Ben's Nugget; Or, A Boy's Search For Fortune Read online

  About six o'clock Mrs. Bradshaw carried up some supper to her prisoner.

  "I hope you've got an appetite, miss," she said.

  "Stay a moment," said Florence, eagerly. "I want to speak to you."

  "Now it's coming," thought Mrs. Bradshaw, with some curiosity. She wasrather taken aback by the first words of her prisoner:

  "How much money has Mr. Orton Campbell promised to pay you for assistinghim in his plot?"

  "Well, I declare!" said Mrs. Bradshaw, bridling, for though she had beenbribed she did not like to confess it.

  "He is to pay me rent for this room," she said, after a pause.

  "Then I am your lodger, am I?" asked Florence.

  "I suppose so," answered the woman, rather embarrassed by thisunexpected question.

  "Very well, then. I don't think I care to occupy the room. I will payyou a week's rent out of my own purse, and leave you after supper."

  "I think not," said Mrs. Bradshaw, decidedly.

  "Then I am to consider myself your prisoner?"

  "You may call it so if you like."

  "It is just as well to call things by their right names. Of course Mr.Campbell has hired you to detain me here. Tell me how much he is to payyou, and I will pay you more to release me."

  "Then you are rich, I suppose?" said the woman.

  "Yes, I am rich."

  Mrs. Bradshaw laughed. "You are worth several millions, I suppose?" shesaid, mockingly.

  "Certainly not. Who told you so?"

  "Mr. Campbell warned me that you would pretend you were rich."

  "It is no pretence; I am rich, though at present his father has thegreater part of my fortune under his charge."

  "Oh, of course!" said the woman, laughing again. "I understand all aboutit."

  "What has Orton Campbell told you?" asked Florence, suspiciously.

  "He said you would pretend to be rich, and try to bribe me, though youwere only a poor relation of his who would have gone to the poorhouseunless his father had supported you out of charity."

  "He has deceived you, Mrs. Bradshaw. His father wanted me to marry thisman in order to keep my fortune in his own family. That is why I ranaway from his house."

  "What made you come to California?" asked the woman.

  "Because the man whom I really loved was at work somewhere in themines."

  "Ho! ho!" laughed Mrs. Bradshaw, loudly.

  "Why do you laugh?"

  "Because you are as crazy as a loon. Mr. Campbell told me just what youwould say. He told me all about your stealing money from his father'sdesk, and running off to California after a lover in the mines. It'sturned out exactly as he said."

  "Did he dare to slander me in that way?" demanded Florence, soindignantly that her jailer drew back in some alarm.

  "No violence, miss, if you please," she said. "You'd better be quiet, oryou'll have to be tied."

  "Good Heavens!" exclaimed Florence, "I would not have believed OrtonCampbell so false and artful!"

  "He's acting for your good, miss. So you'd better not make a fuss;" andthe landlady left the room, not failing to lock the door securely behindher.

  CHAPTER XXVII.

  A STAR IN THE CLOUD.

  Meanwhile, though things looked dark for Florence and favorable for herpersecutor, there was one circumstance that threatened failure to thelatter's plans. Orton Campbell was a mean man, and his meanness in thisinstance worked against him. He had promised his confederate, Jones, athousand dollars as the price of his information and co-operation, butintended all the while to avoid paying it if it were a possible thing.Of this sum seven hundred dollars were still due, besides an extra sumfor the services of Jones in making Florence a captive.

  It was in regard to these sums that Jones called on Mr. Campbell on theevening succeeding the success of the plot.

  Orton Campbell was about to go out when Jones appeared at his hotel.

  "I would like to see you a few minutes, Mr. Orton," said the manrespectfully.

  "You must come some other time, Jones," said Campbell, carelessly; "I'vegot an engagement."

  "I must see you now, sir," said Jones, still respectfully, but in aresolute tone.

  "'Must'?" repeated Orton Campbell, arching his brows. "You areimpertinent."

  "Call me what you please," said Jones, doggedly; "I'm not to be putoff."

  "What do you mean?" demanded his employer, angrily.

  "You know well enough. I want the money you are owing me."

  "You seem to be in a hurry," said Campbell, with a sneer.

  "You don't," retorted Jones. "All I ask is that you will keep yourpromise."

  "What promise do you refer to?"

  "'What promise do I refer to?' You said if I would join you in_kidnapping_--"

  "Hush!" said Orton looking around, apprehensive of listeners.

  "The young lady," Jones continued, "you would pay me the seven hundreddollars you owed me, and two hundred dollars extra for my help."

  Now, Orton Campbell knew very well that he had made this promise, butthe payment of nine hundred dollars he dreaded as much as some of myreaders would dread the extraction of half a dozen teeth. He had got allhe needed from Jones, and he decided that it would be safe to throw himoff. It might be dishonorable, but for that he cared little.

  "I suppose you have my promise in writing, Jones?" he said, with asneer.

  "No, I haven't, Mr. Campbell."

  "Then you can't prove that I owe you anything, I take it."

  "You don't mean to say, Mr. Orton, you'd cheat a poor man out of hishard-earned money?" ejaculated Jones, who, in spite of his knowledge ofhis employer's character, could hardly believe his ears.

  "I never intended to give you such an enormous sum for the little youhave done for me."

  "Didn't you promise it, sir?" demanded Jones, exasperated.

  "Not that I remember," answered Campbell, coolly. "I should have been afool to promise so large a sum. I paid your expenses out to Californiaand three hundred dollars. That, I take it, is pretty liberal pay foryour services for a month."

  "I'll have justice if I live!" said Jones, furiously.

  He looked so threatening that Orton Campbell thought it might be best toplacate him, even at the expense of a small extra sum. "Don't be a fool,Jones," he said. "You know very well that your demands are beyond allreason. I've treated you very liberally already, but I don't mind doinga little more. I'll go so far as to give you fifty dollars down, and afurther sum of one hundred dollars on my wedding-day if I marry FlorenceDouglas, if you'll be content with that."

  "I won't be content with it, Orton Campbell," said Jones, indignantly;"I won't be content with anything less than the full sum you promisedme. You'd better pay me at once, or you may see trouble."

  Orton Campbell should have known that it was dangerous to trifle with aman so thoroughly roused as Jones was, but his love of money and disliketo part with it overcame every other consideration, and he said, "You'verefused my offer, and I have done with you. You needn't come near meagain."

  "Do you mean this?" asked Jones, slowly.

  "Of course I do. You have served my purpose, and been paid. I haveoffered you more, and you have refused it. That ends everything."

  "I understand you now, Orton Campbell."

  "_Mr._ Campbell, if you please," interrupted Campbell, haughtily.

  "_Mr._ Campbell, then; and I am sorry I didn't know you better before,but it isn't too late yet."

  "That's enough: you can go."

  As Jones walked away Campbell asked himself, "What is the fellow goingto do, I wonder? I suppose he will try to annoy me. Never mind: I havesaved nine hundred dollars. That will more than cover all the damage hecan do me."

  It was about the same hour that a party of three, dusty and shabby,entered San Francisco, and made their way to a respectable but notprominent hotel.

  "We look like three tramps, Ben," said Bradley. "Anywhere but in SanFrancisco I don't believe we could get lodged in any respectable ho
tel,but they'll know at once that we are from the mines, and may have a goodstore of gold-dust in spite of our looks."

  "If my friends at home could see me now," said Ben, laughingly, "theywouldn't think I had found my trip to California profitable. It wouldgive my friend Sam Sturgis a good deal of pleasure to think that I was apenniless adventurer."

  "He might be disappointed when he heard that you were worth not far froma thousand dollars, Ben."

  "He certainly would be. On the other hand, Uncle Job would be delighted.I wish I could walk into his little cottage and tell him all about it."

  "When you go home, Ben, you must have more money to carry than you havenow. A thousand dollars are all very well, but they are not quiteenough to start business on."

  "A year ago I should have felt immensely rich on a thousand dollars,"said Ben, thoughtfully.

  "No doubt; but you are young enough to wait a little longer. After ourfriend Dewey has seen his young lady and arranged matters we'll dustback to our friends, the miners who came near giving us a ticket to thenext world, and see whether fortune won't favor us a little more."

  "Agreed!" said Ben; "I shall be ready.--Shall you call on Miss Douglasthis evening, Mr. Dewey?" asked Ben.

  "Yes," answered Dewey. "I cannot bear to feel that I am in the same cityand refrain from seeing her."

  "Will she know you in your present rig?" suggested Bradley.

  "I shall lose no time in buying a new outfit," said Dewey. "There mustbe shops where all articles of dress can be obtained ready-made."

  "I was afraid you were going as you are," said Bradley. "Of course she'dbe glad to see you, but she might be sensitive about her friends; andthat wouldn't be agreeable to you, I'm thinkin'."

  "I thank you for your kind suggestion, my good friend," said Dewey; "nodoubt you are right."

  Richard Dewey swallowed a hasty supper, and then sought the clothingshops, where he had no difficulty in procuring a ready-made outfit. Somany persons came from the mines in his condition, desiring similaraccommodation, that he was not required to go far to secure what hewanted.

  Then, having obtained from Ben the proper directions, he took his way tothe house of Mrs. Armstrong, which he reached about eight o'clock.

  "Can I see Miss Florence Douglas?" he asked.

  Mrs. Armstrong, hearing the request, came herself to the door. She wasfeeling anxious about the prolonged absence of her young friend.

  "May I ask your name, sir?" she inquired.

  "Richard Dewey."

  "'Richard Dewey'?" repeated Mrs. Armstrong, in amazement. "Why, Ithought you were sick in bed!"

  "What made you think so?" asked Dewey, in equal amazement.

  "Your own note. Miss Douglas, on receiving it, went away at once withthe messenger, and has not returned."

  "I have sent no note, and no messenger has come from me. I don'tunderstand you," said Richard Dewey, bewildered.

  It was soon explained, and the bitter disappointment of Dewey may wellbe imagined. This feeling was mingled with one of apprehension for thepersonal safety of the young lady.

  "This is indeed alarming," he ejaculated. "Who can have planned such anoutrage?"

  "I will tell you, sir," said a voice.

  Turning quickly, Richard Dewey's glance rested upon Jones.

  CHAPTER XXVIII.

  JONES CHECKMATES ORTON CAMPBELL.

  "Who are you?" inquired Richard Dewey, not favorably impressed by theappearance of the man who addressed him.

  "You wouldn't know if I should tell you," said Jones; "so I may as wellsay that I came out to San Francisco with Orton Campbell."

  "Orton Campbell in the city?" exclaimed Dewey, apprehensively. "Had heanything to do with the disappearance of Miss Douglas?"

  "Everything, sir; but I can't tell you about it in the street. I will gowith you to your hotel."

  "Tell me on the way," said Richard Dewey. "First, has any harm befallenFlorence--Miss Douglas?"

  "None as yet."

  "Is any threatened?"

  "The loss of her liberty; but I will help you to thwart Orton Campbell."

  Jones told the story, which need not be repeated here, as it is alreadyknown to the reader. He had difficulty in restraining Mr. Dewey fromstarting out instantly to the rescue of the young lady, but on hisrepresenting that she was safe, and that it would be soon enough to goout in the morning, Richard Dewey yielded.

  A little before eight o'clock, Jones, driving the same carriage in whichhe had conveyed Florence to her place of captivity, halted in front ofMrs. Bradshaw's dwelling.

  "Remain in the carriage, Mr. Dewey," he said, "and I will see if I can'tsecure the young lady without any fuss."

  "Won't it be better for me to accompany you?"

  "I think not, sir. Mrs. Bradshaw knows I am the one who brought MissDouglas here, and she will think it is all right. Stay!" he continued,with a sudden thought. "I have an idea. Mr. Campbell told Mrs. Bradshawthat the young lady was insane. I will make her think that you are thedoctor from the asylum come to take Miss Douglas back with you."

  "Did Orton Campbell really intend such an outrage?" asked Richard Dewey,in a tone of horror.

  "Yes, if Miss Douglas wouldn't consent to marry him."

  "Go, then, and lose no time."

  Jones knocked at the door, which was opened by Mrs. Bradshaw in person.She naturally regarded Jones with surprise, not anticipating so early acall.

  "How is Miss Douglas?" he asked.

  "Very contrary," answered the landlady. "I can't get her to eat. It's mybelief she means to starve herself."

  "It's a crazy freak," said Jones, shrugging his shoulders. "Well, I'vecome to take her away."

  "To take her away--so soon?" asked Mrs. Bradshaw, in surprise.

  "Yes, Mr. Orton thought it best."

  "Is he with you?"

  "No."

  "I think I see some one in the carriage."

  "To be sure. It's the mad doctor from the asylum. Don't let Miss Douglasknow it," continued Jones, lowering his voice, "or she wouldn't consentto go with us."

  "I see," answered the landlady, nodding. "Do you want to go up now?"

  "Yes; let me see her alone, so that I can tell her a story which willquiet her suspicions."

  "Mr. Campbell hasn't paid me all he promised yet," said Mrs. Bradshaw,rather uneasily.

  "Oh, that's all right," said Jones. "He never forgets his promise--andseldom keeps it," he said to himself.

  Florence was sitting on the lounge in her room in rather a despondentstate of mind when the door opened, and she looked up, expecting to seeOrton Campbell.

  Jones closed the door behind him, and then, putting his hand over hislips, said, "Miss Douglas, I bring you good news."

  "Are you not the man who brought me out here yesterday?"

  "The same one."

  "Then how have you the face to show yourself in my presence?"

  "Because I am come to free you from your imprisonment."

  Florence started to her feet in some excitement. "If this were true!"she exclaimed. "But no; you are an agent of Orton Campbell, and this issome new trick of his."

  "I was an agent of Orton Campbell, but he deceived me, and I am hisenemy."

  "Is he with you?" asked Florence, suspiciously.

  "No; but in the carriage outside is one whom you will be glad to meet."

  "Who is it?"

  "Richard Dewey."

  "You brought me a note from him which he never wrote. How do you expectme to believe you now?"

  "If he is not there, don't get into the carriage. Not a word to Mrs.Bradshaw. She is in the employ of Mr. Campbell, who represented you asinsane, and I told her that Mr. Dewey, whom I did not dare to bring in,was a doctor from the insane asylum."

  "Are you sure you are not deceiving me?" said Florence, earnestly.

  "I am on the square, miss, but you can easily convince yourself bycoming down stairs. If you prefer to remain here till nine o'clock, whenOrton Campbell will be here, you can do so
."

  "No, no! anything better than that!"

  Mrs. Bradshaw watched the exit of her guest with a peculiar look. "Shelittle knows where she's going," thought the woman. "Well, if she'scrazy, it's the best place for her."

  As may easily be imagined, there was scant leave-taking. Florence waseager to leave this shabby cabin, where she had passed a night ofanxious solicitude.

  She approached the carriage, and Jones opened the door. She looked in,and saw Dewey, who said in a low voice, "Get in at once, Florence, butkeep silent till we are on our way."

  An expression of joy came over her face as she saw this most convincingproof of her driver's good faith. He mounted the box and drove rapidlyoff.

  On their way back to San Francisco the two who had been so longseparated had ample time to compare notes and form plans for the future.

  "Florence," said Richard Dewey, "after this treachery of Orton Campbellthere is but one way of safety for you."

  "And what is that?"

  "Let me become your legal protector, and at once. When we are marriedyour guardian will be powerless. He will have me to deal with then, nota defenceless girl."

  "But, Richard, this seems so sudden!"

  "It ought not to, Florence. Have we not waited for each other longenough? Have we not been separated long enough? I am not much richerthan when I left you--not so rich," he added, smiling, "as your othersuitor, Orton Campbell."