Budd was partially prepared for the Trial Justice's decision, as it was
but the natural result of the bias he had shown in his rulings; but the
excessive amount of the bond astonished him and filled him with alarm.
He had thought, in case he was bound over to the higher court, the bond
would be fixed at a few hundred dollars, and that some of his or Judd's
friends would be willing to become surety for so small an amount; but
when the Justice named the sum of one thousand dollars he felt there was
but one alternative--he must go to jail.
His alarm at the prospect was not due so much to the fact that he shrunk
from confinement in the jail as that the confinement would defeat his
whole plans. Just as he had some hope of proving his father's
innocence, and of rescuing him from an unjust imprisonment, his hopes
were to be ruthlessly crushed, his purpose thwarted, and he himself
stigmatized as a criminal. It was with difficultly that he could
restrain the hot tears that were struggling to flow.
The Justice had been rapidly filling out a paper since he had rendered
his decision, and now he looked up:
"Your bond is ready," he said. "Whom do you name for bondsman?"
"I have none," faltered the lad, "unless some gentleman here will give
bond for me."
Mr. Wright, who sat near the boy, felt that this touching appeal was
meant for him, and at once there began a struggle in his heart. He had
always liked Budd. So far as he knew, Budd had always been perfectly
honorable; and he could not help thinking the lad had established his
innocence beyond a shadow of a doubt. Still Mr. Johnson's testimony as
to the father's character had had its influence upon him, and he was not
quite sure it would be just wise to become the boy's bondsman. While he
hesitated, he and the others in the court-room were surprised to hear a
voice say:
"I'll sign his bond."
The speaker was Mr. Benton, and that gentleman walked forward to the
Justice's stand and deliberately wrote his name across the paper.
"I guess that'll stand the law," he remarked; and before Budd could even
thank him he strode from the court-room, as though ashamed of his act.
No sooner had he disappeared than Mr. Wright walked up to the Justice's
desk, saying, quietly:
"Put my name on the bond also. Two bondsmen are better than one;" and
he wrote his name under that of Mr. Benton's.
Then, crossing over to Budd's side, he shook hands with him, remarking:
"Mr. Benton got the start of me; but I have shown my good-will, all the
same. Shall we go, now?"
Budd thought, by his look more than his words, that he desired to see
him alone, and so followed him out of the court-room.
When they reached the street, Mr. Wright took Budd by the arm and led
him away from the throng that was pouring out of the building, and said:
"Look out for Mr. Benton. His name on your bond to-day means mischief.
I don't know what game he is about to play, but by putting my own there
I hope to baffle him."
Before Budd could express his surprise at Mr. Wright's words they were
joined by Judd and Mr. Dane. That gentleman shook hands with the
released lad and said:
"Had I been known to the Justice I should have offered myself for your
bondsman, though you should never have needed one. How in the world
that thick-headed Justice could have given such a decision is a mystery
to me. I----"
But what the speaker was to have said was cut short by a nudge from
Judd.
Mr. Johnson and the Justice were passing, and that his words had been
heard was only too evident by Mr. Johnson's frown and the Justice's
ridiculous action.
"I fine you ten dollars for contempt of court," he said, angrily,
stopping and facing Mr. Dane.
"I believe your court is adjourned, and I am on the public highway,
expressing my private opinion to friends," replied Mr. Dane, coolly.
"But I am not surprised at your want of judgment. It is only on a par
with that you showed in the court-room, and suggests the fact that this
town is sadly in need of at least one new Justice."
A laugh from the gathering crowd sent the hot blood to the Justice's
face, and catching some idea of the foolish position into which he had
allowed himself to be drawn by his anger, he hurried off down the
street.
"Will you return to Bristol at once?" Budd asked. "If so, we will
arrange to take you over."
"No," replied Mr. Dane; "I have business in Providence, and will go
round that way. Good-by;" and refusing to take the slightest
compensation for coming over as a witness, he shook hands with Mr.
Wright and the lads and departed.
Budd spoke a few words in a low tone to his partner; then he said to Mr.
Wright:
"Can you go over to the island with us? There is something special we
wish to talk over with you."
"My man is down here with me, and can drive the team along to 'The
Hummocks' and wait for me there, if you will put me ashore after this
matter is talked over," answered Mr. Wright.
The lads consented to that arrangement gladly, and a few minutes later,
with Mr. Wright on board the sloop with them, they sailed for home.
As soon as they were a short distance off shore, Budd left his partner
to look out for the boat, and in low tones told Mr. Wright the true
story of his father's trial and imprisonment. He then related Judd's
and his own experience with Bagsley and his companions, and stated that
this was the real purpose that called him over to Hope Island.
"Why didn't you tell this in the court-room? It would have acquitted
you," said Mr. Wright, in astonishment.
"Because the burglars are still around here contemplating some more
daring crime, and we are watching for them, and hope to cause their
arrest," explained Budd, going on to relate how he believed this would
react in his father's favor.
"What we want of you," continued Budd, "is to come over to the island
and see the window, with its cut pane, and the lantern the burglars left
behind, so that you can testify as to these facts at the trial before
the higher court."
A few moments later the island was reached, and Mr. Wright was taken
from point to point, the whole story of that night's experience was told
anew, and the evidence of it exhibited.
"I wish you all success in your plans," Mr. Wright said, as he got into
the yawl to be taken over to "The Hummocks," where they could see his
team was already waiting. "But don't run into any danger; and as soon
as you locate the rascals, notify the authorities without waiting for
them to commit any other crime. Their visit here and over at Hope
Island is enough to send them up for a long term of years."
As he parted with them on the main shore he said to Budd:
"I ought to tell you that for a few minutes I hesitated about becoming
your bondsman, and Mr. Benton's act led me to a decision. I now
thoroughly believe in your and your father's innocence, and shall stand
by you, whatever comes. Only, look out for Mr. Benton."
"What does he mean?" asked Judd, as the sloop started down the bay to
visit the pounds, which the incidents of the morning had till then
prevented.
"He is sure Mr. Benton did not sign my bond from any good motive; and I
confess it does seem queer, come to think of it. What do you suppose he
is up to?"
"I don't know any more than you do," responded his chum; "but, like Mr.
Wright, I distrust him. And there is one thing you may be sure of. If
he is up to any game he will show himself very soon; he isn't going to
give you time to run away and make him pay that thousand dollars. You
see, he don't know Mr. Wright signed the bond also, for he had left the
court-room before that was done."
"That's so," said Budd, thoughtfully; "and I think, with you, we shall
hear from him before a great while, if his act sprung from any sinister
motive."
"There is your man," Judd announced a few hours later, as they
approached their wharf; and Mr. Benton was indeed sitting on the dock,
awaiting their coming.
"How are you, boys, and what luck with your fish?" he remarked
pleasantly, as they came ashore.
The young partners responded good-naturedly, and he watched them as they
sorted and put their fish into the "cars."
"My, what a large one!" he exclaimed, as Budd picked up a six-pound
mackerel, and was about to toss it into the proper "car."
"Would you like it?" asked the lad; and as Mr. Benton gave assent he
tossed it into the man's boat, which had been fastened near by.
"Have you been here long waiting for us?" Judd asked, with a wink at his
chum.
"Well, yes," responded Mr. Benton. "I come over here 'bout as soon as I
could after I went home from the village; but you'd gone."
"We hadn't been to the pounds to-day, and so hurried off to them,"
explained Budd.
"I thought that was it," said Mr. Benton, following the lads on to the
house.
"Come in and take supper with us," said Budd.
"I don't know but I will, seeing I have a little business with ye."
Judd gave his partner a significant look.
Supper was soon ready, and they sat down at the table. Mr. Benton
showed that whatever his business with them was he had not lost his
appetite, and a half-hour elapsed before the meal was finished. Then
Budd led the way into the sitting-room, and showing Mr. Benton to a
chair, ventured to hasten matters by asking:
"What is your business, Mr. Benton?"
"Ahem! ahem!" said he, as though clearing his throat from some
impediment. "I signed yer bond fer ye to-day, Budd, or else ye'd now be
on yer way to Kingston jail. Hev ye thought o' that?"
"Do you really think so?" responded Budd, and waiting for Mr. Benton to
go on.
"Yes, ye would," said the man, shortly; "an' ye know it, well as I do."
"It was very good of you," said the boy, meaningly.
"An' I thought, as I'd done ye the favor, ye might pay me back that
thirty dollers that don't belong to ye," said the miser, coming to the
point of his business with Budd.
"Why should I? It belonged to me, not to you," Budd retorted.
"No it don't, either. Ye have quit work, an' 'cordin' to the barg'in it
never did belong to ye."
"What will you do if I don't pay it?" asked Budd, as though yielding.
"I'll go an' cancel the bond, an' have ye in jail 'fore mornin'," he
said, savagely.
"And if I do pay it you will cancel the bond, just the same, and land me
in jail. Confess, now, that's your game," remarked Budd, seeing through
Mr. Benton's purpose.
The man twisted in his chair.
"Ye'd better pay it," he finally said.
"Not one cent," replied Budd, decidedly.
"Then I'll go to the village right off an' cancel the bond, an' bring
down the officer," declared Mr. Benton, grabbing up his hat and starting
for the door.
With a laugh Budd and his partner followed the man to his boat.
He got into it and rowed off a rod or two from the shore; then he paused
and said:
"Ye'd better change yer mind, Budd."
"How do you know I'll be here when you get back?" asked Budd,
mischievously. "I can take the sloop and be miles away from here before
you get to the village."
"Judd, ye hold on to him!" cried the man in alarm; "I command ye in the
name o' the law to do so!"
Judd laughed, and catching the spirit of mischief Budd had displayed,
asked:
"What'll you give me, if I do?"
"A doller," said Mr. Benton, with some hesitation.
"Oh! Budd will give me more than that to let him go," replied Judd,
"and you will have the thousand dollars to pay!"
"I'll give ye five dollers," cried Mr. Benton, in alarm.
"Budd will give ten to go free," was the answer.
"I'll give ye 'leven," said the man, desperately; and in his eagerness
he rowed back inshore.
"Where's the money? It must be cash down," said Judd, seriously.
"I left my money at home 'fore I come down here," explained the man,
"fer I didn't know what ye fellers might do; but I'll pay ye to-morrow."
Before Judd could make answer, Budd, pitying the man, said:
"I promise not to go away before morning, Mr. Benton. But even if you go
to the village, no officer will return with you, for after you left Mr.
Wright also signed my bond."
Mr. Benton gave an exclamation of anger.
"He's always interferin' with me," he said; "but I'll go up an' see if
it's as you say. Remember yer promise now," and he rowed off toward the
village.
He found, on arriving there, that Budd had told the truth, but succeeded
in getting his own name released after much persuasion; and realizing
that his little game had been completely baffled, he started sullenly
for home.
As he passed Fox Island his anger was again aroused, and he exclaimed,
bitterly:
"'Twas all owin' to Wright's meddlin', an' that's what made Budd so
lively. I wish I could get hold of su'thin' o' his; he'd not see it
ag'in till he paid me them thirty dollers."
His eye just then caught the outline of the boys' sloop through the
darkness.
"I have it!" exclaimed he. "I'll take their boats;" and without
thinking that his act was theft he rowed quietly in to the island.
Five minutes later he sailed off in the sloop, having the yawl and his
own boat in tow.
Going down the bay a mile, he ran the boats into a secluded bay adjacent
to his own land, and then tramping up to his house for chains and
padlocks, he fastened them all securely. Then he tramped up the hill to
his house chuckling to himself:
"I've not only got twice the value o' them thirty dollers, but I've
taken away every means for the boys to leave the island."