CHAPTER XXXI.
Harry was soon on his way home. It was already getting dark, and he felta little anxious lest he should lose his way. He was rather sorry thathe had not started earlier, though he had lost no time.
He had gone about two miles, when he came to a place where two roadsmet. There was no guideboard, and he could not remember by which road hehad come. Luckily, as he thought, he described a man a little ahead. Hestopped the horse, and hailed him.
"Can you tell me which road to take to Pentland?" he asked.
The man addressed turned his head, and, to his surprise, our herorecognized his table companion at the inn.
"Oh, it's you, my young friend!" he said.
"Yes, sir. Can you tell me the right road to Pentland? I have never beenthis way before to-day, and I have forgotten how I came."
"I am thinking of going to Pentland myself," said the other.
"My sister lives there. If you don't mind giving me a lift, I will jumpin with you, and guide you."
Now, though Harry did not fancy the man's appearance, he had no reasonto doubt him, nor any ground for refusing his request.
"Jump in, sir," he said. "There is plenty of room."
The stranger was speedily seated at his side.
"Take the left-hand road," he said.
Harry turned to his left.
"It's rather a blind road," observed the stranger.
"I think I could remember in the daytime," said Harry; "but it is sodark now, that I am in doubt."
"So I suppose."
The road on which they had entered was very lonely. Scarcely a house waspassed, and the neighborhood seemed quite uninhabited.
"I don't remember this road," said Harry, anxiously.
"Are you sure we are right?"
"Yes, yes, we are right. Don't trouble yourself."
"It's a lonely road."
"So it is. I don't suppose there's anybody lives within half a mile."
"The road didn't seem so lonely when I came over it this afternoon."
"Oh, that's the effect of sunshine. Nothing seems lonely in the daytime.Turn down that lane."
"What for?" asked Harry, in surprise. "That can't be the road toPentland."
"Never mind that. Turn, I tell you."
His companion spoke fiercely, and Harry's mind began to conceivealarming suspicions as to his character. But he was brave, and noteasily daunted.
"The horse and carriage are mine, or, at least, are under my direction,"he said, firmly, "and you have no control over them. I shall not turn."
"Won't you?" retorted the stranger, with an oath, and drew from hispocket a pistol. "Won't you?"
"What do you mean? Who are you?" demanded Harry.
"You will find out before I get through with you. Now turn into thelane."
"I will not," said Harry, pale, but determined.
"Then I will save you the trouble," and his companion snatched thereins from him, and turned the horse himself. Resistance was, of course,useless, and our hero was compelled to submit.
"There, that suits me better. Now to business."
"To business. Produce your pocketbook."
"Would you rob me?" asked Harry, who was in a measure prepared for thedemand.
"Oh, of course not," said the other. "Gentlemen never do such things. Iwant to burrow your money, that is all."
"I don't want to lend."
"I dare say not," sneered the other; "but I shan't be able to respectyour wishes. The sooner you give me the money the better."
Harry had two pocketbooks. The one contained his own money--about fortydollars--the other the money of his employer. The first was in the sidepocket of his coat, the second in the pocket of his pants. The latter,as was stated in the preceding chapter, contained one hundred and fiftydollars. Harry heartily repented not having left it behind, but it wasto late for repentance. He could only hope that the robber would besatisfied with one pocketbook, and not suspect the existence of theother. There seemed but little hope of saving his own money. However, hedetermined to do it, if possible.
"Hurry up," said the stranger, impatiently. "You needn't pretend youhave no money. I know better than that. I saw you pay the landlord."
"Then he saw the professor's pocketbook," thought Harry, uneasily. "Mineis of different appearance. I hope he won't detect the difference."
"I hope you will leave me some of the money," said Harry, producing thepocketbook.
"It is all I have."
"How much is there?"
"About forty dollars."
"Humph! that isn't much."
"It is all I have in the world."
"Pooh! you are young and can soon earn some more. I must have the wholeof it."
"Can't you leave me five dollars?"
"No, I can't. Forty dollars are little enough to serve my turn."
So saying, he coolly deposited the pocketbook in the pocket of hispants.
"So far so good. It's well, youngster, you didn't make any more fuss,or I might have had to use my little persuader;" and he displayed thepistol.
"Will you let me go now, sir?"
"I have not got through my business yet. That's a nice overcoat ofyours."
Harry looked at him, in doubt as to his meaning, but he was soonenlightened.
"I am a small person," proceeded the man with black whiskers, "scarcelyany larger than you. I think it'll be a good fit."
"Must I lose my overcoat, too?" thought Harry, in trouble.
"You've got an overcoat of your own, sir," he said.
"You don't need mine."
"Oh, I wouldn't rob you of yours on any account. A fair exchange is norobbery. I am going to give you mine in exchange for yours."
The stranger's coat was rough and well worn, and, at its best, had beeninferior to Harry's coat. Our hero felt disturbed at the prospect oflosing it, for he could not tell when he could afford to get another.
"I should think you might be satisfied with the pocketbook," he said. "Ihope you will leave me my coat."
"Off with the coat, youngster!" was the sole reply.
"First, get out of the buggy. We can make the exchange better outside."
As opposition would be unavailing, Harry obeyed. The robber took fromhim the handsome overcoat, the possession of which had afforded himso much satisfaction, and handed him his own. In great disgust anddissatisfaction our hero invested himself in it.
"Fits you as if it was made for you," said the stranger, with a shortlaugh. "Yours is a trifle slow for me, but I can make it go. No, don'tbe in such a hurry."
He seized Harry by the arm as he was about to jump into the carriage.
"I must go," said Harry. "You have already detained me some time."
"I intend to detain you some time longer."
"Have you got any more business with me?"
"Yes, I have. You've hit it exactly. You'll soon know what it is."
He produced a ball of cord from a pocket of his inside coat, and witha knife severed a portion. "Do you know what this is for?" he asked,jeeringly.
"No."
"Say, 'No, sir.' It's more respectful. Well, I'll gratify your laudablecuriosity. It's to tie your hands and feet."
"I won't submit to it," said Harry, angrily.
"Won't you?" asked the other, coolly. "This is a very pretty pistol,isn't it? I hope I shan't have to use it."
"What do you want to tie my hands for?" asked Harry.
"For obvious reasons, my young friend."
"I can't drive if my hands are tied."
"Correct, my son. I don't intend you to drive tonight. Give me yourhands."
Harry considered whether it would be advisable to resist. The strangerwas not much larger than himself. He was a man, however, and naturallystronger. Besides, he had a pistol. He seceded that it was necessaryto submit. After all, he had saved his employer's money, even if he hadlost his own, and this was something. He allowed himself to be bound.
"Now," said the stranger, settin
g him up against the stone wall, whichbordered the lane, "I will bid you good night. I might take your horse,but, on the whole, I don't want him. I will fasten him to this tree,where he will be all ready for you in the morning. That's considerate inme. Good night. I hope you are comfortable."
He disappeared in the darkness, and Harry was left alone.