The wages which Ben Mayberry received enabled him to dress with excellenttaste, and, poor as he was, there was none of the sons of the wealthiestmerchants in Damietta who was more faultlessly attired that evening.True, some of them sported handsome gold watches, and one or twodisplayed diamonds, of which Ben had none, but otherwise a spectatorwould have placed the young telegraphist on the same social footing withthe aristocratic youths around him.
Among the numerous misses present were many dressed with great elegance,and possessing much personal beauty; but Dolly Willard, by commonconsent, surpassed them all in personal loveliness, while the rich andsevere simplicity of her attire showed either the exquisite taste ofherself or of someone who had the care of her.
Among such an assemblage of misses and youths there are as manyheart-burnings as among their elder brothers and sisters. Dolly wasdecidedly the belle of the evening. Some of the other girls were soenvious over her superior attractions that they openly sneered at her,but the aspiring youth were dazzled by the sprightly girl, who attractedthem as though she were a magnet and they had a big supply of steel abouttheir persons.
When Ben Mayberry entered the parlor a little late, Dolly was standingamong a group of lads who were smiling and bowing, and making desperateattempts to be funny with a view of drawing her attention especially tothem. It was natural that she should be somewhat coquettish, but theinstant she caught sight of Ben Mayberry she almost ran to him.
"I was afraid you wouldn't come," she exclaimed, taking both his hands inhers; "and if you hadn't, I never, never, never would have spoken to youagain."
Ben unquestionably was a handsome lad. His bright eyes, his white, eventeeth, his slightly Roman nose, his well-shaped head, his clear, brighteye, and his rosy cheeks flushed with excitement, rendered him anattractive figure among the bright faces and well-dressed figures. Hissuperb physical poise lent a grace to all his movements, while he wasself-possessed at the most trying times.
He made a laughing reply to Dolly, who at once seated herself beside himand began chatting in her liveliest style, which was very lively indeed.To those who approached, she introduced him as the young man who hadsaved her life the preceding winter, until Ben begged her to make nofurther reference to it. Many of the other girls gathered around, andshowed their admiration of Ben in a most marked manner. These were mostlyfrom Boston or New York, who had heard of the young hero, but had neverlooked upon him before.
Dolly was talking away with lightning speed to Ben, who managed to edgein a word now and then, when a dapper young man of sixteen years sprucedforward.
"They are going to form for the lancers, Miss Dolly; I believe I haveyour promise for my partner."
"I thank you, Rutherford, but I have changed my mind, and will dance withMaster Ben."
This was a daring and almost unwarranted act on the part of the littleempress, for Ben had not yet spoken to her on the matter. But he wasquick to seize the advantage, and, instantly rising to his feet, offeredhis arm to Dolly, and started toward the dancing-room, as though thewhole thing had been prearranged before the other party presentedhimself.
This act brought him face to face with the disappointed young man, whosecountenance flushed with anger.
"Rutherford, this is he who saved my life last winter, Master BenMayberry; my friend, Rutherford Richmond."
The two saluted each other somewhat distantly; and with feelings which itwould be hard to describe, Ben recognized the tall, rather callow youthas the Rutherford who stoned him several years before, when he wasfloating down the river on a log, and to whom Ben in turn had given amost thorough castigation.
CHAPTER XIV
THE CONSPIRACY
Rutherford Richmond recognized Ben Mayberry at the same instant that thelatter identified him. But neither gave any evidence of the fact thatcould be understood by other parties.
Ben took his position with Dolly by his side, and they were without doubtthe handsomest couple on the floor that evening. Their mutual interestwas so marked that everyone present noticed it, and it caused commentwithout end.
"Yes, I believe he sweeps out the office for a telegraph company. Hemanages to save up enough money in the course of a year to buy a decentsuit of clothes."
Ben Mayberry was sitting down at the end of one of the dances, when heoverheard these words, which he knew referred to him. Dolly had excusedherself for a few minutes, and he was alone, sniffing at a fragrantbouquet which he was protecting from all damage for her benefit.
He knew, further, that the remark was intended for his ears, but heaffected not to know it, while he furtively glanced behind him. Therestood Master Rutherford Richmond, with three or four lads. They were alljealous of Ben, and were discussing his merits for his own especialbenefit.
"I understand he gets fifty cents a week for his work," observed another,making sure his voice was elevated enough to be heard half across theroom, "which is a big sum for him."
"I don't understand why Miss Jennie" (referring to Jennie Grandin, whogave the party) "allows such cattle here," struck in a third, in the sameoff-hand manner.
Rutherford Richmond took upon himself to give the reason.
"It was all on account of Dolly. You know she is kind-hearted, and Iunderstand this booby went to her and begged that she would give him achance to see how a party of high-toned people looked. She couldn't verywell refuse, and now she is trotting him around for the rest of us tolaugh at."
Ben Mayberry's cheeks burned, for none of these words escaped him. Hewould have given a good deal to have been outside alone for a few minuteswith Master Rutherford Richmond. But he could not call him to accountunder the circumstances, and he still sniffed at the bouquet in his hand,and affected to be very much interested in the action of a couple ofmisses on the opposite side of the room.
"If Miss Jennie permits anything of this kind again," volunteeredRutherford, "it will cause trouble. A good many will want to know, beforethey allow their children to come, whether they are liable to meet thetelegraph office boy and the great ball player here; if there's dangerthey will stay at home."
"I think the scum of society should be kept in its place," observedanother, scarcely less bitter than young Richmond in his jealousy of thelad who claimed so much of the attention of the little belle of theevening.
This kind of talk was going on when, to Ben's great relief, Dolly cametripping to him. He added gall to the cup of the envious youths byrising, giving her his arm, and then glancing triumphantly back at them,as he escorted her to the dining room.
They knew the meaning of the glance, and they were fierce enough toassault him had they dared to do so.
The party came to an end before midnight. Ben Mayberry had saluted hisfriends, and was in the hall preparatory to going home, when someoneslyly pulled his arm. Turning, he saw that it was Ned Deering, a littlefellow whose father was the leading physician in Damietta. Ned was agreat admirer of Ben, and he now seized the occasion to say:
"Look out, Ben, when you get down by the bridge over the creek; they'regoing for you."
"Whom do you mean?"
"That Rutherford Richmond and another fellow mean to hide in Carter'sAlley, and when you come along will pounce down on you. They wanted me togo with 'em, but I begged off without letting 'em know I meant to tellyou."
"Where are they?" asked Ben, glancing furtively about him.
"They slipped out ahead, and are hurrying down there. You had better takeanother way home. They are awful mad, and will knock the stuffing out ofyou."
Ben Mayberry smiled over the earnest words and manner of the boy, andthanked him for his information.
"Don't let 'em know I told you," added the timid fellow, as Ben moved outthe door; "for if they find out that it was me that was the cause of yourgoing the other way home, why, they'd punch my head for me. ThatRichmond, they say, is a reg'lar fighter--has science, and can lay outanybody of his size."
"They will never know you said anything to me, Ned, for I shall take theusual
way, and will be slow, so as to give them plenty of time to getthere ahead of me."
The little fellow looked wonderingly at Ben as he walked away, unable tocomprehend how anyone should step into a yawning chasm after being warnedof his peril.
CHAPTER XV
AN AFFRAY AT NIGHT
Ben Mayberry was so desirous that Rutherford Richmond and his brotherconspirator should be given all the time they needed to complete theirscheme for waylaying and assaulting him, that he lingered on the roadlonger than was really necessary.
Finally he turned down the street, which crossed by the creek that ranthrough the center of Damietta. It was a clear moonlight night, and,except in the shadow, objects could be seen distinctly for a considerabledistance. He advanced with great care, and with all his wits at command,for he was confident the warning given him by Ned Deering was wellfounded.
When within a block of the bridge he saw someone peep out of Carter'sAlley and instantly draw back his head, as though fearful of beingobserved. A moment later, a second person did the same. RutherfordRichmond and his confederate were on hand.
They did not look like the two boys as seen in the glare of Mr. Grandin'sparlors, for they had disguised themselves, so far as possible, with aview of preventing their recognition by the boy whom they meant toassault. They knew they were liable to get themselves into trouble bysuch an outrageous violation of law, and they meant to take all theprecautions necessary.
Each had donned a long flapping overcoat, which must have belonged tosome of the older members of the families, as it dangled about his heels.They also wore slouch hats like a couple of brigands, which they pulleddown over their eyes, so as to hide their features. They had no weapons,for it was calculated that by springing upon Ben unawares they wouldeasily bear him to the pavement, when both would give him a beating whichhe would remember for a lifetime.
Ben was whistling softly to himself, and he was glad that at the latehour no one else was seen in the immediate neighborhood, for all he askedwas a clear field and no favor.
As he walked by the open end of Carter's Alley, he dimly discerned twofigures, which seemed plastered against the wall in the dense shadow,where they were invisible to all passers-by, unless their suspicion wasdirected to the spot.
Ben gave no evidence that he noticed them, and moved along in hisdeliberate fashion, changing his whistling to a low humming of noparticular tune; but he used his keen eyesight and hearing for all theywere worth.
He had gone no more than a dozen feet beyond, when he heard a rapid butcautious footstep behind him. It increased in swiftness, and wasinstantly followed by a second. The two boys were approaching himstealthily from the rear.
Still Ben walked quietly forward, humming to himself, and with noapparent thought of what was coming. Suddenly, when Richmond was in thevery act of making a leap upon his shoulders, Ben turned like a flash,and planted a stunning blow directly in the face of the exultant coward,who was knocked on his back as if kicked by a vigorous mule.
His companion was at the elbow of Richmond when struck in this emphaticfashion, and for the instant was bewildered by the unexpectedcatastrophe. Before he could recover he imagined the comet which wasexpected at that season had caught him directly between the eyes, and hewent backward over Richmond, with his two legs pointing upward, like apair of dividers, toward the stars.
Ben's blood was up, and he waited for the two to rise, intending to "laythem out" more emphatically than before. The lad whose name he did notknow lay still, but Rutherford recovered with remarkable quickness, andbegan struggling to his feet, without paying heed to his hat, which hadrolled into the gutter.
"That ain't fair to strike a fellow that way, when he ain't expectingit," growled the assassin. "Why didn't you stand still like a man and nothit below the belt?"
"All right; I give you notice then, friend Rutherford, that I am goingfor you again, and this time above the belt."
Richmond, finding he must fight, threw up his hands and did his best toguard against the blows whose force he knew so well. He did possess someknowledge of sparring, but so did Ben, who was much the stronger and moreactive of the two. He advanced straight upon Richmond, made severalfeints, and then landed a blow straight from the shoulder, at the sametime parrying the cross-counter which the lad came near getting in on theface.
It so happened that, at that moment, the other young scamp was in the actof rising, and had got upon his hands and knees. As Richmond was sentspinning backward he came in collision with him, and turned a completesomersault, the air seeming to be full of legs, long hair, hats, andflapping overcoats.
"Murder! help! help! police! police!"
These startling cries were shouted at the top of their voices by thediscomfited poltroons, and were heard a long distance on the still night.Suddenly the rattle of running feet sounded on the planks of the bridge,and Ben caught sight of a policeman running toward the spot.
"What does this mean?" he demanded, when he came face to face with Ben,whom he motioned to stop.
"Those two fellows attacked me when I was passing Carter's Alley, andI--well, I defended myself as best I could."
"Oh, Ben, that is you; I didn't know you at first," said the policeman."This is rather serious business; I'll run 'em in."
Advancing to where the boys were once more climbing to their feet, hegrasped each by the collar.
"I'll take you along with me, young gents; this is serious business foryou."
They begged piteously to be let off, declaring that it was only a joke,but the officer was inexorable, and marched them to the station house,where they spent the rest of the night, Ben Mayberry having been notifiedto be on hand at nine o'clock the next morning, when the police justicewould make an investigation.
CHAPTER XVI
THE THIRD TELEGRAM
When the father of Rutherford Richmond's friend, at whose house the youngBostonian was visiting, learned the facts, he was indignant beyonddescription. He declared that Ben Mayberry had served the youngscapegraces right, except he ought to have punished both more severely,which was rather severe, as was shown by the blackened eyes and bruisedfaces.
Ben declined to push the matter on the morrow, as the boys had beenpunished, and he had proved he was able to take care of himself, asagainst them, at any time. But the gentleman insisted that he would notpermit the matter to drop, unless his son and Rutherford agreed to go tothe telegraph office and beg the pardon of the boy whom he learned theyhad insulted under Mr. Grandin's roof. Rutherford and his friendconsented, and they humiliated themselves to that extent. The succeedingday Rutherford went home to Boston, and did not reappear in Damiettauntil long afterward, when he hoped the disgraceful episode wasforgotten.
On the following week Dolly Willard returned to New York, and Ben, forthe first time in his life, began to feel as though his native city hadlost a good deal of the sunshine to which it was entitled.
"She will visit Damietta again," he said to himself, with just thefaintest sigh, "and she promised to write me; I hope she won't forget herpromise."
And, indeed, the sprightly little miss did not lose sight of her pledge.It may be suspected that she took as much pleasure in expressing on paperher warm friendship for Ben, as he did in reading the pure, honestsentiments, and in answering her missives, which he did with greatpromptness.
It was just one week after the memorable night of the party, while I wassitting at my desk, that the following cipher dispatch came over thewires, addressed to G. R. Burkhill, Moorestown:
"Fwfszuijoh hr pl nm ujnf Sgtqdezw bu bnqmdq. Tom."
I passed the message to Ben, whose eyes sparkled as he took it in hand.It required but a few minutes for him to translate it by the method whichhas already been made known, and the following rather startling wordscame to light:
"Everything is O. K. On time Thursday at corner."
This unquestionably referred to the same unlawful project outlined in theformer dispatches. Mr. Burkhill had not been in the o
ffice for months. Asyet, of the three telegrams sent him, he had not received one. The firstwas lost in the river, the second had been on file more than half a year,and we now had the third.
But the latter did not lie uncalled for even for an hour. Remembering theinstruction received from the manager, I took a copy of the message, withthe translation written out by Ben, to the office of the mayor, where Ilaid the facts before him. This was on Wednesday, and the contemplatedrobbery was fixed for the following night. By his direction I sent adispatch at once to the address of the detective in New York, who, it hadbeen arranged, was to look after the matter.
The reply to this message was the rather surprising information thatDetective Maxx had been in Damietta several days, and knew of thecontemplated robbery. He was shadowing the suspected party, and if hedeemed it necessary, he would call on the mayor for assistance.
While I was absent from the office, who should walk in but Mr. G. R.Burkhill. He greeted Ben with much effusion, shaking him warmly by thehand, inquiring how he got along, and telling him that his niece sent herspecial regards to him.
"I have been on a trip to New Orleans," he added, "or I would have beendown in Damietta sooner, for I like the place."
"The summer isn't generally considered a good time to go so far south,"ventured Ben.
"That is true, as relates to Northerners, but I was born in the CrescentCity, and have no fear of Yellow Jack; fact is, I have had the confoundeddisease myself. By the way, have you a message for me?"