CHAPTER IVCAUGHT IN THE ACT
"I don't think he'll do anything—that is, if he gets the truth out of Nat," said Mr. Wadsworth, as he rejoined the others. "Of course, if his son denies the attack on the professor, it may be different."
"If Nat does that, we'll have the testimony of the professor, Phil, and Roger against him," said Mr. Porter.
It must be admitted that the next day was an uncomfortable one for Dave, for he did not know at what moment an officer of the law might appear to arrest him. In the afternoon he and his chums went fishing, but he had little heart for the sport.
Early on the day following Ben Basswood called to see Dave and the others. As my old readers know, Ben had been a friend to Dave for many years, and had gone from Crumville to Oak Hall with him.
"Was coming before, to meet you and Roger and Phil," said Ben. "But I had to go out of town on business for dad. How are you all?Say, I hear you are going out West on a ranch. That's great! Going to shoot buffaloes, I suppose."
"No, hippopotamuses," put in the senator's son, with a grin.
"And June bugs," added Phil.
"You'll sure have the time of your lives! Wish I was going. But I am booked for the Great Lakes, which isn't bad. Going to take the trip from Buffalo to Duluth and back, you know. But say, I came over to tell you something."
"What is it, Ben?" questioned Dave.
"Come on outside."
The boys walked out into the garden and down to the summerhouse, where they proceeded to make themselves comfortable.
"It's about Nat Poole," continued Ben Basswood. "I guess you had some kind of a run-in with him, didn't you?"
"Not exactly," answered Roger. "We caught him tormenting Professor Potts and we put a stop to it."
"Well, you had some trouble with Nat's dad, didn't you?"
"Yes," answered Dave. "Did Nat tell you?" he added quickly.
"No, I know of the whole thing by accident. I had to go to the building where Mr. Poole has his new office. While I was waiting to see aman and deliver a message for my dad I overheard some talk between Mr. Poole and Nat. It was mighty warm, I can tell you!"
"What was said?" demanded Phil.
"Mr. Poole accused Nat of something and Nat, at first, denied it. Then Mr. Poole said something about arrest, and Professor Potts, and Nat got scared and begged his father to save him. Then Mr. Poole mentioned Dave and a pistol and said he couldn't do anything if that's the way matters stood, and Nat began to beg for dear life, asking his father to let Dave alone this time. At last Mr. Poole said he would, but the way he lectured Nat was a caution. He said he wouldn't give Nat a cent more of spending-money this summer."
"Hurrah, that lets you out, Dave!" cried Roger. "The case against you is squashed."
"The Pooles will have to let it drop," added the shipowner's son. "And I am mighty glad of it."
"I hope you are right," said Dave, and his face showed his relief.
They had to tell Ben all about what had happened. Then the latter wanted to see the bear target, and the crowd ended by doing some more target practicing. But this time Dave was very careful how he shot, and so were the others.
It had been decided that the start for the Westwas to be made early the following week, and for several days the boys and the girls were busy getting ready. Laura had traveled a great deal, so the journey would not be a novelty to her, but with Jessie it was different.
"I know I shall like it, once I am there," said Jessie. "But, oh, it seems such a distance to go!"
"We'll take good care of you," answered Dunston Porter.
"And I am sure you'll like Mrs. Endicott and Belle," added Laura. "Belle is as full of fun as a—a—oh, I don't know what."
"Shad is of bones," suggested Dave, who stood by.
"Oh, what a comparison!" cried Jessie, and then giggled in the regulation girl fashion.
They were to take a local train to Buffalo and change at that city for Chicago. Ben Basswood decided to go with them as far as Buffalo, so there would be quite a party. The boys gathered their things together and were ready to start a full day beforehand. The buying of railroad tickets and berths in the Pullmans was left entirely to Dunston Porter.
A farewell gathering had been arranged for the young people by Mrs. Wadsworth, to take place on the afternoon previous to their departure for the West. About a dozen boys and girls fromCrumville and vicinity were invited. The party was held on the lawn of the Wadsworth estate, which was trimmed for the occasion with banners, flags, and lanterns. A small orchestra, located in the summerhouse, furnished the music.
Of course Dave and his chums donned their best for this occasion, and Laura and Jessie appeared in white dresses that were as pretty as they could be. Jessie's wavy hair was tied up in new ribbons, and as Dave looked at her he thought she looked as sweet as might a fairy from fairyland. He could not help smiling at her, and when she came and pinned on his coat a buttonhole bouquet he thought he was the happiest boy in the whole world.
"Oh, but won't we have the grand times when we get out West!" he said to her.
"I hope so, Dave," she answered. "But——"
"But what, Jessie?" he questioned, as he saw her hesitate.
"I—I can't get that Link Merwell out of my head. I am so sorry his father's ranch is next to that we are going to visit."
"Oh, don't worry. We'll make Link keep his distance," he returned, lightly. Yet it must be confessed that he was just a bit worried himself.
Among the first boys to arrive was Ben Basswood, and he lost no time in calling Phil and Roger aside.
"I don't want to worry Dave or the others," said Ben. "But I think somebody ought to be told."
"Told what?" asked the senator's son.
"About Nat Poole. I got the word from a friend of mine, Joe Devine. Joe was talking with Nat Poole, and he said Nat was very angry at all of us, and angry because Mrs. Wadsworth was giving us the party, especially as he wasn't invited. Joe said Nat intimated that he was going to make the affair turn out a fizzle."
"A fizzle?" queried Phil. "How?"
"Joe didn't know, but he told me, on the quiet, that I ought to watch out, and ought to warn the others. But I don't like to say anything to Mrs. Wadsworth, or the girls. You see, it may be only talk, and if it is, what's the use of getting the ladies excited?"
"It would be just like Nat to play some dirty trick," said the shipowner's son. "The question is, What will it be?"
"Somebody ought to stand guard," was Roger's advice. "And I think we ought to tell Dave."
This was readily agreed upon, and Dave was told a few minutes later. His face at once showed his concern.
"It mustn't be allowed!" he said, earnestly. "I don't care so much on my own account, but think of Mrs. Wadsworth and the girls! Yes,we must keep our eyes open, and if anything goes wrong——" He finished with a grave shake of his head.
"What are you boys plotting about?" asked Laura, as she came up. "Come, it won't do to stick together like this, with all the girls arriving. Dave, go and make folks at home,—and you do likewise," she added, with a smile at Phil and Roger.
The boys dispersed and mingled with the arriving guests. Dave did all he could to make everybody feel at home, but all the while he was doing it he kept his eyes wide open.
Presently, chancing to look in the direction of the automobile house, Dave saw somebody skulking along a hedge. The person was visible only a second, so the youth could not make out who it was.
"Maybe it's all right, but I'll take a look and make sure," he told himself, and excused himself to a girl to whom he had been talking. As he hurried across the lawn he passed Phil.
"Come with me, will you?" he said, in a low voice.
"See anything?" demanded the shipowner's son.
"I saw somebody, but I am not sure who it was."
Taking care not to make his departure noticeable,Dave walked toward the automobile house and Phil followed him. Soon the pair were behind some rose bushes and then they gained the shelter of the heavy hedge.
"There he is!" said Dave, in a low voice. "It's Nat Poole, sure enough!"
"What's he doing?" asked Phil.
"Nothing just now. But I guess he is up to something."
Keeping well out of sight behind the hedge, the two boys watched the son of the money-lender. Nat was sneaking past the automobile house and making for a washing-shed adjoining the kitchen of the mansion.
"I think I know what he is up to," murmured Dave. "Come on after him, Phil."
As silently as shadows Dave and Phil followed the money-lender's son to the shed. Once Nat looked around to see if the coast was clear, and the followers promptly dropped down behind a lilac bush. Reassured, Nat entered the shed, and Dave and Phil tiptoed their way up and got behind the open door.
The hired help were in the kitchen, so the shed was empty. On the floor stood an ice-cream freezer full of home-made ice-cream, and on a shelf rested several freshly baked cakes, all covered with chocolate icing, set out to harden.
"Now I'll fix things," Dave and Phil heardthe money-lender's son mutter. "Salt in the cream and salt in the layer cakes will do the trick! Some of the boys and girls will think they are poisoned!"
Nat took up a bag of salt that was handy,—used for making the cream,—and proceeded to open the can in the freezer. Dave watched him as a cat does a mouse.
Just as Nat was on the point of dumping some of the salt into the ice-cream he felt himself jerked backwards. The salt dropped to the floor, and Nat found himself confronting Dave, with Phil but a few steps away.
"You contemptible rascal!" cried Dave, his eyes flashing.
"Why—I—er——" stammered the money-lender's son. He did not know what to say.
"Going to spoil the cream, eh?" came from Phil. "It was a mighty dirty trick, Nat."
"On a level with what you did to Professor Potts," added Dave.
"I—er—I wasn't going to do nothing!" cried Nat, with little regard for grammar. "I—er—I was looking at the ice-cream, that's all."
"A poor excuse is worse than none," answered Dave, grimly. "You were going to put salt in the cream and spoil it, you needn't deny it."
"See here, Dave Porter, I want you to understand——"
"Don't talk, Nat, we know all about it," broke in Phil. "You planned to come here yesterday, and we can prove it. We were on the lookout for you."
At this assertion the face of the money-lender's son changed. He grew quite pale.
"I haven't time to waste on you—I want to enjoy this party," said Dave. "Come along with me."
"Where to?" demanded Nat.
"I'll show you," answered Dave, and caught the money-lender's son by the arm. "Catch hold of him, Phil, and don't let him escape."
CHAPTER VAT NIAGARA FALLS
"See here, I want you to let me alone!" stormed Nat Poole, and he tried to jerk himself free.
"Listen, Nat," said Dave, sternly. "If you make a noise it will be the worse for you, for it will bring the others here, and then we'll tell about what you tried to do. Maybe Mrs. Wadsworth will call an officer, and anyway all the girls and the boys will be down on you. Now, if you want Phil and me to keep this a secret, you've got to come along with us."
"Where to?" grumbled Nat, doggedly.
"You'll soon see," returned Dave, briefly, and with a wink at his chum.
Somewhat against his will, Nat walked toward the end of the garden. He wished to escape from Mrs. Wadsworth and the others, but he was afraid Dave and Phil contemplated doing something disagreeable to him. Maybe they would give him a sound thrashing.
"Don't you touch me—don't you dare!" hecried, when the barn was readied. "Remember, my father can have you locked up, Dave Porter!"
"Well, don't forget what Professor Potts can do to you, Nat," answered Dave.
"What are you going to do?" asked Phil, in an aside to his chum.
Dave was trying to think. He had been half of a mind to lock Nat in the harness closet until the party was over—thus preventing him from making more trouble. Now, however, as he heard a locomotive whistle, a new thought struck him.
"Come on down to the railroad tracks, Nat," he said.
"What for?"
"Maybe you can take a journey for your health—if the freight train stops at the water tank."
"I—er—I don't understand."
"You will—if the train stops—and I think it will."
The three boys pushed off across the fields to where the railroad tracks were located. Here was the very spot where Dave had been picked up years before. Not far off was a water tank, where the locomotives usually stopped for their supply. A long freight train was just slowing down. Many of the cars were empty and the doors stood wide open.
"Up you go, Nat!" cried Dave.
"Me? Where?"
"Into one of the empty cars. You are going to have a ride for your health."
"Not much! Why, that train don't stop short of Jack's Junction, twelve miles from here!"
"I know it. You can walk back—the exercise will do you good."
"I—er—I don't want to go!" And Nat made as if to run away. But Dave and Phil held him.
"But you are going!" cried Dave. "In you go!"
He and Phil forced the money-lender's son toward one of the open cars. Still protesting, Nat was shoved up and through one of the open doors. The door on the other side was closed. He ran to it, but found it locked from the outside.
"Hi, you let me off!" he cried, as the train gave a jerk and commenced to move.
"Don't jump, you might hurt yourself!" cried Dave, and shoved the door shut.
"Hope you have a pleasant journey!" called out Phil, merrily.
"And a nice walk back!" added Dave.
The freight train quickly gathered headway. Dave and Phil ran down by the side of the tracks. They saw Nat shove back the door about a foot and peer out. He did not dare to jump, and, seeing them, shook his fist wildly.
"He's off!" cried the shipowner's son, andthen commenced to laugh. "Dave, that was just all right! He's booked for quite a journey."
"Twelve miles, or more, and he'll either have to wait for a train, and pay his fare back, or walk."
"Exactly. And if the train hands catch him, maybe they'll give him the thrashing he deserves."
"They'll hustle him off pretty lively, that's sure. Well, one thing is certain, he won't bother this party any more," added Dave. "Let us get back."
They hurried to the house, and as they did so the freight train passed out of sight and hearing. They thought they had seen the last of Nat, but they were mistaken.
"Where have you boys been?" asked Laura, when they reappeared, after having brushed off their clothing.
"I'll tell you later," answered her brother.
"Anything serious?"
"Not very. It's all over now, Laura."
The party was now in full swing and proved a big success. The boys and girls played all sorts of games, and also did a little dancing. Then refreshments were served. When the ice cream and cake were passed around, Phil and Dave could not help but look at each other, and the shipowner's son winked suggestively.
"Why are you winking at Dave?" demanded Roger.
"Did I wink?" questioned Phil, solemnly, and then Dave began to laugh and almost choked on a piece of cake in his mouth.
After the refreshments came more games and some singing, and it was nine o'clock before the lawn party came to an end. The girls and boys from the town went home mostly in pairs, but Ben remained behind, for he knew Dave and Phil had something to tell. All the lads congregated in the summerhouse and Laura and Jessie went with them.
"Wanted to spoil the ice-cream and chocolate layer-cakes!" cried Jessie. "Oh, how mean!"
"It served him right, to put him on the freight train!" was Laura's comment. "I hope he was carried about fifty miles, and has to walk back."
"He'll be trying another trick before we leave," said Roger. "We must keep our eyes open."
"Isn't it a shame he can't be nice?" came from Jessie. "If he keeps on like this, he'll not have a friend in the world."
"Well, he hasn't many friends now," answered Dave. "At Oak Hall the majority of the fellows turned him down just as they turned down Link Merwell."
"Oh, that Link Merwell!" sighed Laura. "I trust I never see or hear of him again!"
Bright and early the next day the boys arose and packed the last of their baggage. The girls were up, too, and joined the lads at the breakfast table. Dave's father was there, and also Uncle Dunston, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth.
"Well, I certainly hope you all have a grand time," said the rich manufacturer.
"And I hope the outing does Jessie good," said his wife. Jessie was not very strong and the doctor had said that a trip to the Far West might do much towards building up her constitution.
"You must write often," said Mr. Porter to his daughter. "And make Dave write, too."
"I'll not forget," said the daughter, and Dave nodded.
It was rather a sober meal, although every one tried to be cheerful. The big touring-car, Mr. Wadsworth's latest purchase, was at the door, and the baggage had gone on ahead. Soon it was time to go.
"Good-by, everybody!" cried Dave, and shook hands with his father and Mrs. and Mr. Wadsworth. The lady of the house gave him a warm kiss, and kissed all the others.
"Wish you were going too, daddy!" cried Laura to her father.
"Well, I'll go the next time," was the answer, with a smile.
In another five minutes the boys and girls and Dunston Porter were off for the depot, the others waving their hands as the travelers disappeared. Tears came to Mrs. Wadsworth's eyes, at the parting with Jessie, yet she did her best to smile.
"We'll be back in six weeks!" called out Dave. "And as brown as berries and as strong as oxen!" And this caused everybody to laugh. Little did any of them realize what adventures those six weeks were to contain.
The train for Buffalo was on time, and when it rolled into the station they climbed on board, and the boys found the right seats in the parlor car and settled the girls. Ben was there, and had a seat with the crowd.
"I've got news," said Ben, as the train went on its way. "Nat Poole isn't back yet."
"Who told you?"
"Tom Marvin. He called this morning to see Nat about something. Nat had sent a telegram home from a place called Halock, stating he had been carried off on a freight train."
"Humph! then he went further than we supposed he would," mused Phil. "Where is Halock?"
Nobody knew, and they consulted a time-table taken from a rack in the car.
"It's a flag-station not far from Buffalo," announcedRoger. "Say, he certainly was carried some distance!"
"What if he didn't have any money to get home with?" asked Laura.
"Maybe he telegraphed for some," said Phil.
"He could pawn his watch—he always wears one," added Ben. "But it is queer that he didn't get off at Jack's Junction."
"Perhaps he liked to ride—after he once got used to it," returned the senator's son.
On and on went the train, stopping at several towns of more or less importance. The girls and boys amused themselves studying the time-table and in gazing out of the window, and Dunston Porter told them of some of his experiences while roving in various portions of the globe, for, as my old readers are aware, he was a great traveler. At noon they went into the dining-car for lunch, and Dave and Roger sat at one table with Laura and Jessie opposite to them.
"Say, this puts me in mind of a story, as Shadow Hamilton would say," said the senator's son, as the train rushed along while they ate. "A little girl had a sandwich on a train like this, once, and then boasted afterwards that she had eaten a sandwich three miles long."
"Well, I think I'll eat some roast beef ten miles long," said Dave. "And two miles of apple pie to boot!" And this caused the girls to giggle.
They reached Buffalo in the middle of the afternoon and there had to wait until half-past ten for the night express to Chicago. Here Ben left them, for the boat he was to take was waiting at the dock.
"Send me a letter to Duluth," he said, on parting, and Dave promised to do so.
"I'll tell you what we might do," said Dunston Porter. "We can take a trolley trip to Niagara Falls and come back on a train. We have plenty of time."
"Oh, yes, I'd like to see Niagara!" cried Jessie, clapping her hands.
The others all voted the suggestion a good one, and soon, having checked their baggage at the depot, they boarded a trolley car bound for the Falls.
"We can look at the Falls for an hour, get supper, and still have time in which to return to Buffalo," said Mr. Porter. "When we get there we can get a carriage to drive us around."
The trolley car made good time and it was still daylight when Niagara was reached. Hackmen were numerous, and Dunston Porter soon engaged a turnout to take them around Goat Island and other points of interest. They could hear the roaring of the Falls plainly, and the sight of the great cataracts impressed them deeply. "Want to go down under the Falls?" asked Phil, as they were riding along.
"No, indeed!" answered Laura.
"We haven't time, anyway," answered Roger. "We've got to get back or we'll miss that train for Chicago, and that won't do, for our berths have been engaged ahead."
At the bridge leading to the Three Sisters Islands the whole party alighted, so as to get a better view of the upper rapids of the river. As they did so, a youth seated on a rock near by looked at them in amazement. Then of a sudden he slipped off the rock and dodged out of sight.
The youth was Nat Poole.
CHAPTER VINAT POOLE'S LITTLE GAME
It may not be out of place here to relate how Nat Poole happened to be at Niagara Falls, and how he chanced to have with him a man who was willing to do almost anything for the sake of a little money.
When Nat was placed aboard of the freight train by Dave and Phil he was in a great rage, yet powerless, for the time being, to help himself. The train moved so swiftly that he did not dare to jump off, and soon Crumville was left far behind.
As soon as he had cooled off for a little, Nat found out that he was very tired. He had been out the night before with some of the fast young men of the town, playing cards and pool, and had had but two hours' sleep in twenty-four. He found a pile of old bagging in one end of the freight car and sat down to rest. Presently his eyes closed, and before he knew it he was sound asleep. He continued to sleep during the stop at Jack's Junction, and he did not notice anotherparty enter the freight car, nor did he notice the door being closed and locked.
When Nat awoke it was with a sense of pain. The other party in the car had stepped on his ankle. He gave a cry and this was answered by an exclamation of astonishment.
"Who are you?" asked Nat, sitting up and then leaping to his feet.
"I reckon I can ask the same question," returned the stranger.
"Are you a train hand?"
"Are you?"
"No."
"Neither am I."
There was a moment of silence after this, and then the unknown lit a match and held it close to Nat. Both gave a cry of astonishment.
"Hello! You are Nat Poole, the boy I met at Rally's Pool Parlors," said the stranger.
"Yes, and you are Tom Shocker, the traveling salesman."
"Right you are—but I'm not a traveling salesman any longer," answered Tom Shocker, and gave a short laugh.
"Why?" asked Nat.
"Lost my job."
"I suppose your boss found out that you were spending your time playing cards and pool," said Nat. "How did you make out after I left you?"
"Lost all I had. That's the reason I am stealing a ride on this freight," answered the man. "But what are you doing here?" he continued in curiosity.
In his own fashion Nat related how he had been attacked by two of his former school enemies, dragged to the car and thrown in. He added that he had been next to unconscious, and so was unable to fight off Dave and Phil. Then he asked how Tom Shocker happened to be on board.
"I got on at Jack's Junction," said the man. "I haven't got but fifty cents left and I thought I'd beat my way to Buffalo, where I think I can get some more cash. But I didn't think they'd lock the door of the car."
During the ride to Halock, Tom Shocker managed to learn a good deal about Nat and his trouble with Dave and the others, and he also learned that the youth had considerable spending-money with him. The car was opened at Halock and run off on a siding, and the pair got off.
"Let us take a trolley to Buffalo," said Shocker. "There we can get a room at a hotel—that is, if you'll put up the price."
"All right; I might as well go to Buffalo, now I am so close," answered Nat. "But I'll send word home first," he added, and this was done.
After resting at a hotel in Buffalo, Tom Shockerproposed a trip to Niagara Falls, Nat, of course, to pay the way.
"I'll pay you back some day," said Shocker, offhandedly. "When I strike another situation I'll have plenty of cash. And, in the meantime, if you want me to do anything for you, say the word. I am open for any proposition that you may offer."
On the way to the Falls, Tom Shocker told much about himself, and Nat learned that the fellow was one of those shiftless mortals who change from one situation to another. He had been a salesman on the road for five different concerns, had run a restaurant, a poolroom, and a moving-picture show, and had even been connected with a prize-fighting affair. He did not care what he did so long a it paid, and many of his transactions had been of the shady sort.
Nat did not enjoy the visit to the Falls as much as he had anticipated. He found Tom Shocker rather coarse, and the man wanted to drink whenever the opportunity afforded. From the rapids below the Falls the pair walked to Goat Island, and there Nat was on the point of giving Shocker the slip when he chanced to see Dave and the others of the party.
"What's the matter?" demanded Shocker, who stood close by, as he saw the money-lender's son dart out of sight behind the rocks.
"Do you see that boy?" demanded Nat, pointing with his hand.
"Yes."
"That is Dave Porter, the fellow who put me on the freight car. And over yonder is Phil Lawrence, the other chap."
"You don't say! What brings them here?"
"They are on their way out West, and I suppose they ran up here to see the sights. I—I wish I could do something to 'em!" added Nat, bitterly.
"Maybe you can," answered Tom Shocker, always open for action. "I'll tell you one thing," he continued, in a low tone. "If they had treated me as they treated you, I'd not let them off so easily."
"Will you help me, if I—er—try to fix that Dave Porter?" asked Nat. "He started it. I don't care so much about Lawrence."
"Sure I'll help you. Anything you say goes," answered Tom Shocker, readily. He thought he saw a chance of getting another dollar or two out of Nat.
The two walked behind some bushes and there talked the matter over for several minutes.
"Fargo's is the place to go to," said Shocker, presently. "I know we can trust him."
"Of course, I don't want to hurt Porter," said Nat, nervously. "I only want to scare him."
"Sure, I understand. We'll scare the wits outof him," returned Tom Shocker. "Now, let me see. I have it—we'll catch him on the bridge. His carriage is bound to come that way, to get off Goat Island."
Dave and his friends spent the best part of a quarter of an hour around the Three Sisters Islands and then returned to their carriage.
"Now we can go to the hotel and have dinner," said Dunston Porter. "And then we can take a local train back to Buffalo."
The carriage was just crossing the bridge that connects Goat Island with the city of Niagara Falls when a man stepped up and stopped the turnout. It was Tom Shocker.
"Excuse me, but I reckon this is the number, 176," he said. "Is there a young man here named David Porter?"
"Yes, I am Dave Porter," answered Dave, and looked at Shocker curiously. The fellow was a total stranger to him.
"Got a note for you," went on Shocker, and produced it. It was sealed and markedPrivatein plain letters.
Wondering what the note could contain, Dave opened and read it. His face changed color and he gave a little gasp.
"Excuse me, I'll have to—to leave you for a little while," he stammered to the others.
"What's the matter?" asked Roger.
"I—I can't tell you just now." Dave turned to his uncle. "Where will you get dinner, Uncle Dunston?"
"At the International."
"All right—I'll be there before long," answered Dave, and sprang to the ground.
"But what's up?" cried Phil. He could see that his chum was much disturbed.
"I—I can't tell you, Phil. But I'll be back before you finish your dinner."
"Don't you want some one along?" asked Laura, who did not like to see her brother depart in the company of such a looking stranger as Tom Shocker.
"No, Laura. Oh, it's all right. I'll be at the International on time," said Dave, and then he hurried over the bridge and down a side street of the city, in company with Tom Shocker.
The note Dave had received was written in a cramped hand and ran as follows:
"Dear Dave:—You will be surprised to receive this, but I saw you in town to-day and noted the number of your carriage. I am in deep trouble and would like you to come and see me in private, if only for five or ten minutes. You can aid me a great deal. Please don't tell any of the others of your party. The man who brings this to you will take you to me. Please,pleasedon't disappoint me."Yours truly,"Andrew Dale."
"Dear Dave:—You will be surprised to receive this, but I saw you in town to-day and noted the number of your carriage. I am in deep trouble and would like you to come and see me in private, if only for five or ten minutes. You can aid me a great deal. Please don't tell any of the others of your party. The man who brings this to you will take you to me. Please,pleasedon't disappoint me.
"Yours truly,
"Andrew Dale."
Andrew Dale was the first assistant teacher at Oak Hall, and an instructor who had made himself very dear to Dave and some of the other boys. He had sided with Dave when the latter was termed "a poorhouse nobody," and this had made teacher and pupil close friends.
"What's the matter with my friend?" asked Dave, as he and Tom Shocker hurried through several side streets of the city.
"I don't know exactly," was the reply. "Money matters, I think, and the gent is sick, too. He wanted it kept very quiet—said it might ruin his reputation if it got out."
"Well, I didn't say anything to anybody," answered Dave. "How much further have we to go?"
"Only a couple of blocks."
But the "couple of blocks" proved to be five, and they had to make another turn or two. Then they came to the side door of a building used as a lodging house and a pool and billiard parlor. This resort was run by a man named Bill Fargo, a sport who had once had dealings with Shocker in a prize-fighting enterprise.
"He's got a room here—up on the third floor," said Shocker, as he saw Dave hesitate. "Come on, I'll show you."
He went ahead, up the somewhat dilapidated stairs, and Dave followed. In the pool and billiard parlors below some men were laughing and talking, and clicking the ivory balls together, but upstairs it was silent, and nobody seemed to be around.
During the past few years of his life Dave had had a number of stirring adventures, and he was by no means as green as he had been when first he had set out for Oak Hall. He did not like the looks of his surroundings, and he resolved to keep his wits about him and be on his guard.
"Why should Mr. Dale come to a place like this?" he asked himself. He knew the teacher to be a model man, who did not drink or gamble.
"Here we are," said Tom Shocker, as he stopped in front of a door at the back of the hallway on the third floor of the building. "I guess you can go right in. He's on the bed with his broken ankle."
"His broken ankle?" repeated Dave. "Why didn't you tell me of that before?"
"I thought I did," returned Shocker, smoothly. "Here you are. It's dark, isn't it? I'll light the gas," and he commenced to fumble in his pocket, as if hunting for a match.
It was dark, and for several seconds Dave could see little or nothing. He heard a faint groan.
"Is that you, Mr. Dale?" he asked, kindly.
A low reply was returned—so low that Dave could not make out what was said. He went into the room a few steps further. As he did so Tom Shocker closed the door and locked it. Dave heard the click of the lock's bolt and wheeled around.
"What did you do?" he demanded sharply.
"I guess I've got you now, Dave Porter!" cried another voice, and now Dave recognized the tones of Nat Poole. "You played me a scurvy trick by putting me aboard the freight train. I guess it's about time I paid you back; don't you think so?"
CHAPTER VIIIN WHICH DAVE IS ROBBED
Dave found himself in a decidedly unpleasant situation. The door of the room was locked and Tom Shocker stood against it. The man lit the gas, but allowed it to remain low. Dave saw Nat Poole standing close to a bed. The money-lender's son had a small bottle and some cotton in his hand.
"I suppose this is a trick?" said Dave, as coolly as he could.
"Rather good one, too, isn't it?" returned Nat, lightly.
"That depends on how you look at it, Nat. Did you forge Mr. Dale's name?"
"Why—er—I—er——"
"That isn't a nice business to be in."
"Humph! you needn't preach to me, Dave Porter! You played a dirty trick on me and I am going to pay you back."
"What are you going to do?"
"You'll see soon enough."
"I want you to open that door!" cried Dave, wheeling around and confronting Tom Shocker. "Open it at once!"
"This is none of my affair, Mr. Porter," answered the man, with a slight sneer. "You can settle it with Mr. Poole."
"I'll settle with you, you rascal!" cried Dave, and leaping forward he caught Tom Shocker by the shoulder and forced him aside. "Give me that key!"
"Don't you do it!" cried Nat. "Here, wait, I'll fix him! Hold him!"
Nat poured some of the stuff in the bottle on the cotton and advanced on Dave. At the same time Tom Shocker caught Dave by both arms and essayed to hold him.
Dave was strong, and a sudden fear gave him additional strength. He might have been a match for his two assailants, but for the stuff on the cotton. This was chloroform, and when Nat clapped the saturated cotton to his mouth and nose he was speedily rendered all but unconscious.
"Don't give him too much!" he heard Tom Shocker say.
"You watch him, while I tie his hands," answered Nat, and then Dave was forced back and onto the bed. He struggled weakly, but could not free himself, and before he realized it he was a close prisoner, with his hands tied fast to the head of the bed and his feet fast to the lower end. He was flat on his back.
"Now, you can stay there until somebody comesto release you," said Nat, mockingly. "I reckon that will teach you a lesson not to send me off on freight trains!"
"Nat, I've got to get back to Buffalo to catch my train for Chicago."
"Humph. Not to-night. You'll stay here."
"The others will worry about me."
"Let them worry. I'll be glad of it."
"Better destroy that note," suggested Tom Shocker. Then he noticed Dave's watch and chain, and valuable stickpin, and his eyes glistened. He began to wonder how much money the lad had in his pocket.
The note was taken by Nat. Then the money-lender's son took a soft pillow and placed it over Dave's face.
"That will keep you from calling too loudly," he said. "I guess it won't hurt your breathing though. Come," he added to the man. "Let us get out of here, before somebody comes."
"All right," answered Tom Shocker. He gazed wistfully at Dave's watchchain and at the stickpin. "I—er—all right," he added, and followed Nat to the door.
The pair walked outside and the man locked the door. Then both hurried below and out of the side door to the street. They went as far as the corner.
"Let us make for the depot," said Nat, whowas plainly nervous. Now that the trick had been played he was becoming alarmed over the possible consequences. "You don't think he'll smother?" he asked, anxiously.
"Smother? Not a bit of it," answered Tom Shocker. "He'll be out of that room inside of an hour. He wasn't tied very hard, and he's sure to make a racket sooner or later."
Tom Shocker went with Nat a distance of two blocks more and then came to a sudden halt.
"By jove, I forgot!" he cried. "I must see my old friend, Dickson, before I leave town. It won't take me but a few minutes. You go to the depot and wait for me." And before the money-lender's son could reply, he was off, down another side street.
Tom Shocker was well acquainted with the thoroughfares of Niagara Falls and it did not take him long to double on his tracks and return to Fargo's resort. He mounted the stairs, pulling his hat far down over his forehead as he did so. Then he tied his handkerchief over the lower portion of his face. He had the key of the room still in his possession, and with it he unlocked the door.
The light was still burning, and on the bed he could see Dave struggling to free himself of his bonds and of the pillow which still rested lightly over his head. Holding the pillow in place withone hand Shocker gained possession of the watch and chain and stickpin with the other. Then he took from Dave's pocket a small roll of bank-bills. He tried to appropriate the lad's ring, but could not get it off the finger.
Dave, finding himself being robbed, struggled harder than ever. But the bonds held and he was helpless to protect himself. In less than two minutes Tom Shocker accomplished his purpose, and then he glided out of the room silently, once more locking the door. Once on the street he set off on a brisk walk, but he did not go in the direction of the depot.
"I reckon I can afford to part company with Poole now," the man told himself. "Won't there be a row when that Porter gets free! But he can't blame me!" he added, with a chuckle.
Left once more to himself, Dave continued to struggle, and at last he managed to toss the pillow from his face. Then he breathed more freely, for which he was thankful.
"What a mean trick!" he murmured, as he saw that his watch was gone.
Presently he heard footsteps passing along the hallway, and he uttered a call. The footsteps came to a stop.
"Come in here, please!" he called. "I need help."
"What's up?" asked somebody outside, andthen the door was tried. Soon a key was inserted in the lock, the door was opened, and a chambermaid showed herself.
"Untie me at once!" cried Dave.
The maid turned up the gas and then uttered a cry of astonishment. Without waiting to question the youth she flew out of the room and down the stairs, to return, a few minutes later, with a burly man.
"What's this mean?" asked the man, as he commenced to untie the ropes that held Dave.
"It's a trick that was played on me," answered Dave, thinking rapidly. He was on the point of stating that he had been robbed, but he did not wish to create too much of a scene. He felt sure that Nat would, sooner or later, return his belongings to him.
"A trick, eh?" said the hotel proprietor. "Certainly a queer one. Where are the fellows who hired this room?"
"I don't know. They tied me fast and left."
"Did you know them?"
"I knew one of them—he goes to boarding school with me."
"Oh, I see, a schoolboy's trick, eh? You schoolboys are up to all sorts of pranks."
"You don't know where they went to, do you?" questioned Dave, as he leaped up from the bed and stretched himself.
"No, I haven't the least idea. They hired this room for to-night, that's all."
"I think I'll try to catch them," said the youth. "Much obliged for setting me free."
"You are welcome. But say, I don't want any more skylarking around here," added the proprietor of the resort, as Dave hurried out of the room and down the stairs.
He had found his hat on the floor, and, after brushing up a little, he started on a brisk walk for the hotel where the others were to have dinner. He did not, of course, know the way, and so hired a newsboy for a dime to act as guide.
"Dave! you have been away a long time!" cried Laura, as he appeared. "We have almost finished eating."
"Never mind, I can get all I wish in a few minutes," he answered.
"Why, your stickpin is gone!" cried Jessie. "And your watchchain, too."
"Dave, have you been robbed?" questioned his uncle, quickly.
"Yes and no," he answered, with a grim smile. "I suppose I might as well tell you what happened," he continued, and then gave a few of the details. Then he had to tell his uncle how Nat had been put aboard the freight car.
"Well, it's a case of tit for tat, I suppose," said Dunston Porter. "You can thank your starsthat you got away so quickly. A little later and you would have missed the train,—and we would have missed it, too—for I should not have gone on without you."
"I suppose Nat thinks he has the laugh on you," said Roger. "But what of your watch and pin and money? Are you going West without them?"
"I suppose I'll have to. But I'll make him give them up in short order. I'll send him a telegram."
"Tell him if he doesn't send them on by express at once that you will put the case in the hands of the law," said Phil. "That will scare him."
Dave was quickly served with a meal, and he lost no time in eating what he wanted. Then the entire party walked toward the railroad station, to catch the train for Buffalo.
"I was a chump to follow that man up into that room," said Dave to his chums. "Next time I'll be more on my guard. But I thought Mr. Dale must be in some dire trouble."
"It was a nervy thing to do—to forge his name," was the comment of the senator's son. "It's a pity you didn't keep the note."
"I couldn't. After I was tied up they had me at their mercy."
"Who was the man?"
"I don't know. I never saw him before."
"He must have been some friend of Nat's."
"I suppose so."
Arriving at the station, they found they had several minutes to wait. When the train rolled in all got on board but Roger, who was buying a late newspaper from a boy on the platform.
"Hurry up, or you'll get left!" cried Dave.
"I'll get on the car behind!" cried the senator's son, and did so. He did not rejoin his companions until the train was on its way towards Buffalo.
"What do you think!" he cried. "Nat Poole is on board!"
"Nat!" ejaculated Dave. "Is that man with him?"
"No, Nat seems to be alone."
"Did he see you?"
"I don't think so. He was crouched down in a seat, as if in deep thought."
"I'll interview him," said Dave, and left the car, followed by Phil, Roger, and his uncle.
"Don't quarrel on the train," cautioned Dunston Porter. "But insist upon it that Nat return your belongings."
Roger readily led the way to where the son of the Crumville money-lender sat, crouched down, and with his eyes partly closed. When touched on the shoulder Nat sat up, and a look of fright came into his face.
"Why—er—why——" he stammered and was unable to proceed.
"Didn't expect to see me quite so soon, did you?" returned Dave, pleasantly, and dropped into the seat beside him. "Nat, if it's all the same to you, I'll take my watch, my stickpin, and my money," he added, coldly.
"Your what?" exclaimed Nat. Then he stared blankly at Dave. "I—er—I don't understand you."
"Yes, you do. I want my things, and I want them at once!"
"I haven't got your things, and you needn't say I have!" retorted the money-lender's son. "Oh, I see how it is," he added, struck by a sudden thought. "You want to play another joke on me, don't you? Well, it won't work this time. I didn't touch your things, and you know it."