CHAPTER XVIII.
"WHO BREAKS, PAYS."
The doctor listened to the complaint made by the son of the dead man, and assured him that he knew nothing of the theft of the corpse, when suddenly a piercing shriek was heard in the hallway.
"That is my housekeeper's voice," said the doctor. "What has happened?" He rushed out of the room. "Miss Minks," exclaimed the doctor, meeting her in the passage, "why this excitement?"
"Doctor," she answered, "some one has had the audacity to enter my sleeping apartment, and has actually got into my bed. I have spoken to him in vain, and am under the impression that he must be grossly intoxicated."
Garretson, suspecting the truth, snatched the lamp from one hand, and entered the room. One glance at the bed showed him that his suspicions were well founded.
When Miss Minks realized the fact that she had been speaking to a corpse, she sank into a chair and fainted away; but as nobody took the least notice of her shespeedily came to, and contented herself with groaning terribly.
It is probable that the mob would have done some serious injury to the doctor, notwithstanding the presence of the constable, had not Tommy come to the rescue.
"I must own up," he said to Bobsey.
"If you do, we shall be bounced," replied Bobsey; "and then what will we do?"
"I can't help it," said Tommy, "a joke's a joke, but the doctor mustn't suffer for our fun."
"You're a fool! Don't do it."
"I'll have to," replied Tommy.
Saying this he approached Mr. Garretson, and touched him on the shoulder.
"If you please, sir!" he exclaimed, "I and another boy did this. The doctor knew nothing about it."
Mr. Garretson regarded him angrily.
"Where is the other boy?" he said. "You must both be punished for such an outrage on decency and propriety."
Bobsey, however, wasn't to be found.
The doctor was much relieved by Tommy's avowal, and said:
"You see, sir, that what I told you was the simple truth. These mischievous boys have made all the trouble."
"Well," replied Garretson, "as the old story has it, 'who breaks, pays,' and he must suffer for it."
In his hand he carried a small cane, which he raised to strike Tommy, but the latter did not at all relish the prospect of a caning.
He ducked his head, and darting past the young man, gained the head of the kitchen stairs, down which he ran, emerging soon afterward in the street.
His quick eye soon detected Bobsey, who had climbed to the top of a lamp-post to get a better view of what was going on inside.
When he heard Tommy's voice calling him, he descended from his elevated position and joined him.
"What shall we do now?" inquired Tommy.
"Don't you want to get 'ome again?" asked Bobsey.
"Nothing I should like so much, but where's the money to come from?"
"Come on with me, right away, and we'll 'ave a good try of it anyhow. I've got a few shillings to live on vile we're looking for a ship, and I reckon ve'll be foolish to hang about 'ere hany longer, as that cop hon the door-step looks has hif he vas seeking for hus."
This advice was too good to be neglected, and Tommy put himself by the side of Bobsey, who started off down the street at a quick pace.
They walked to the east end of London, and passing over Tower Hill, gained the extensive docks which line that side of the river Thames.
Their long walk had made them tired, and they gladly sat down on an old barrel, behind them being an extensive range of warehouses, and in front, floating in the basin, a number of ships, which were either taking in or discharging cargo.
The ship nearest them was named theEliza Ann, which name they read on the stern, followed by the words New York.
"That's our chance," exclaimed Tommy. "I'll bet she's come over with grain or oil, and if there's any man aboard of her who knows Jersey City, you can put up your pile we're all hunk."
"Here's a chap coming down the side. Speak to him," replied Bobsey. "We want some place to sleep to-night, and if we're going to strike a ship, it may as well be done hat once."
The man approached the boys, and saved Bobsey the trouble of speaking first by addressing them with the remark:
"What are you loafing about here for?"
"Looking for work, sir," replied Bobsey.
"Who do you think is going to employ a cockney like you?" answered the man. "Get out of here."
"Vell," said Bobsey, "you needn't be so huffish habout it. Do you own that vessel?"
"None of your business; but, if you want to know, I'm first officer."
"If you've hany hinterest in the domestic harrangements," said Bobsey, "you might hintroduce hus two has cabin boys, you know."
The first officer of theEliza Janeput his hands in his pockets, and spit out a chew of tobacco.
"Do you know what cabin boys' pay is?" he asked.
"No, sir," replied Bobsey.
"It's more kicks than half pence, and if you like to take that I'll ship you."
"Thank you, sir," cried Tommy, eagerly. "I only want to get to Jersey City."
"What!" cried the man, "are you a Yankee boy?"
"You can bet I am."
"Shake on that, sonny," cried the officer. "I'm glad to meet a countryman, if he is young and out of luck."
"Do you come from Jersey City?" inquired Tommy.
"I do, and I fancy I've seen your face somewhere. Didn't you travel with Charley Barker, the undertaker's son?"
"Yes, sir," replied Tommy, eying the officer delightedly.
"And your name is——"
"Tommy Smithers."
At this answer the officer's face became very grave. He hesitated a moment.
"See here," he said. "They call me Boston Charley, and those who know me will tell you that I'm no tale carrier, but since I've happened to strike you in this odd way I'll let you know what I heard. Your father had to skip pretty lively from his home, and it is rumored that he went West—some say to California, some to Nevada."
"What for?"
"Well, if you must hear it, because he robbed his employers."
This announcement was a great shock to Tommy.
"Did mother go with him?" he inquired.
"Yes," replied Boston Charley. "They went together at a moment's notice."