CHAPTER XVIII. THE EVENTS OF A NIGHT.
|The chamber at the Albion Hotel occupied by Bernard was a small one,connecting by a side door with the larger one which had been taken byProfessor Puffer. Bernard was not ordinarily suspicious, but hisdistrust of his traveling companion led him to examine carefully thedoor leading into the larger room. It seemed to be locked, but the keywas probably in the other room, at the disposal of its occupant.
This did not suit Bernard's views, and he, with some difficulty, pushedup the bureau so that it would bar the entrance even if the door wereopened. This Professor Puffer didn't know.
Both retired at a comparatively early hour. It was quite dark, whenBernard, rousing from a light slumber, thought he heard a noise near thedoor. He was instantly wide awake.
Presently he heard a key grating in the lock, and then he saw the doorbehind the bureau open. There was a light in the adjoining room. By thehelp of this Bernard saw the figure and face of the professor as hepeered into the room.
Evidently he was surprised and disconcerted at the sight of the bureau.He looked over towards the bed, but this was in shadow, and he could notsee Bernard gazing at him. He made an attempt to move the bureau, but itwas heavy, and it could not be done without making a noise likely towake a sleeper.
"Confound it!" Bernard heard the professor mutter, and then, after apause, he closed the door and locked it.
"What was he going to do?" Bernard asked himself, not without alarm."Did he wish to do me any harm?"
This question was readily asked, but not so easily answered. Bernardremained awake for some time, being almost afraid to go to sleep. Aftera while, however, he reflected that Professor Puffer would not dare tomake a second attempt.
Besides, he was a light sleeper, and the noise which Puffer mustunavoidably make would be sure to waken him. So after a while he fellasleep, and did not wake up till seven o'clock. His first step was toremove the bureau to its former place. Then he began to dress.
He had nearly finished the process when a knock was heard at the doorleading into the hall.
Bernard opened it, and his glance rested on Professor Puffer.
"Are you nearly ready to go down to breakfast?" asked the professor.
"Yes, sir."
Unbidden Puffer entered the room and looked quickly towards theconnecting door. He observed that the bureau had been removed. Hefrowned slightly, but did not refer to the matter.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," answered Bernard.
"So did I. I was conscious of nothing until I woke up this morning."
He glanced at Bernard, to see whether this statement made any impressionupon him. He wished to ascertain whether Bernard had been aware of hisattempted entrance during the night.
Bernard made no comment.
"Liverpool seems to be a good place to sleep," he went on. "It seemsgood to step on shore after so long a time on shipboard."
"You are right."
"Are you ready to go down to breakfast?"
"Yes, sir."
"Come down then. I feel hungry."
They went into the coffee room, and were soon served with mutton chops,beautiful, flaky potatoes, coffee, and bread and butter. The chops weregood, and the coffee as good as the average British article of thatname.
In spite of the disturbance of the night before, Bernard enjoyed hisbreakfast. So, apparently, did the professor, but he did not say much.He appeared busy thinking.
Presently a cheery voice was heard from the next table: "How are you,professor? Good morning, Bernard!"
Looking up, Bernard saw that the speaker was Nelson Sturgis, the Bostonbuyer.
"Good morning!" said Bernard, with real pleasure, for Mr. Sturgis had apleasant manner, and he was glad to meet him.
"Morning!" muttered Professor Puffer coldly.
"Well, how do you like Liverpool?"
"I don't know. Have not had an opportunity to go about yet."
"Nor I. Come around with me, if you have nothing better to do."
"I don't know whether Professor Puffer will require my company or not,"said Bernard, in a tone of hesitation.
"No," answered Professor Puffer. "If you wish to take a walk with Mr.Sturgis, I have no objection."
"Thank you, sir."
"You can report at half-past twelve or one, and we will dine then."
"All right, sir."
"How long do you remain in Liverpool, professor?" asked Nelson Sturgis.
"I am not quite sure."
"You will be here to-night?"
"Yes, sir; I shall be here to-night."
"So shall I. I expect to go to London to-morrow." After breakfastBernard put on his hat, and started out with his new friend.
"Now, my boy, I am going to show you the town," said Mr. Sturgis.
"I shall be very much obliged to you, sir."
First they visited the docks, which are considered the most noteworthyfeature of Liverpool. They extend for five miles along the margin of theriver, and are built in the most solid and enduring manner.
"I am a patriotic American," observed Mr. Sturgis, "but I am obliged toconfess that no American city can boast of docks that are equal tothese."
"How many are there?" asked Bernard.
"Over fifty, I believe. They have been built at immense expense. I hopeto see the time when New York will have docks like them."
They visited some of the large squares, walked past St. George's hall,the custom house, the free library and museum, and all these interestedBernard.
"We can't see everything," said Mr. Sturgis, "but you now have some ideaof Liverpool. Do you know how long we have been walking about?"
"No, sir."
"Three hours. I begin to feel tired. Suppose we go back to the hotel."
"All right, sir. I am very much obliged to you, Mr. Sturgis, for showingme so much."
"I have enjoyed the walk myself. By the way, Bernard, at the risk ofhurting your feelings, I will venture to say that I don't much admireyour traveling companion."
"Nor I, sir."
"I have wondered more than once what brought you together."
"My guardian. I never saw Professor Puffer till we went on board theVesta."
"Do you expect to make a long tour with him?"
"I don't know, sir."
"Hasn't he disclosed his plans to you?"
"No, sir. I believe he is engaged on some literary work, and I amengaged to help him."
"Then, I suppose, you will settle down somewhere?"
"I suppose so."
"Mr. Sturgis," said Bernard, after a short pause, "I find myself in adifficult, not to say dangerous, position, and I would like to ask youradvice."
Nelson Sturgis looked a little surprised, but he answered cordially:"Speak freely, Bernard. I will give you the best advice I can."
"First, I must tell you how I am situated."
Then Bernard gave an account of Professor Puffer's attempt to throw himover the rail during the voyage.
Mr. Sturgis listened in amazement.
"I can hardly believe this," he said. "Do you think the professor knewwhat he was talking about?"
"Yes, sir, I fully believe it."
"What excuse did he make?"
"He said that he was walking in his sleep."
"But what motive could he possibly have? It looks unaccountable."
"I can't understand it myself, but I think he was acting underinstructions from my guardian."
"What reason have you for thinking so?"
In reply Bernard produced the fragment of a letter which he had pickedup in the stateroom.
"This certainly does look suspicious. Have you any idea why it is thatyour guardian wishes to get rid of you?"
"Yes, sir. I met a gentleman before I left New York who knew my father.He tells me that he is certain that my father left property, and hethinks that Mr. McCracken has it in his possession, and is resolved tokeep it."
"It is not unlikely. Do
es your guardian know that you have any suspicionof this?"
"He knows that I met an old friend of my father's, and he may suspectthat Mr. Franklin has told me this."
"You certainly are in a difficult position," said Nelson Sturgisthoughtfully. "Has anything happened since you arrived in Liverpool?"
In reply Bernard told the incident of the night before.
"I can't understand why he wished to enter my room," he concluded. "Hewould not dare attempt my life. Do you think so?"
"It is hard to tell what to think. If you have any fear as to sleepingin your own room to-night, you will be welcome to share mine. I occupyNo. 15."
"I will remember it, sir."
When, at ten o'clock Bernard went up to bed, he was struck as he enteredthe chamber by one significant circumstance. The bureau had disappeared!