CHAPTER XXXIII—CONCLUSION
Jim McGovern now gave the particulars of his own escape through the help of Dick Halliard, and of their memorable interview on the border of the rushing flood, with the body of Tom Wagstaff lying at their feet. Bob listened with deep interest until he had finished, and then shook his head.
“It beats anything I ever knew or heard tell of; but I don’t feel safe now that Halliard has the grip on me.”
“Of course, he told me nothing about that affair; but, since he got so much the best of it, I’m sure he will be satisfied to let it go no further. I’ll guarantee it,” added McGovern, with a glowing face.
“I don’t see how you can do that; but I’m inclined to believe you can make it right with Dick.”
“Of course I can; such a fellow as he is will do anything in the world for you.”
But Bob was not free from misgiving. He had dwelt upon the troublesome matter until he had grown morbid. It assumed a magnitude in his mind beyond the truth.
“What are you going to do, Jim?”
“If I live I shall enter Yale College at the next term, and try to be something that my folks won’t be ashamed of.”
“Whew! but that’s a big flop for you, and you will lose a mighty deal of fun by trying to be good.”
“You can have tenfold more than by the other way; I haven’t tried it long, it is true, but I have felt more genuine pleasure during these few days than I ever knew in all my life; it will be the same with you.”
Bob Budd sat silent a moment, looking out of the window. He had given the same important subject a great deal of thought during the few days that he imagined so many of those whom he met were hunting for him, but the restraining power in his case was that he saw no safe way by which to turn the sharp corner. So long as he was in danger of being arrested so long he must remain a fugitive.
Now the whole case was changed. He knew, despite the doubts he had expressed, that Dick Halliard could be relied upon, and that not the slightest risk was run in trusting to his honor.
“Well, Jim,” he said, after his brief silence, “I’ll try it.”
The other extended his hand, and they shook cordially.
“That’s settled!” said McGovern, with much emphasis. He was wise enough to refrain from any sermon, or disquisition upon the rewards that were sure to accompany such a step. Bob understood the matter as well as he did, and therefore needed no enlightenment. His friend never displayed more admirable tact than he did by treating the mental debate of the other as ended beyond all possibility of reopening. He showed no doubt in his own mind, though, truth to tell, he was not wholly free from misgiving.
“Now,” added Bob, with a laugh, “I suppose your next order will be for me to go back to Piketon.”
“I don’t know that there is anything better for you to do; but I have been thinking that it might be better to bring Dick Halliard to New York, that we can talk the whole thing over and reach a full understanding before you return.”
“That suits me better.”
“Our folks are anxious to meet him, for I have told them so many things about him that he has become quite a hero in their eyes. And then there’s another matter that I want to speak to you about,” added Jim, rising from his chair, opening the door and peering into the hall, as if he feared that some one might overhear his words.
“There’s no danger of anything like that,” said Bob, with a laugh; “we are not of enough importance to have any one listening at the keyhole to catch our words.”
“I don’t know about that,” replied Jim, with an air so mysterious that the curiosity of his friend was aroused. “I guess I’ll risk it; but no one knows of it beside father and mother.”
And then Jim, in a guarded undertone, made known another momentous secret, while his companion sat with open mouth and staring eyes listening to his words. He did not speak until he had finished and turned upon him with the question:
“What do you think of that, Bob?”
“I agree with you; I’ll stand by you to the end; but what about Dick’s visit to New York?”
“I’ll write to him now and mail both letters as I go out.”
“Don’t give him a hint about me,” cautioned Bob, as the other placed himself at the table.
The letter, whose contents have already been known to the reader, was written in the room of the Astor House where the other to Captain Budd was formulated. Then Jim placed the two in his pocket and rose to go.
“Won’t you come and stay at our house?” he asked of Bob.
“Thanks, no; I’ll remain here; you can understand that it would be a little embarrassing to meet your folks just now. When matters are straightened out I will give you a call, and you will come down and spend a week or two at Piketon.”
“That’s a bargain, provided it is not in the character of a Piketon Ranger,” replied Jim, with a laugh.
Shaking the hand of his friend he took his departure.
That afternoon when Bob strolled up Broadway, he reflected that it was the most enjoyable hour he had spent since his visit to the metropolis. He feared no one now, and his future was brighter than he ever dreamed it could be.
When the telegram from Dick Halliard reached Jim McGovern, making known on what train he would reach New York, he drove down to the Astor House and took Bob to his own home, where he left him in the library while he hastened to the station for Dick.
We have already given a hint about their meeting, when Dick received the greatest shock in all his life. For a few minutes he doubted his own senses, but that it was the real Bob Budd before him he was compelled to admit, after shaking his hand, looking in his laughing face, and hearing his voice.
The three sat for a couple of hours discussing the subject which was nearest to each one’s heart. Then Jim took his two friends out riding in the Park, for it happened to be one of the most delightful of autumn days. In the evening the family of Mr. McGovern made the acquaintance of Dick and Bob, and the three visited a place of entertainment.
The McGoverns insisted on Dick spending a week with them, but, though it would have given him rare pleasure to do so, he felt that he ought to return at the end of the time he had named to Mr. Hunter. His friends finally compromised by allowing him to go, with the understanding that he was to pay the visit during the holidays. Dick promised that if it lay in his power he would do so.
The visit was made as per programme.
Bob decided to stay in New York for several days, until the excitement of his disappearance had time to subside. It was agreed that Dick on his return should make known the astonishing news to the people in Piketon, that they might not be frightened out of their wits when they encountered him on the street.
“I don’t know how to fix it with them,” said Bob, “and I will leave it with you, Dick; your head is plumb, and you may be able to get up some story which, while true, don’t give me away too bad.”
“I’ll do my best,” said Dick, as he bade his friends good-bye for a brief while.
Upon reaching Piketon, Dick, after reporting at home, called on Captain Jim and Aunt Ruth, whom he told of his meeting with their nephew in New York. He brought a message to the effect that he would soon be with them, and they were at liberty to make known all he had told them, adding, by way of explanation, that he left for New York on the evening of the flood on important business, which would soon be finished, when he would be among them again. He had read in the papers an account of the disaster, and was extremely sorry to learn of poor Wagstaff’s death. He hoped all his friends would overlook his failure to notify them more promptly that he was alive and well.
This was the story told by the captain and by Dick Halliard, and though it was far from revealing everything, it cannot be said that it partook of the nature of a falsehood.
On the second day after Dick’s return, a small box arrived by express for Dick Halliard. When the wondering lad opened it he found within a magnificent gold watch and chain. On the former was engraved the following inscription:
“From Bob and Jim,
TO THEIR BEST FRIEND
Dick Halliard.
WE ARE ALL NOW FELLOW-TRAVELERS
ALONG THE RIGHT PATH.”
And that was the secret of the mysterious communication of Jim McGovern to Bob Budd in the room of the latter at the Astor House.
COMRADES TRUE
OR
PERSEVERANCE VS. GENIUS
by Edward S. Ellis, A. M.
Author of “Among the Esquimaux,” “The Campers Out,” etc.
320 Pages, Illustrated. Cloth, $1.25
In following the career of two friends from youth to manhood, this popular author weaves a narrative of intense and at times thrilling interest. One of the boys is endowed with brilliant talents, is quick and impulsive, but after a few efforts is easily discouraged. The other possessing only ordinary ability, is resolute and persevering, overcoming all obstacles in his path until success is attained.
This story possesses the usual exciting and interesting experiences that occur in the lives of all bright and active youths. In point of incident it is rather more than ordinarily realistic, as the two heroes in their experiences pass through the recent calamitous forest fires in northern Minnesota, and barely escape with their lives.
The perusal of this story will not only prove fascinating, but its teaching will encourage young men to depend for success in life upon patience and perseverance in right paths, rather than upon great natural gifts, real or fancied.
Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price.
The Penn Publishing Company
923 Arch Street, Philadelphia
AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX
OR
ADVENTURES UNDER THE ARCTIC CIRCLE
by Edward S. Ellis, A. M.
Author of “The Campers Out,” Etc
317 pages, Illustrated. Cloth, $1.25
The incidents of this interesting story are laid in Greenland amid the snows, the glaciers, and the barren regions which have engaged the attention of explorers and navigators for centuries past.
The main interest of the story centres about two bright boys whose desire for discovery sometimes leads them into dangerous positions. They visit an iceberg, and, while making a tour about it, their boat slips away from her moorings. After a number of adventures, they are finally rescued by a native Esquimau. With him and an old sailor who accompanied them them to the iceberg, they go on a hunting expedition into the interior of Greenland, and there they have a number of most thrilling and exciting experiences, but none result seriously, and the whole party is eventually restored to home and friends.
The story is sure to prove interesting to any reader, and the moral tone pervading it is such as will meet the approval of all parents.
Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price.
The Penn Publishing Company
923 Arch Street, Philadelphia
ANDY’S WARD
OR
THE INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM
by James Otis
Author of “The Braganza Diamond,” “Chasing a Yacht,” etc.
358 Pages, Illustrated. Cloth, $1.25
A peculiarly fascinating narrative of the life and experiences of “Museum Marvels.” They dwell in a house owned by a sword-swallower, whose wife, the “Original Circassian,” is entrusted with its management. But one of the company, a dwarf, nicknamed the “Major,” insists upon taking charge, and the rest of the household, including a fat lady, a giant, and a snake-charmer, stand more in awe of him than of the owner of the house or his wife.
Two boys, Andy and Jerry, are employed to wait upon this queerly assorted family. Their troubles with the dwarf and his pets, during which the boys are aided and counseled by the giant, make up the lighter portion of the story. A tiny girl, who is even more of a dwarf than the “Major,” is introduced to the household by Andy, who claims her as his ward, by virtue of a promise made to her brother when he was dying.
The private life of the marvels, their amusements, their wrangles, especially the laughable encounters between the “Giant” and the “Major,” form a most interesting story.
Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price.
The Penn Publishing Company
923 Arch Street, Philadelphia
CHASING A YACHT
by James Otis
Author of “The Braganza Diamond,” “Andy’s Ward,” etc.
350 pages, Illustrated. Cloth, $1.25
Two boys have engaged to run a steam yacht for the double purpose of pleasure and profit, and after carefully fitting her up they launch her, only to find the next morning that she is gone—stolen—as they later discover, by two other boys who had been refused a half-interest in her. The rightful owners start in hot pursuit, and in an attempt to recapture the steamer are themselves made prisoners. It is the intention of the thieves to hold the owners prisoners until the Hudson River is reached and then put them ashore, but their plans miscarry owing to the intervention of two rather rough citizens who find their way aboard the yacht and make themselves generally at home. Fortunately one of the owners manages to effect his escape, and gaining the assistance of the authorities the little vessel is speedily restored to them.
The story is full of adventure, and the heroes are both bright and manly fellows, who make the best of their temporary hardships. The story will be found to enlist the interest at the outset, and to hold it until the last page is turned.
Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price.
The Penn Publishing Company
923 Arch Street, Philadelphia