CHAPTER XXIX.
THE FATE OF TWO EVILDOERS.
"Are you going to let them arrest us?" whispered Pat Malone, as thewhole party moved through the woods towards a wagon road which rannearly parallel to the railroad tracks.
"Not if I can help it," Caven whispered back. "We must watch ourchances."
Half a mile was covered and they came out on the road. It was growingdark and there were signs of a storm in the air.
"It's going to rain," said Joe, and he was right.
"See here, I don't want to get wet to the skin," growled Caven. "I'llcatch my death of cold."
"There is a barn just ahead," said Bill Badger. "Let us get inside."
Joe was willing, and soon all were in the barn. It was now raining at aheavy rate and they were glad to be under shelter.
"With a barn there ought to be a house," remarked our hero. "But I don'tsee any."
It grew still darker, and the rain came down in perfect sheets. The roofof the barn leaked, and they had to move from one spot to another, tokeep out of the drippings.
While this was going on Gaff Caven was working at the handkerchiefthat bound his wrists and soon had it loose. Pat Malone also liberatedhimself. Caven winked suggestively at his confederate.
"Watch me," he whispered. "When I give the signal we'll knock 'em bothdown and run for it."
"But the pistol--" began Malone.
"I'll take care of that."
In moving around the old barn Caven spotted a club and moved close toit. Suddenly he snatched the weapon up and hit Bill Badger on the armwith it. The pistol flew into a corner and went off, sending a bulletinto a board.
"Run!" yelled Caven, and leaped for the open doorway. Malone came besidehim, and both ran off through the rain as fast as their legs could carrythem.
Joe was startled and made after the pair. But at a groan from BillBadger he paused.
"Are you badly hurt?" he asked.
"He gave me a stiff crack on the arm," growled the young westerner.
Joe ran for the corner and caught up the pistol. Then he leaped for theopen doorway.
"Stop, both of you!" he called out. "Stop, or I'll fire!"
"Don't you dare!" shrieked Pat Malone, and ran faster than ever, behindthe nearest of the trees. Joe aimed the weapon, but before he could pullthe trigger both of the bad men were out of sight.
"Go after them, if you want to," said Bill Badger. "I'll go too."
"You are not badly hurt?" queried our hero, sympathetically.
"No, but if I catch that fellow I'll give it to him good," grumbled theyoung westerner.
Both now left the barn and made after Caven and Malone. Once they caughtsight of the rascals, moving in the direction of the railroad tracks.
"They are going to catch a train if they can!" cried our hero. "I hearone coming."
"It's a freight most likely," was Bill Badger's answer.
He was right, and soon the long line of freight cars hove into sightaround a bend and on an upgrade. Far in the distance they beheld Cavenand Malone scooting for the train with all speed.
"They are going to make it," sighed Joe. "Too bad!"
They continued to run, but before they could get anywhere near thetracks they saw Caven leap for the train and get between two of thecars. Then Malone got aboard also, and the freight train passed out ofsight through the cut.
"That ends the chase," said Joe, halting. "They were slick to get away."
"If we only knew where they would get off we could send word ahead,"suggested his companion.
"Well, we don't know, and after this they will probably keep their eyeswide open and keep out of sight as much as possible. Anyway, I don'tthink they'll bother Mr. Vane any more."
"It's not likely. I'm a witness to what they were up to," answered theyoung westerner.
Both Joe and Bill Badger were soaked from the rain and resolved tostrike out for the nearest farmhouse or village. They kept along therailroad tracks, and presently came to a shanty where there was atrack-walker.
"How far to the nearest village?" asked our hero.
"Half a mile."
"Thank you."
"How is it you are out here in the rain?" went on the track-walker.
"We got off our train and it went off without us."
"Oh, I see. Too bad."
Again our hero and his companion hurried on, and soon came in sight ofa small village. They inquired their way to a tavern, and there driedtheir clothing and procured a good, hot meal, which made both feel muchbetter.
"I am going to send a telegram to Mr. Vane," said Joe, and did sowithout further delay. He was careful of the satchel and did not leaveit out of his sight.
They found they could get a train for the West that evening at seveno'clock and at the proper time hurried to the depot.
"I'm glad I met you," said Joe, to his newly-made friend. "Now, what doyou think I owe you for what you did?"
"As we didn't land the fellows in jail you don't owe me anything," saidBill Badger, promptly.
"Oh, yes, I do."
"Well then, you can pay the extra expense, and let that fill the bill."
"I'll certainly do that," said Joe, promptly.
As they rode along Bill Badger told something of himself and of the minehis father owned, and then Joe told something of his own story.
"Did you say your name is Joe Bodley?" asked the young westerner, withdeep interest.
"Yes."
"And you are looking for a man by the name of William A. Bodley?"
"I am."
"It seems to me I know a man by that name, although the miners all callhim Bill Bodley."
"Where is this Bill Bodley?"
"Out in Montana somewhere. He worked for my father once, about threeyears ago. He was rather a strange man, about fifty years old. He hadwhite hair and a white beard, and acted as if he had great trouble onhis mind."
"You do not know where he is now?"
"No, but perhaps my father knows."
"Then I'm going to see your father as soon as I can," said Joe,decidedly.
"Mind you, I don't say that this Bill Bodley is the man you are after,Joe. I don't want to raise any false hopes."
"Did you ever hear where the man came from?"
"I think he told somebody that he once owned a farm in Kansas or Iowa."
"This William A. Bodley once owned a farm at Millville, Iowa."
"Is that so! Then he may be the same man after all. To tell the truth,he looked a little bit like you."
"Was he a good man?" asked Joe, eagerly.
"Yes, indeed. But some of the men poked fun at him because he was sosilent and strange at times. I liked him and so did father. He left usto go prospecting in the mountains."
Thus the talk ran on for half an hour, when the train came to a suddenhalt.
"Are we at a station?" asked Bill Badger.
"I don't know," said Joe.
Both looked out of the window but could see nothing except hills andforests.
"We are in the foothills," said the young westerner. "Something must bewrong on the tracks."
"More fallen trees perhaps."
"Or a landslide. They have them sometimes, when it rains as hard as itdid to-day."
They left the car with some others and soon learned that there had beena freight collision ahead and that half a dozen freight cars had beensmashed to splinters.
"Do you think it can be the freight that Caven and Malone boarded?" camefrom our hero, on hearing this news.
"It might be," answered Bill Badger. "Let us take a look. Our trainwon't move for hours now."
They walked to the scene of the wreck. One of the cars had been burntup but the conflagration was now under control and a wrecking crew wasalready at work clearing the tracks so that they might be used.
"Anybody hurt?" asked Joe of a train hand.
"Yes, two men killed. They were riding between the cars."
"Tramps?"
"They didn't loo
k like tramps. But they hadn't any right to ride on thefreight."
"Where are they?"
"Over in the shanty yonder."
With a queer sensation in his heart Joe walked to the little building,accompanied by Bill Badger. A curious crowd was around and they had toforce their way to the front.
One look was enough. Gaff Caven and Pat Malone lay there, cold in death.They had paid the penalty of their crimes on earth and gone to the finaljudgment.
CHAPTER XXX.
CONCLUSION.
"Let us go away!" whispered Joe, and moved out of the gathering withoutdelay.
"It was sure rough on 'em," was Bill Badger's comment.
"Oh, it was awful!" cried our hero. "I--I didn't expect this, did you?"
"Nobody did. It must have come sudden like on to 'em."
"It makes me sick at heart to think of it. I--I hope it wasn't ourfault."
"Not at all. If they hadn't broke away they'd be alive this minute.They'll never bother you or your friend again, Joe."
Our hero felt weak at the knees and was glad enough to go back to thetrain, where he sank into his seat. He scarcely said another word untilthe wreck was cleared away and they were once more on their journey.
"I reckon you are glad you got the satchel before this happened,"remarked Bill Badger, when they were preparing to retire.
"Yes. But I--I wish they had gotten away. It's awful to think they aredead--and with such bad doings to their credit."
Joe did not sleep very well and he was up early in the morning and outon the rear platform, drinking in the fresh air. He felt as if he hadpassed through some fearful nightmare.
"How do you like this climate?" asked Bill Badger, as he came out."Ain't it just glorious?"
"It certainly is," said Joe, and he remembered what Ned had told him. "Idon't wonder some folks like it better than the East."
"Oh, the East can't compare to it," answered Bill Badger. "Why I wasonce down to New York and Boston, and the crowd and confusion and smokeand smells made me sick for a week! Give me the pure mountain air everytime!"
The day proved a pleasant one and when he did not remember the tragedythat had occurred our hero enjoyed the ride and the wild scenery.
At last Golden Pass was reached, late at night, and they got off in acrowd of people.
"Joe!"
"Mr. Vane!" was the answering cry, and soon the two were shaking hands."Let me introduce a new friend, Mr. Bill Badger."
"Glad to know you."
"Mr. Badger helped me get back your satchel," went on our hero.
"Then I am deeply indebted to him."
"In that case, just drop the mister from my name," drawled the youngwesterner. "Joe tells me you have a mine up here. My father has one,too--the Mary Jennie, next to the Royal Flush."
"Oh, yes, I know the mine, and I have met your father," said MauriceVane.
They walked to a hotel, and there Joe and his young western friend toldtheir stories, to which Maurice Vane listened with keen interest. Thegentleman was shocked to learn of the sudden death of Caven and Malone.
"It was certainly a sad ending for them," said he. "But, as Badger says,they had nobody but themselves to blame for it."
Maurice Vane was extremely glad to get back his mining shares andthanked Bill Badger warmly for what he had done.
"Don't you mention it," said the young westerner. "I'm going to hunt updad now. When you get time, call and see us."
"I'm coming up soon, to find out about that Bill Bodley," said Joe.
As late as it was Joe listened to what Maurice Vane had to tell.
"Now that Caven and Malone are gone I do not anticipate further troubleat the mine," said the gentleman. "I am in practical possession of allthe shares, and shall have a clear title to the whole property inside ofa few weeks."
When Joe told him what Bill Badger had had to say about a certain mancalled Bill Bodley he was much interested.
"Yes, you must find out about this man at once," said he. "I will helpyou, as soon as certain matters are settled."
The next morning proved a busy one and Joe got no time to call upon BillBadger's father. He visited the mine and looked over it with interest.
During the middle of the afternoon he went back to town on an errandfor Mr. Vane. He was passing a cabin on the outskirts when he heard loudwords and a struggle.
"Let me go, you ruffian!" cried a weak voice. "Leave that money alone!"
"You shut up, old man!" was the answer. "The money is all right."
"You are trying to rob me!"
Then there was another struggle, and suddenly a door burst open and aman leaped into the roadway. At sight of him Joe came to a halt. Thefellow was Bill Butts, the man who had tried to swindle Josiah Bean.
"Stop him!" came from the cabin. "He has my gold!"
"Stop!" cried Joe, and ran up to Butts. The next moment man and boytripped and fell, but, luckily, our hero was on top.
"Let me go!" growled the man.
"So we meet again, Butts!" cried Joe.
The man stared in amazement and then began to struggle. Seeing this, Joedoubled up his fists and gave him a blow in the nose and in the righteye, which caused him to roar with pain.
"That's right!" came from the doorway of the cabin. "Give it to him!Make him give me my gold!"
"Give up the gold," ordered Joe.
"There it is!" growled Bill Butts, and threw a buckskin bag towardsthe cabin. The man from within caught it up and stowed it away in hispocket.
"Shall I call a policeman?" asked Joe.
"I don't know," said the man from the cabin. He wore a troubled face andhad white hair and a white beard. "It may be--Wha--where did you comefrom?" he gasped.
"Where did I come from?" asked Joe.
"Yes! yes! Answer me quickly! You are--you must be a ghost! I saw you inmy dreams last week!"
"I don't understand you," said Joe, and arose slowly to his feet, atwhich Bill Butts did likewise and began to retreat. "I never met youbefore."
"No? It's queer." The man brushed his hand over his forehead. "Yes, Imust be dreaming. But I am glad I got my gold back."
"So am I, but the rascal has run away."
"Never mind, let him go."
"What makes you think you've seen me before?" questioned Joe, and hisbreath came thick and fast.
"I--er--I don't know. You mustn't mind me--I have queer spells at times.You see, I had a whole lot of trouble once, and when I get to thinkingabout it--" The man did not finish.
"May I ask your name?" asked Joe, and his voice trembled in spite of hisefforts at self-control.
"Sure you can. It's Bill Bodley."
"William A. Bodley?"
"Yes. But how do you happen to know my full name?"
"Did you once own a farm in Millville, Iowa?"
"I had a farm in Iowa, yes. It was Millville Center in those days."
Joe drew closer and looked at the man with care and emotion.
"Did you ever have a brother named Hiram Bodley?"
"I did--but he has been dead for years."
"No, Hiram Bodley died only a short time ago," answered Joe. "I used tolive with him. My name is Joe Bodley. He told me I was his nephew."
"You his nephew! Hiram Bodley's nephew! We didn't have any brothers orsisters, and he was a bachelor!"
"I know he was a bachelor. But I don't know--" Joe paused.
"He told me Joe died, at least I got a letter from somebody to thateffect. But I was near crazy just then, and I can't remember exactly howit was. I lost my wife and two children and then I guess I about lostmy mind for a spell. I sold out, and the next thing I knew I was rovingaround the mountains and in rags. Then I took to mining, and now I'vegot a mine of my own, up yonder in the mountains. Come in and talk thisover."
Joe entered the cabin and sat down, and William Bodley plied him withquestions, all of which he answered to the best of his ability.
"There was a blue tin box I had," said he, presently, "that c
ontainedsome documents that were mine."
"A blue tin box!" ejaculated Joe. "Hiram Bodley had it and it got lost.I found it a long time afterwards and some parts of the documents weredestroyed. I have the rest in my suit case at the hotel."
"Can I see those papers?"
"Certainly."
"Perhaps you are my son, Joe?"
"Perhaps I am, sir."
They went to the hotel, and the documents were produced. Then WilliamBodley brought out some letters he possessed. Man and boy went overeverything with care.
"You must be my son!" cried William Bodley. "Thank heaven you arefound!" And they shook hands warmly.
He told Joe to move over to the cabin, and our hero did so. It wasa neat and clean place and soon Joe felt at home. Then he heard hisfather's tale in detail--an odd and wonderful story--of great trials andhardship.
"There will always be something of a mystery about this," said WilliamBodley. "But, no matter, so long as I have you with me."
"Uncle Hiram was a queer stick," answered Joe. "I suppose if he wasalive he could explain many things." And in this Joe was correct.
Let us add a few words more and then draw our tale to a close.
When Joe told Maurice Vane how he had found a father the gentlemen wasmuch astonished. So were the Badgers, but all were glad matters hadended so well.
It was found that William Bodley's mine was a valuable one. The ore init was about equal to the ore in the mine owned by Maurice Vane, andthis was likewise equal to that in the mine run by Mr. Badger.
After some conversation on the subject it was agreed by all theinterested parties to form a new company, embracing all the mines.Of the shares of this new concern, one-third went to Maurice Vane,one-third to the Badgers, and one-third to William Bodley and Joe. Thenecessary machinery was duly installed, and to-day the new company ismaking money fast.
On the day after his trouble with Mr. Bodley, Bill Butts disappearedfrom town. But a week later he was arrested in Denver and sent to jailfor two years for swindling a ranchman.
During the following summer Joe received a visit from his old friendNed, and the two boys had a delightful time together. In the meantimeJoe spent half of his time at the mine and half over his books, for hewas determined to get a good education.
For a long time William Bodley had been in feeble health, but with thecoming of Joe on the scene he began to mend rapidly, and was soon ashale and hearty as anybody. He was an expert miner, and was made generalsuperintendent for the new company.
To-day Joe has a good education and is rich, but come what may, it isnot likely that he will forget those days when he was known as "Joe theHotel Boy."
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