A DEMAND IS MADE
Helen had gone to bed when Ruth went into their bedroom that morning, and
either she was asleep or did not want to speak to her chum. Ruth felt
that, after what had gone on at the ball at Alexandria Bay, she had
better not wake Helen up to tell her about the strange launch that had
landed at the Kingdom of the Pipes.
And in the morning the attitude of both Helen and Tom closed Ruth's lips
on all subjects. The twins were plainly offended. Why? Because Ruth had
shown ordinary interest in other people besides themselves!
At least, that is how Ruth saw it. She thought it very silly for Helen to
be jealous. Tom's jealousy was another matter; but he had brought the
situation on himself.
For once Ruth was determined not to give in, as she so often did when
Helen showed spleen. Fortunately, Ruth was busy with her picture work, so
she had good reason to excuse herself from much association with the
Cameron twins during the next two days.
Then something happened to give them all an entirely different topic of
thought and conversation. That day had been spent in taking close-ups and
scenes under the canvas and glass roof of the make-shift studio that had
been built at the camp. The great pageant of historical times along the
St. Lawrence was moving swiftly on its way. The scenes of a picture are
seldom taken in any sequence at all, but Mr. Hooley had gone so far now
that the bulk of the scenes had been filmed; and as they had been run off
in the little projection room, both Mr. Hammond and Ruth had expressed
their approval of almost every finished length of celluloid.
The work was practically over for the day at four o'clock and the actors
in their costumes--especially the Indians, including Wonota and her
father--made a brilliant picture as they wandered about the lawns and in
and out of the several bungalows on the island.
From the direction of Chippewa Bay appeared a chugging motor-launch that
came directly to the dock. It was not one of the hired launches used by
the picture company, nor were those in the launch men who had anything to
do with Mr. Hammond's corporation.
But when Ruth idly looked into the launch from her seat with Helen and
Miss Keith and Mrs. Paisley on the porch of their house, the girl of the
Red Mill got up suddenly, uttering an astonished exclamation:
"That horrid man again!"
"Hoity-toity!" exclaimed Mrs. Paisley. "What man deserves such a title as
that, Miss Fielding?"
"That Bilby!" exclaimed Ruth. "I just felt it in my bones--like Aunt
Alvirah--that that creature would annoy us again."
"Then you are not disappointed," said Helen drily. "Is that the
fellow--that big gawk in the blue suit?"
"No, no! I don't know him," said Ruth. "The little fat man tagging after
the big fellow."
For two men from the launch had now stepped ashore. In accordance with
orders from Mr. Hammond, the visitors were stopped at the head of the
dock. Nobody was allowed on the island without invitation or a permit.
"Let me tell you," said the man in blue pompously, "that I am a county
officer. You'd better have a care, young fellow."
"Say! I don't care if you are the King of the Yaps," said Willie, the
boatman. "I have my orders. This is private property. Stay where you
are--right where you are, mind!--till I send for the boss."
"You send for them two Injuns--that is who our business is with," put in
Bilby. "That Totantora and Wonota. I want to see them--not that Hammond."
Ruth had run to another house to warn those very individuals to get out
of the way and to keep out of sight until Bilby's visit was over. She did
not know, of course, who the big man in blue was.
The latter was inclined to be pompous and commanding, even when Mr.
Hammond came down to the head of the dock to see him. It was evident that
Bilby's money felt warm in the deputy sheriff's pocket, and he was
determined to give the little fat man full weight for his cash.
"This here business is something that can be settled without any row, Mr.
Hammond--if that's your name," said the officer, puffingly.
"It is my name, all right," returned the president of the Alectrion
Corporation. "And I don't expect any row. What do you want--and that
fellow behind you?"
Horatio Bilby grinned rather sheepishly. "Well, you know, Mr. Hammond,
all's fair in love and war."
"This is certainly not love," said the moving picture man. "Now, what do
you both want?"
"You are ordered to bring two people into court," said the deputy
sheriff, "and show cause why they shouldn't be handed over to Mr. Bilby
pending certain proceedings to break their contract with you."
"Blunt enough," admitted Mr. Hammond, but without excitement. "Let's see:
You have a paper of some kind, I suppose, to serve on me?"
"I've a summons for you," said the officer, drawing forth some papers,
"and I propose to take the two Indians back to the Bay with me."
"You can serve me, and I will arrange for my representative to appear for
me in your court," said Hammond. "But Totantora, to whom I suppose you
refer, is a citizen of the United States, and you will have to find him
to serve him."
"He's nothing but an Injun!" squealed Bilby, in wrath.
"Being an Osage Indian, and owning properly surveyed oil lands in
Oklahoma, the Government has acknowledged his citizenship," was the quiet
reply. "He certainly is a good American and will doubtless answer to any
court demand--if you can serve him legally."
"You got him hid away somewhere?" demanded the deputy sheriff.
"And the girl, too!" cried Bilby. "I want the girl more than I do the
crazy old Indian."
"You'll think he's crazy if he ever sets eyes on you again, Mr. Bilby,"
was Mr. Hammond's warning. "He hasn't forgotten you."
Bilby drew back--and he looked frightened, too. "I--I don't want him
right now," he muttered.
Hammond accepted the summons of the local court, glanced at it, and put
it in his pocket.
"I see I have five days' grace," he remarked. "All right. I will see that
proper representation is made before the court."
"But we want them Indians," said the deputy.
"This island is private property. I have hired its use for a certain
term. I will allow you on it only under proper legal motion. Have you a
search warrant?" Hammond asked the deputy.
"I ain't got a warrant. I don't need a warrant for a couple of Indians.
They ain't got any standing in this community. I know Indians all right.
You give 'em over."
"I do not even acknowledge that the two individuals you demand are under
my control. At least, I know very well that no United States court can
touch the young woman, Wonota, except through her guardian. That guardian
is her father. I don't see him here--do you?"
"You'd better produce him," threatened the deputy.
"You can't make me. Go back and get proper authority--if you can,"
advised Mr. Hammond. "And don't come here again--either of you--without
proper authority. Willie!"
"On the job," said the boatman, grinning.
"Don't let these fellows upon the island again--not even on the dock. Not
unless they are armed with a proper warrant."
He turned his back on the visitors and started toward the nearest
bungalow.
"You'll be sorry for this, Hammond!" shouted Horatio Bilby. "I'll get you
yet, and don't you forget it."
"To get me, as you call it, you will have to have both right and might on
your side, Bilby. And just now you do not seem to have either," was the
Parthian shot the president of the Alectrion Corporation sent over his
shoulder.
Willie hustled the deputy and the fat man back into their launch.
"Go on away from here," advised Willie. "I know you, Tom Satchett--known
you all my life. All you are fit for is to jump a few fishermen and game
hunters that break the law. This job is too big for you. You're up
against money and influence, both, this time."
"I won't forget you, Willie," growled the deputy. "You'll want something
of me some time----"
"I want something of you right now," put in the boatman. "A good reason
for punching you. Go on into your boat before I find it."
So the pair retreated. But Ruth came to Mr. Hammond in some little
disturbance.
"What shall we do?" she demanded. "Suppose they take Wonota away before
the picture is finished?"
"They won't. At least, I don't believe the court will allow it. I will
telegraph to a good lawyer and have him come up here and watch
proceedings."
"But, if it should happen, we would be in a bad fix, Mr. Hammond. Mr.
Hooley says nobody could double for Wonota."
"Let's not cross bridges until we come to them," returned her friend.
But perhaps Mr. Hammond felt less confidence than he managed to get into
his voice and appearance at that moment.