Ralph was faint and dizzy-headed with all that had transpired in the
last twenty minutes.
He felt that he had been in the peril of his life. He bestowed a look
of immense gratitude on Slavin.
"You came in time," said he. "How shall I ever thank you?"
"Cut it out," growled Slavin grimly. "I ain't through yet. I've been
watching these skunks for an hour or more. I knew that Stiggs, who has
gone on a little jaunt with his wife to see some relations, would never
give those reptiles the free run of his house. I fancied burglary at
first. Then when you came I knew it was something deeper. Well, it's
the finishing touch. I suppose, in your usual soft-hearted way, you
want to beg them off from further punishment, don't you?"
"It strikes me they have got about all the punishment they can stand at
present," suggested Ralph.
"O, that's just a starter," announced Slavin. "Keep your eye on Slump
for a minute."
Ike had fallen across the sofa. He was moaning and half-stunned. He
kept moving his hand over his bare and tingling gums, making a horrible,
hollow, hissing sound every time his breath exuded.
"The dentist for you," said Slavin in cold unconcern. "This one is
delegated to the hospital, I guess."
The speaker approached the prostrate Bemis.
"Speak up, there," growled Slavin savagely. "I've a little business
with you, Mort Bemis. Where are those two silver medals that you stole
from me?"
Bemis only wriggled and groaned. Slavin kicked him. He sat up with a
howl of pain.
"Pawned," he whimpered.
"Where?"
"At Barry's cigar store."
"For how much?"
"Two dollars."
"Hand it over."
"I haven't a cent. Oh, you've half killed me. Oh, my head! my head!
Don't--don't hit me again. Slump has some money. Pay him, Ike, pay
him."
Slavin advanced from Bemis, now sitting up on the floor, towards Ike,
with a menacing manner.
"I'll pay, I'll pay," whined Ike. "Here, here. I haven't go any
change. Five dollars," and with celerity he extended a banknote.
"Three for delay and damages," stated Slavin, coolly pocketing the
money. "Now then, you two, walk humble, or I'll finish this job right
here and now."
Slavin took up the ropes that had bound Ralph. Quaking with mortal
terror, Bemis and Slump in turn allowed him unresistingly to tie their
arms behind them.
Slavin picked up the "nutcracker." He looked it over and placed it in
his pocket.
"If that bit of evidence don't send you over the road, I know what
will," he observed grimly. "March."
He forced the two prisoners forward, holding to an arm of each. As they
got outside, Ralph asked:
"What are you going to do with them, Slavin?"
"Anxious to know, are you?"
"Yes."
"Then keep us company, and see. Oh, I'm not sassy, Fairbanks. I'm only
doing what you ought to have done the first break they made at
you--called in the law. These fellows are dangerous. I'm going to cage
them."
The prisoners spoke not a word. Bemis had received a fearful fistic
punishment, and was blubbering. Ike Slump kept up a mumbling sound with
his lips, as if trying to get used to the lack of teeth.
Slavin led them through the town by dark and unfrequented streets. When
they reached the railroad tracks, he made for a crossings shanty.
The flagman had gone home for the night, but the door was secured by a
catch only. Slavin marched his prisoners inside, drew a lantern from
under a bench, pushed them to the bench, and lit the lantern.
"You rest a while," he directed them. "Court will open soon. Fairbanks,
will you do an errand for me?"
"What is it, Slavin?"
"I promised the road detective, Bob Adair, to send him word when I found
these fellows."
"I'm out on bail. They can't bother me till my trial comes off,"
mumbled Ike Slump, making a grimacing, painful job of talking
intelligently.
"Rest easy," advised Slavin grimly. "This is quite another round. Find
him, Fairbanks."
"You think that is best, do you?" inquired Ralph. "These fellows----"
"See here, Fairbanks!" cried Slavin, almost angrily, "you'd actually let
them go, after they had pretty nigh put you out of commission forever.
In this case I don't want your advice, good as it usually is. I know my
programme, and I intend to carry it out to the last letter."
Ralph saw that it was useless to oppose his vigorous friend and
champion. He left the shanty forthwith, and went up to the depot. It
was some time before he could locate Mr. Adair. When he finally found
him, and explained simply that Slavin wished to see him, the road
detective joined him briskly, and look pleased.
"About Slump, I suppose?" he inquired eagerly.
"I think it is," answered Ralph.
"Good," said Adair. "The company thinks that bailing out business was
rushed through. The bond was only five hundred dollars. They don't
understand old Farrington's peculiar interest in the matter, and we have
been ready to rearrest Slump for a week."
Adair gave prodigious start as, entering the crossings shanty, his eyes
lit on the faces of Slavin's two prisoners.
"Whew!" he whistled slowly--"you seem to have had some trouble with your
friends, Mr. Slavin."
"You hear my story, and see if I gave them any more than they deserved,"
said Slavin, and he stood up, looking like a judge and talking like a
judge, and narrated the incidents of the preceding hour.
"Now then, Mr. Adair," added Slavin, "these fellows brag of having a
friend in that old miser, Gasper Farrington. I tell you that I happen
to know that he has tried all kinds of ways to scare and bribe my friend
here, Fairbanks, away from Stanley Junction. I suppose he's rich, and
so tricky you can't connect him with their doings, but you can cage
these fellows safely, and I want you to do it."
"The railroad company will certainly insist that Slump's bond be raised
from five hundred dollars," spoke Adair. "You told me that Bemis very
nearly wrecked a train by magnetizing the levers at the depot switch
tower. Can you prove it?"
"I can," nodded Slavin emphatically.
"Very good. To-night's business there is no question about. It's a
case of murderous assault and attempted mayhem. I shall see the
prosecuting attorney at once, and demand that each of these prisoners be
held in heavy bonds."
"I think that will hold them," said Slavin, in a tone of satisfaction.
"I've got a charge against them, myself. They robbed me of two silver
medals."
"We will take them at once before a magistrate," said Adair. "You'll
have to subscribe to the warrants, Slavin. You, too, Fairbanks."
Ralph simply bowed acquiescence. Slavin had taken the matter out of his
hands. It was better so, Ralph readily realized. He did not believe
that Farrington would go on their bonds for any large amount. This might
lead to a rupture, and the prisoners might be induced to implicate the
magnate, and tell what had become of Mrs. Davis.
"Come on, you!" spoke Slavin, roughly pulling his prisoners to their
feet.
"You look out!" snarled Mort Bemis savagely. "See here, Mr. Officer,
this fellow talks big, but he himself tied up a set of levers at the
switch tower."
Slavin turned red. He looked at Ralph in a shamefaced way. Then he
said bluntly:
"Yes, I did, Mr. Adair. That skunk got me to. It was before I knew
Fairbanks--before I knew better. I give myself in charge for the act.
I'm willing to suffer for it."
"Nonsense!" cried Ralph quickly.
"Do you make the complaint?" asked Adair.
"No, sir!" spoke Ralph emphatically.
"Nor would you appear against him?"
"Hardly!"
"You had better keep your mind on your own business then, Mr. Bemis,"
advised Adair.
"I call that a good night's work," said Slavin to Ralph, one hour later.
Mr. Adair had legally presented his evidence and the prisoners to a new
magistrate.
Ike Slump and Mort Bemis were remanded to the town jail in default of
bail in the sum of ten thousand dollars each.
"Now," observed Ralph, as he parted with the strange, forceful companion
who had proven so good a friend to him--"now to wait and see what Gasper
Farrington will do next."