But the mystery suddenly paled, and the major threw himself into a towering passion. The object of his intended vengeance was before him. Jack Woodhorn, at the request of the magnate, summoned his crews from the shore. It looked as though the enraged major intended to attempt the capture of his victim under the very eyes of the Beech Hillers.
"That is Paul Bristol, as you may see for yourself, Major Billcord," said Captain Gildrock, when he observed the preparations on the part of the Chesterfields to do something. "He is now a student in the Beech Hill Industrial School; and to him, for the time being, I stand in the relation in loco parentis; I shall protect him to the fullest extent."
"Captain Gildrock, this is unfriendly to me, and—"
"But friendly to the boy and his mother, who need a friend more than you do," interposed the principal. "The six ruffians you hired to capture that poor boy have been arrested and committed to the lockup. Some of them admitted that they were employed by you to do this piece of villany, and there is a warrant out for your arrest. Doubtless, the facts will all come out at the examination to-morrow forenoon; and if it appears that I have done you any wrong, I shall be prepared to make you abundant reparation."
"A warrant for my arrest!" exclaimed Major Billcord, sinking down into his seat.
"I have employed the Hon. Richard Lawbrook to look after the case in my absence, and I hope justice will be done," added the captain as he rang two bells in the pilot-house.
At the same time the principal made a motion with his hand, in the direction of home, to the boats ahead of the steamer. The barges backed into position, and the commodore shouted the order to give way. In a minute more they were in line, pulling down the lake, but keeping near the shore.
Major Billcord did not utter a word to anyone. He was in deep thought. Very likely his impulsive nature had led him to organize the plan for the capture of Paul without any consideration of the possible consequences. He was by far the richest man in that region, and owned no end of shares in all the industrial and commercial enterprises of that part of the State. He was a man of large influence, and was not over-scrupulous in regard to the use of it. With such power, he was in the habit of having his own way, though there were a few people in the neighborhood who contrived to maintain their own independence, even at the risk of quarrelling with the magnate.
Among the latter was the Hon. Richard Lawbrook, a prominent lawyer in the county, who had been made a senator, though without pledges, in part by the influence of the major. But when the legislator was requested and pressed to promote by his eloquence a more than questionable enterprise, his conscience revolted, and he refused his aid. This had produced a bitter quarrel between himself and the magnate, though all the honest people believed that the senator was an upright and just man.