THE THEFT
The others looked in amazement at the two speakers. Frank and Mr.
Jackson seemed oddly excited.
"Have you met before?" asked Albert.
"Well, I should say we had!" answered Frank, but he was smiling now.
"Won't you shake hands?" asked Mr. Jackson, also smiling. "I believe I
have never thanked you for saving my life."
"Saving your life!" exclaimed Albert. "I never heard anything about
that."
"Nor did we," put in Pep, with a look at Randy.
"I told you about it at the time," said Frank, "but it is only just now
that I know who the man is that I saved."
For, in that flash he recognized the man he had pulled back from being
run down by an automobile on Broadway.
"It was that time when I had the row with Royston in the New York
bank," Frank explained. "As I came out I saw a queerly dressed man
about to dart right in front of a swiftly-moving automobile. I pulled
him back just in time, and he hurried off. I thought he was a bit queer
at the time----"
Frank stopped suddenly. He had not realized how it would sound to make
such a remark about Albert's uncle.
"Don't mind me, young man," spoke Mr. Jackson, with a laugh. "I
certainly _was_ queer. I had just learned that I had lost everything,
through Royston's scoundrelly acts, and that is the last I really
remember until I found myself in the hospital. I suppose I did act
queerly, and I might have been oddly attired, for I came from my hotel
in such a hurry that perhaps I did not properly dress. Did I?" he asked
of Frank.
"Well, not according to New York standard," was the smiling reply. "You
had on one black and one tan shoe, and were without a collar or tie. In
fact, you were--well, rather strange."
"I can well believe you. And to think it was you, of all persons, who
should save me, and then so befriend my nephew. I don't know how to
thank you."
"Don't try, please," begged Frank. "You have done more for us than we
ever hoped for, selling us the concession. We are more than in your
debt."
Mr. Jackson was introduced to the other boys, and there was a merry
little party at the reunion.
"There's only one thing I regret," said Mr. Bullard.
"What's that?" asked Frank.
"That Royston got away. I have discovered new evidence that would
convict him of some former crimes. Now I'll have hard work tracing him.
He has given me the slip."
But the friends were not yet done with Royston, as they were very soon
to learn.
With the motion picture chums in formal possession of the valuable Zone
concession formerly belonging to the Jacksons, the boys were in for
some busy times. So, too, were Hank Strapp and Ben Jolly. The latter,
as might be expected, did little, however, but look after the organ,
and the ordering of a new effect box, with which he could simulate
almost every known sound that would be of value in a motion picture
exhibition.
Meanwhile the wild animal exhibition that Royston had started was
taken out. He had put no exhibits in place, though, and his scheme of
decoration was modified to a great extent. Then two fireproof booths
for the motion picture machines were put in the place, and a new kind
of screen erected. The seating arrangements were changed, and more
exits opened. In short, a most complete and comfortable motion picture
theatre was made of the concession.
Frank and his chums worked hard. They obtained the exclusive rights to
the expensive films on which they held an option, and as the weeks went
past they got in readiness for the opening performance of their motion
picture theatre.
Albert was taken in with the chums as a valuable helper, and his
typewriting ability was most useful, as there were many letters to be
sent to the various centers where the friends had business. Mr. Jackson
continued to improve, though it would be some time before he had his
whole strength back again. He lived a quiet life meanwhile.
The Panama-Pacific Exposition was rapidly nearing completion. Exhibits
were being rushed into place, the grounds became more and more
beautiful each day, and the artificial lakes sparkled blue in the
golden sun of California.
Fountains splashed their waters, colored by myriads of electric lights
at night, and flowers yielded their perfume to the balmy air. It was
like some vast fairyland, and the boys had never seen such wonders.
Their own affairs did not keep them from admiring the many beautiful
sights on every side.
The location of their concession in the Zone was most advantageous, and
they could have sold it several times at a handsome profit. But they
were determined to give motion pictures as they had originally planned.
Their theatre was all but complete. Some finishing touches were needed
here and there, but they could have opened in three days had it been
necessary. Ben Jolly's organ had been installed, and he was getting it
in tune. His new "effect box" was also ready for use.
Mr. Bullard had made strenuous efforts to locate Royston, but had
failed. He received several false clues that took him out of San
Francisco, but the government man returned each time to the "City of
the Golden Gate."
"Somehow I feel that I shall find him here--that he will come back,"
Mr. Bullard said. "He will not give up so easily the concession which
might have made his fortune had he been content to run it honestly."
"Oh, he'll never bother us," declared Pep. "He's out of the running.
Don't worry about him."
"Wait and see," advised Mr. Bullard.
All was in readiness for the opening of the Zone Theatre. The reels
of the valuable films had been put in the safe in the office of the
playhouse, for the regulations of the fair called for a complete
opening program, to be witnessed by officials, so that it might be
certain there would be no delay when the public was admitted. The fair
would officially open in about a week.
"Come and hear the organ," urged Ben Jolly, on the morning set for the
official trial. "I'll give you a few tunes and new effects while we're
waiting for the officials. It's early yet. This instrument beats the
one in the Empire all to pieces!"
The boys, with Mr. Strapp and Ben, had come from their hotel. They
slipped into the darkened theatre. Only a few lights were aglow, as Ben
took his seat before the keyboard. Then, through the silence, came a
sound as of a mighty wind rushing. It grew in volume until the whole
building seemed to tremble. And then came a burst of melody, so grandly
sweet and solemn that Pep felt tears come into his eyes. Ben was
playing with a master hand.
Louder and louder grew the music. It wailed, it sobbed and seemed
to cry. Then it sang, as a joyous woman might sing, clear as a
silver flute. Next came a crash of military chords, as though a vast
conquering army were on the march.
The music died away in a crash like thunder. And then, clear and sweet
sounded the Vesper Hymn, growing fainter and fainter, until it died out
altogether, only the echoes of the accompanying chimes being heard.
Then came a great silence.
"Great, Ben! Great!" cried Pep. "That will make 'em sit up and take
notice."
"It was--wonderful," spoke Frank, softly. "We made no mistake getting
that pipe organ."
"And wait until you hear some of the other effects," boasted Ben. "I
can make rain so natural that you'll look to see if you can't borrow an
umbrella and a pair of rubbers from your seat neighbor."
Ben Jolly had not been able to use the second-hand organ he had heard
of, though it was in fairly good shape. So the chums had purchased a
new one for him, with the latest effects. It was a great improvement
over the one in their Empire theatre and Ben was delighted with it. He
produced some wonderful effects with it, fairly astonishing at times.
While they were discussing Ben's triumph a messenger came to say that
the fair officials had arrived, and were ready for the test.
"All right," spoke Frank, "we'll give 'em an exhibition. Give 'em some
music, too, Ben."
"That's what I will--and some of the best. Oh, but that is a splendid
organ!"
The motion picture operator had tested his lights and the machines.
Frank went to the safe to get out the first reels of the new films, for
only one or two thousand feet were to be run off.
As he entered the office, and twirled the combination of the safe a
sudden fear came to him. There was something in the "feel" of the shiny
knob that was not right. Without completing the combination, Frank
threw back the handle. It worked easily. The safe was not locked!
The heavy door swung back, and Frank, after a quick glance inside,
cried out:
"We've been robbed! The valuable films are gone!"