"I can't tell. He may be here in five minutes; he may not be here beforenight."
"In that case," thought Jasper, "I had better be off as soon aspossible. I should be no match for this brute in human form. Judgingfrom what I have heard of him, he would kill me without scruple if hethought I were interfering with his plans."
"How long has this child been here?" he asked.
"Three or four days."
"I am going to take him away," proceeded Jasper, fixing his eyesearnestly upon the woman, to see how she took the proposal.
"No, no!" she exclaimed, quickly. "My husband won't allow it."
"He won't know it."
"It won't do," she continued, rapidly. "He would kill you if he overtookyou."
This was a serious consideration, truly. Jasper had no weapons, and aboy of his age would have been a poor match for a strong man, as thekidnapper probably was.
"After all, I had better not interfere," he thought. "It can do no good,and will only expose me to great danger."
But just at this instant the little boy's soft hand slid into his, andhe could not resist the touching appeal for his protection.
"I shall take the risk," he said. "I can't leave the boy here. I willtry to find his parents and restore him to them."
He had scarcely said this when the woman, who had casually glanced outof the window, started up in alarm, exclaiming:
"There is my husband coming! Oh, what shall we do?"
CHAPTER XIX.
A BRUTE IN HUMAN SHAPE.
Jasper could not help feeling that he was in rather a critical position.A man whose business it was to kidnap young children in order to extortmoney from their friends was not likely to be very scrupulous, and thefear of having his secret divulged might lead him to extreme measures.
"Is your husband likely to come up here?" he asked.
"I don't know; he may," answered the woman, anxiously.
"Can't you hide me?" suggested Jasper.
"Yes, yes," she said, recovering something of her presence of mind."There, get into that closet. I'll come and let you out when he isgone."
She opened the door of a closet in one corner of the room. It was quitedark inside, and except a stool, it was entirely empty.
"Sit down there," said the woman. "I must go down now."
She buttoned the door, and our hero found himself a close prisoner inthe dark. It certainly gave him a peculiar sensation. Only a week beforehe had been at his Eastern home. Now he was more than a thousand milesaway, penniless, and a prisoner. But though he was peculiarly situated,he was not discouraged. In fact, with a brave boy's love of adventure,he felt a certain exhilaration and wondered what was coming next. Hiscourage and enterprise rose with the occasion, and he began to considerwhat course he should take after he got out.
While he is sitting in the closet in dark captivity, we will go belowand make acquaintance with the man whose arrival had produced so great asensation.
Before going down, the woman said to the child:
"Don't tell anybody about the boy in the closet."
"No, I won't," said the child, obediently.
The woman hurried down stairs, but her husband was already waiting forher.
He was a black-browed ruffian, with a rough beard of a week's growth. Hethrew himself sullenly into a chair and growled:
"Where were you? You're always out of the way when I come home."
"I just went up stairs a minute, Dick," she answered.
"To see the brat, I suppose."
"Yes."
"I've a great mind to knock him on the head."
"Oh, Dick, you wouldn't injure the little innocent," she said,earnestly.
"Wouldn't I? I would if I was paid enough, but there's nothing to bemade by killing him."
"Thank heaven!" uttered the woman, fervently.
"You haven't got the heart of a chicken!" said the man, contemptuously."Give me something to eat. I'm hungry."
The woman began to bustle around in obedience to his command.
"I haven't got much in the house, Dick," she said, apologetically.
"What have you got?" he growled.
"Some eggs and a little bacon. Shall I make you some tea?"
"No; bring out the whisky."
"There's none left, Dick."
The man uttered an oath expressive of disappointment.
"Well, give me some slops, then," he said. "I must have something todrink."
"Didn't you shoot anything?" she ventured to ask.
"I haven't been hunting."
"I thought you took out your gun."
"What if I did? I don't always hunt when I take my gun. I expected tohear from the friends of that brat this morning, but I didn't. They musthurry up with their money if they don't want me to strangle him."
"Perhaps they didn't get your letter, Dick."
"Yes, they did. I took care of that. I s'pose they're hatching up someplot to have me arrested. If they do, it'll be a bad day for the brat."
He looked fierce and brutal enough to execute the dark threat at whichhe indirectly hinted. There was a cruel look in his eye which showedthat he would have had small scruples about injuring an innocent child,if provoked by the desire for revenge.
While his wife was cooking the eggs he filled his pipe and began tosmoke. She made all the haste she could, knowing that her husband wasfar from patient. Soon the frugal repast was ready. She set it on thetable, and said:
"It's all ready, Dick. Better eat it while it's hot."
"I'll eat it when I choose," he growled, in his usual spirit ofcontradiction.
However, he was hungry, and laying aside his pipe, did as she requested.Soon he had dispatched all the food set before him.
"There isn't enough to keep a kitten from starving," he said.
"I'm sorry, Dick."
"Much you are sorry," he growled. "A pretty wife you are."
"I wish there were more. If you'll give me some money I'll go out andbuy something."
"Money!" he snarled. "You're always wanting money. Do you think I ammade of money?"
"No, Dick; but you know I have none. I wish I knew of any way to earnit."
"You do?"
"Yes, Dick."
"Then I suppose you'd be leaving me," he said, suspiciously.
"No, I wouldn't. You know I wouldn't, Dick."
"So you say," he answered, brutally, "How's the brat? Has it beencrying?"
"No; it is a very good child."
"I'll go up and take a look at it."
He arose from his seat, and advanced toward the door.
His wife followed him.
"Where are you going?" he asked, turning upon her.
"I'm going up, too," she answered, meekly.
"What for? Can't you trust me with the brat?"
"Yes, Dick, but it isn't much used to you. You might frighten it, andmake it cry."
"That's all right," he answered, smiling grimly. "I like to hearchildren cry."
"How can you enjoy the sufferings of a child?"
"Halloo! What's that?" he said, looking sharply at her. "You dare tofind fault with me, do you?"
"I didn't mean that, Dick," she said, submissively.
"It's lucky you didn't," he said, warningly. "I don't allow none ofthat, wife or no wife."
"May I go up?"
"If you want to."
So the two went up stairs together.
The wife was nervous lest the child in some way might excite thesuspicions of her husband and betray the presence of Jasper. She felt,therefore, very ill at ease.
The child was sitting up in bed.
"Halloo, young 'un, how yer gettin' along?" asked the man, roughly.
The child did not answer, but looked frightened.
"Why don't you answer?" demanded the man, frowning.
The child looked toward the woman, and seemed on the point of crying.
"Can't you say something to the gentleman?" said the woman, soothingly.
Thus adjur
ed, the little boy said:
"Won't you take me to my mamma?"
"Oh, yes, I'll take you as soon as your mamma sends me some money," saidthe man named Dick, "and she'd better do it pretty soon, too," hemuttered.
He threw himself into a chair, and ceased to notice the child.
"Do you know, old woman," he said in a different tone, "I've heard newsthat'll rather take you by suprise?"
"I hope it is good news," said his wife, anxiously.
"Well, that's as may be," he answered. "It ought to be good news for us,but there's no saying. You know my sister?"
"Mrs. Thorne?"
"Yes. Well, she's had a stroke of luck."
"How was that?"
"Well, you see she went as governess into a family. The man was rich andan invalid--a widower, too. What does she do but get him to marry her?"
"She has been fortunate."
"That isn't all of it. She hadn't been married but two or three monthswhen her husband died, leaving her a third of his property and guardianto his son, who inherits the rest. So she's a rich woman. I say sheought to do something for her brother Dick. Don't you say so?"
"I think she would be willing," said the wife.
"She ought to be, but she's selfish. She always was. If only I had themoney I'd go East, and see what I could get out of her."
"You'd take me with you, Dick?"
"No, I wouldn't. It'll be all I can do to raise money enough to pay myown expenses, let alone yours. If I get anything I'll come back, andyou'll get your share. That's why I want the parents of that brat tofork over the cash pretty quick."
"How did you learn the news about your sister, Dick?"
"An old pal of mine has just come from that way and told me all aboutit."
Every word of this dialogue was beard by Jasper in his place ofconcealment. He was astonished beyond measure to learn that this ruffianwas the brother of his step-mother.
"No wonder I don't like her," he thought, "if they have any traits incommon. What a fate, for my kind and gentle father to marry the sisterof such a man!"
"I'm glad of it," said his wife.
"Well, so am I, if she'll do the right thing by me; but if she don't,then I'm sorry."
"What shall I do when you're away, Dick?"
"Get along as well as you can. Folks'll give you victuals, if you gethard up."
"I don't like to beg."
"Wish me good luck, then, and money enough to take care of you. What areyou starin' at, young 'un?"
This he said to the child, whose eyes, as if by a species offascination, were fixed upon him.
"Take me home to mamma!" pleaded the child, beginning to cry.
"Shut up!" said the ruffian, harshly, striding to the bed and pinchingthe boy's arm till he cried with the pain.
"Oh, don't, Dick," pleaded the woman, who was fond of children, thoughshe had never been a mother.
"I'll give the brat something to cry for," said her husband, and hepinched him again.
"Oh, Dick, how can you torture the poor child?" said his wife, braver inthe little boy's defence than in her own.
"What business has it to cry, then? I'd like to choke it. If you don'thush I'll serve you the same way."
Jasper had listened to this brutality as long as he could, but hisindignation became too hot to be repressed. Thoughtless of consequences,he burst open the closet door and strode into the presence of theastonished ruffian, his fists involuntarily clenched, and his eyeskindling with indignation.
CHAPTER XX.
A STRANGE COMMISSION.
The man whom we have called Dick stopped short and gazed in astonishmentat the boy who had so fearlessly stepped upon the scene.
"Where did you come from?" he demanded, frowning.
"From that closet," answered Jasper.
"How came you there? What business have you in my house, anyway?"demanded the ruffian.
"I entered it supposing it to be deserted," said Jasper. "While I wasbelow I heard that poor boy cry, and came up."
"Did you know he was here?" asked the ruffian, turning to his wife, andspeaking menacingly.
"Yes, Dick."
"Why did you let him in?"
"He came in while I was out."
"Why didn't you tell me he was here?"
"Because I didn't want him injured in any way. I was afraid you would beangry with him."
"That is where you are right," said Dick, adding an oath. "The youngscoundrel shall pay for his impudence in entering my house like athief."
"You have no right to say that," said Jasper. "I have explained to youwhy I came here."
"You hid in the closet, intending to come out and steal when we were outof the way."
"What could I steal?" asked Jasper, looking around him.
"Do you mean to taunt me with my poverty?" exclaimed the ruffian,enraged.
"No; I am poorer than you."
"You look like it."
"It is true. I was robbed in the cars by a pickpocket, and because I waspenniless and could not pay my fare I was put off at this station."
"Is this true?" demanded Dick, with a searching look.
"Yes; I wish it were not."
"How came you near this house?"
"I set out to walk to the village, and must have lost my way."
"Why did you come out of that closet?" was the next demand.
"Because I heard you abusing that little boy," said Jasper, fearlessly.
"I have a right to do what I please to my own child."
"It isn't your child."
"What do you mean by that, you impudent young jackanapes?"
Unobserved by her husband, the wife made a warning sign to Jasper not toprovoke the man, whose evil passion she so well knew.
Jasper comprehended the sign, but it did not influence him. Frank andfearless by temperament, he thought it his duty to stand between thelittle boy and this ruffian's brutality. Still he appreciated thewoman's kindness, and resolved to bear it in mind. Indeed, he saw thatshe was rather to be pitied than blamed. Her natural instincts weregood, but she was under the control of a bad man.
"I heard what you were saying," said Jasper.
"You heard?"
"Yes, while I was in the closet."
"What did you hear, you young scoundrel?" demanded the ruffian.
"Enough to satisfy me that you have stolen this boy from his parents."
"It's a lie!"
"No; it is the truth. I felt sure of it before, and now I know it. Youtook him in order to extort money from his friends."
"Well," said the ruffian, defiantly, "what if I did? Have you anythingto say against it?"
"Yes," said Jasper.
"I shall have to wring your neck by and by," muttered Dick. "Well, goon. Spit out what you've got to say."
"I say it's a cruel wrong to the parents," said Jasper, boldly, "and tothe child also. But you make it worse when you try to abuse the boy."
"Come, boy, if you care so much for the brat, suppose you take hisplace, and take the beating I was going to give him," suggested theruffian, mockingly.
"I would rather suffer than have him suffer," said Jasper, quietly; "butperhaps you will change your mind when you hear what I have to say."
"Oh, you are going to beg off!" sneered the ruffian, with a look ofsatisfaction. "I thought you'd come to your senses."
"You are mistaken as to my intention. I want to speak to you about yoursister--formerly Mrs. Thorne."
"What do you know about her?" asked the man, in extreme astonishment.
"A good deal. She is my step-mother."
"What! Are you the son of the man she married?" asked Dick, eagerly.
"I am Jasper Kent."
"That's the name. So she sent you out to me, did she? That's better thanI thought She hasn't forgotten her brother, after all."
"No; you are mistaken," said Jasper. "She never so much as told me shehad a brother."
Dick looked disappointed. Then, with sudden suspicion, he
said, roughly:
"I believe you are lying. This Jasper Kent is rich--the heir oftwo-thirds of his father's property. You say you are penniless."
"That is true. Both stories are true. I am my father's principal heir,but your sister is my guardian. She has treated me in such a way that Ileft the house."
"Ran away, eh?"
"No, I gave her full notice of what I should do. I told her that if Iwere decently treated I would stay, but if she continued to insult me,and give the preference in all things to her own boy, Nicholas, I wouldgo away."
"You haven't been such a fool as to go off and leave all your propertyin her hands?"
"I shall come in possession of it when I am twenty-one. Till then I willtry to support myself."
"Come, boy, you're plucky. I'm glad you came, after all. I want to hearmore about my sister's affairs. Come down stairs, and we'll talk."
Dick appeared suddenly to have forgotten his animosity. He became evenfriendly in his manner, as he gave our hero this invitation.
"Old woman," said he, addressing his wife, "can't you rake up somethingfor this boy to eat? I dare say he is hungry."
"I don't think we've got anything more in the house."
"I'll go out directly and get something. Come down, boy, I want to askyou a few more questions."
They went down stairs, followed by the wife. She was happily relieved bythe unexpected good understanding between her husband and Jasper.