“If you want to give up you can sit down here and wait for me,” said John resolutely; “I’m going to keep this thing up until I strike oil or gold.”
Both boys earnestly renewed their search, but their efforts in the rapidly passing minutes were still unrewarded.
“There isn’t anything here,” muttered Fred. “We’ve looked high and low. Mr. Button didn’t know what he was talking about.”
John made no response to the declaration of his discouraged companion and perhaps abashed somewhat by the zeal of John, again joined in the search.
“Have you looked in that piano-box?” inquired John at last.
“Yes, but there isn’t anything but a little meal in the bottom. It isn’t deep enough to cover a box of matches.”
“We’ll look again anyway,” said John as he lifted the cover and glanced within the high box. He was about to drop the cover when once more he hesitated. Leaning over the edge he thrust his long arms down into the meal below him. In one corner of the box his fingers came in contact with an object which instantly aroused his keenest interest. A moment later he brought out a small wooden box, discolored, heavy and apparently of no value. He speedily discovered, however, that the top of the box was fastened by a small and strong pad-lock. Holding his discovery aloft John quickly turned to Fred and said, “Do you see what I’ve found?”
“What is it? What is it?” whispered Fred as he ran to join his friend.
“It’s a box.”
“So I see, but how much does that mean?”
“I don’t know how much it means,” retorted John, “but I do know that it is a wooden box, that it’s about six inches square and that it is heavy—”
“Yes, to look at it,” broke in Fred; “it’s old and looks as if it had been left out in the weather. Even if it is locked I don’t believe that there’s anything of any value in it.”
“That isn’t what troubles me,” said John quietly.
“What do you mean?”
“Why, I mean this box is hidden here. I don’t know as we have any right to take it. I wonder too if Mr. Button is really what he says he is. Suppose we take this box away with us and then somebody arrests us for stealing? What’s to hinder?”
“That’s nothing to hinder,” said Fred, “but we’ll take the box with us just the same.”
Each of the boys was confident whenever his companion became fearful or discouraged.
“We’ll say no more about it,” said John as his turned toward the open slide by which they had entered the building.
“Don’t show it to Mr. Button when that woman in there can see you,” suggested Fred.
“Thank you,” laughed John. “I’ll try to heed your advice, kind sir.”
Abruptly, however, both boys halted and neither made any effort to depart while they both were listening intently to sounds which they heard outside the building.
“Pull back the slide! Pull back the slide!” whispered Fred, now plainly alarmed. “The Jap is coming and he’s got those two big dogs with him, too. I don’t know what will happen to us now.”
“Did he see you?” inquired John, who was now as keenly excited as his friend.
“I don’t know. The only thing we can do is to wait and see what happens.”
The slide had been left open an inch or more and through the open space both boys in their excitement watched the little Japanese as he drew near. The Great Danes were romping about the place evidently enjoying their freedom. They were still free when the Japanese turned and entered the house. When he had closed the door behind him the three dogs, for now the one that had not accompanied the Japanese joined his mates, ran about the place as full of life and kindness in their somewhat awkward activities as a clumsy puppy.
Relieved that the Japanese had not come at once to the barn the two boys were still anxious, for they were aware that Mr. Button was yet in the house. Indeed, as the time slowly passed, the excitement of the boys steadily increased.
“There comes Rufus,” whispered John at last.
“It’s time for us to leave,” said Fred, after he had convinced himself that the peculiar helper of Mr. Halsey was indeed coming to the barn. “It’s time for us to go above.”
Instantly Fred ran to the low ladder and swiftly made his way to the loft, an example which John speedily followed. John still held the box which he had discovered in the meal and when both boys had found a hiding place in the loft they peered through a knot hole in the floor and watched Rufus as he seated himself in the little cart.
The interest of the boys became still more intense when after a few minutes had passed Mr. Halsey himself came into the barn and closed the door after he had entered.
“You’re right on time to-day, Rufus,” said Mr. Halsey.
“Be I?” replied Rufus, apparently not strongly elated by the compliment.
“Yes, you are, and I’m going to give you that box to take to Mackinac.”
“What else are you going to give me?”
“You’ll get all you deserve, Rufus, if you’ll do just what I tell you.”
“That’s what I’ve heard you say before.”
“Well, you hear me say it now,” said Mr. Halsey sternly. “You do your part and you need not fear that I shall not do mine.”
“What is it you want me to do?”
“I have told you. I want you to take your motor-boat and carry that little box to Mackinac. You mustn’t let anybody see it, for it is valuable and much of what you will get from me depends upon how successful you are in keeping everybody away from that box, and delivering it safely just where I tell you. I’m writing out the directions,” he added, as drawing a blank card from his pocket he hastily wrote upon the back and then handed it to the ungainly man who apparently was still not strongly impressed by the words he had heard.
As soon as this had been done Mr. Halsey advanced to the piano box and lifting the cover thrust his hand into the meal.
The boys were unable to see the expression which came over his face, but in their imagination they were both confident they knew how startling his appearance was. They were still able to see Rufus in his seat in the cart and the alarm which he quickly manifested was connected directly with the failure of his employer to find the object for which he was seeking.
“Where’s that box?” demanded Mr. Halsey, turning and approaching the cart.
“I don’t know nothing about the box,” grumbled Rufus. “All I do is take your boxes over to Mackinac or down to Western Duck Island. You promised to give me ten dollars a day and I’ve spent ten days for you this summer and you have paid me just twelve dollars and a half.”
“If you’ll find this box for me I will give you fifty dollars,” declared Mr. Halsey. His excitement was plainly manifest in his voice and John trembled slightly as he assured himself that the box he had found was still safely in his possession.
“Rufus,” said Mr. Halsey sharply, “have you got that box?”
“No.”
“Do you know where it is?”
“No.”
“Do you know what is in it?”
“Something good, I suppose, but I don’t know what it is.”
“Rufus,” said Mr. Halsey again after a brief silence, “I want you to give up that box.”
“I tell you I ain’t got your box.”
“You give me that box or I shall set the dogs on you.”
Instantly the smuggler ran to the door to carry out his threat. He whistled shrilly and in response to his call the three huge dogs came bounding into the barn.
“I’ll give you one more chance,” said Mr. Halsey turning again to Rufus. “You give me that box or get it and I’ll give you fifty dollars. If you don’t do it, then we’ll see what you can do against the dogs.”
“I don’t know nothing about your box,” whined Rufus. It was plain now that he was alarmed, but no one knew better than the waiting boys how truthful his statement was.
And then an almost unaccountable event followed. Angered by the persistent refusal of Rufus, Mr. Halsey turned sharply and said to the dogs, “Bite him! Bite him!”
A wild yell from Rufus followed when the three huge dogs at once leaped upon him. They were, however, possessed with the spirit of play and not one of them did the trembling man any harm. In his terror Rufus had slipped from his seat and when he tried to leap to the floor he fell in a heap. A series of wild yells followed when the Great Danes came sniffing about him, apparently puzzled by all the commotion.
Nor did they respond to the repeated demands of Mr. Halsey to attack the prostrate man.
The screams of Rufus, however, had been heard in the house and now Mr. Button and the Japanese were seen running swiftly toward the barn. At the same time the excitement of the dogs increased and there were loud barkings and yelpings as they ran and leaped about the place.
The little Japanese, however, as soon as he entered the barn threw back his head and emitted another of his wild, hoarse laughs.
“What’s the joke?” demanded Mr. Halsey angrily as he turned upon his servant.
Again the Japanese laughed, and ignoring the question called to the dogs, every one of which instantly obeyed his call. Both Fred and John were convinced that if the Japanese should order the dogs to attack any one his word instantly would be obeyed.
Meanwhile the manner of Rufus again quickly changed. Assured that he was safe from an attack, the look of cunning again appeared in his little red eyes and when the three men departed from the barn there was a swagger in his walk as he led the way to the house.
As soon as the boys were convinced that the men had withdrawn, they quickly descended the ladder and ran out into the yard.
“Look yonder,” said John grasping his friend by the arm and pointing toward the shore. “There are George and Grant and they are both coming here.”
“The more the merrier,” laughed Fred, relieved by the sight of his friends. “There will be less danger now than there was before. That man Halsey is desperate. What have you done with the box?”
“I have got it here under my sweater,” answered John in a low voice. “Does it show?”
“Not much. I don’t believe I should notice it unless I was looking for it.”
At that moment Mr. Button appeared in the doorway of the kitchen and said, “Come into the house, boys.”
“Wait a minute, Mr. Button,” called John. “Come out here a minute.”
The man glanced hastily behind him and then turned quickly around the corner of the house. John at once joined him and in a low voice said, “We got the box.”
“Where is it?” whispered Mr. Button.
“Under my sweater.”
“Let me see it.”
Standing directly in the way so that no one coming from the house could see him, Mr. Button glanced quickly at the box and then said, “Keep it, John, and don’t let any one see it and guard it as if your life depended upon it.”
“Is that the box you were looking for?” whispered John.
“Yes. Now we’ll go into the house, or at least I shall. Perhaps you had better stay here with Fred until I call you or come out.”
George and Grant now had arrived, and laughingly the former said, “What’s the matter with you fellows? You’re all covered with dust and dirt.”
“Maybe you would be if you had been where we have.”
“Where have you been?”
John was unable to explain, however, for at that moment both Mr. Button and Mr. Halsey together came out of the house. The appearance of the latter indicated that he was not so much angry as crestfallen and perhaps alarmed as well. Mr. Button, however, was quiet in his manner and as he glanced at the boys his confidence and pride were instantly manifest.
Rufus too came and joined the group and whispering to Fred said, “I want to go with you when you leave.”
“What’s the matter, Rufus?” laughed Fred.
“I don’t want to stay here after you go. There’s something happened.”
“What has happened?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“Well, I’ll back you up, Rufus. I know you didn’t take it.”
For a moment the jaw of the ungainly man dropped and he stared blankly at the boy. “What do you know about it?” he said at last.
“Not very much,” laughed Fred. “If you want to go with us I’ll see if Mr. Button is willing.”
The consent was readily obtained and in a brief time the party which now consisted of six started toward the shore where their motor-boats were waiting for their coming.
It was not long before all were on board, Rufus insisting upon taking his place with Fred and John. It was on the same boat also that Mr. Button sailed.
For a time, until the shores of Cockburn Island could no longer be seen, silence rested upon the party. No one appeared about the house as they looked back at the island from which they had come. Not even the dogs now could be seen.
It was then that Mr. Button turning to the boys said, “I fancy you boys are anxious to know what all this means.”
“Yes, we are,” said Fred quickly. “We know a little, but not very much about it.”
“This man,” explained Mr. Button, “is one of the most expert smugglers of diamonds in America. Sometimes he comes to New York, sometimes to Boston and then again he lands at New Orleans or Baltimore.”
“Why hasn’t he ever been caught?” inquired John.
“He was caught once and brought to trial, but on some technicality he went free. I had word that he was trying a new tack. Several times he has landed at Montreal and then coming up the river has made his way across the border hereabouts and taken his goods either to Chicago or Buffalo. But we have run the rascal down at last.”
“But you haven’t got him,” protested Fred.
“That’s true. I couldn’t take him on Canadian soil without extradition papers. I have his diamonds, however, and he prefers to give them up rather than take any chances of being arrested and handed over to our government.”
“It’s a strange way to smuggle,” said John thoughtfully.
“All smugglers are strange. I have been in the employ of the government a good many years and I never have found one that wasn’t ‘strange.’”
“What do you suppose those diamonds are worth?” inquired Fred.
“According to the word we have received,” replied Mr. Button, “there are diamonds in that box valued at from $10,000 to $15,000.”
“Whew!” said John. “I guess I will hand it over to you right away. You had better take it,” he said as he drew the box from its hiding place and handed it to the Government Agent.
“I want to thank you boys for the part you have taken,” continued Mr. Button, “and I shall not forget about other rewards. I think the first real evidence I had came when the clerk at the hotel by mistake gave you my letter. Why did you write those letters!” he added turning abruptly upon Rufus, as he spoke.
“What letters?” demanded Rufus.
“About the smuggler.”
For a moment the ungainly man appeared to be somewhat confused; then, rising from his seat and throwing back his shoulders, he said proudly, “I could not leave those diamonds on my conscience. I had to tell you about it.”
“I wonder if that is the real reason. Did you get all the pay that Mr. Halsey promised you?”
“Not yet,” said Rufus, “but I will have it pretty soon. What are you laughing at!” he demanded abruptly as he turned toward the boys who were all manifestly enjoying the scene.
“We’re laughing to think that Halsey gave up his goods rather than take a chance of an arrest. Of course he did not know that we had them. By the way, Mr. Button, do you think it is right for us to take them?”
“Right! Why not?” demanded Mr. Button.
“Why, they aren’t ours.”
“That is true. They belong to the United States, or will very soon.”
“But you took them on Canadian soil.”
“Did I take them?” inquired Mr. Button smiling as he spoke.
“No, we took them,” acknowledged Fred. “Perhaps we’ll get into trouble.”
“You need have no fear of that. They were simply confiscated on one side of the line instead of on the other and really this man Halsey has no just claim to them.”
“This has been a great summer,” said Fred enthusiastically. “There’s been something stirring every day. We have been going from one excitement to another about as fast as we could go. But now we have come to the end.”
“Oh, no,” laughed Mr. Button. “You haven’t gotten to the end by any manner of means. Go ahead boys never turn backward. I think you will find that you have still more exciting experiences before you.”
“Then we’ll go ahead and try them,” laughed John.
“But not to-night,” said Fred. “We’ll be in Mackinac in a little while.”
“It doesn’t make any difference,” declared John. “We’ll go ahead wherever we are.”
THE END