"YOU KNOW WHO."
"Where is the gentleman who gave you the note?" asked Walter.
"Down the road a piece. He asked me to be quick."
"Tell him," said Walter, putting the note in his vest pocket, "that hewill have to come here himself."
He finished his toilet and went down to breakfast, but the robber didnot put in an appearance. He probably thought that Walter was laying atrap for him.
CHAPTER XXIV
AN ATTEMPT TO RECOVER THE REVOLVER
As Walter had been brought up with a strict sense of honesty, he wassomewhat in doubt whether he ought to keep the revolver, which was ahandsome one, silver-mounted. He decided, however, that it would bequixotic to disarm himself and put the outlaw in a position to renew hisattack, as he undoubtedly would, if only because he would wish toget even with the boy who had humiliated him. Walter had, to be sure,promised to give it up if the owner called for it, but he meant at thesame time to secure his arrest.
He did not mention to the professor that he had received a letter fromthe owner of the weapon, as his employer would have insisted upon hisgiving it up. Professor Robinson was a timid man, and, though he was ofstout build and possessed a fair measure of strength, he had not as muchspirit as some boys of ten.
"What are you going to do with the revolver, Walter?" he asked uneasily,as they set out on their way from Fremont to Stilwell.
"I am going to carry it with me, professor."
"Then you had better withdraw the charges."
"Why should I?"
"The weapon might go off."
"I mean that it shall if the owner makes another attack upon us."
"You don't think he will?" asked the professor, nervously.
"I think it very probable."
"I wish we had never met him," said the unhappy professor.
"So do I; but as we have, we must make the best of it."
"If you had only given him back the revolver we should have had no moretrouble."
"Pardon me, professor, I think we should have had a great deal oftrouble. Once give the fellow his old advantage over us and he would useit."
"I never had such an experience before," complained the professor,looking at Walter reproachfully, as if he thought that somehow it wasthe fault of his young assistant.
Walter smiled.
"Do you know, professor," he said, "your remark reminds me of astatement in an Irish paper to this effect: 'Several persons have diedduring the last year who never died before.'"
"I don't see the point," said the professor, peevishly.
They were about half-way to the next town when Walter heard the sound ofa galloping horse behind him.
Looking out of the side of the wagon, he saw the now familiar figure ofthe outlaw as he rode up alongside. He looked critically at Walter, andsaw that the coveted revolver was in our hero's hand, ready for action.
"Why didn't you give the revolver to my messenger this morning, boy?" hedemanded, with a frown.
"I didn't think it would be safe," Walter answered significantly.
"Didn't you know it was my property?"
"I wasn't sure of it."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I didn't know whether you had paid for it."
"You are impudent. Professor Robinson, will you make the boy give meback my revolver?"
"I have told him to," answered the professor, in an apologetic tone,"but he won't obey me."
"Then why don't you discharge him? I wouldn't keep a boy in my employwho disobeyed me."
"I am well satisfied with him, except on this point."
"I am ready to leave you, professor, if you say the word," said Walter,and he made a motion as if to jump out of the wagon.
"No, no!" exclaimed the professor, in alarm. "I don't want you to leaveme."
"Then I won't. I think it might be bad for you if I did," said Walter,with a significant look at the horseman.
"Well, boy," said the outlaw, harshly, "I can't waste my time here. Yousent me a message to come for my revolver myself if I wanted it."
"Yes."
"Well, here I am. Now give me the weapon."
"I think I shall have to decline."
"Are you going back on your word?" demanded the outlaw.
"Not exactly."
"Then what do you propose to do?"
"Keep along with us till we reach Stilwell. Then we will go beforea magistrate. You will make your demand for the weapon, and in hispresence I will surrender it."
"Do you take me for a fool?" thundered the robber.
"No, and I want you to understand that I am not a fool, either."
"You are acting like a fool and a knave."
"I should certainly be acting like a fool if I gave up the revolver, andhad it immediately pointed at me or my companion, with a demand for ourmoney."
"But I gave you my word--"
"Of course you did, but I put no confidence in your word."
While this conversation was going on the poor professor looked on andlistened with an expression of helplessness on his broad face. He wasessentially a man of peace, and was by no means fitted to deal with ahighwayman.
"Look here," said the outlaw, after a pause, and in a milder tone, "Ihave a special attachment for that weapon, or I would drop the wholematter and buy another one. But this was given me by an old pal, nowdead, and I set great store by it. Professor, although the revolver ismine by rights, I will waive all that and offer you twenty-five dollarsfor it. That will pay you for all the trouble I have put you to."
Professor Robinson, though not a mean man, was fond of money, and thisoffer tempted him. It would be getting twenty-five dollars for nothing,and that was a piece of good luck not likely to present itself everyday.
"I accept your offer," he said gladly.
"But I don't," put in Walter, calmly. "Allow me to say that theprofessor has no claim to the weapon. I took it with my own hand, and ithas never been in his possession."
"All right! Then I'll give you twenty-five dollars for it."
"I decline your offer."
"I'd like to wring your neck, you young thief!"
"I have no doubt you would."
"Once more, and for the last time, will you give me back that revolver?"
"I have told you when and on what conditions I would surrender it."
"When?"
"At Stilwell, in the presence of a magistrate."
"You are very crafty. You want me to be arrested for attempted robbery."
"Yes, that is my wish."
"I've a great mind to snatch the revolver from you."
"Come on, then!" said Walter, holding it firmly, pointing at the outlaw.
"You've got the drop on me, youngster, but mark my word, I'll have thatweapon yet, and I'll punish you for giving me all this trouble."
"Have you anything more to say?"
"No."
"Then suppose you ride on. We have been delayed long enough."
The robber did go, but aimed a volley of imprecations at Walter, ofwhich the latter took no notice.
In the early evening they arrived at Stilwell and secured rooms at thehotel.
Among the guests was a cattleman from Dakota, who had been to Chicagowith a herd of cattle and was now on his way back. He was loud in hiscomplaints of a highwayman whom he had met two days previous, who hadrelieved him of a wallet containing five hundred dollars.
"Won't you describe him?" asked Walter, struck by a sudden suspicion.
The cattle dealer did so. His description tallied with the personalappearance of Walter's enemy.
"Was he on foot?" asked Walter.
"No; he was on a black horse."
Walter nodded.
"I know him," he said.
"Has he robbed you?"
"No; I have robbed him."
"What do you mean?" inquired the cattle dealer, in wonder.
"Do you recognize this?" and Walter exhibited the revolver.
"Yes; it l
ooks like the revolver he pointed at me."
"Probably it is."
"But how do you happen to have it?"
"I took it from him."
"You--a mere boy!" exclaimed the cattle dealer, incredulously.
"Yes. I will tell you about it."
And Walter gave an account of the circumstances under which the revolverhad come into his possession.
"It is a handsome weapon," said the cattle dealer, taking it into hishands and examining it. "It must be worth a hundred dollars."
"I think I shall keep it for my own use," said Walter, quietly.
"I'll give you seventy-five dollars for it."
"I would rather not part with it. Indeed, I should not feel justified inselling it, considering the way it came into my hands."
"Well, boy, you're a smart one; but I surmise you haven't seen the lastof the owner."
The speaker was right.
CHAPTER XXV
DICK RANNEY'S SCHEME
Dick Ranney--for the first time we give the name of the highwayman--hadno intention of going away without his revolver. It had been hisconstant companion for years, and had served him well during hisconnection with the famous band of Jesse James. Now, his leader dead, hewas preying upon the community on his own account. So daring and so fullof resources was he that he had never been arrested but once, and thenmanaged to escape from the cabin in which he was temporarily confined.
The weapon he was so anxious to recover had been given him by his oldcommander, and for this reason, and also because the revolver was a veryhandsome and valuable one, he was willing to expose himself to the riskof capture in order to recover it.
The opposition he met with from a "beardless boy"--as he styledWalter--irritated and surprised him. He was fifty pounds heavierthan Walter, and he had expected that a mere boy would give in almostimmediately. But he saw that he had misjudged the lad. He was littlemore than a boy in years and appearance, but he evidently had a man'scourage and spirit. Ranney would have secured another revolver if hehad not felt so certain of recovering his own. After his last failure hebegan to consider what course to adopt.
It was easy to find out the professor's route. He knew that he was tostay a night at Stilwell, and to Stilwell he went. He did not ventureinto the village until nightfall, and then, for reasons easy to divine,he abstained from visiting the hotel.
Looking about for a confederate, his attention was drawn to a boy ofsixteen who was sawing wood in front of a humble cottage half a milefrom the village.
"I see you know how to work," said Dick Ranney, affably, as he leanedcarelessly against the fence.
"I know how, but I don't like it," answered the boy, pausing in histask.
"I don't blame you. I don't like that kind of work myself."
"I guess you don't have to do it now," answered the boy, glancing at theneat and expensive attire of his new acquaintance.
"Well, no; I can do better."
"Are you in business?"
"Yes," answered Ranney, vaguely. "I am traveling for a house in NewYork."
"I should like that."
"Give me your name. I may be able to give you a place some day."
"My name is Oren Trott."
Dick Ranney took out a note-book and put the name down, greatly to theboy's satisfaction.
"By the way," went on Ranney, "do you want to earn half a dollar?"
"Yes," answered Oren, with alacrity.
"Perhaps I can put you in the way of doing so. Do you know the hotelpeople?"
"Yes, sir. I worked there for a short time."
"All the better. Then you know about the house, the location of rooms,etc.?"
"Yes, sir."
"There are two parties staying there in whom I am interested. One isProfessor Robinson."
"Yes, I know--the man that sells bottles of balm."
"The same."
"I saw him come into town with his wagon."
"Well, I want to find what room he will occupy to-night. The fact is,"he continued, as he noted Oren's look of surprise, "the man owes mequite a sum of money and is trying to evade payment."
"He doesn't look like that kind of man," said Oren, thoughtfully.
"My boy, you are young and are hardly qualified to judge of a man by hisappearance. The man looks honest, I admit, but he's slippery. And, bythe way, did you notice a young fellow in the wagon with him?"
"Yes, sir; he isn't much larger than I am."
"Exactly so. Well, I want to find out what room he occupies, also."
"Yes, sir," answered Oren, looking a little surprised.
"You see," explained Dick Ranney, "I want to make the professor a call,and I can perhaps tell from the outside whether he is in or not. He willavoid meeting me if he can. Now, do you think you can find out for mewhat I require?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then go at once."
"Shall I find you here when I get back?" asked Oren, cautiously.
"Yes."
"I wouldn't like to take all that trouble for nothing."
"You won't. Here is a quarter in advance, and I will give you the fiftycents besides if you find out what I wish."
"Good for you! You're a gentleman!" said Oren, with an expression ofsatisfaction on his honest country face.
Two hours later Walter and the cattle dealer returned from a walk theyhad taken together. Walter found his new acquaintance, though not aneducated man, an agreeable companion, and by no means deficient inshrewdness, though he had allowed himself to be robbed by Dick Ranney.
They went up to the desk for their keys.
"Will you two gentlemen do me a favor?" asked the clerk.
"What is it?" asked the cattle dealer.
"A gentleman and lady have just arrived and want to stay here to-night,but the number of our rooms is limited and we are full. Now, if you,sir, will go into Mr. Sherwood's room--there are two beds there--weshall be able to give the party yours."
"I have no objection if he hasn't," said the cattle dealer.
"I have none whatever," said Walter, cheerfully.
"Then we can fix it. I am sure I am very much obliged to you both. Bythe way, Mr. Sherwood, there was a boy here a little while since who wasanxious to find out what room you occupied, also what room was ProfessorRobinson's."
"A boy?" repeated Walter, puzzled.
"Yes, a village boy--Oren Trott."
"I don't know any such boy."
"He is a good, industrious lad."
"That may all be, but what does he want to know about my room for?"
"That's the question I put to him. I found him very close-mouthed atfirst, but finally he admitted that he was employed by some man--astranger in the village--to find out."
Walter and the cattle dealer exchanged glances. The same thought hadcome to each.
"Did he describe the man?"
"No; it seems he did not take much notice of him."
"Was that all the boy wanted to know?"
"Yes."
"He didn't say what the man's object was in seeking this information?"
"No. Probably he didn't know."
Walter and his new friend, whom we will call Manning, went upstairs.
"What does it all mean, Mr. Manning?" asked Walter.
"It probably means that our old friend proposes to make a call upon youduring the night."
"Do you really think so?" asked Walter, naturally startled at thesuggestion.
"Yes. You still have his revolver, you know."
"I think he will find me ready for him," said Walter, resolutely.
"He will find us ready, you mean," corrected Manning. "You know I amgoing to be your roommate."
"I am glad of that, under the circumstances."
"So am I. I should like to recover the money the fellow robbed me of. Ishould like to know his name."
"I can tell you that. I was examining the revolver this afternoon, whenI saw a name engraved upon it in very small letters."
"What name?"
"Then," said Manning, in excitement, "he is the famous Dick Ranney,formerly with Jesse James."
"I never heard of him."
"He is well known in this Western country. Why, there is a reward of athousand dollars offered for his apprehension."
"I should like to earn that money," said Walter.
"You shall; and this very night, if I can bring it about."
"Half of the reward should be yours."
"I am rich enough without It. As to the money the fellow robbed me of, Ishall try to recover that, though the loss won't in the least embarrassme."
"How do you think Ranney will try to get into the room?"
"Through the window. The casements are loose, and nothing could beeasier."
Walter went to the window and found that there was no way of fasteningit.
"I think we could fasten it with a knife."
"I don't want it fastened," said Manning.
"Why not?"
"I want Mr. Ranney to get into the room. Once in, we must secure him. Ifwe are smart, our enterprising visitor will find himself in a trap."
CHAPTER XXVI
THE EVENTS OF A NIGHT
In the country it may safely be assumed that by twelve o'clock at nightevery sound and healthy person will be asleep. Dick Ranney gave anextra margin of half an hour, and thirty minutes after midnight madehis appearance in the hotel yard. Thanks to the information given by hisyoung messenger, Oren Trott, who, of course, did not know that in thisway he was assisting a dishonest scheme, he was able to fix at once uponthe windows of the rooms occupied by Walter and the professor.
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