STOLEN WEALTH
There was special reason why Dr. Byrd should feel more than ordinary
interest in Mr. Miles. Both of them had long been enthusiastic
collectors of souvenirs and curios of many kinds, and it was not long
after their first meeting that each of them discovered the similarity of
their hobbies. They were together frequently thereafter, both in the
hospital and out of it. They talked of the places they had visited and
the sights they had seen and the curios they had collected until it
seemed almost that they must have been companions in all their travels
and all their hunts.
Then Dr. Byrd pulled out some of his trunks, opened them and disclosed a
wealth of treasures such as caused the eyes of the aviator to stand out
big with astonishment. This treasure was not so remarkable in money
value, perhaps; but it was indeed wonderful in novelty and abundance.
An idea of the nature of this collection may be presented by a
description of a few samples. One of them was an oriental jewel casket
of engraved rock and crystal mounted in enameled silver. Two other
articles of special interest, because of their rarity, were a set of
checkers made of sharks' vertebrae and an "eye" from an Egyptian mummy
case. This eye was made of bronze and black and white marble.
A long chapter could be devoted to a description of the doctor's
collection. As he exhibited them to Mr. Miles he handed over for
inspection some Abalone pearls of California, blister pearls of Ceylon,
a necklace of fluorescent amber from Sicily, jade ornaments, smoky
quartz, Brazilian crystal balls, topaz from the Ural mountains,
petrified wood, moss agate, rainbow agate, bloodstone from India,
sardonyx from Uruguay, a Texan jasperized wood ornament, a jasper tray
from the Ural mountains, fire opals, Norwegian sunstone, and an enameled
talisman necklace.
Undoubtedly Dr. Byrd valued this collection much higher than a
disinterested authority would have valued it, but there is little doubt
also that it would have brought a considerable sum even at an auction
sale. Nevertheless, the owner of Lakefarm could not throw off something
of an air of sadness as he was exhibiting his treasured gems and curios.
"Two years ago," he remarked to the aviator, "I could have shown you a
collection that would have opened your eyes much wider. I then had a
dozen other stones that were worth several times as much as all of these
together, but they were stolen."
"Did a burglar break in?" asked Mr. Miles.
"No, I wouldn't feel so badly if they had gone in such manner. But it
was a trusted employe that took them. He had been a teacher at the
school for a year and I grew to like him exceedingly. He was really a
brilliant fellow and I admired him. In fact, I gave him my full
confidence. At the end of his year he resigned, and a few days later I
discovered my loss."
"Couldn't you find him?" inquired Mr. Miles.
"Certainly. That's what made it so hard to prove anything against him.
He was the smoothest kind, all nerve and calculation."
"How do you know he took them?"
"Didn't you ever know anything you couldn't prove?" replied the doctor
slowly. "I knew who stole those gems the instant I found them missing.
Immediately I saw his excellent qualities in a new light. He was an
extremely clever hypocrite."
"Did you meet him afterward?"
"No, I never saw him again. I put it up to the police. I told them of my
suspicions, but couldn't give them any information that tended to fasten
guilt on Maxwell any more than on anybody else."
"Maxwell was his name?"
"Yes. The police worked a while on the case, but gradually gave it up.
Then I wrote to Maxwell and informed him plainly where my suspicion
rested.
"He wrote a reply full of indignation and reproach, but it didn't ring
true. I've noticed the smartest rascals seem to be unable to seem
entirely innocent when they know they are suspected. It's a remarkable
study, criminology. And yet, it's as simple as A-B-C."
"In what way?"
"Everything's simple when you understand it, I'm ready to believe. If we
could learn the secret of the universe, we'd be astonished to find out
what a simple proposition it is."
"You're getting pretty deep," smiled Miles.
"Perhaps I am. But I'm confident that the effects of dishonesty on the
dishonest person are similar to the effects of the use of an untrue
square in the construction of a building. He absolutely can't help
growing out of plumb. When you appreciate that rule, you will understand
how I knew that Maxwell committed the theft."
It was months after the resignation of Rodney Maxwell before the boys of
Lakefarm learned of the stealing of the gems, and then the information
came to them in a vague manner. Pepperill Humphrey let the first hint
drop, and the curiosity of the young Scouts would not let him alone
until he revealed some more of his information. Pepper had many good
qualities, but he was very talkative, and did not require much pumping
to set him going in earnest, and soon the secret ceased to be a secret.
The conversations between the doctor and Mr. Miles on the subject of
their collections led to a move highly pleasing to the Boy Scouts of
Lakefarm. Dr. Byrd had several times expressed a desire to explore the
cave behind the waterfall, where the aviator's lost bag of souvenirs had
been found. To both of them this cave was a place of some mystery, and
naturally they felt considerable interest in a solution.
"I'd like to know how that bag got in there," said the doctor one day.
"And the first step toward finding out must consist of an inspection of
the cave and its immediate vicinity."
"I agree with you," returned Miles. "I'd like to go with you when you
inspect the place, but it'll be a week or two before I can stand any
vigorous exercise."
"It seems to me that you're entitled to accompany the first expedition
of discovery," continued the doctor slowly. "But, as you say, you won't
be able to move about in a lively manner for some time. Now, I have a
plan. It's been working in my mind for several days, and I've about
decided to put it into execution.
"It is this: Mummy Cañon is really a remarkable place. It's a wonder to
me that it hasn't been exploited as a resort long before this. I'm
seriously considering, Mr. Miles, a plan to purchase the whole of the
cañon from the government and to enter on an extensive real estate
project.
"Of course I'll incorporate, but I propose to retain a controlling
interest in the stock company. I'll buy the land, get out my
incorporation papers, and then invite some eastern promoters here to
look at my proposition.
"I'm dead sure the thing could be made a success. The D. and R. G.
railroad is about to run a short line this way, and with a little
advertising we'd soon have all the people out here we could take care
of. A hotel, some cottages, and conveniences for sportsmen and
sight-seers ought to start things humming.
"And the cave would be an important attraction. But it must be made
accessible. So I have planned to give the boys a little experience in
bridge and road engineering. I want to construct a foot bridge over the
river near the rapids and dig a walk along the steep western bank right
up to the cave. I would put up railings to make it safe and a
well-protected bridge from the bank through the fall into the cave."
"That's a great idea!" exclaimed Miles, enthusiastically slapping his
sound leg. "When are you going to begin work?"
"In a day or two. I've so nearly decided to put the big scheme into
operation that I've already begun action on the smaller one. The lumber
for the bridges and railing will be delivered at the cañon to-morrow."
"Good! I'm heartily in sympathy with the work. The boys will like it
too."
"Oh, I've had the boys in mind all the time," declared the doctor
warmly. "The young Scouts of Lakefarm, I intend, shall have much to do
in the building up of Mummy Cañon. The work will be full of lessons in
engineering, construction and business."
Of course the boys were delighted when they were informed of this plan.
The doctor did not tell them of the larger scheme he had in view, as
that was not yet fully decided upon.
A few days later work was begun. The lumber had been delivered at the
shallow place near the head of the rapids, which was the place selected
for bridge number one. The stream was wide at this place, but this width
suited the purpose of Dr. Byrd the better, for he desired a task worthy
of the efforts of forty-four energetic boys.
First, it was necessary to put in foundations for the abutments and
supports of the bridge. This was done by gathering stones and bowlders
and wedging them in place as securely as possible. Then followed the
task of sawing the timbers into proper lengths, according to plans that
had been prepared under the supervision of Mr. Frankland and Mr. Porter.
This done, the frame work was put up and the planks nailed down and the
railings placed.
It was really a very satisfactory piece of work. First of all, it was
stable and safe to walk upon. Second, it presented a neat appearance.
Third, the boys had done it all themselves.
The bridge was finished in two working days. The doctor, in mapping out
the program, provided for alternate days of work at the river and study
at the school, so that three days elapsed before the bridge was
completed. Then another day was spent at their books, after which the
boys returned to the cañon and began making a level foot-path along the
steep western bank of the river.
This was done in short shifts in order that the work might be pushed
rapidly without fatigue. Half a dozen picks and shovels were kept
swinging vigorously and the way the earth and stones went flying into
the river said the work would soon be done.
Two weeks after the starting of the work on the larger bridge the entire
work was finished. There was a strong railing on the river side of the
path and a narrow well-protected bridge through the waterfall to the
cave behind. It was nearly night when the last nail was driven, and as
they had no lanterns with them, it was decided not to explore the cave
on this occasion, but to reserve this inspection for a special excursion
on a later day.
That evening at Lakefarm, however, something happened that was destined
to bring about a decided change in the program with reference to this
plan. The person most affected was Hal Kenyon. It meant trouble for him
and some extremely perilous adventures for some of the boys.
In the wash room Hal drew a handkerchief from his pocket, and as he did
so something heavy and metallic hit the floor. Several of his
schoolmates heard the sound, and Pickles sprang forward and picked up
the object. As he did this, Hal also made a spring and attempted to
snatch it away from Pickles.
The latter, however, with no uncivil intent, edged away, at the same
time gazing eagerly at the small, heavy object in his hand.
"Oh, Hal, it's gold!" he exclaimed. "Where did you get it?"
"What's that?" inquired a voice that chilled Kenyon through, and,
looking up, he saw Mr. Miles advancing toward them. He had discarded his
crutches and was using a cane.
He held out his free hand toward Pickles, who, like one hypnotized,
delivered the object of interest to the aviator. The latter looked at it
eagerly for a moment, then fastened his eyes on Hal with searching gaze.
"Boy," he said sternly after a moment's silence; "this nugget is mine. I
thought you said--"
He did not finish the sentence, for Hal's face had become so pale that
it seemed as if he was going to faint.