THE MISSING TOYS
"Gentlemen," began Mr. Brown, "I have asked you all to come to my camp
to-night to settle some questions, and, if possible, to find out what
has been going on around here.
"As I have told you, two rather costly toys, belonging to my children,
have been stolen. Eagle Feather's horse has been taken away. I know my
children's toys have not been found. And I think, Eagle Feather, your
horse is still missing?"
"Him no come back long time," said the Indian. "Stable all ready for
him--good bed straw, hay to eat. He no come home. Me t'ink somebody keep
him for himself."
"That's what we think, too, Eagle Feather," said Mr. Brown.
"Now there is one person I asked to come here to-night who is absent,"
he went on.
"The hermit," said some.
"Bixby," said others.
"I think we all mean the same man," said Mr. Brown.
"Now I have told you about this boy Tom, who was found by my children in
a cave near the lake shore," he continued. "He was found crying, saying
he was being stuck full of needles. I have not been able to get more
than that out of him. He says Bixby made him take hold of two shiny
balls, and then the needles pricked him. I have my own opinion of that,
but I'll speak of that later.
"I asked Bixby here to-night, that we might talk to him. I find that he
has a right to hire this boy to work for him, and under the law to keep
him all Summer. So it seems that unless we can show that Bixby has
treated Tom harshly he will have to go back."
"Unless we can prove that this needle-business was queer," said one man.
"Yes, and that is what I hoped to prove to-night. But since Mr. Bixby is
not here to talk to us----"
"Suppose we go and talk to him!" cried an officer.
"He may hear us coming, and run away," said another.
"Not if we go through the cave," suggested Tom. "I got into the cave,
where Bunny and Sue found me, by going through a hole in Bixby's
stable."
"Then you'd better lead us through the cave," said Mr. Brown. "We may
surprise the man at his tricks."
The party was soon going along the lake shore toward the cave.
The cavern was dark and silent when they entered it, but their lights
made it bright.
On they went, all the men, with Mrs. Brown, Uncle Tad and the children
coming at the rear of the procession. After they had gone far into the
cave the whinny of a horse was heard.
"Ha!" exclaimed Eagle Feather. "Him sound like my horse!"
They went on softly through the cave and were soon near the place where
Tom had entered it from the stable.
"Be very quiet now, everybody," said Mr. Brown.
"Sh-h-h," said Bunny to his mother and Sue, putting his finger on his
lips.
"I'll take a peep and see if any one's in sight," said Tom.
He went forward a little way and came back to whisper:
"There are two horses and a cow in there, and one horse looks like Eagle
Feather's."
"Let Indian see!" exclaimed the red man, and when he had peeped through
a hole between two stones in the stable wall, while Tom flashed a
flashlight through another hole, Eagle Feather cried:
"That my horse! Me git him back now!"
"Go a bit slow," advised Mr. Brown. "We want to see what else this Bixby
is up to. How can you get to the house from here, Tom?"
"Right through the stable, by the hole I got out of. His back door is
near the stable front door. Come on!"
On they went through the stable, Eagle Feather pausing long enough to
pat his horse and make sure that it was his own animal and grunting
"Huh!" in pleasure.
"Softly now," whispered Tom. "We are coming to where we can look into
one of the two rooms of Mr. Bixby's hut. It is there he sits at night
and where he gave me the needles."
In silence the party made its way to where all could look through the
window. Bunny's father held him up and Mrs. Brown took Sue in her arms.
What they saw caused them all great surprise. For there, on a table in
front of Bixby, the hermit, was Bunny's toy engine, and Sue's Teddy
bear. But the bear was partly torn apart, and from it ran wires that
joined with other wires from Bunny's electric locomotive and batteries.
At the other ends of the wires, were round, shiny balls, like those on
the ends of curtain rods.
On the other side of the table sat an Indian, and at the sight of him
Eagle Feather whispered:
"Him name Muskrat. Much good in canoe and water."
They saw the hermit put the two shiny knobs on the Indian's hands. Then
Mr. Bixby turned a switch and the Indian let out a wild yell and sprang
through the open door, crying:
"Thorns and thistles! He has stung me with bad medicine! Wow!"
"I think I begin to see the trick," said Mr. Brown.
"That's what he did to me," explained Tom, "but I didn't see a Teddy
bear or a toy locomotive."
This time the hermit, disturbed by the sudden running away of the
Indian, and by the voices outside his window, started toward the latter.
"Quick! Some of you get to the door so he can't get away," called Mr.
Brown, but Bixby did not seem to want to run away. He stood in the
middle of the room until Mr. Brown, Bunny, Sue and the others had
entered.
"Oh, there's my toy engine!" cried Bunny making a grab for it.
"And my Teddy bear!" added Sue.
"Look out, don't touch them!" called Mr. Brown. "He has fixed the dry
batteries in the toys to a spark coil, which makes the current
stronger, and he's giving shocks that way. Aren't you?" he asked,
turning to the hermit.
"Since you have found me out, I have," was the answer. "I admit I have
been bad, but I am sorry. I will tell you everything. I used to be a man
who went about the country with an electric machine, giving people
electrical treatments for rheumatism and other pains. I made some money,
but my wife died and her sickness and burial took all I had. Then my
electrical machine broke and I could not buy another.
"However, I did manage to get a little one, run with dry batteries, and
I began going about the country making cures.
"Then this place was left me by a relative. I thought I could make a
living off it with the help of a hired boy, so I got Tom.
"I found some Indians lived here, and, learning how simple they were and
that they thought everything strange was 'heap big medicine,' as they
called it, I thought of trying my battery on them. First I tried it on
Tom, and he yelled that I was sticking needles into him. He did not
understand about the electricity, and I did not try to explain.
"I remembered what your children had told me about having a toy train of
cars that ran by electricity, and a Teddy bear with two lamps for eyes.
I knew these batteries, though small, would be strong, and just what I
needed with what electrical things I had. So I stole the toy train of
cars and the Teddy bear.
"I was sorry to do it, but I thought if I could make enough money from
the Indians I could buy new batteries for myself and give the children
back their toys.
"But most of the Indians were afraid of the electrical current which
felt like needles, and I could not get many of them to come back after
they had once tried it. So I made no money.
"Tom ran away, and then I stole Eagle Feather's horse. I thought maybe
if I could sell the horse and get money enough to get a new machine that
did not sting so hard, I could make money enough to buy the horse back.
"But everything went against me, and now I have nothing left. I am sorry
I had to rip your Teddy bear apart, little girl, to get the wires on the
batteries. And as for your cars, little boy, I hid them in farms and
various places. I don't know where they are now, but the engine is all
right and in running order."
He quickly loosened the wires, and the toy locomotive ran around the
table on part of the stolen track.
"But my poor dear Sallie Malinda is dead!" cried Sue.
"No, I can sew her together again, if the batteries are all right," said
Mrs. Brown.
"And the batteries are all right," said the hermit, who had heard what
was said. "See, I'll make the eyes shine!"
He quickly did something to the wires and again the eyes of Sue's Teddy
bear shone out bravely.
"I realize how wrong I was to take the children's things," went on the
hermit, "but I knew no other way to get the batteries I needed. I only
had my cow to sell, and I dared not part with her, for she gave me milk
to live on. All the while I kept hoping my luck would be better.
"When Tom ran away I did not know what to do. I did not imagine the
little electricity I gave him would hurt him. A few of the Indians
seemed to like it."
"Yes, me hear um talk of heap big medicine that sting like bees," said
Eagle Feather. "But me no think hermit did it, what has my horse."
"I'm sorry I took it," said Bixby. "I'll give up my cow to pay for all I
took. Then I'll go away."
"Wait a minute," said Mr. Brown. "We'll decide about that later. You
have done some wrong things, but you have tried to do what was right.
We'll try to find a way out of your troubles. Stay here for a few days."
Bunny Brown and his Sister Sue took with them that night their toys so
strangely found, and in a few days the playthings were as good as ever,
for Mrs. Brown sewed up the ripped Teddy bear and Bunny had some new
cars for his electric engine. The track the hermit had kept, so
that was all right.
"Does electricity feel like pins and needles?" asked Bunny Brown one
day.
"I'll show you," said his father, and he did by a little battery which
he owned. This was after their return from camp.
"Is it like needles, or your foot being asleep," said Bunny.
But before this Mr. Brown had talked with some of his neighbors, and
they decided to give the hermit another chance. Tom would go back to
work for him on condition that no more electricity be used. The hermit
had a good garden and he could sell things from that. Eagle Feather was
given back his horse, and Mr. Bixby was not arrested for taking it. And
the mystery of the electrical toys being solved, life at Camp
Rest-a-While went on as before for a time.
Bunny and his sister had fine times, and once in a while Tom had a day's
vacation, and came over to see them.
"But I s'pose we can't stay here forever," said Bunny to Sue, one day.
"I wonder where we'll go next?"
"I heard father and mother talking something about a trip," said Sue.
And what that journey was may be learned by reading the next volume of
this series to be called: "Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue on an Auto
Tour."
"Say, we ought to have some fun on that!" cried Bunny.
"So we ought!" cried Sue. "I'm going to take my fixed-over Sallie
Malinda."
"Well, I'll take my flashlight instead of my locomotive and cars," said
Bunny. "We may have to travel at night."
And while the two children are thus planning good times together we will
say good-bye to them.
=THE END=
THE BOBBSEY TWINS BOOKS
For Little Men and Women
By LAURA LEE HOPE
Author of "The Bunny Brown" Series, Etc.
* * * * *
=12mo. BOUND IN CLOTH. ILLUSTRATED. UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING.=
* * * * *
Copyright publications which cannot be obtained elsewhere. Books that
charm the hearts of the little ones, and of which they never tire. Many
of the adventures are comical in the extreme, and all the accidents that
ordinarily happen to youthful personages happened to these many-sided
little mortals. Their haps and mishaps make decidedly entertaining
reading.
THE BOBBSEY TWINS
THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL
Telling how they go home from the seashore; went
to school and were promoted, and of their many
trials and tribulations.
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE
Telling of the winter holidays, and of the many
fine times and adventures the twins had at a
winter lodge in the big woods.
THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT
Mr. Bobbsey obtains a houseboat, and the whole
family go off on a tour.
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOW BROOK
The young folks visit the farm again and have
plenty of good times and several adventures.
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME
The twins get into all sorts of trouble--and out
again--also bring aid to a poor family.
* * * * *
=GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK=
THE GIRLS OF CENTRAL
HIGH SERIES
By GERTRUDE W. MORRISON
* * * * *
=12mo. BOUND IN CLOTH. ILLUSTRATED. UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING.=
* * * * *
Here is a series full of the spirit of high school life of to-day. The
girls are real flesh-and-blood characters, and we follow them with
interest in school and out. There are many contested matches on track
and field, and on the water, as well as doings in the classroom and on
the school stage. There is plenty of fun and excitement, all clean, pure
and wholesome.
THE GIRLS OF CENTRAL HIGH
Or Rivals for all Honors.
A stirring tale of high school life, full of fun,
with a touch of mystery and a strange initiation.
THE GIRLS OF CENTRAL HIGH ON LAKE LUNA
Or The Crew That Won.
Telling of water sports and fun galore, and of fine
times in camp.
THE GIRLS OF CENTRAL HIGH AT BASKETBALL
Or The Great Gymnasium Mystery.
Here we have a number of thrilling contests at
basketball and in addition, the solving of a
mystery which had bothered the high school
authorities for a long while.
THE GIRLS OF CENTRAL HIGH ON THE STAGE
Or The Play That Took the Prize.
How the girls went in for theatricals and how one
of them wrote a play which afterward was made over
for the professional stage and brought in some
much-needed money.
THE GIRLS OF CENTRAL HIGH ON TRACK AND FIELD
Or The Girl Champions of the School League.
This story takes in high school athletics in their
most approved and up-to-date fashion. Full of fun
and excitement.
THE GIRLS OF CENTRAL HIGH IN CAMP
Or The Old Professor's Secret.
The girls went camping on Acorn Island and had a
delightful time at boating, swimming and picnic
parties.
* * * * *
=GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK=
THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS
SERIES
By LAURA LEE HOPE
Author of "The Bobbsey Twins Series."
* * * * *
=12mo. BOUND IN CLOTH. ILLUSTRATED. UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING.=
* * * * *
The adventures of Ruth and Alice DeVere. Their father, a widower, is an
actor who has taken up work for the "movies." Both girls wish to aid him
in his work and visit various localities to act in all sorts of
pictures.
THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS
Or First Appearance in Photo Dramas.
Having lost his voice, the father of the girls goes
into the movies and the girls follow. Tells how
many "parlor dramas" are filmed.
THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT OAK FARM
Or Queer Happenings While Taking Rural Plays.
Full of fun in the country, the haps and mishaps of
taking film plays, and giving an account of two
unusual discoveries.
THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS SNOWBOUND
Or The Proof on the Film.
A title of winter adventures in the wilderness,
showing how the photo-play actors sometimes suffer.
THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS UNDER THE PALMS
Or Lost in the Wilds of Florida.
How they went to the land of palms, played many
parts in dramas before the camera; were lost, and
aided others who were also lost.
THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT ROCKY RANCH
Or Great Days Among the Cowboys.
All who have ever seen moving pictures of the great
West will want to know just how they are made. This
volume gives every detail end is full of clean fun
and excitement.
THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT SEA
Or a Pictured Shipwreck that Became Real.
A thrilling account of the girls' experiences on
the water.
THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS IN WAR PLAYS
Or The Sham Battles at Oak Farm.
The girls play important parts in big battle scenes
and have plenty of hard work along with
considerable fun.
* * * * *
=GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK=
THE TOM SWIFT SERIES
By VICTOR APPLETON
* * * * *
=12mo. CLOTH. UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING. COLORED WRAPPERS.=
* * * * *
These spirited tales convey in a realistic way the wonderful advances in
land and sea locomotion. Stories like these are impressed upon the
memory and their reading is productive only of good.
TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE
Or Fun and Adventure on the Road
TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT
Or The Rivals of Lake Carlopa
TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP
Or The Stirring Cruise of the Red Cloud
TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT
Or Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure
TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT
Or The Speediest Car on the Road
TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE
Or The Castaways of Earthquake Island
TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS
Or The Secret of Phantom Mountain
TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE
Or The Wreck of the Airship
TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER
Or The Quickest Flight on Record
TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE
Or Daring Adventures in Elephant Land
TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD
Or Marvellous Adventures Underground
TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER
Or Seeking the Platinum Treasure
TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY
Or A Daring Escape by Airship
TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA
Or The Perils of Moving Picture Taking
TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT
Or On the Border for Uncle Sam
TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON
Or The Longest Shots on Record
TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE
Or The Picture that Saved a Fortune
TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP
Or The Naval Terror of the Seas
TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL
Or The Hidden City of the Andes
* * * * *
=GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK=
* * * * *
Transcriber's Notes:
Punctuation normalized.
On page 168, "Slash" changed to "Splash."
On page 188, "At is" changed to "As it."