Chapter XXVI.Bolton Makes A Discovery.
"I see it all," Bolton said to himself, thoughtfully. "Curtis Waringis afraid of the boy--and of me. He's circumvented me neatly, and thegame is his--so far my little plan is dished. I must find out forcertain whether he's had anything to do with gettin' Dodger out of theway, and then, Tim Bolton, you must set your wits to work to spoil hislittle game."
Bolton succeeded in securing the services of a young man who hadexperience at tending bar, and about eight o'clock, after donning hisbest attire, he hailed a Fourth Avenue surface car and got aboard.
Getting out at the proper street, he made his way to Madison Avenue,and ascended the steps of John Linden's residence.
The door was opened by Jane, who eyed the visitor with no friendlyglance.
"What do you want?" she asked, in a hostile tone.
"Is Mr. Waring at home?"
"I don't know."
"Is Miss Florence at home?"
"Do you know her?" she asked.
"Yes; I am a friend of hers."
Jane evidently thought that Florence must have made some queerfriends.
"Have you seen her lately?" she asked eagerly.
"I saw her to-day."
"Is she well?"
"Yes; she is well, but she is in trouble."
"Is she---- Does she need any money?"
"No; it isn't that. The boy Dodger has disappeared, and she is afraidsomething has happened to him."
"Oh, I am so sorry! He was a good friend of Miss Florence."
"I see you know him. I am trying to help him and her."
"But you asked for Mr. Waring?" said Jane, suspiciously.
"So I did. Shall I tell you why?"
"I wish you would."
"I think he has something to do with gettin' Dodger out of the way,and I'm goin' to try to find out."
"He won't tell you."
"You don't understand. I shall make him think I am on his side. Was heat home last night?"
"He went away at dinner time, and he didn't come home till aftertwelve. I ought to know, for he forgot his latchkey, and I had to getup and let him in. I won't do it again. I'll let him stay out first."
"I see; he was with Dodger, no doubt. Did you say he was in?"
"No, sir; but he will be in directly. Won't you step into thelibrary?"
"Shall I meet the old gentleman there?" asked Bolton, in a tone ofhesitation.
"No. He goes up to his chamber directly after dinner."
"How is he?"
"I think he's failing."
"I hope there is no immediate danger," said Bolton, anxiously.
"No; but he's worrying about Miss Florence. It's my belief that if shewere at home, he'd live a good while."
"Doesn't he ask for her?"
"Mr. Curtis tells him she'll come round soon if he'll only be firm. Idon't see, for my part, why Mr. Linden wants her to marry such adisagreeable man. There's plenty better husbands she could get. Comein, sir, and I'll tell him as soon as he comes in. Shall you see MissFlorence soon?"
"I think so."
"Then tell her not to give up. Things will come right some time."
"I'll tell her."
Bolton was ushered into the library, where, amid the fashionablefurniture he looked quite out of place. He did not feel so, however,for he drew a cigar out of his pocket and, lighting it nonchalantly,leaned back in a luxurious armchair and began to smoke.
"Curtis Waring is well fixed--that's a fact!" he soliloquized. "Isuppose he is the master here, for the old man isn't likely tointerfere. Still he will like it better when his uncle is out of theway."
He had to wait but fifteen minutes in solitude, for at the end of thattime Curtis Waring appeared.
He paused on the threshold, and frowned when he saw who it was thatawaited him.
"Jane told me that a gentleman was waiting to see me," he said.
"Well, she was right."
"And you, I suppose, are the gentleman?" said Curtis, in a sneeringtone.
"Yes; I am the gentleman," remarked Bolton, coolly.
"I am not in the habit of receiving visits from gentlemen of yourclass. However, I suppose you have an object in calling."
"It shall go hard with me if I don't pay you for your sneers someday," thought Bolton; but he remained outwardly unruffled.
"Well," he answered, "I can't say that I have any particular businessto see you about. I saw your cousin recently."
"Florence?" asked Curtis, eagerly.
"Yes."
"What did she say? Did you speak with her?"
"Yes. She doesn't seem any more willin' to marry you."
Curtis Waring frowned.
"She is a foolish girl," he said. "She doesn't know her own mind."
"She looks to me like a gal that knows her own mind particularlywell."
"Pshaw! what can you know about it?"
"Then you really expect to marry her some time, Mr. Waring?"
"Certainly I do."
"And to inherit your uncle's fortune?"
"Of course. Why not?"
"I was thinkin' of the boy."
"The boy is dead----"
"What!" exclaimed Bolton, jumping to his feet in irresistibleexcitement.
"Don't be a fool. Wait till I finish my sentence. He is dead so far ashis prospects are concerned. Who is there that can identify him withthe lost child of John Linden?"
"I can."
"Yes; if any one would believe you. However, it is for your interestto keep silent."
"That is just what I want to know. I suppose you can make it for myinterest."
"Yes, and will--after I get the property. I don't believe in countingmy chickens before they are hatched."
"Of course you know that the boy has left me?" said Bolton.
"Yes," answered Curtis, indifferently. "He is with my cousin, Ibelieve."
"Yes; and through her I can learn where he is, and get hold of him ifI desire."
A cynical smile played over the face of Curtis Waring.
"Do you propose to get him back?" he asked, shrugging his shoulders.
"I am right," thought Bolton, shrewdly. "From his manner it is easy tosee that Curtis is quite at ease as regards Dodger. He knows where heis!"
"You asked me what business I came about, Mr. Waring," he said, aftera pause.
"Yes."
"Of course I am devoted to your interests, but is it quite fair tomake me wait till you come into your fortune before allowing meanything?"
"I think so."
"You don't seem to consider that I can bring the boy here and make himknown to your uncle as the son he lost so long ago?"
"You are quite sure you can bring the boy here?" asked Curtis.
"Why not? I have only to go to Florence and ask her to send the boy tome."
"You are quite at liberty to do so if you like, Tim Bolton," saidCurtis, with a mocking smile. "I am glad, at any rate, that you haveshown me what is in your mind. You are very sharp, but you are notquite so sharp as I am."
"I don't understand you."
"Then I will be more explicit. It's out of your power to make use ofthe boy against me, because----"
"Well?"
"Because he is not in the city."
"Where is he, then?"
"Where you are not likely to find him."
"If you have killed him----" Bolton began, but Curtis interrupted him.
"The boy is safe--I will tell you that much," he said; "but forreasons which you can guess, I think it better that he should be outof New York. When the proper time comes, and all is safe, he may comeback, but not in time to help you in your cunning plans, Mr. TimBolton."
"Then, I suppose," said Bolton, assuming an air of mortification anddiscomfiture, "it is no use for me to remain here any longer."
"You are quite right. I wish you a pleasant journey home. Give my loveto Florence when you see her."
"That man is a fiend!" soliloquized Bolton, as he walked back,leisurely,
to his place of business. "Let me get hold of Dodger and Iwill foil him yet!"
Adrift in New York: Tom and Florence Braving the World Page 26
