CHAPTER XIV--OFF FOR THE SOUTH
Two days later, when Roger was packing up, getting ready to return home,he received a letter from Luke Watson that filled him with interest.Luke had gone to St. Augustine, Florida, to join his folks, who werespending the winter there.
"Here's news!" burst out the senator's son, as he came rushing to Daveand Phil with the epistle. "This letter is from Luke Watson, you knowhis folks are in Florida. Well, on his way to St. Augustine, Lukestopped for a day at Jacksonville. Listen to what he says:
"'I was walking down one of the main streets of Jacksonville, lookinginto the shop windows, when what do you think? I saw Link Merwell andNick Jasniff. You could have knocked me over with a feather, for Ihadn't imagined that they were anywhere near. They were nattily dressedand each carried a small valise, and they were buying caps and someother things for a sea voyage. I went into the shop and called to them,and my! both of them jumped as if they were shot, and Merwell got sopale I thought he was going to faint. I said "Hello," but they didn'tanswer to that, and Jasniff at once wanted to know if I was alone. WhenI told him I was he seemed mightily relieved, and Merwell lookedrelieved, too. They wanted to know what I was doing there and I toldthem. Then I asked what they were doing, but I couldn't get any straightanswer. Merwell started to say something about going to sea, but Jasniffstopped him short, and said they guessed they would go back to New York,where they had come from.
"'It was awful funny--they positively looked scared to death, and whilethey were talking to me they looked over my shoulders, as if on theirguard against somebody. I asked them what they had been doing since theyleft Rockville, and they said not much of anything, just travelingaround. They seemed to have plenty of money, for just as I went into theshop I saw Merwell pay for something from a big roll of greenbacks.
"'After I left them, I got a bit curious about the pair, and so Iwatched them come from the shop and walk down to one of the docks and goaboard a big four-masted schooner. I hung around a little and prettysoon they came from the schooner and went up to one of the big hotels,and there I lost sight of them. Each had his little valise with him, butthey weren't big enough for much clothing. My, but they were scared! Ifancy they thought I might pitch into them for the mean things they didin the past. But I didn't want to start any row.'"
"Is that all he says?" demanded Dave, after the senator's son hadfinished.
"That's all he says about Merwell and Jasniff and their doings."
"Doesn't he mention the name of that schooner, or the hotel?" askedPhil.
"No."
"Did you say Luke was going to Jacksonville?" asked our hero.
"Yes, his whole family are down there."
"Then I could telegraph to him and he could give me the name of thehotel, and of the schooner."
"Dave, what do you make out of this?" demanded the senator's son.
"I make out of it that Merwell and Jasniff are guilty!" burst out Dave."They went from here to Florida, and now they have either gone to sea,or are going, as soon as that schooner sails. Do you notice what Lukesays about their being scared almost to death when they saw him? Theyevidently thought some of us, or the officers of the law, were withhim."
"And the little valises!" burst out the shipowner's son. "Perhaps theycontain the jewels!"
"Would they be foolish enough to carry them around like that?"questioned Roger. "Wouldn't they hide them?"
"They may be looking for some good hiding-place, or some place wherethey can sell them," answered Dave. "Remember, Jasniff and Merwell aregreen at this business--they wouldn't go at it like professionals. Ifthey were professionals, they wouldn't have acted so scared."
"That is true. What will you do, tell Mr. Wadsworth of this?"
"I think I'll tell my father and my Uncle Dunston first. Mr. Wadsworthdoesn't place much credit in the story of Merwell and Jasniff's guilt.He thinks the detectives are on the right track."
"Well, possibly they are," admitted Phil. "But I must say, this looksmighty suspicious to me."
"I have half a mind to take matters in my own hands and run down toJacksonville," went on our hero. "Who knows but what I might findMerwell and Jasniff? If I did, I could stop them and make them give anaccount of themselves by making that old charge of abduction againstthem, and that charge of having used my name."
"Say, that's an idea!" cried Roger. "And say, I'd like to go with you."
"So would I," added Phil. "We might go down in one of my father'sships."
"Too slow, Phil--the limited express for this trip," answered Dave. "ButI must talk it over with dad first," he added.
"We have got over three weeks before school opens again," pursued thesenator's son. "We could go down to Florida and back easily in thattime."
Dave's father had gone to New York on business, but came home thatevening. In the meantime a telegram was sent to Luke Watson, asking forthe name of the hotel, at which Merwell and Jasniff had stopped, and ofthe schooner.
Dave's father and his uncle listened closely to what he had to tell, andto the reading of the letter from Luke Watson. They talked the affairover for an hour with the boys.
"You may be right, boys," said Mr. Porter, at last. "And it may be agood plan to follow those rascals up. But I don't think I would botherMr. Wadsworth about it. He received a telegram from one of thedetectives, and the officer is more sure than ever that he is on theright track. He caught Red Andrews pawning a fair-sized diamond, and hethinks the gem is from the Carwith collection."
"Can't he make Red Andrews confess?" asked Dave.
"Unfortunately the rascal got away when on the way to thepolice-station. But the detective feels he can soon round him up again."
Dave looked thoughtfully out of the window and tapped the table with hisfingers.
"You still think Merwell and Jasniff guilty?" remarked his uncle, with asmile.
"Yes, Uncle Dunston. After what Hooker Montgomery said, I'll think themguilty until somebody proves otherwise."
"Then I tell you what I'll do, boys," said Dunston Porter. "I'll take atrip down to Florida with you and look into this matter. I'd rather beon the move than sitting still waiting for something to turn up."
"Will you go?" cried Dave, eagerly.
"I will."
"When?"
"As soon as you wish, and we can get train accommodations."
"Hadn't we better wait until we hear from Luke?" suggested Roger.
"No, let us get off at once!" exclaimed Dave. "If he sends word after weare gone, it can be forwarded to us." And so it was arranged.
Great was the surprise of the Wadsworths and of Laura when the boys andDunston Porter announced that they were going to start for Florida thenext morning.
"Why, Dave?" asked Jessie. "Why are you going in such a hurry?"
"Oh, I hardly care to tell, Jessie," he answered. "It may prove only awild goose chase."
"It is about the missing jewels?"
"Yes."
"Then you are after Merwell and Jasniff."
"Yes, but please don't tell any outsiders."
"Oh, Dave, don't get into any trouble!" cried the girl, as she clung tohim. "They are such bad fellows! You know what they have done to you inthe past!"
"I am not afraid of them."
"Oh, I know how brave you are, Dave! But--but don't let them harm you--formy sake, please!" And then the tears came into her eyes and she hid herface on his arm.
"There! there! don't worry!" he said, as he bent over her, and then hekissed her forehead. "We'll be back before long," and he gave her alittle hug. Then the others came in.
Laura was also worried, but glad that her uncle would be along. Shehelped Dave to pack his suit-case. Phil and Roger also packed up, andsent word home regarding the proposed trip. As my old readers know, allthe boys were well-to-do, so the expenses did not bother them.
At breakfast time the following morning came a telegram from LukeWatson. It read as follows:
"The hotel was the Castor. Think
schooner was the _Emma Brown_, or_Black_, or _Jones_. Common name."
"Well, that isn't very definite, but it is something to work on,"remarked Dunston Porter.
Soon the party of four were ready to start. There was a generalhand-shaking and also a few kisses.
"Well, have a good time, even if you don't catch those fellows," saidMrs. Wadsworth.
"Keep out of trouble," warned Laura.
"Yes, yes, don't let them harm you," pleaded timid Jessie.
"And let us hear from you often," said Mr. Porter.
"I don't know what to say about this," said Oliver Wadsworth, shakinghis head, slowly. "But if you do get on the track of those jewels, leaveno stone unturned to get them."
"Leave that to me, Mr. Wadsworth," said Dunston Porter. "If we findthose young men have the gems--or had them--we'll get them back, neverfear." And he spoke in a tone that showed he meant what he said.
They went to the depot in the family sleigh. Ben had heard of theirgoing away and was there to see them off. Soon the train rolled in thatwas to carry the travelers to New York City.
"Good-by!" cried the boys, as they clambered aboard the car.
"Good-by!" called Ben. "I wish you luck." And then the girls waved theirhands, and the train moved off, slowly at first and then faster andfaster, until Crumville was left behind.
"It's a great trip they are taking," said Ben, to Laura and Jessie."Wish I was going along."
"Why didn't you go?" questioned Laura.
"Oh, I've got some things to do at home," answered Ben. He did not careto add that his father did not wish to stand the extra expense. Mr.Basswood was fairly well-to-do, but thought he was spending enough onhis son by sending him to boarding-school.
The sleigh was about to drive off when the station agent came runningout, waving a yellow envelope.
"Is Mr. Wadsworth here?" he questioned, of Jessie.
"No, Mr. Mack, my father went to business. What is it, a telegram?"
"Yes,--something very important too."
"Then give it to me and I will take it to him at once."
"I could send it, but----"
"Never mind. Here, I will sign for it," and Jessie did so. Then the whipcracked and the horses started for the jewelry works on a gallop.
When Jessie handed the telegram to her father he opened it and read thecontents eagerly. His face lit up.
"This is good news!" he cried. "Good news! I must go to Boston at once."
"Have they found the jewels?" questioned his daughter.
"The detective thinks he has located them. Yes, I must go at once." AndMr. Wadsworth hurried off to prepare for the journey.
Dave Porter on Cave Island; Or, A Schoolboy's Mysterious Mission Page 15