Ralph in the Switch Tower; Or, Clearing the Track

by Frank V. Webster

  CHAPTER XXV--THE LITTLE TIN BOX

  Ralph ran towards the grape trellis. He soon found the ladder the oldwoman had mentioned.

  It was long and quite heavy, but seizing one end he dragged it towardsthe burning building. Soon he had it set in place and balanced. He hadguessed at the proper slant correctly. Its top just rested on the edgeof the attic window outside the sill.

  "No time to lose," declared Ralph. "Where will I find a hatchet?" hecalled to the old woman.

  "In the wood shed--right near the door, on a chopping block," shedirected, watching his every movement in a fever of suspense.

  Ralph darted into the wood shed. He came out, hatchet in hand, andsprang instantly onto the ladder.

  The building was doomed, he saw that. Its entire front half was inflame. As he got a few feet from the ground a great whirlwind of smokeand sparks enveloped him.

  "Why," exclaimed Ralph, as he reached the top of the ladder, "the windowis all right."

  He did not need to use the hatchet. Contrary to the old woman'spositive statement, Ralph found the sash raised an inch or two. Itpushed up smoothly. He felt obtruding nails on the inside, whichappeared to have been forced out of place.

  Climbing through the window, Ralph was nearly choked with the densesmoke filling the room. The window vent somewhat cleared the air, buthe could not see an inch before his face.

  "I can't stand much of this," he reflected, and then held his breathclosely.

  Ralph had to grope with hands and feet. He lined one side wall of theapartment, ran to the window for a supply of fresh air, and resumed hisdifficult quest.

  "No luck so far," he panted. "The room seems entirely empty. There isnot even a carpet on the floor."

  Suddenly, a cracking sound and then a slight crash warned him to lookout for danger.

  A door leading into the front attic just then burned free of its hinges.It fell inside the apartment Ralph was in.

  Its vivid blazing lit up the room somewhat.

  "I see it--the trunk!" said Ralph, and sprang to a corner where abox-like outline showed.

  Again the old woman's statements were at fault. The trunk was perfectlyeasy of access, and Ralph did not have to use the hatchet at all.

  Ropes that at one time possibly enclosed the trunk lay at one side, cutin two. The broken lock of the trunk lay on the floor. Ralph threw upthe cover.

  Inside was a mass of cotton batting. He threw this out on the floor.Then some old newspapers followed. Beneath these lay a little flat tinbox.

  "I have it," said Ralph with satisfaction, grasping the object of theold woman's anxiety.

  It was high time to make an exit. Some sparks fell on the cotton. Itblazed up into his face and singed his hair. Ralph found himself nearlyovercome by the smoke. He fairly staggered to the window, andspluttering and scorched, almost slid the length of the ladder.

  Reaching the ground the young leverman stood stationary for a moment. Hedug the cinders out of his eyes, and took a good long refreshing breathof the pure air.

  A call roused him to new action. The old woman was shouting at him andwaving her hand eagerly.

  She was not alone now. A pale-faced young man of about thirty stood byher side. Ralph presumed that this was her son, David, to whom she hadso frequently referred.

  "Did you get it--did you get it?" she called out anxiously, as Ralph ranup to the invalid chair.

  "Yes, ma'am," responded Ralph, handing over the box.

  "Oh, dear! Oh, how shall I ever thank you? David, he is a brave, nobleboy!" and hugging the box to her breast, the old woman wepthysterically.

  "You saved my mother's life," spoke the young man, placing a hand thattrembled on Ralph's shoulder.

  "I am glad if that is so," said Ralph.

  "David! David! David!"

  Just here the old woman interrupted with startling suddenness. Ralphturned quickly toward her in amazement. Her son ran to her side, verymuch alarmed. She had shouted out his name in such a lost, despairingtone that both her auditors were thrilled.

  "Mother--what is it?" cried the young man.

  The old woman waved the tin box that Ralph had just given her.

  "It was tied with twine--in a sheet of writing paper, and sealed," shesaid. "And look now, David--it is empty!"

  "Was there something in it?" questioned Ralph, his spirits sinking tozero.

  All along he had entertained some hopeful ideas regarding that littletin box, knowing that it had been the property of the mysterious Mrs.Davis.

  "Why, surely," said the old woman, weeping bitterly and wringing herhands. "Mrs. Davis put some folded papers in it. I saw her do it. Shesaid they were very valuable. She was afraid she would lose them, or berobbed. She said she feared wicked enemies."

  "When was that?" asked Ralph.

  "About a month ago. She wrapped up, tied, and sealed the box. Sheasked me where she could hide it for a time. I told her about the oldtrunk. It was empty, except for some cotton and newspapers. I told herto nail down the window, put the box in the trunk, tie up the trunk, andlock the attic door. She did all that. She made me promise solemnly tothink first of that box if anything happened. And now someone hasstolen the papers! I have been faithless to my trust! Poor Mrs. Davissaid her very life depended on those papers. Oh, David! David! Ishall die of shame and grief, I know I shall!"

  "You did your best, you couldn't help it," said her son soothingly.

  "No, some thief has visited your attic," declared Ralph.

  "But no one except Mrs. Davis and myself knew that the box was there,"suggested the weeping woman.

  "Someone surely found out," said Ralph. "I found the window forced upand the trunk lock broken."

  "Mother, you really must not take on so," spoke the young man in aworried tone. "You are shaking all over. I must get you to someshelter."