Shirley realized that she was in a serious predicament. Guarded as she was, she had no hope of escape, and she realized that the situation was rapidly growing worse. Every step forward took her that much nearer danger. Still she did not wish to betray that she was a girl, so she wiped the tears from her eyes with a quick brush of her sleeve and moved along with the rest without resistance.
Two blocks further on the gang came to an abrupt stop, and the two who seemed to be the leaders conferred. Then, at an order from one, the gang divided into two parts. Shirley found herself under the direction of a boy whom his companions called Dick.
“You go around that way with your fellows, Tom,” said Dick, waving his arm to the left, “and I’ll go this way. We’ll catch ’em between us and pay ’em back for what they did to Ed and Joe yesterday.”
The boys moved off in two different directions.Shirley found herself right behind Dick and she eyed him curiously. Young though he was, the girl saw that he was strong and powerful. An athlete herself, she could not but admire the easy swing of his shoulders as he trotted on ahead, his calm assurance and the confidence with which he gave his orders. Shirley decided to stay as close to him as possible.
And now turning another corner, Dick shouted:
“There they are, fellows! At ’em!”
There was a loud cheer, and from far down the street came its echo, as Tom and his crowd attacked the enemy from the rear.
And now Shirley caught her first view of the enemy.
Halfway down the block, caught between two fires as they were, the enemy, perhaps twenty of them, was preparing to give battle. Shirley could see that they had picked up whatever they could lay hands upon, and were awaiting the attackers to come within range.
Shirley shuddered, but kept close behind Dick.
“Look out!” cried Dick, and darted to one side.
Shirley did likewise, and a rock skimmed past her. There was a howl of pain from further back, and Shirley knew that one of the crowd had been hit.
“We’ll make ’em pay for that,” cried Dick, and in spite of the fusillade of missiles being hurled atthem, he bore down upon the enemy at top speed.
For an instant Shirley hesitated. Here, she thought, might be a chance for her to make her escape. She turned, but as she did so the others surrounded her and she was forced to go on whether or not she wished it.
The two factions came together with great force. They were too closely entwined to permit of the hurling of rocks now. It was hard to distinguish friend from foe.
Shirley found herself in the midst of a struggling, striking mass. Wherever she turned she saw nothing but flying fists. One of the enemy struck her a glancing blow on the arm. Shirley became angry.
Stepping quickly forward she struck the boy a resounding smack with her open hand.
Dick, who happened to be close to her at that moment, noted this with a grin.
“Hit ’em with your fist,” he called. “It won’t do any good to slap ’em.”
But this Shirley could not do. So there she stood while the struggling mass fought around her. How long the street fight continued, Shirley did not know, but it came to an end suddenly.
From far down the street came the single sharp blast of a whistle. Immediately the struggling combatants dropped their fists and took to their heels.
“Police,” was the cry that went up.
Three minutes later the street was deserted. Bothfactions had fled, and when the guardians of the law appeared upon the scene there was nothing to give evidence of the struggle that had raged a few moments before.
Shirley had fled with the others, still keeping as close to Dick as possible. Round corner after corner she followed him, for she was keen enough to know that in this way lay safety, while, should she go her own way, she was likely to fall into the hands of the law; and, in her present attire, she had no desire to do this.
But finally the half a dozen who had fled in the same direction as Dick and Shirley came to a halt. They stood panting and gasping.
Then one boy suddenly came up to Shirley.
“I told you to fight,” he said. “You didn’t do it. I watched you. Now I am going to make you fight.”
Shirley shrank back.
“Put up your fists,” called the boy.
The others gathered round to see the fun.
“He’s a coward,” they said. “He’s afraid to fight. Hit him anyhow.”
They surrounded Shirley with angry gestures.
It was at this moment that Dick interfered.
“Let the kid alone,” he said quietly, moving into the midst of the others. “If he doesn’t want to fight, he doesn’t have to. Maybe he’s not the fighting kind. Let him alone.”
There was an angry growl from the others.
“I say he has got to fight,” said one.
“And I say he hasn’t,” cried Dick. “Who is the leader of this crowd, anyhow?”
“We wouldn’t have much trouble finding a better one,” was the reply.
“Right you are, Ned,” said several voices at once.
“Pick on me if you want to,” said Dick, “but let the kid alone.”
Shirley shrank close to him, for she knew that in him lay her hope of safety. Dick put a hand on her shoulder.
“It’s all right, kid,” he said. “They won’t bother you.”
“Won’t we?” exclaimed one.
He stepped suddenly forward, and before Dick could prevent him, aimed a blow at Shirley. Unconsciously the girl ducked, and the blow barely grazed her head, carrying away her hat, and worst of all, her boy’s wig.
Her long hair came tumbling down.
The boy who had struck at her started back in surprise.
“A girl!” he exclaimed.
Shirley broke into tears.
Dick had taken in the situation at a glance. He stepped quickly forward and with a single blow of his left fist knocked the boy who had struck Shirley to the ground.
Then the others jumped upon him.
Shirley’s tears stopped instantly and she watched the fight in wide-eyed amazement. Dick, bigger and stronger than the rest, was giving a good account of himself, but it was plain to Shirley that the weight of numbers must tell in the end.
Two boys went down before their leader’s fists, but they were up again in an instant and fighting back desperately. One attacked him from behind, but with a quick kick Dick shook himself free. Picking his nearest opponent up bodily, he hurled him full in the faces of the others; and they gave ground.
But only for a minute. Then they sprang forward again. Dick found himself hard pressed on all sides. He reeled under a blow that caught him on the point of the chin, and before he could recover, two stinging blows struck him in the jaw.
He made one last desperate effort, throwing himself upon his opponents, but the effort was vain.
Stooping, one of the boys picked up a rock, and waiting an opportunity jumped in quickly and struck him in the back of the head.
Dick uttered a slight groan, stumbled and fell almost at Shirley’s feet.
The girl uttered a cry of horror. The other boys, startled for the moment at the outcome, hung back, then advanced toward their fallen leader. Believingthat they were about to do him further harm, Shirley took the responsibility upon herself.
Her nervousness, fright and indecision left her instantly. She reached quickly in her coat pocket and whipped forth her little revolver, which she aimed at the crowd of young ruffians with steady hand.
“Stand back!” she cried.
The ruffians hesitated.
“Look here,” began one, advancing a step.
“Take my advice and stay where you are,” said Shirley quietly. “I don’t want to hurt you, but if any one of you come a single step nearer I’ll shoot.”
The crowd drew back, and stood silently watching her.
Laying the revolver upon the sidewalk close beside her, Shirley raised Dick’s head to her knee. Then she sought to stop the flow of blood from the wound with her handkerchief.
Dick stirred slightly, and a faint breath shivered through his lips.
“What’s happened?” he gasped.
“Lie still!” commanded Shirley. “Your head is badly cut.”
Dick shook off her detaining hand, and rose slowly. He felt his wound, and then said:
“Which one of you fellows hit me with a rock?”
Not a sound came from the crowd. Dick stepped forward.
“Better tell me now,” he said, “for I’ll find out sometime, and when I do somebody will be well thrashed.”
A boy stepped forward.
“I did it,” he said. “But now I’m sorry!”
“Well, I’ll attend to you later,” said Dick.
He turned to Shirley.
“What are you doing out at this hour, and dressed this way?”
In a few words Shirley told him enough of her trouble to satisfy his curiosity.
“The best thing you can do is to get home at once,” he said.
“I don’t know the way now,” said Shirley.
“Where do you live?”
Shirley told him.
“I’ll take you home,” said Dick quietly, “if you don’t mind my walking along with you.”
“Thank you,” said Shirley. “Of course I don’t mind.”
Dick turned to his friends.
“I’ll see you fellows later,” he said significantly. “We’ll talk this matter over when there are no girls around. Get out of here now.”
With a crestfallen air they obeyed.
Dick turned once more to Shirley. “Come,” he said.
It was late when they neared Clara Morton’s home. As they approached quietly, a figure ran from the porch to meet them. It was Mabel.
“Shirley,” she cried, “I was so afraid that something had happened to you. I have been waiting here for more than an hour.”
“Well, something did happen,” said Shirley. “I’ll tell you about it when we get upstairs.”
“Come on, then,” said Mabel, “but be careful. I told Clara you probably wouldn’t be home until in the morning, and no one here must see you in that costume.”
Shirley turned to say good-bye to Dick, but there was no Dick. His duty done, he had not waited for thanks.
Shirley was disappointed.
“I would like to have said good-bye to him,” she told herself.
Silently the two girls made their way up the stairs, and reached their room without being discovered.
Mabel insisted upon an immediate account of Shirley’s adventures and the latter gave full details.
“You see,” she concluded, “it was all your fault. Why didn’t you remind me of my purse?”
“That’s right, blame me,” said Mabel. “I think you’ve had some jolly fun.”
“It depends on how you look at it,” drawled Shirley. “Oh, but I’m tired. Let’s get to sleep.”
The next two days, Saturday and Sunday, the girls spent quietly in their friend’s home, only going out twice. One trip was to the theater, and the other to church on Sunday morning.
Early Monday morning found them on the train.
A young man boarded the train at Cynthiana, who attracted Shirley’s attention at once. There was something familiar about him, but for the moment she could not place him. Looking in her handbag for her ticket, she accidentally drew forth a card, which she glanced at in surprise.
“Mr. Leonard Wolfe,” it read.
“I wonder,” she murmured, and then it all came to her in a flash.
“The card of the young man who came to my aid in the drugstore,” she said, passing it to Mabel. “That reminds me, I forgot to send the ten cents.”
“I reckon he won’t miss it,” said Mabel, as she returned the card.
The young man who had just gotten on the train, came through the aisle. He dropped his suitcase in the seat across from the girls, and sat down.
Shirley noticed that from time to time he glanced at her. To herself she said, “His face is familiar. Where have I seen him before?”
And then she remembered.
“Mr. Wolfe!” she exclaimed to herself.
She whispered to Mabel, and the latter, of course, glanced across. As she did so she encountered the young man’s smiling eyes.
The young man arose directly and spoke to Shirley.
“Surely I have met you somewhere,” he said.
“Perhaps it’s my twin brother you met,” said Shirley, with a faint smile. “We look very much alike.”
“Perhaps that’s it,” returned the young man.
“Yes,” continued Shirley, “my twin brother is often getting into scrapes, and I have to help him out. He told me that the other day he almost fell into the hands of the police, because he didn’t have money to pay for a soda he bought in a drugstore in Cincinnati. Some stranger came to his aid and paid the dime. I don’t believe he returned it, either.”
The young man had looked at Shirley in surprise during this recital, and then he said quietly:
“No, he didn’t!”
“How do you know?” queried Shirley in well simulated surprise.
“Because I happen to be the fellow who paid it.”
Before answering Shirley reached for her handbag and took out a card. She gazed at it long and earnestly.
“Is your name Mr. Wolfe?” she asked finally.
“Why, yes,” exclaimed the young man. “Why?”
“Nothing, only my brother, in telling me of the trouble, showed me your card and I didn’t give it back.”
She drew a dime from her purse and extended it to the young man.
“Here is your ten cents,” she said.
Mr. Wolfe protested.
“Let your brother pay his own debts,” he said.
“No,” said Shirley, “I insist. You see, my brother and I are such close relations that I almost feel I owe you this myself.”
“Well, if you insist,” said the young man.
He took the dime and dropped it in his pocket.
“May I ask where you are going?”
“Home,” said Shirley briefly, for she wished to end the conversation, considering now that she had repaid her debt.
“I see,” smiled Mr. Wolfe; “and would you mind telling me just about where that is.”
“I’ll tell you this much,” said Shirley. “It’s about three miles from Paris, on the Bethlehem pike.”
The young man uttered an exclamation of surprise.
“I wonder if you know a Mr. Willing, who must live near you?”
“He is my father,” returned Shirley.
“You don’t say so! I am in luck, for I am going now to Willing’s place.”
Shirley felt frightened.
“You are?” she exclaimed.
“Yes.”
“On business?”
“Well, no, not exactly. You see, Mr. Willing and my father are old friends. Your father has often asked my father to stop and see him, and as I was near, I felt anxious to call.”
Shirley held out her hand.
“I know you now,” she said. “At first I didn’t associate you with the Mr. Wolfe of whom father speaks so often, his old college friend.”
“I am the son of his old friend,” said Mr. Wolfe.
“You will be very welcome,” said Shirley.
She introduced him to Mabel, who had been much interested in their talk.
Mr. Wolfe said after a few minutes, “I knew, of course, that Mr. Willing had a daughter, but I had never heard of twins.”
“Twins!” repeated Shirley.
“Yes; this troublesome brother of yours.”
Shirley blushed.
“I—we—he,” she stammered.
Mr. Wolfe looked at her for a few moments, then a smile spread over his face.
“I see,” he said.
“You see what?” demanded Shirley anxiously.
“The joke,” replied young Wolfe drily.
Shirley blushed, and hid her head in her hands.
“Have no fear,” said the young man, “I shall say nothing about it. If you care to tell me why you masqueraded, I shall be honored, but I shall not press you for an explanation; and I will never mention it.”
“Thank you,” said Shirley. “There is no reason why I cannot tell you, if you will promise to keep the secret.”
“I promise,” said he.
Shirley then gave him an account of her adventures and their cause. When she finished, young Wolfe looked at her in undisguised admiration.
“By Jove!” he exclaimed. “You are plucky. And you are doing all this for the boy you call Jimmy Smith?”
“And my father too,” said Shirley.
“Yes,” said Wolfe, “you are indeed a brave girl, and I am proud to know you.”
The train was now whistling for Paris.
“You will, of course, ride out with us,” said Shirley.
“I shall be pleased,” returned the young man, with a bow.
Mr. Willing met them as they stepped from the train.
Then he saw the young man. He looked at him long and earnestly, and then before either of the girls could speak, he said:
“Surely this is Leonard Wolfe?”
“I am,” said the young man, smiling and extending his hand.
“I thought I could not be mistaken,” said Mr. Willing. “You are your father all over again.”
He turned to Shirley.
“Mr. Wolfe,” he said, “allow me to introduce you to my daughter.” He turned to Mabel, “and——”
“We have already met, Daddy,” laughed Shirley. “Mr. Wolfe made himself known to us on the train.”
“But how——” began Mr. Willing.
“Never mind now, Daddy,” said Shirley. “It’s a long story.”
“Well,” muttered Mr. Willing to himself, “all right, but the young people now-a-days aren’t like they were in my day.”
Then he climbed into the large automobile and Frank started it.
“Somebody’s coming, Dad.”
It was Shirley who spoke. Mr. Willing looked up from his morning paper and turned his eyes toward the distant pike. Between the fields of tall hemp, a quarter of a mile away, a solitary horseman was approaching.
“Can’t make him out from here,” said Mr. Willing, shading his eyes. “I wonder who he is?”
“You’ll know soon enough, Dad,” laughed Shirley. “What’s the use of wondering?”
“Well, set out a box of cigars,” said Mr. Willing, “and make a pitcher of lemonade. He’ll be thirsty after his ride.”
Shirley went towards the pantry, and returned with the lemonade just as the rider dismounted. After a glance she started back in surprise.
“Jones,” she exclaimed.
For the rider was indeed Mr. Jones, the man whom Shirley had travelled to Cincinnati to see.
Shirley ran around the house to where Mabel andyoung Wolfe were swinging in the hammock, in the shade of a giant elm.
“Jones is here,” she cried breathlessly, “what shall we do?”
“There is nothing to worry about,” said Wolfe. “He will try no foolishness here, I’m sure.”
“It’s not that I am afraid of,” returned Shirley, “but if he should talk to Jimmy he is likely to find out that he has been fooled.”
“We must prevent their meeting,” said Mabel.
“But how?” demanded Shirley, in excited tones.
“We’ll see what can be done,” said Wolfe.
He arose and went quickly to the stable, where he engaged Jimmy in conversation. Jimmy should not leave his sight until Jones had taken his departure, Wolfe said to himself.
Meantime Mr. Willing and Jones were holding a friendly conversation on the front porch. Shirley and Mabel strolled into the parlor, where, through the open window, they could hear all that was being said.
“Yes, sir,” said Jones, “it is regarded as a forgone conclusion that Gabriel will win the Derby. I’m backing him myself. Jupiter is the only other entry that has a chance.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that,” returned Mr. Willing. “I am counting on Gabriel winning. If he loses—well, I don’t mind telling you, it will hurt.”
“I suppose you are backing him strong?”
“No,” said Mr. Willing, “I’m not. To tell the truth, I am through betting.”
“Through betting?” asked Jones, in greatest surprise.
“Yes, I have promised my daughter.”
“I see,” said Jones, and changed the subject. “I wonder if I could get a look at Gabriel?”
“Why, certainly. I’ll have some one call Jimmy, and he will show you the horse.”
“Thanks,” said Jones, and sat back to wait.
In response to the message delivered to an old negro, Jimmy came to the house. He started a little at sight of Jones, but recovered quickly. Wolfe followed him.
“Jimmy,” said Mr. Willing, “Mr. Jones would like to have a look at the winner of the coming Derby. Take him to Gabriel.”
“Yes, sir,” said Jimmy.
He walked away, Jones following him. Wolfe would have accompanied him, but Mr. Willing hailed him.
“Young man,” he said, “I wish you would walk up to the pike and see if there is any mail in the box. I am expecting an important letter.”
Wolfe was at a loss what to do. To leave Jimmy and Jones alone might work mischief, but Mr. Willing was not a man who could be put off.
“There’s no hope for it,” said Wolfe to himself, and set off toward the pike.
Shirley and Mabel had overheard the conversation.
“Come,” said the former, “we must at least find out what Jones says to Jimmy.”
They left the house silently, and as silently followed the two to the stable. They managed to crawl into the stall next to Gabriel’s without being discovered.
“Well, how is everything?” asked Jones.
“All right, sir,” was the reply.
“How’s Gabriel, in condition?”
“Perfectly fit, sir.”
“Good; and do you think you can ‘pull’ him without causing talk? It must be neatly done, you know, for should the judges suspect anything they will disqualify the winner.”
“What do you mean?”
“Just what I say. Surely you haven’t forgotten our conversation in Cincinnati?”
“Cincinnati?” and Jimmy’s blank look showed surprise.
“Yes; the little talk we had about letting Jupiter win.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about,” protested Jimmy.
Jones stepped back and looked at Jimmy sternly.
“What are you trying to do, make a fool ofme?” he asked. “I suppose you’ll tell me in a minute you didn’t see me in Cincinnati.”
“I didn’t,” replied Jimmy.
Jones gave a long and expressive whistle.
“I see,” he said. “Your conscience has troubled you, eh? You are going back on your bargain.”
“I made no bargain with you,” said Jimmy angrily.
“You didn’t? I suppose you didn’t write me to meet you in Cincinnati? And I suppose that while there you didn’t accept an offer of $500 to pull Gabriel in the Derby?”
“I did not.”
Jones took a step forward and laid an angry hand on Jimmy’s shoulder.
“Don’t you lie to me, you little shrimp,” he snarled. “You have made the bargain, and you’ll live up to it or I’ll know the reason why.”
Jimmy jerked away angrily.
“I don’t know what you are talking about,” he exclaimed. “I made no bargain with you. I never saw you but once before. Now you had better get out of this stable or I shall call Mr. Willing and tell him all I know about you.”
Jones tried to temporize. He could not disbelieve the evidence of his own eyes, and he naturally concluded that Jimmy was feigning ignorance for a purpose.
“I see,” he exclaimed. “You are a shrewd littlechap. Holding out for more money, eh? Well, I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll make it $750. What do you say to that, eh? See that Gabriel loses the race and I’ll give you $750. Come, what do you say?”
Jimmy hesitated.
“That’s a whole lot of money,” persisted Jones.
Jimmy brought his hands together suddenly.
“Not for a million!” he declared stoutly.
Again Jones became angry and, stretching forth a strong hand suddenly, took Jimmy by the shoulder and shook him.
“You little whipper-snapper!” he said. “What do you mean by trifling with me like that? I’ll show you.”
He drew back a huge fist, and in another second would have sent it crashing into Jimmy’s face.
But, at that, Shirley sprang from the stall. Her eyes flashed, and anger crimsoned her cheeks. In her hand she carried a short whip she had picked up in the stall.
She rushed upon Jones.
“You great big coward!” said Shirley.
Jones, startled, turned just in time to catch the whip across his face. Shirley swung it with all her strength. Jones clapped his hands to his face and uttered a moan of pain.
Then he turned slowly and, as he removed his hand, a huge welt showed where the whip had found its mark.
“You shall answer for that blow,” he said through his teeth. “You and your father both. I’ll break him, if it takes every cent I have.”
Shirley eyed him scornfully.
“Leave here at once,” she commanded, “or I shall tell my father and he will have the niggers drive you off the place.”
Jones took a sudden step toward her. Shirley leaped back and again raised the whip.
“One step nearer,” she said quietly, “and I’ll use the whip again.”
She drew herself up, and, extending a hand toward the door, cried:
“Go!”
With an evil smile on his lips, Jones bowed to her scornfully, and backed through the door. Then Shirley dropped the whip, and walked over to Jimmy, who was sitting upon the floor, his face in his hands.
“Never mind, Jimmy,” she said. “It was a great temptation and you are noble to refuse it.”
Jimmy raised his head.
“Then it was you whom Jones saw in Cincinnati?” he asked.
Shirley nodded.
“I knew it,” replied Jimmy. “When he was so persistent, I knew that he was not lying. Now I understand. Then you must have overheard our first conversation?”
“Yes, I did.”
“And why didn’t you tell your father?”
“Because,” said Shirley slowly, “I knew that I could save you from yourself. I was sure that you would not fail me, no matter how great the temptation; but I knew father would not believe that, if he once learned you had even considered the offer.”
“Miss Shirley,” said Jimmy brokenly, “I can never thank you enough. Never will I be tempted again. Never!”
“I am sure of it,” replied Shirley, “and for that reason I shall say nothing about it to Dad.”
“You will find in the future that I am to be trusted,” said Jimmy simply.
“I am sure of it, Jimmy,” Shirley answered quietly.
She held out her hand to him.
“Jimmy,” said Shirley after supper that evening, calling the boy to one side, “do you think there is any danger of any one tampering with Gabriel?”
“I hadn’t thought of that, Miss Shirley,” replied Jimmy in some surprise. “What made you think of such a thing?”
“I don’t know,” returned Shirley. “I just happened to think of it.”
“It’s certain,” said Mabel, who came up at that moment, “that Jones and his friends will take every means in their power to keep Gabriel from winning the race.”
“That’s just my idea,” said Shirley.
“Then, in the future,” said Jimmy, “I shall sleep in the stable.”
“But what good will that do?” asked Mabel. “You are nothing but a boy. You would be no match for them.”
“He shall have my revolver,” suggested Shirley. She turned to Jimmy. “Can you use it?”
“Yes,” replied the lad.
“Good; then I shall get it for you at once.”
She left them, and, returning a few moments later, placed the weapon in Jimmy’s hands.
“You will sleep in the stable to-night?” she asked.
“Yes,” replied Jimmy. “Jones has not returned to Louisville, and I believe he might come back here in the middle of the night.”
“So do I,” agreed Shirley.
A clock in the house struck eight.
“I’ll go to my room and get a few things, and then return to the stable,” said Jimmy.
Coming downstairs, he bade the girls good-night and went away to his unusual quarters.
He went straight to Gabriel’s stall.
“I’m going to stay with you to-night, old fellow,” he said, patting the horse’s head.
He climbed up into the loft and threw down an extra quantity of hay, which he strewed about the far corner of the stall. On this he spread a blanket he had brought with him from the house. Then he extinguished his lantern, and lay down.
He did not know how long he had been sleeping when he was awakened by the sound of the stall door rattling. Jimmy was a light sleeper. He sat up quickly and groped for the revolver he had placed beside him. With the weapon in his hand he felt more secure.
Again the door rattled. Jimmy sat perfectly still.Then there came the sound of low voices outside.
Gabriel, awakened at this hour of the night, whinnied uneasily. Jimmy rose, and slowly and quietly made his way to the animal’s side, judging his position by the horse’s breathing.
He laid a hand upon the animal’s back, and Gabriel grew still.
Again the door rattled.
“Sounds like they were trying to find the lock,” muttered Jimmy beneath his breath.
Still he made no sound.
At first he had thought of lighting his lantern, but second thought had shown him the utter foolishness of such action. It might frighten away the men on the outside, or else it would make him an easy target should they be bent upon serious mischief.
“They’ll get the door open in a minute,” the boy muttered to himself, and he determined to be ready for them.
There was a click, and Jimmy knew that the intruders had succeeded in forcing the lock. A moment later the top of the stall door swung inward.
The light from a lantern flashed into Jimmy’s face, and he saw a hand stretched forth to open the catch of the bottom door. He saw two faces, one of which he recognized as that of Jones. The other man he had never seen before.
Without stopping to think, Jimmy raised his revolverand fired, even as Jones, having caught sight of the lad, uttered an exclamation of dismay.
A groan followed the shot and then Jimmy heard Jones cry:
“Quick, Dick! He is armed. Put out the light!”
A moment more and complete darkness enveloped the stable.
Jimmy dropped to the ground, keeping as close to the wall as he could, for he did not want to get in the way of Gabriel’s hoofs. Frightened by the shot, Gabriel was rearing and plunging about. Several times his forefeet came down close to Jimmy’s head, but fortunately the lad was untouched.
Then, as Gabriel became more quiet, Jimmy again heard a hand fumbling at the catch, and caught a muttered voice:
“If we can get in we’ll soon settle him!”
Quickly the lad raised the revolver and fired twice. There came a howl of anguish, and a voice cried:
“I’m hit.”
And then in Jones’ voice:
“Some one is coming! Run!”
Jimmy heard the two men racing toward the stable door.
Taking care to avoid Gabriel’s hoofs, the lad leaped to the door and in a moment was on theoutside. He paused, however, to shut and lock the door of the stall.
As he reached the other door, he saw two dark figures spring into the saddles of waiting horses and go galloping toward the pike.
Jimmy sent another shot after them, and turned as he felt a hand upon his arm.
“Here, here, what is the meaning of this?” came Mr. Willing’s voice.
Jimmy turned to face his employer.
“Two men just tried to get into Gabriel’s stall,” he replied.
“What!” exclaimed Mr. Willing, starting back in great surprise.
Jimmy repeated his statement.
“It’s true, sir,” he added. “I frightened them away before they could do any damage, and I think I hit one of them.”
“Did you recognize them?”
“One of them,” was the lad’s reply.
“Who was he?”
“Mr. Jones, sir.”
“You mean the man who was here to see me to-day?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Come to the house with me,” said Mr. Willing sternly. “There is more to this matter than appears on the surface. How did you happen to be sleeping in the stable?”
“It was Miss Shirley, sir, who first thought that Gabriel might come to harm.”
“And what does she know about this matter?”
“She knows all about it, sir.”
“I’ll wake her now and find out,” declared Mr. Willing.
But there was no need to call Shirley, nor Mabel, either, for that matter. Both girls had heard the sound of the shots, and had immediately arisen from bed and begun to dress. Mabel’s father also had been aroused and now came from the house with them. As Jimmy and Mr. Willing approached, Mr. Ashton called out:
“What’s the matter, Willing?”
Mr. Willing explained in a few quick sentences. Then he turned to his daughter.
“Come to my room,” he said. “I want to ask you some questions.”
Shirley, Mabel, and Mr. Ashton followed Mr. Willing and Jimmy.
“Now, Shirley,” said Mr. Willing, sternly, “tell me all that you know about this matter.”
Shirley hesitated, but knew well it was useless. So, starting with the first conversation she had overheard between Jones and Jimmy, she told it all. At the conclusion of her story, Mr. Willing turned a grave look upon Jimmy.
“So you thought of selling me out, eh?”
Jimmy hung his head but made no reply.
“Daddy,” interrupted Shirley, “he did no such thing. He was just tempted; that’s all.”
“That he should even listen to the voice of the tempter is enough for me,” said Mr. Willing. “Smith, you may pack your clothes and leave the first thing in the morning.”
Jimmy bowed his head, and started to leave the room.
But Shirley ran across the room and stopped him. Standing between him and the door through which he would have left, she turned flashing eyes upon her father.
“Shame upon you,” she said, pointing an accusing finger at him. “But for Jimmy, there is no telling what might have happened to Gabriel this night. You know as well as I do that Jimmy is perfectly honest. You shan’t drive him away.”
“This is my business,” said Mr. Willing.
“And it is mine, too, when I see you doing an injustice,” replied Shirley. “You would be terribly sorry in the morning, and I don’t want you to have any such regrets.”
“Thank you, Miss Shirley,” said Jimmy quietly, “but it is best that I go.”
He moved toward the door.
Mr. Willing’s manner underwent a sudden change. He turned sharply to Jimmy.
“Didn’t you just hear my daughter tell you to stay?” he demanded.
“Why—why——” began Jimmy.
“Don’t stand there and stutter at me,” said Mr. Willing. “My daughter’s wishes must be obeyed. What do you mean by trying to run away?”
In spite of herself, Shirley was forced to smile. Mr. Willing noticed this smile, and his face grew red. He turned again to Jimmy, held out his hand, and with an effort that was apparent, said:
“Jimmy, I beg your pardon. I should have known better. And forgive my last outburst, too. If you know how hard it is for me to admit that I was wrong——”
Shirley cut short the rest of the apology by throwing her arms tightly about her father’s neck.
“You are just the best Daddy in the world,” she said, and gave him a resounding kiss. “I knew you didn’t mean it.”
“I wouldn’t lose Jimmy for the world,” said Mr. Willing.
At this moment a voice was heard in the hall.
“What’s the matter?” came Leonard Wolfe’s voice. “I thought I heard a shot.”
“The shot,” said Shirley, trying not to smile, “was fired half an hour ago. You must have been some distance away if it took this long for the sound of it to reach you.”
Wolfe’s face grew scarlet.
“I——” he began, but Shirley interrupted him.
“It amounts to nothing,” she said.
Jimmy returned to the stable and the rest went to bed. The night passed without further incident.
“Jimmy,” said Mr. Willing the following morning, “I want you to go to town and buy a new strong lock, one that cannot be opened from the outside. We will take no further chances with Jones and his crowd.”
“Very well, sir,” replied the boy, and a half hour later started on his way, riding one of the horses.
The lock purchased, Jimmy, in an unfrequented part of town, was just preparing to mount for his homeward journey, when a rude hand was suddenly laid on his shoulder. Jimmy turned about quickly and looked into the smiling face of Jones.
“You listen to me, son,” said Jones. “We haven’t been able to get together so far, but I still think I can make it worth your while to do what I ask.”
“I don’t want anything to do with you,” replied Jimmy.
“Come, now,” said Jones, “don’t be stubborn. Come with me to where we can talk without fear of being overheard.”
Jimmy hesitated.
“Perhaps I can learn something,” he told himself. Aloud he said: “All right.”
Jones smiled and led the way down the street. He turned in the door of what appeared to be a small hotel, and walked up the steps, Jimmy following.
Jones went into a little room, and drew two chairs up to the table that stood in the center.
“Now we can get down to business,” he said.
Jimmy sat down, and at that moment the door opened again and a newcomer appeared upon the scene. He was young, but large and apparently very strong. He took a seat at the table without a word. Then Jimmy noticed for the first time that his hand was tightly bandaged.
“This, Dick,” said Jones to the newcomer and indicating Jimmy, “is the youngster who put the bullet through your hand.”
Dick jumped up.
“Is that so,” he cried. “Then I have a score to settle with him.”
He advanced toward Jimmy, but Jones stopped him.
“Not now,” he said; “at any rate, not if he will do my bidding.”
Dick sat down again.
“Now,” said Jones to Jimmy, “I am going to give you one last chance to do as I have asked. I am willing yet to pay the stipulated amount. However, in case you refuse, I might as well tell you that I shall use other means. Gabriel must not win the Derby. In offering you the chance I have, I am simply taking the easiest way. If you refuse or I think you will play me false, I shall take other steps. What do you say?”
Jimmy got slowly to his feet.
“What other means could you use?” he said.
“Plenty,” was the reply. “I might dope the horse, or shoot him in the leg, or I might even burn the stable.”
Jimmy shuddered.
“You wouldn’t do that,” he said.
“Wouldn’t I?” exclaimed Jones. “Don’t try me. I will go the limit to make sure that Gabriel doesn’t win. Now, what is your answer?”
Jimmy drew himself up.
“The same as it was yesterday,” he said quietly. “You can’t buy me.”
“I can’t, eh?” exclaimed Jones, springing to his feet. “Let me ask you something. Suppose you should disappear; who would ride Gabriel in the Derby?”
Jimmy was frightened.
“Why, I don’t know,” he replied. “Nobody butme can ride Gabriel. But why do you ask that?”
“Because,” said Jones slowly, “you are about to disappear.”
“Disappear?” repeated Jimmy.
“Exactly. I am going to keep you out of sight until after the race.”
Jimmy had surmised what Jones meant at the other’s first words, but he had feigned ignorance, playing for time. He had been edging closer and closer toward the door.
Suddenly he darted toward it and laid his hand on the knob. Jones and his companion were after him with a shout. Unfortunately for Jimmy, the door opened inward, and he was forced to step back to let it swing wide. This caused his undoing.
“You would, would you,” exclaimed the villain, as he drew Jimmy forcibly back into the room. “Take that, and that, then, and see if it will teach you I am not to be trifled with.”
He cuffed Jimmy’s ears soundly. Then he hurled the boy into a chair.
“You sit there until I tell you to get up,” he said angrily, “or I’ll give you a little more.”
Jimmy realized that for the time being escape was impossible, and he sat back in his chair, determined to make the best of a bad situation. He said nothing.
“What are you going to do with him, sir?” asked the youth called Dick.
“Keep him safe until after the race,” was the reply.
“But you can’t keep him here all that time.”
“That’s so. I’ll have to find some place for him.”
“Well,” said Dick, “I know where you can put him.”
“Good; where is it?”
“I have an old uncle who lives down the creek. He has a little house down there, and for a small sum he’ll do almost anything.”
“And you think he’ll keep this kid quiet until after the big race?”
“Sure.”
“Then you go and fix it up with him. Tell him it will mean $50 to him.”
Dick left the room, and Jones turned to Jimmy.
“You see now what a fool you are,” he exclaimed. “You might just as well have the money if you had brains. Now you won’t get a cent.”
“I don’t want it,” replied Jimmy quietly, “and if you think you can hold me a prisoner till after the race you are mistaken.”
“Is that so?” sneered Jones. “And how do you figure you are going to get away?”
“That is my business,” said Jimmy.
Jones laughed aloud. He got up from his chair and went toward the door.
“I’m going out for a few minutes,” he said, “andI am going to lock you in. You can yell all you please. No one will pay any attention to you.”
He went through the door, and Jimmy heard the key turn in the lock on the outside. No sooner had the man gone than Jimmy walked quickly toward a little window in the back of the room and looked out. Then he shook his head gloomily.
Suddenly he was struck with an idea. He drew a piece of paper and a pencil from his pocket, and seating himself at the table wrote rapidly. Then again he approached the window.
A few minutes later a small boy passed along the street below. Jimmy whistled sharply, and the boy looked up. Jimmy gesticulated violently, and the lad below stopped.
Quickly Jimmy drew out his pocket knife, and a silver quarter—all the money he had—and these he wrapped in the paper upon which he had written, and dropped them through the window.
They fell almost at the boy’s feet. The latter stooped and picked them up. He glanced at the address Jimmy had written, then looked up and nodded. He pocketed the knife and the quarter and then hurried away.
Jimmy breathed a sigh of relief, and sank into a chair. He was still there when Jones returned.
“Decided to make the best of your lot, eh?” said Jones, noticing that, apparently, the lad had given up.
“I guess I’ll have to,” was Jimmy’s reply.
“I’m glad you are that sensible. I don’t want to use force unless it is necessary.”
Now Jimmy bethought himself it would be a good plan to temporize with his captor.
“Look here, Jones,” he said, not deigning to use the prefix, “Mr.,” “I have been thinking. Why can’t we get together on this thing?”
Jones laughed amusedly.
“So you are going to try that on me,” he said. “It’s too late now, son, and I am too old a bird to be caught like that. Think you can fool me, eh, and then go back and tell Willing all about it. No. You had your chance and you refused; and to tell the truth, I am glad of it. I will be money ahead.”
Half an hour later Dick returned.
“What luck?” asked Jones.
“The best,” was Dick’s reply. “My uncle said he would be glad to keep him. And he’ll guard him carefully, never fear.”
“That is settled then. Now how about getting him there?”
“Well, I would say that the thing to do is to get a closed carriage. It’s still light, you know, and if he made a break we might have trouble, for some one would be sure to see us.”
“A good plan. Better go now and get a carriage.”
Dick again turned toward the door. Jones called after him.
“And do the driving yourself.”
Fifteen minutes later Dick returned and announced that the carriage was at the door. Jones turned to Jimmy.
“Now,” he said harshly, “I want you to understand that I will stand no nonsense. Make a false move when you go out the door, or utter a sound, and I’ll hit you over the head with this,” and he displayed an evil-looking cane.
Jimmy made no reply, and went through the door between Jones and his companion.
At first Jimmy had thought of flight, but the nearness of his captors made this impossible. He took his seat without a word, and soon was being driven away.
Before a small frame house, at the far end of town, upon the very brink of the creek, Dick pulled up, and Jones and Jimmy alighted. As they approached the house, an old man came to meet them.
“And is this the boy I am to guard?” he asked.
“It is,” replied Jones.
“Well, I’ll guard him,” was the reply, and the old man bared his ugly teeth in a snarl.
He took Jimmy by the coat collar, and twisted it until the boy gasped.
“Get in the house there, you!” he commanded.
Jimmy obeyed. Jones climbed back into the carriage and was soon being driven away. The old man followed Jimmy closely, snarling at every step.
“I wonder what is detaining Jimmy?”
It was Mr. Willing who spoke. Mr. Willing, Mr. Ashton, young Wolfe, Shirley and Mabel were still seated at the supper table.
“I can’t understand why he wasn’t back hours ago,” declared Mr. Willing. “That’s the trouble with boys, you can’t depend on them. He has probably stopped to play somewhere.”
“I don’t believe Jimmy would do that,” said Shirley. “Besides, he knows that he will have to guard Gabriel to-night.”
“Perhaps,” said Mr. Ashton, “that is the reason he is in no hurry to return. The chances are he has had enough of that job, after his experience last night.”
“I don’t believe Jimmy is that kind of a boy, father,” said Mabel.
“Nor I,” spoke up young Wolfe. “He strikes me as a brave and true lad. Perhaps something has happened to him.”
“And what could have happened to him?” demanded Mr. Willing. “He knows the way home, and if he couldn’t get here, certainly he should have sense enough to telephone.”
“I don’t know what to think,” said Shirley.
It was Mabel who finally guessed the answer to the mystery.
“Maybe Mr. Jones has waylaid him,” she suggested.
Shirley sprang to her feet.
“My gracious!” she exclaimed. “Why didn’t we think of that before? Of course, that is what’s the matter. What shall we do?”
“Be quiet, Shirley,” said her father. “In the first place, we do not know that that is the reason. And in the second place, even if we did there is nothing we could do to-night. And perhaps Mabel’s theory is all wrong. Jimmy is likely to come strolling in any time.”
“I believe Mabel is right,” said Leonard. “From what I have heard this man Jones would stop at nothing. As Jimmy is not here, I’ll volunteer to sleep in the stable to-night.”
“But I cannot permit that,” said Mr. Willing. “You are my guest. I——”
“Nevertheless,” Leonard interrupted, “I am going to sleep there. The chances are that the conspirators will not be active again to-night, but it is always best to be prepared.”
“Well,” said Mr. Willing, “I won’t say no if you insist. I’m sure that I shall rest easier, for if anything should happen that Gabriel could not run in the Derby——”
He broke off. “Thank you,” he added.
“Well,” said Mr. Ashton, later in the evening, as they still waited for some word from Jimmy, “there is no use sitting up all night. We might as well turn in, so we can get busy early in the morning.”
This suggestion was acted upon at once. Young Wolfe, with a lantern, made his way to the stable, where he took up his vigil just outside Gabriel’s stall, for the animal would not allow him to enter. The others went to bed.
The night passed peacefully, and all were up bright and early in the morning.
“I am going to town immediately and see if I can learn anything,” said Shirley at the breakfast table.
“You’ll stay right here,” said Mr. Willing decidedly. “I’ll do the looking myself.”
“I’ll go too,” said Leonard.
“Then why can’t we go?” asked Mabel.
“Well,” said Mr. Willing, “I have no objection to your going with Leonard, because he can keep you out of mischief. I am going to start immediately. You can follow as soon you are ready. I’ll meet you at Wilson’s drug store at noon.”
He arose and ordered his horse saddled at once, and before half an hour had passed he was well started on his journey.
It was fully an hour later before the others were ready to start in the large touring car, and by that time Mr. Willing was already in town.
Just as the girls were stepping into the car the distant yard gate opened, and the figure of a little boy came into sight.
Mabel was the first to catch sight of him.
“Who is that?” she asked. “At first I thought it was Jimmy.”
“We’ll wait and see what he wants,” Shirley decided.
The youngster came up to them a few moments later.
“What is it, little boy?” asked Mabel.
“I got a note for Mr. Willing,” came the reply.
“Who from?”
“I dunno. A fellow threw it out the winder to me.”
“A message from Jimmy,” exclaimed Shirley, as she jumped from the car. “Give it to me,” she commanded.
But the boy held back.
“It’s for Mr. Willing,” he protested.
“I am Mr. Willing’s daughter,” said Shirley. “Come, give me the note.”
She took it from his hand, and opened it eagerly.
“Who’s it from, Shirley?” asked Mabel. “Is it from Jimmy?”
“Yes,” replied Shirley quietly. “Listen.” She read:
“Held prisoner by Jones. Am going to be taken to some house on creek and guarded till after race. Don’t know where.
“JIMMY.”
“I knew it,” said Mabel. “I was sure Jimmy was in trouble of some kind.”
“But how are we to find the house?” asked Shirley.
“I don’t know,” replied Mabel.
“We’ll have to tackle them all, that’s all there is about that,” said Leonard decidedly. “And the sooner we start the better, if you ask me.”
“Let’s hurry, then,” said Shirley anxiously.
“Wait a moment,” said Mabel. “Are you going to let the little boy walk back to town?”
“Of course not,” replied Shirley. “But I was so excited I forgot all about him. Jump in, little boy.”
The boy needed no second bidding, and soon the machine was speeding toward the pike.
“Can you take us to the place where the note was dropped?” asked Shirley.
“Yes’m,” was the reply.
True to his word, the little fellow directed thecar to the exact spot where he had picked up the note.
“You wait here,” said young Wolfe, alighting, “and I’ll run up and interview this fellow Jones, if he’s in.”
“I’ll go too,” said Shirley.
“So will I,” declared Mabel.
Young Wolfe hesitated.
“You know what your father said.”
“Never mind,” said Shirley. “Surely there is no danger.”
The two girls followed Leonard into the place. Leonard knocked on several doors before he received an answer, but an old woman finally directed him to the room occupied by Jones and Dick.
Leonard rapped loudly on the door. A moment later the door swung inward, and Jones poked his head out.
“What do you want?” he demanded.
“I want to see you,” said Leonard briefly, and put his weight against the door, as Jones tried to close it.
“You can’t come in here,” Jones protested.
“But I’m already in, my friend,” said Leonard.
“Who are you?” asked Jones.
“Why,” said Leonard, “my name is Wolfe, and I am a friend of these young ladies here,” he added, as the two girls appeared through the door.
Jones took a step back, surprise in his face.
“Well, what do you want?” he demanded.
“We want to know what you have done with Jimmy,” declared Shirley, approaching closer and clenching her little fists.
“Jimmy?” repeated Jones, trying to look unconcerned. “And who is Jimmy, pray?”
“You know who Jimmy is,” flared Mabel. “Tell us where he is.”
“Oh, you mean Mr. Willing’s stable boy?”
“Yes,” said Shirley.
“How should I know?” asked Jones, throwing wide his arms in a gesture of ignorance.
Young Wolfe stepped close to Jones.
“There is no use pretending ignorance,” he said quietly. “Show him the note, Shirley.”
Shirley drew the note from her handbag and passed it to Jones, who read it carefully. Then the latter looked up and smiled.
“I don’t blame you for suspecting me, in view of this note,” he said with a smile, “but just the same I shall have to deny the implication. The boy is fooling you. I know nothing of his whereabouts.”
“That,” said Leonard calmly, “is a lie.”
Jones took a threatening step forward, but Leonard did not give an inch.
“A liar, am I?” said Jones. “I’ll show you.”
His arm came up from his side, and he aimed aterrific blow at Leonard’s head. But quick as he was Leonard was quicker.