. Haven't seen him since he left," replied the man. "Missing, eh!" He gave a low whistle, "Hope he hasn't jumped his bail."
"What do you mean?"
"Run away to escape trial."
"Jack wouldn't do that."
"Can't tell. Fellows do unexpected things sometimes. So you don't know where he's gone?"
"No."
The doorkeeper reflected for a moment.
"Didn't he accuse somebody else of being the cause of the fire?" he asked.
"Yes, sir; he was almost certain it was done by a man named Mosey."
"And I believe this Mosey couldn't be found?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then maybe your brother has a clue, and is on the man's track."
This put the affair in a new light.
"Perhaps you are right," said Deb, slowly.
"Guess I am. Hope so, anyway."
"Thank you."
The girl breathed more freely when she got to the street. There was a good deal of consolation in what the doorkeeper had said.
She walked over toward the tool works, and saw Mont at one of the windows. A second later the young man came out with a packet of letters.
"I've just finished what remained of the work," he said. "Now I won't have hardly anything to do until we start up again."
He was surprised to learn that Jack had not yet put in his appearance.
"The doorkeeper must be right," he observed reflectively. "Who it was though, that stole the model, I can't imagine. Tell you what I'll do. I'll post these letters, and then walk out to that farmer's place and find out what I can."
When Deb returned home she found a man and a boy in the hall, waiting for her.
"Are you Miss Willington?" asked the man, politely.
"Yes, sir."
"Then I'm sorry, but unless you are able to pay the rent that is due, I have orders to put you out of the house."
Deb shrunk back in horror.
"Out of the house?" she repeated!
"Yes, ma'am, Mr. Hammerby served you with a three days' notice to quit, I believe?"
"He did--two days ago."
"Three days----"
"No, only two."
"Will you please let me see the paper?"
"He dated it a day back," explained Deb.
The man shrugged his shoulders.
"If he did, you should have complained of it at the time. I am a constable, and we people always go by the paper. I'm sorry to disturb you."
"Where will you--you put us?" faltered the girl, with a white face.
"Set your goods in the street," was the matter-of-fact reply. The constable was old in the service, and many cruel scenes had hardened his heart.
"Into the street!" wailed the poor girl.
"That's what I said, unless, of course, you can raise the eight dollars that's due."
"I haven't it now. But my brother expected to get fifty dollars from a man for an interest in an invention of his."
"When?"
"To-day. But my brother is away."
"Can't you get it?"
"Perhaps I can," replied Deb, hesitatingly. "I'll try, anyway. Will you wait till I come back?"
"Certainly," replied the constable, and he took a chair, and began to read the morning paper that he had brought with him.
While Deb was getting ready for her urgent errand, there was a noise outside, and Mr. Benton himself appeared.
"Where is your brother?" he demanded, without any preliminary salutation.
"I don't know, sir," replied the girl, her breath almost taken away by the suddenness of the question.
"They told me he was missing," continued the speculator. "I suppose that you have the model safe?"
"No, sir. It was stolen last evening."
Deb began to cry again. Mr. Benton caught her arm roughly.
"I don't believe a word you say!" he exclaimed, in harsh tones. "It's only a plot to do me out of my rights! But it won't work, understand that, it won't work. Either you must produce the model, or else I'll have you arrested for fraud!"
CHAPTER X.
DRIVEN FROM HOME
Deb looked at Mr. Benton in horror. It was only after several seconds that she fully realized the terrible accusation which he had brought against her.
"A plot!" she faltered. "What do you mean?"
"Only this," continued Mr. Benton, "your brother has run away to escape trial, and he has taken the model with him. You have helped him to do this. But it won't work. I pay my way, and a bargain's a bargain. If I have to pay the thousand dollars, I'll have the model or I'll know the reason why."
"But how do you know Jack has run away?"
"If he hasn't, where is he?"
"He went to a job in the country yesterday morning and hasn't returned yet."
"And you expect me to believe that story?" sneered the speculator.
"It's the truth," replied Deb, bursting into tears. "I'm sure Jack will come back. The model was stolen by a man who said my brother had sent him for it."
"And are you positive that your brother did not send him for it?"
"Almost, sir, because the man ran away with it when I promised to send it by some one else."
"Humph! Well, we'll see; I'll let the matter rest until to-morrow, and then we'll have a settlement."
With these words Mr. Benton pulled his hat more tightly than usual over his small, round head, and tripped down the stairs and out of the building.
Deb's heart sank like a clod. Her last hope was gone. She had counted on getting help from the speculator, and the result had been directly the opposite.
"Rec'on you won't get anything out of him," was the constable's grim comment. He had listened in silence to the brief interview, and now arose to continue his disagreeable but necessary duty.
"Isn't there any way at all of having this thing stopped?" asked the girl, bitterly.
"No; unless you get the money," was the man's reply, and pulling off his coat, he took up a couple of chairs, and marched down stairs.
Deb jumped up and followed him. Her heart beat wildly, and something in her throat nearly choked her. What could she do? Her thoughts ran to Mrs. Snitzer. She knew the kind German woman needed money as much as any of the tool works people did, but perhaps she could give some help, or offer some advice.
She flew to the door of her neighbor's apartments, and knocked eagerly. No answer came, and then she knocked more loudly than ever.
Suddenly she remembered that Mrs. Snitzer had signified her intention of taking her whole family to her brother's farm for a few days, and possibly until the end of the shut-down.
"It's no use, they're all gone!" she sighed. "There is no help to be had!"
Meanwhile the constable worked rapidly. In his time he had been in situations where the neighbors had interfered with him, and he wished to get away as soon as possible.
Soon there was quite a respectable stock of furniture and other household effects piled upon the sidewalk. Deb packed up the smaller stuff as fast as she could--the china and crockery in baskets, and the clothing and linen in the two old family trunks. Truth to admit, the constable did not hurry her a bit more than he could help.
Presently Deb went below to see that no one should walk away with some of their belongings. Her eyes were red and swollen, and a more wretched girl could not have been found in all Corney.
As she sat down on one of the upturned wash tubs she wondered what she was to do. She had no neighbors, and with the exception of the Snitzers they were all strangers to her--they on their part deeming her "stuck up," and perhaps rejoicing to see her placed in her present humiliating position.
The wild hope of Jack's return came constantly to her mind, and twice she ran down to the corner vainly straining her eyes to catch sight of his well-known form.
"If I had only accepted Mont's aid," she thought, "I wonder where I could find him?"
Presently the constable brought down the very last of the goods, and locking up the rooms, went away.
"Why, Deb, I declare, I didn't know you were going to move. You didn't say anything of it last Sunday. How lucky I came before you were gone! or, perhaps, how unlucky to come when you are all upside down. Never mind, go right ahead, and don't pay any attention to me. It's an awful job, isn't it? I haven't experienced moving in ten years, but I remember well that I didn't get straightened out for two months, and then it took twice that long to get accustomed to the new place. Where did you say you were moving to?"
And having thus delivered herself in one breath, the speaker, a middle-aged lady, who wore blue glasses, and was slightly deaf, took Deb's hand in a quick, nervous grasp, and peered into the care-worn face.
"Oh, Miss Parks, we are not moving at all!" cried out the girl, laying her head on her Sunday-school teacher's shoulder.
"Glad I called?" queried Miss Parks, misunderstanding her. "Well, now, seeing things as they are, I didn't expect it. But, maybe I can help you. I'm not overdressed, so just tell me what to do, and I'll go right to work. Hasn't the truck-man come yet?"
"We--are--not--moving," repeated Deb, putting her mouth close to Miss Parks's ear.
"No? Why--why--then something dreadful has happened, all your furniture out here on the sidewalk, with the dust a-blowing on 'em. What is it--fire? That's a dreadful thing. Even if things are not burned up, the smoke gets in 'em, and you can't get it out."
"It isn't fire," returned the unhappy girl, "it's because we can't pay the rent."
"Oh, dear!" Miss Parks was all sympathy at once. "I thought your brother was doing pretty well now," she added.
"So he was. But the tool works have shut down, and we can't get a cent from the bank."
The elderly maiden caught at the words.
"The bank! Isn't it awful. They wouldn't give me mine, yesterday, and I wanted it the worst way, too. But tell me about your trouble."
In a few words, spoken as plainly as possible, Deb poured her tale into the lady's ear.
"I heard about your brother being arrested for the fire," remarked Miss Parks. "But I didn't believe it. Mr. Long says Jack is such a good fellow, and such an excellent scholar."
"I'm glad you think so," burst out the girl. "Oh, Miss Parks, if people only knew Jack as well as I do, they wouldn't say such horrid things about him."
"Well, dear, we all have our trials, and must ask Him to help us bear them," replied the elderly maiden, with sincere piety. "But about the rent. How much is it?"
"Six dollars."
"Not much, truly. But it's more than I have, or I'd pay it in a minute. Have you any money at all?"
"Not over three dollars."
Miss Parks drew out her pocketbook, and examined the contents.
"Just a dollar," she exclaimed. "I declare we are both poor, with money in the bank, too." She paused a moment in deep thought. "I'll tell you what you might do."
"What?" asked Deb, eagerly.
"Move your things down to my house. I'll let you have the back bedroom and attic, and when you're settled we'll see what is to be done. Jack will be back before a great while, I'm certain."
Miss Parks was entirely alone in the world. The house that she occupied was her own, left her by an invalid uncle, whom she had nursed constantly during the last four years of his life. She was a dress-maker, and a lady's companion, and earned a fair living--a goodly portion of which found its way to charity and the church--for she was a devout Christian, and an earnest worker in the cause.
"Oh, thank you!" cried Deb, a heavy weight taken from her mind. "But won't it be inconvenient for you?"
"Not a bit. In fact I think I'll enjoy company."
"Then I'll accept your offer," continued the girl, "And I think it is real good of you to let me come."
Miss Parks bent down and kissed the tired cheeks.
"You're a good girl, Deb," she said. "You don't deserve such a trial as this."
A little later a truckman was engaged who speedily transferred the household goods to Deb's new home.