AN ATTEMPTED RESCUE.
Now since the reader knows how it happened that Archie Jackson and he
who had masqueraded under the name of Cyrus Sutton chanced to be at
this particular spot in the woods when the thieves would have removed
their booty, and also why the silver could not be found by these
worthies, it is necessary to return to the place where the arrest was
made.
Bud Heyland did not take kindly to the idea of being a prisoner. None
knew better than himself the proofs which could be brought against him,
and, after the first surprise passed away, his only thought was of how
he might escape.
While the valiant Archie stood over him in an attitude of triumph, the
detective was holding a short but very concise conversation with the
second captive.
"I'll make you smart for this," Bud heard Kincade say. "Things have
come to a pretty pass when a man who is invited by a friend to stop on
the road a minute in order to look for a whip that was lost while we
were hunting for the lion, gets treated in this manner by a couple of
drunken fools."
Taking his cue from the speech, Bud added in an injured tone:
"That's a fact. I was on my way to join the show; but thought it might
be possible to find the whip, for it belongs to Colonel Bandman, an' he
kicked because I left it."
"After the plans we have laid, Heyland, do you think it is well to try
such a story on me," Carter asked sternly.
"I don't know what you're talkin' about. Jake has told how we happened
to come here."
"He didn't explain why you wanted Fred Sheldon to change a
twenty-dollar bill for you, nor how it happened that you had an hundred
dollars to pay for the wagon which was smashed."
"I've got nothing to do with any counterfeit money that has been
passed, and I defy you to prove it," Kincade cried, energetically.
"Who said anything about counterfeits?" the detective asked, sternly.
"It will be well for you to keep your mouth shut, unless you want to
get deeper in the mire than you are already. It so chances, however,
that I have ample proof of your connection with the robbery, aside from
what Bud may have let drop, and, in addition, will show how long you
have been engaged in the business of passing worthless money, so there
is no need of any further talk. Will you walk to the road, or shall we
be forced to carry you?"
This question was asked because Bud had seated himself as if intending
to remain for some time; but he sprung to his feet immediately, so
thoroughly cowed, that he would have attempted to obey any command,
however unreasonable, in the hope of finding favor in the sight of his
captors.
"We've got to do what you say, for awhile, anyhow," Kincade replied,
sulkily; "but somebody will suffer because of this outrage."
"I'll take the chances," Carter replied, laughingly. "Step out lively,
for I intend to get some sleep to-night."
"Hold on a minute," the fussy little constable cried, as he ran to the
side of the detective and whispered:
"I think we should take the silver with us. There may be more of this
gang who will come after it when they find we have nabbed these two."
"I fancy it's safe," was the careless reply, "and whether it is or not,
we must wait until we see Fred again, for I haven't the slightest idea
where he hid it."
"But, you see----"
"Now, don't fret, my friend," the detective interrupted, determined
that Fred should take the silver himself to the maiden ladies. "You
have conducted the case so admirably thus far that it would be a shame
to run the risk of spoiling the job by loitering here where there may
be an attempt at a rescue."
This bit of flattery, coupled with the intimation that there might be a
fight, caused Archie to remain silent. He was eager to be in town where
he could relate his wonderful skill in trapping the thieves, as well as
his fear lest there should be a hand-to-hand encounter with desperate
men, and these desires caused him to make every effort to land the
prisoners in jail.
He even lost sight of the reward, for the time being, through the
anxiety to sing his own praises, and in his sternest tones, which were
not very dreadful, by the way, he urged Bud forward.
"If you make the slightest show of trying to run away, I'll put a dozen
bullets in your body," he said, and then, as he reached for his weapon
to further intimidate the prisoner, he discovered, to his chagrin,
that, as on a previous occasion, his revolver was at home; but in its
place, put there while he labored under great excitement, was the
tack-hammer, symbol of his trade as bill-poster.
The two men went toward the road very meekly, evidently concluding that
submission was the best policy, and for once Carter made a mistake.
Having worked up the case to such a satisfactory conclusion, and
believing these were the only two attachés of the circus in the
vicinity, he allowed Archie Jackson to manage matters from this point.
The valiant constable, thinking only of the glory with which he would
cover himself as soon as he was at the hotel amid a throng of his
acquaintances, simply paid attention to the fact that the prisoners
were marching properly in front of him, heeding not the rumble of
distant wheels on the road beyond.
Kincade heard them, however, and he whispered softly to Bud:
"There's just a chance that some of our people are coming. I heard
Colonel Bandman say he should send Albers and Towsey back to look up
some harness that was left to be repaired, and this is about the time
they ought to be here."
"Much good it will do us with that fool of a Jackson ready to shoot,
the first move we make," Bud replied petulantly.
"Go on without so much talk," Archie cried fiercely, from the rear.
"You can't play any games on me."
"From what I've heard, you know pretty well how a man can shoot in the
dark, an' I'll take my chances of gettin' a bullet in the back rather
than go to jail for ten years or so. When I give the word, run the best
you know how."
Bud promised to obey; but from the tone of his voice it could be told
that he had much rather shoot at a person than act as target himself,
and Archie ordered the prisoners to quicken their speed.
Carter was several paces in the rear, remaining in the background in
order, for the better carrying out of his own plans in regard to Fred,
it should appear as if the constable was the commanding officer, and
when the party arrived at the edge of the road where Bud had fastened
the horse, the rumble of the approaching team could be heard very
distinctly.
"Now's our time! Run for your life!" Kincade whispered, staring up
the road at the same instant, and as Bud followed at full speed both
shouted for help at the utmost strength of their lungs.
It was as if this daring attempt at escape deprived Archie of all power
of motion. He lost several valuable seconds staring after his vanishing
prisoners in speechless surprise, and followed this officer-like
proceeding by attempting to shoot the fugitives with the tack-hammer.
Carter, although not anticipating anything of the kind, had his wits
about him, and, rushing past the bewildered constable, darted up the
road in silence. He was well armed; but did not care to run the risk of
killing one of the thieves, more especially since he felt positive of
overtaking both in a short time, owing to the fact that the manacles
upon their wrists would prevent them from any extraordinary speed.
Neither Bud nor Kincade ceased to call for help, and almost before
Carter was well in pursuit a voice from the oncoming team could be
heard saying:
"That's some of our crowd. I'm sure nobody but Jake could yell so loud."
"It _is_ me!" Kincade shouted. "Hold hard, for there are a couple of
officers close behind!"
By the sounds which followed, Carter understood that the new-comers
were turning their wagon, preparatory to carrying the arrested parties
in the opposite direction, and he cried to the valiant Archie, who as
yet had not collected his scattered senses sufficiently to join in the
pursuit:
"Bring that team on here, and be quick about it!"
Now, to discharge a weapon would be to imperil the lives of the new
actors on the scene, and this was not to be thought of for a moment.
Carter strained every muscle to overtake his prisoners before they
could clamber into the wagon; but in vain.
Even in the gloom he could see the dark forms of the men as they leaped
into the rear of the vehicle, and in another instant the horse was off
at a full gallop in the direction from which he had just come.
For the detective to go on afoot would have been folly, and once more
he cried for Archie to bring the team, which had been left by the
roadside when Kincade and Bud arrived.
The little constable had by this time managed to understand at least
a portion of what was going on around him, and, in a very bungling
fashion, was trying to unfasten the hitching-rein; but he made such a
poor job of it that Carter was forced to return and do the work himself.
"Get in quickly," the detective said, sharply, as he led the horse into
the road, and following Archie, the two were soon riding at a mad pace
in pursuit, regardless alike of possible vehicles to be met, or the
danger of being overturned.
"Why didn't you shoot 'em when you had the chance?" Archie asked, as
soon as he realized the startling change in the condition of affairs.
"Because that should be done only when a man is actually in fear of his
life, or believes a dangerous prisoner cannot be halted in any other
way."
"But that was the only chance of stoppin' them fellers."
"I'll have them before morning," was the quiet reply, as the driver
urged the horse to still greater exertions. "Those men have been
traveling a long distance, while our animal is fresh, therefore it's
only a question of time; but how does it happen that you didn't shoot?
I left the fellows in your charge."
"I was out putting up some bills this afternoon, and had my hammer with
me, of course. When we got ready for this trip, I felt on the outside
of my hip pocket, and made sure it was my revolver that formed such a
bunch."
"Another time I should advise you to be certain which of your many
offices you intend to represent," Carter said, quietly. "I'm not
positive, however, that we haven't cause to be thankful, for somebody
might have been hurt."
"There's no question about it, if I had been armed," was the reply, in
a blood-thirsty tone, for Archie was rapidly recovering his alleged
courage.
"And I, being in the rear, stood as good a chance of receiving the
bullet as did the men."
"You have never seen me shoot," the little constable said, proudly.
"Fortunately, I never did," Carter replied, and then the conversation
ceased, as they were at the forks of a road where it was necessary to
come to a halt in order to learn in which direction the fugitives had
gone.
This was soon ascertained, and as the detective applied the whip
vigorously, he said, warningly:
"Now keep your wits about you, for we are where they will try to give
us the slip, and it is more than possible Heyland and Kincade may jump
out of the wagon, leaving us to follow the team, while they make good
their escape."
Archie tried very hard to do as he was commanded; he stared into
darkness, able now and then to distinguish the outlines of the vehicle
in advance, and at the same time was forced to exert all his strength
to prevent being thrown from his seat, so recklessly was Carter driving.
"We'll be upset," he finally said, in a mild tone of protest. "The road
seems to be very rough, and there must be considerable danger in going
at such a pace."
"No more for us than for them. I'll take a good many chances rather
than go back to Tottenville and admit that we allowed two prisoners to
escape after we had them ironed."
The little constable had nothing more to say. He also thought it would
be awkward to explain to his particular friends how, after such a
marvelous piece of detective work, the criminals had got free. This,
coupled with the story of his bruised hand, would give the fun-loving
inhabitants of the village an opportunity to make his life miserable
with pointless jokes and alleged witticisms, therefore he shut his
teeth firmly, resolved not to make any further protest even though
convinced that his life was actually in danger.
During half an hour the chase continued, and for at least twenty
minutes of this time the pursuers were so near the pursued that it
would have been impossible for either occupant of the wagon to leap out
unnoticed.
Now the foremost horse was beginning to show signs of fatigue, owing to
previous travel and the unusual load. Both whip and voice was used to
urge him on; but in vain, and Carter said, in a low tone to Archie:
"The chase is nearly ended! Be ready to leap out the instant we stop."
Then, drawing his revolver, he cried, "There's no chance of your
giving us the slip. Pull up, or I shall fire! If the prisoners are
delivered to me at once there will be nothing said regarding the effort
to aid them in escaping; but a delay of five minutes will result in
imprisonment for the whole party."
Kincade's friends evidently recognized the folly of prolonging the
struggle, and, to save themselves from possible penalties of the law,
the driver shouted:
"I'll pull up. Look out that you don't run into us!"
It required no great effort to bring both the panting steeds to a
stand-still, and in a twinkling Carter was standing at one side of the
vehicle with his revolver in hand, while Archie, with a boldness that
surprised him afterward, stationed himself directly opposite, holding
the tack-hammer as if on the point of shooting the culprits.
Kincade realized that it was best to submit to the inevitable with
a good grace, and he descended from the wagon, saying to the little
constable as he did so:
"Don't shoot! I'll agree to go peacefully."
"Then see that you behave yourself, or I'll blow the whole top of your
head off," Archie replied, in a blood-thirsty tone; but at the same
time he took very good care to keep the hammer out of sight.
Bud Heyland resisted even now when those who had tried to aid were
ready to give him up.
"I won't go back!" he cried, kicking vigorously as the detective
attempted to pull him from the wagon. "I've done nothing for which I
can be arrested, and you shan't take me."
The long chase had exhausted all of Carter's patience, and he was
not disposed to spend many seconds in expostulating. Seizing the
kicking youth by one foot he dragged him with no gentle force to the
ground, and an instant later the men in the wagon drove off, evidently
preferring flight to the chances that the detective would keep his
promise.
"Bundle them into the carriage, and tie their legs," Carter said to the
constable, and in a very short space of time the thieves were lying in
the bottom of the vehicle unable to move hand or foot.
Now that there was not the slightest possibility the culprits could
escape, Archie kept vigilant watch over them. The least movement on the
part of either, as Carter drove the tired horse back to the village,
was the signal for him to use his hammer on any portion of their bodies
which was most convenient, and this repeated punishment must have
caused Bud to remember how often he had ill-treated those who were
quite as unable to "strike back" as he now was.
Not until the prisoners were safely lodged in the little building which
served as jail did Archie feel perfectly safe, and then all his old
pompous manner returned. But for the detective he would have hurried
away to tell the news, late in the night though it was, for in his own
opinion at least, this night's work had shown him to be not only a true
hero, but an able detective.
"It is considerably past midnight," Carter said, as they left the
jail, "and we have a great deal to do before this job is finished."
"What do you mean?"
"Are we to leave the silver and money?"
"Of course not; but you said we'd have to wait until we saw Fred."
"Exactly so; but what is to prevent our doing that now? When the
property has been delivered to its rightful owners you and I can take
our ease; until then we are bound to keep moving."
Archie was disappointed at not being able to establish, without loss of
time, his claim to being a great man; but he had no idea of allowing
anything to be done in the matter when he was not present, if it could
be avoided, and he clambered into the wagon once more.
The two drove directly to the Sheldon home, and Fred was dreaming that
burglars were trying to get into the house, when he suddenly became
conscious that some one was pounding vigorously on the front door.
Leaping from the bed and looking out of the window he was surprised at
seeing the man whom he knew as Cyrus Sutton, and at the same moment he
heard his mother ask:
"What is the matter, Mr. Carter?"
"Nothing, except that we want Fred. The case is closed, and to save
time we'd better get the property at once. Have you any objection to
his going with me?"
"Not the slightest. I will awaken him."
"I'll be down in a minute," Fred cried, as he began to make a hurried
toilet, wondering meanwhile why Bud Heyland's friend should be trusted
so implicitly by his mother.
As a matter of course it was necessary for Mrs. Sheldon to explain to
her son who Cyrus Sutton really was and Fred was still in a maze of
bewilderment when his mother admitted the detective.
"Why didn't you tell me," he cried reproachfully.
"No good could have come of it," the gentleman replied laughingly,
"and, besides, I can't see how you failed to discover the secret,
either when you ran away after listening behind the rock on the
road-side, or when I passed so near while supposed to be hunting for
you."
"Did you see me then?"
"Certainly, and but for such slight obstructions as I placed in Bud's
way, he might have overtaken you."
"Where is Archie?"
"Out in the wagon waiting for you. Kincade and Bud are in the lock-up
where we just left them, and now it is proposed to get the silver in
order to deliver it early in the morning."
"Did mother tell you I found it?"
"She did, and I am heartily glad, since now the reward will be yours,
and with it you can clear your home from debt."
Fred did not wait to ask any further questions. In a very few moments
he was ready for the journey, and, with the promise to "come home as
soon as the work was done," he went out to where Archie greeted him in
the most effusive manner.
"We have covered ourselves with glory," the little constable cried.
"This is a case which will be told throughout the country, and the fact
that we arrested the culprits and recovered the property when there was
absolutely no clew on which to work, is something unparalleled in the
annals of detective history."
Fred was neither prepared to agree to, nor dispute this statement. The
only fact which remained distinct in his mind was that the reward would
be his, and if there was any glory attached he felt perfectly willing
Archie should take it all.
"Get into the wagon, Fred," Carter said impatiently. "It will take us
until daylight to get the stuff, and we don't want to shock the good
people of Tottenville by doing too much driving after sunrise."
Fred obeyed without delay, and during the ride Archie gave him all the
particulars concerning the capture of the thieves, save in regard to
his own stupidity which permitted the temporary escape.
Knowing the woods in the vicinity of his home as well as Fred did, it
was not difficult for him to go directly to the place where he had
hidden the silver, even in the night, and half an hour later the stolen
service was in the carriage.
"It is nearly daylight," Carter said, when they were driving in the
direction of the village again, "and the best thing we can do will be
to go to Fred's home, where he and I can keep guard over the treasure
until it is a proper time to return it to its owners."
"In that case I may as well go home awhile," Archie said reflectively.
"Doubtless my wife will be wondering what has kept me, and there is no
need of three to watch the silver."
"Very well, we shall not leave there until about nine o'clock," and
Carter reined in the horse as they were in front of the fussy little
constable's house, for him to alight.