THE SECRET ENEMY.
Among those at the hearing when Dean so unexpectedly obtained his
freedom for a time was Colonel Darringford, his countenance showing his
disappointment and displeasure as the young prisoner was allowed his
liberty.
Prefacing his bitter speech with an oath he exclaimed to a bystander:
“That’s the biggest piece of imposition I ever heard of. But it is just
like Judge Oglesby, and if he can stand it I suppose I can. But the
people should rise up in justice and hang the young miscreant.”
Dean heard this cutting remark, but did not catch the reply.
In his anxiety to start upon his quest, he did not give the matter a
second thought, taking it as a natural product of the enmity of the
other.
He knew the _Warrior_ was undergoing expensive repairs and had heard
that Colonel Darringford threatened to sue the owner of the ill-fated
_Spray_ for damages, but nothing had come of the threat. In fact, it
could be shown that the commander of the _Warrior_ had been in the
wrong.
Two or three small boats plied between Millville and Landlock, and as
the stage had left an hour before, Dean decided to take passage on one
of these boats.
He found that a small gasoline launch would start in ten minutes, and
having nothing better to do he went aboard at once.
Not over ten passengers could be accommodated, according to the rules,
and as Dean made the ninth person he considered himself fortunate.
Dean Mercer had been aboard the little craft with the fanciful name of
the _Buoyant_ a few minutes, when half a dozen persons were seen to be
approaching at rapid steps.
“They know only one more can be taken on,” remarked the captain, with
a smile, as in common with the others he began to watch the newcomers.
Presently two were seen to break away from the rest and approach at a
run. Then one of this couple began to outdistance the other, and soon
he was within hearing of the boat.
By this time Dean Mercer was excited. The foremost person was Marcus
Ellison!
“I want passage on the boat!” he cried.
“No; it belongs to me!” shouted the man close at his heels.
“By Jove!” cried the elated commander of the _Buoyant_, “it’s a
handsome race, but the lad has outrun you, sir. Old Cap’n Dodge is
detarmined to see fair play. The _Buoyant_ can’t take but one passenger
more, and he must be the boy.”
The man may not have heard the last portion of this reply, or if he
did he did not heed its meaning, for he continued to advance without
abating his speed.
Marcus also continued as fast as he could run, and chuckling over his
triumph, no sooner had the youth gained the boat, than Captain Dodge
ordered that the gangplank be taken up.
“Full number of passengers; can’t take any more. Let on the power,
engineer.”
“Hold!” yelled the newcomer, as he heard the command of Captain Dodge.
“Don’t you start that boat till you have read this order from its
owner, Captain Darringford.”
The next moment the man came quickly aboard, and no sooner had he
stepped over the rail than the captain cried:
“I can’t take you both. It’s agin’ the law.”
“Put off the boy then!” cried the man. “I must and shall go. Colonel
Darringford says so.”
This statement evidently had some weight with the officer, and it
seemed as if Marcus would be ordered to leave the boat. But the youth
met him unflinchingly.
“I was here ahead of him,” cried Marcus, “and if anybody gets off it
must be him.”
By this time the crowd had reached the dock, and others, attracted by
the cries, had begun to collect upon the shore.
Possibly fearing that he might have yet other passengers to get rid of,
Captain Dodge ordered the plank to be taken up, and in a moment there
was no chance for another to board the _Buoyant_.
The engineer had obeyed orders, and the boat was starting upon her trip.
“One can’t make much difference,” muttered the captain. “If there is a
complaint I reckon I can show how you fellers were to blame.”
Marcus showed no surprise at sight of Dean, though he did not attempt
to get near him and did not speak to him. Something in his manner
warned Dean that he had better remain silent, so the greeting he was
about to make was not spoken.
Wondering what it all could mean, Dean watched and waited for a word or
hint from the other. This did not come until they had been an hour on
the water, and the little craft was bowling merrily along her way.
Marcus had managed to get a seat near to his friend, and finally he
whispered:
“Glad to see you, Dean, but we have got to be awful careful how we act
and what we say.”
“What’s up?”
“Notice that man who came aboard right at my heels?”
“Yes.”
“He’s Colonel Darringford’s spy, sent to watch you and get you into
trouble.”
Dean started slightly, but managed to take the bit of news without
betraying any evidence of having been surprised.
“How?”
Five minutes later, Marcus found opportunity to whisper:
“I overheard the colonel telling him he would give this fellow five
hundred dollars if he would stop you in what you are doing. The man has
agreed to do it, if he has to kill you!”
Another silence between the young friends lasted longer than before,
when Marcus said in the same cautious tone:
“After I left you last night I sort of hung round to see how you would
come out. You were right and I was wrong. But Colonel Darringford is
awful mad to think you are free. I knew you had gone to this boat, but
I got snarled up and couldn’t come as quick as I wanted to. But it was
well I didn’t for I ran across the colonel and that man, and heard it
all fixed up between them to get rid of you. He is ready to do anything
he can to beat you. You have got to look out awful sharp when you get
to Landlock.”
“I believe he is watching us,” whispered Dean, and it was not until
they came in sight of their destination that the boys dared to exchange
words again.
Five minutes later the _Buoyant_ touched lightly at the pier of
Landlock, and the small party of passengers went hastily ashore, glad
to have reached the end of their trip.
Dean and Marcus did not fail to see that Darringford’s spy was
watching them closely, though the boys had not sought each other’s
company.
Dean had not gone far from the landing when the man accosted him,
saying:
“Pardon me, young man, but may I ask a favor of you?”
If surprised by the boldness of this request, Dean did not show it,
while he answered the other politely:
“Certainly, if it is possible for me to do it.”
“It is. You will stop in town to-night?”
“I think I might fare worse, sir.”
“Good. If you are willing to patronize a friend of mine, I wish you
might stop at the Wilkins House. I am sure you will be well treated.”
“I thank you, sir.”
“I may not be there, as I have considerable to attend to. If you will
walk along with me I will show you the way.”
“But I have a little matter that needs my attention now. A little later
I will try and find the place.”
Dean had discovered a couple of blue-coated officials in the distance,
who seemed to be waiting for some one.
He quickly imagined that they were lying in wait for him!