Doris Force at Locked Gates; Or, Saving a Mysterious Fortune

by Julia K. Duncan

  CHAPTER XXV VINDICATION

  Doris had never seen Jake look as he did at this moment, when he facedthe group in the room. Ignoring Cora and Henry after his first command tothem, he walked directly over to Ronald Trent.

  "Your game's up, Joe Jeffery," he said in a hard, metallic voice. "We'vegot you cold. I've been waiting a long time to get even!"

  Ronald stared at him a full instant and then, with a dazed expression,sank limply down into the nearest chair.

  "You win," he muttered weakly.

  Doris ran quickly to Jake and caught him by the arm.

  "Who is this man?" she cried eagerly.

  "The police know him well enough," Jake grunted. "There's a reward offive thousand out for him!"

  "Five thousand!" Iris gasped. "But what has he done?"

  "Swindled folks out of their hard earned money. He's been workin' hislittle game for years!"

  "And to think he might have robbed us, if it hadn't been for Doris!"Azalea murmured. "Oh, what silly fools we've been!"

  "You weren't the first to be taken in by him, ma'am," Jake responded."He's a slick one. Took me in once, but this is where we'll squareaccounts." He indicated Cora and Henry. "Who are these folks? Friends ofhis?"

  "Yes, they're all in the plot," Doris cried.

  Henry did not deny the charge this time. Instead, he made a sudden dashfor the door. Marshmallow and Dave were too quick for him, however, andcaught him roughly by the arms.

  "Oh, no, you don't," Dave said grimly, forcing him back. "You'll stayhere until we're through with you."

  "What's he been up to?" Jake demanded gruffly.

  "He took some valuable papers belonging to the Misses Gates," Dorisdeclared. "Kitty and I are sure he put them into his suitcase, intendingto get away some time today before the loss was discovered."

  "Let's have a look at that suitcase, then," Jake directed.

  "I'll get it," Doris cried.

  She and Kitty hurried up to the third floor and entered the Sullyapartment. Etta was sleeping and they did not awaken her, but quicklytook the suitcase from beneath the bed and carried it downstairs.

  Removing the articles of clothing, Doris took out the two envelopes andhanded them to Iris. She ripped them open and brought to light negotiableoil bonds, an important deed, and several other papers.

  "I'm glad we have them back," she sighed in relief, "but I can'tunderstand why any one would wish to steal them."

  "Let me see one of those bonds," Dave said.

  Iris handed over one of the certificates. He studied it for an instantand then gave a low exclamation of astonishment.

  "Why, these are Standard Condonite!"

  Seeing that the name meant little to the Misses Gates, he hastened toexplain.

  "Standard Condonite is one of the new oil companies that has been growinglike a mushroom. The stock has tripled in value during the last year!"

  "Then our bonds really are valuable!" Azalea exclaimed. She lookedaccusingly at Henry and Cora who had the grace to hang their heads. "Youknew this!"

  "That man put us up to stealing them," Henry muttered, indicating RonaldTrent.

  "But I don't understand how you knew we had them," Iris murmured inbewilderment.

  "My wife heard you and Miss Azalea talking one day and you mentioned yourbonds," Henry offered. "We didn't think anything more about it until thatman Trent came here. He gave us money to tell him what property you had.He wanted us to git this stuff for him. Said he'd give us part of it."

  "And you thought you'd hog the whole of it," Trent added bitterly. "Youwere planning to get away before I got wise to your scheme."

  "I'm afraid there's no honor among thieves," Doris observed dryly.

  "If only we had back the money we gave away!" Iris said regretfully. "Weneed it so badly."

  "How much did you give the rascal?" Jake asked bluntly.

  "Nearly eight hundred dollars in all. Only yesterday we went to the bankand drew out five hundred. It was practically our last cent."

  Jake crossed over to the swindler and jerked him roughly out of the chairinto which he had slumped. Quickly he went through his pockets andbrought out a fat billfold. From this he extracted a number of billswhich he placed upon the table.

  Eagerly Azalea and Iris counted the money. In all it came to five hundredand fifty-two dollars.

  "I'm afraid that's all you'll get back," Jake told them. "He's likelyspent the rest."

  "It's better than losing everything," Azalea declared gratefully, "and wehave our bonds which we can sell."

  "What do you want done with these birds?" Jake next asked. "I have aprivate grudge with Jeffery so he's going to jail, but you can do whatyou please with the other two, for all of me."

  Azalea and Iris looked doubtfully at each other, and the Sullys,observing their indecision, began to plead for their freedom.

  "We didn't mean to steal," Cora said tearfully. "You've always been sogood and kind to us. For the sake of little Etta--"

  "It seems to me you haven't considered her yourself until now," Azaleainterrupted. "However, we are not without sympathy even for those whohave plotted against us. Cora, I feel that you have allowed your husbandto lead you astray. Your mother worked for us a number of years and Ipromised her that I would try to see that you never came to grief. Forthat reason Iris and I shall permit you and your husband to go free,providing you promise to lead a straight life from this day on."

  "We promise," the two murmured together.

  "Then take your things and leave the house immediately. You havedemonstrated that you are unfit parents, so Etta must be left behind. Youmay go now."

  Cora and Henry, without a word of thanks, rushed out of the room. Withinhalf an hour they had left the house.

  "Now I'll be gettin' this fellow out of your way," Jake declared briskly.

  "Just a minute," Iris said quietly. "You're quite sure there can be nomistake. This man is really Joe Jeffery and not Ronald Trent."

  "There's no mistake, ma'am. He's just an impostor."

  "But how did he ever learn of John Trent?" Doris demanded. She turned toRonald. "What do you know about my uncle?"

  "Please tell us," Azalea begged. "It will mean so much to know."

  "Go to Cloudy Cove and find out for yourselves," he snapped, forgettingthat he had ever treated the twins in a courtly manner.

  "Oh, but we are too old to travel," Iris sighed. "If only we could findout what became of John!"

  "I'll go," Doris volunteered.

  "How kind of you!" Azalea murmured gratefully. "You've done so much forus already. I don't know how we can ever repay you."

  "I'm not looking for pay," Doris returned with a smile. "I'll be glad ofan opportunity to look into the matter for you."

  Her promise was not an idle one. Very shortly, Doris and her friends wereto go to Cloudy Cove, there to learn more of the details of John Trent'sstrange career. Her adventures in this connection are related in thevolume entitled, "Doris Force at Cloudy Cove, or, The Old Miser'sSignature."

  Jake telephoned to the police station and within fifteen minutes theofficers arrived to take charge of Joe Jeffery. They positivelyidentified him as a notorious swindler and assured Doris and her friendsthat the reward money would go to them.

  "I think Jake and the Misses Gates should have it," Doris declared. "Themoney will make up for what Ronald took!"

  "Oh, we wouldn't think of taking it," Azalea and Iris protested. "You andyour chum were really responsible for capturing the man. You saved ourmoney!"

  "I didn't do anything," Jake protested. "I just came here as Doris askedme to, and then when I saw that bird I recognized him. I don't want anymoney."

  "What a situation!" Doris laughed. "Five thousand dollars and no onewants it!"

  "Say, I have an idea," Marshmallow broke in.

  "Unburden yourself," Doris laughed.

  "Well, since no one of you is willing to accept the money, why not
divideit equally among you?"

  "Doris should have the greater share, though," Jake protested. "She wasthe one who was responsible for solving the mystery."

  "But you landed the _coup de grace_," Doris insisted.

  Jake scratched his head and grinned.

  "The which?"

  "_Coup de grace_--that's French. It means the finishing stroke."

  "I reckon Joe Jeffery is finished all right," Jake agreed. "He won't tryto swindle any more people out of their hard earned cash."

  After considerable discussion it was decided that the reward money shouldbe divided between Doris, Kitty, the Misses Gates and Jake. The MissesGates declared at first that they would accept no share, but Doris andher friends, realizing how badly they needed ready money, insisted thatthey take it. At last they gave in.

  "We didn't do a thing to help bring Ronald--I mean Joe Jeffery tojustice," Azalea murmured. "We even hindered you, Doris, thinking youwere prejudiced against him. It doesn't seem fair that we take anything."

  "If you and your sister refuse your share, then I'll not take mineeither," Doris told her.

  "Let us take one share between us," Iris protested.

  Doris shook her head.

  "No, we must share alike. It makes easier arithmetic, too. An eventhousand dollars apiece."

  "A thousand dollars!" Kitty gasped. "Am I actually to get that much? Ithink I'm going to faint!"

  "Go ahead," Marshmallow invited impudently. "I'll catch you."

  "Two thousand dollars," Azalea murmured, and looked almost tearfully ather sister. "It _will_ mean a great deal to us."

  "Then you accept?" Doris asked.

  "I suppose we must, but only on one condition."

  "And what is that?"

  "That you accept a reward from us."

  "Another reward!" Doris gasped. "One is sufficient."

  "We don't refer to money," Iris said. "This is just a token of ourappreciation." She hesitated, and then went on with a brave smile."Azalea and I would like you to have the ruby ring."

  "To keep?" Doris questioned in amazement.

  "Yes," Iris returned quietly. "You understand why we cannot wear itourselves and you admire it so much."

  "I never dreamed of owning such a lovely ring!" Doris gasped in delight."Why, I am sure it is very valuable, too. I really don't like to takeit."

  "Please do," the twins begged. "We have no wish to keep it in the house,now that--well, you understand."

  Doris became aware that Kitty was nudging her vigorously in the back andrecognized it as a hint that her chum hoped she would accept the gift.She debated an instant and then smiled.

  "I can't begin to thank you for it," she told the Misses Gatesgratefully. "It will serve to remind me always of our thrilling adventurehere at Locked Gates. And if ever the time should come when you want itback--"

  Azalea shook her head.

  "That time will never come, my dear. It is yours with no stringsattached. Beautiful jewels were meant for young girls."

  "The ring is so beautiful I'll be afraid of losing it."

  "You can have it reset," Azalea suggested.

  It was some time before Doris thought about asking Jake if he had broughtthe money which she had requested.

  "No, I didn't," he confessed. "When I received your message, I thoughtsomething was wrong, so I just left the money in the bank and broughtMarshmallow and Dave instead."

  "I'm glad you used your own judgment," Doris assured him, "although Inever would have lent that man my money when it came right down to it.Now my bank account is still intact, and I'll have another thousand toadd to it. I guess Uncle Wardell will think I have the makings of abusiness woman!"

  Doris and Kitty planned to return home with Jake and their friends, butthe Misses Gates would not hear of them departing until after luncheon.After the excitement had died down and all questions had beensatisfactorily answered, the girls escorted Jake and the young men aboutthe grounds. Kitty and Marshmallow made excellent use of the opportunityto strengthen their acquaintance.

  At one o'clock the Misses Gates served a delightful meal in the garden.Since Cora and Henry Sully had departed in great haste, the twins hadbeen forced to prepare it with their own hands, but this they insistedwas an honor and a pleasure. In spite of all that had transpired, itseemed to Doris and Kitty that Azalea and Iris were far happier than theyhad been a few days before.

  Doris had not forgotten Etta Sully and wondered what was to become ofher. She intended to bring up the subject but, before she could do so,Azalea mentioned it.

  "Iris and I have been talking it over," she said to the group afterluncheon was over, "and it seems to us that Etta should be sent to aspecial home for cripples. She will need medical attention and of courseher education has been sadly neglected. We have decided to use the rewardmoney for that purpose."

  "That will be lovely of you," Doris declared.

  The girls insisted upon helping with the dishes and, as Marshmallow andDave volunteered as "second assistants," the work was dispatched withrapidity and a great deal of fun.

  "I declare, I feel ten years younger with so many young people around,"Iris laughed. "We'll hate to see you leave, Doris."

  "You will come back often, won't you?" Azalea pleaded.

  "Oh, Kitty and I shall be driving this way often, I'm sure," Dorisreturned.

  Not until late in the afternoon did the party take leave of the MissesGates. The twins accompanied them to the car which was to take them backto Chilton, and waved until they rounded a corner and were lost to view.

  "You know, after you accustom yourself to a place, it doesn't seem sospooky," Kitty commented as they rode slowly along the street. "I canhonestly say I've learned to like Locked Gates."

  "It's like olives," Doris laughed. "The first taste is ratherunpleasant."

  "I guess you didn't know what you were getting into when you went there,did you?" Marshmallow asked. "Doris, your Uncle Ward will certainly besurprised when you tell him all that has happened to you."

  "And won't he be delighted to see me coming home with reward money!"Doris exclaimed. "He was a little afraid this trip would prove anexpensive one. As a matter of fact, it's turned out to be an investment."

  "It was certainly the most exciting three weeks I ever spent," Kitty saidwith a blissful sigh. "I enjoyed every minute of it."

  "So did I," Doris agreed. "From now on, we won't be always wondering whythe mansion gates are locked, either."

  "Hardly," Dave grinned. "You've unraveled all the mysteries and unearthedall the secrets."

  "Not quite all," Doris corrected. "I must find out about my Uncle JohnTrent's estate, and something tells me it may offer difficulties."

  "It may offer more than that," Dave replied soberly. "Doris Force, whenyou go to Cloudy Cove, you may discover you've inherited a fortune!"

  THE END

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