CHAPTER X
JAKE HOOVER'S CAPTURE
"You're a fine lot," declared Jake, something about Trenwith's mannerseeming to steady him so that he could talk intelligibly. "You tell me Iwon't get into any trouble if I come here, and then I find it's a trap!"
"No one told you anything of the sort, my lad," said Trenwith, sharply."You promised to go to Mr. Jamieson and tell him what you knew. No onemade you any promises at all, except that you were told you wouldn'thave any reason to regret doing it."
Jake looked at Eleanor balefully.
"She's too sharp, that's what she is," he complained bitterly. "I mightha' known she was playing a trick on me--gettin' me to stay here and eata fine supper. I suppose she went and sent word to you while I was doingit."
"Of course I did, Jake," said Eleanor quietly. "I telephoned to Mr.Trenwith even before you had your supper because I knew that if I didn'tdo something to keep you here with us, you'd run away again. But I didit as much for your sake as for Bessie's."
"Yes, you did--not!" said Jake. "Why shouldn't you let me go now, then,if that is so?"
"Listen to me, my buck," said Trenwith, sternly. "You're not going to doyourself any good by getting fresh to this lady, I can tell you that.You're pretty well scared, aren't you? You told her that you were afraidof what Holmes would do to you?"
But Jake, alarmed by Trenwith's mention of the name of the man hefeared, shut his lips obstinately, and wouldn't say a word in answer.Trenwith smiled cheerfully.
"Oh, you needn't talk now, unless you want to," he said. "I know all youcould tell me about that, anyhow. You've been up to some mischief, andthey've kept on telling you that if you didn't behave yourself they'dgive you away."
Jake's hangdog look showed that to be true, although he still maintainedhis obstinate silence.
"Well, I happen to be charged with enforcing the law around here, andit's my duty to see that criminals are brought to justice. I don't knowjust what you've done, but I'll find out, and I'll see that you areturned over to the proper authorities--unless you can do something thatwill make it worth while to let you off. So, you see, you've got just asmuch reason to be afraid of us as of the gang you've been training with.
"They won't be able to help you now, either, even if they should wantto--and I don't believe they want to, when it comes to that, I've alwaysfound that crooks will desert their best friends if it seems to themthat they'll get something out of doing it. So if you're trusting tothem to get you out of this scrape, you're making a big mistake."
"You'd better listen to what Mr. Trenwith says, Jake," said Eleanor."You think I've led you into a trap here. Well, I have, in a way. You'llhave to go to jail for a little while, anyhow. But you're safer therethan you would be if you were free. We're all willing to be yourfriends, for your father's sake. If we can, we'll get you out of thistrouble you are in. But you will have to help us. Think it over."
"What's the use?" said Jake, sullenly. "I ain't got nothin' to tell you,because I don't know nothin'. An' if I did--"
"You'd better take him along, Jones," said Trenwith to the policeman."It's quite evident that we'll get nothing out of him to-night. And Idon't see any use wasting time on him while he's in this frame of mind."
And so Jake, whining and protesting, was taken away. As soon as he wasout of sight and hearing Trenwith's manner changed.
"By George," he said, excitedly, "that's a good piece of work! There'ssomething mighty interesting coming off here pretty soon. I'm not atliberty to tell you what it is yet, but I had a long talk on thetelephone with Charlie just before you called me, Eleanor, and there aregoing to be ructions!"
"Oh, I suppose we mustn't ask you to tell us, if you've promised not todo it," said Eleanor, "but I do wish we knew!"
She didn't seem to notice that he had called her by her first name--aprivilege that was not accorded, as a rule, to those who had no more ofan acquaintance with her than Billy Trenwith. But he had done it sonaturally, and with so little thought, that she could hardly haveresented it, anyway. But Dolly noticed it, and nudged Bessiemischievously.
"Then you really think we're going to find something out from Jake, Mr.Trenwith?" asked Dolly.
"We'll find a way to make him talk, never fear," said Trenwith. "Theboy's a natural born coward. He'll do anything to save his own skin ifhe finds he's in real trouble and that the others of his gang can't helphim. I don't think he's naturally bad or vicious--I think he's justweak. He was spoiled by his mother, wasn't he? He acts the way a goodmany boys do who have been treated that way. He's not got enoughstrength of character to keep him from taking the easiest path. If athing seems safe, he's willing to do it to avoid trouble."
"You know there's just one thing that occurs to me," said Eleanor,looking worried. "Jake may have come here with some vague idea oftelling us what he knew. But suppose he has seen Holmes or some of theothers since Bessie got him to promise to go to Charlie Jamieson in thecity?"
"I hoped you wouldn't think of that," said Trenwith, gravely. "I thoughtof it, too. You mean he might have been here just as a spy, with no ideaof showing himself at all?"
"The way he acted makes it look as if that was just why he was here,too," said Dolly. "He was sneaking around, and he certainly didn't seemvery pleased when Bessie found him."
"He did his best to squirm away," said Bessie. "If Zara hadn't been sonervous while we were eating supper I would never have thought of goingafter him, either. But she seems to be able to see things and hearthings, in some queer fashion, when no one else can."
"That's a good thing for the rest of us," said Trenwith with a smile."She's a useful person to have around at a time like this. I'm going tohave a couple of my men--detectives--stay around here to-night to keepan eye on things. It's likely, of course, that there's nothing to beafraid of, but just the same, we don't want to take any chances."
"I'm glad you've done that," said Eleanor. "I don't think I'm theordinary type of timid woman, but I must confess that all these thingsworry me, and I'll feel a lot safer if I know that we are not entirelyat the mercy of any trick they try to play on us to-night. They seem tobe getting bolder all the time."
"Well, after all you know, that's one of the most hopeful things aboutthe whole business. It means that they're getting desperate--that theirtime is getting short. They feel that if they don't succeed soon theynever will, because it will be too late. All we've got to do is to standthem off a little longer, and the whole business will be settled anddone with.
"I've got to get back to Bay City to-night. If anything happens, don'thesitate to call me up, no matter what time it is. If I'm out at anytime you do have to call me, I'll leave word where I'm going, so that ifyou tell them at my house who you are, they'll find me. Good-night!"
Neither Dolly nor Bessie slept well that night. Jake's appearance hadbeen disturbing; it seemed to both of them much more likely that hiscoming heralded some new attempt by Holmes, rather than a desire on hispart to confess. But the night passed without anything to rouse them,and in the morning their fears seemed rather foolish, as fears are aptto do when they are examined in the sunlight of a new day.
"I don't see what they can do, after all," said Dolly. "There aren't anywoods around here as there were at Long Lake. We're all in sight of thecamp and of one another all the time, and they certainly won't be ableto work that trick of setting the tents on fire again."
"I guess you're right," said Bessie. "It seems different this morning,somehow. I was worried enough last night but I feel a whole lot betternow. I'm glad it's such a beautiful day. The weather makes a lot ofdifference in the way you feel. It always does with me, I know."
"I'm going out in the sloop after breakfast," said Dolly. "That is, ifMiss Eleanor says it's all right. There's a lot more wind than there wasyesterday, and we can have some good fun."
"Can I go, too?" asked Bessie. "You were quite right when you told meI'd love the seashore, Dolly. Do you remember how I said I was sorry wewere leaving the mountains?"
"Oh, I knew it would fascinate you, just as it does me. So you've givenup your love for the mountains?"
"Not a bit of it! I love them as much as ever, but I've found out thatthe seashore has attractive things about it, too. And I think sailing,the way we did yesterday, is about the nicest of all."
"Then you just wait until we get out there to-day, with a real breeze,and a good sea running. That's going to be something you've never evendreamed of."
They had hearty appetites for breakfast in spite of their restless anddisturbed sleep, for the bracing effects of their swim, taken before themeal, more than made up for the lack of proper rest. And after breakfastDolly asked permission to go out in the sloop, since one of the very fewrules of the Camp Fire, and one strictly enforced, had to do with watersports.
None of the girls were ever allowed to go in swimming unless theGuardian was present, and the same rules applied to boating andsailing--with the added restriction that no girl who did not know how toswim well enough to pass certain tests was allowed to go in a boat atall. Moreover, bathing suits had always to be worn when in a boat.
"Indeed you may," said Eleanor, when Dolly asked her question. "And willyou take me with you? I'd like to be out on that sea to-day. It looksglorious."
"We'll love to have you along," said Dolly. "How soon may we start?"
"It's eight o'clock," said Eleanor, looking at her watch. "We can startat ten. That will allow plenty of time after eating. Of course, we don'tintend to go in the water, but you never can tell--it's squally to-day,and we might be upset. And that's one thing I don't believe in takingchances with. A cramp will make the best swimmer in the world perfectlyhelpless in the water, and about every case of cramps I ever heard ofcame from going in the water too soon after a meal."
When they were aboard the _Eleanor_ and scooting through the opening inthe bar, Bessie found that the conditions were indeed very differentfrom those of the previous afternoon. The wind had changed and becomemuch heavier, and as the _Eleanor_ went along, she dipped her bowcontinually, so that the spray rose and drenched all on board. But therewas something splendidly exciting and invigorating about it, and sheloved every new sensation that came to her.
"Here's the _Defiance_ coming out," said Eleanor, after they had beenenjoying the sport for half an hour. "Gladys must like this sort of abreeze, too."
"She does, but she's never had as much of it as I have," said Dolly. "Ihope she understands it well enough not to make any mistakes. A boatlike this takes a good deal of handling in a heavy breeze, and it seemsto me that she's carrying a good deal of sail."
"She seems to be getting along all right, though," said Eleanor, afterwatching the _Defiance_ for a few minutes. "Why, Dolly, I wonder whatshe's doing now."
The maneuvres of the _Defiance_ seemed strange enough to promptEleanor's question, for, no matter how Dolly tacked, the _Defiance_followed her, drawing nearer all the time. Since Dolly had no sort ofdefinite purpose in mind, it was plain that Gladys was simply followingher. And soon the reason was apparent.
"She's trying to race; she wants to show that she can beat us to-daywhen there's plenty of wind," said Dolly. "If she wanted to race, whydidn't she say so?"
"Well, give her her way, Dolly," said Eleanor. "Keep straight on now fora little while and see if she can beat you. We're just about on eventerms now."
And on even terms they stayed. Sometimes one, sometimes the other seemedto gain a little advantage, but it was plain that the boats, as well asthe skippers, were very evenly matched. Since there was no agreement torace, Dolly had the choice of courses, and in a spirit of mischief shecame about frequently. And every time she changed her course Gladysfollowed suit.
Although the boats were often within easy hailing distance, Gladysavoided Dolly's eyes, and nothing was said by those on either sloop.They were satisfied with the fun of this impromptu racing. But at last,when they were perhaps a mile from the opening in the bar, and veryclose together, Eleanor, looking at her watch, saw that it was nearlytime for lunch.
"You'd better turn for home now, Dolly," she said. "Suppose I giveGladys a hail and suggest a race to the bar?"
"All right," agreed Dolly.
"Gladys!" Eleanor sent her clear voice across the water, and Gladysanswered with a wave of her hands. She seemed in better humor than shehad been the day before.
"We're going in now. Want to race to the bar?"
"All right!" called Gladys, in answer, and came about smartly. She hadbeen quick, but Dolly was just as quick, and they were on the most eventerms imaginable as the race began.
But Dolly and the _Eleanor_ had one advantage that Gladys was not slowto recognize. The _Eleanor_ had the inside course. In a close finishthat would be very likely to spell the difference between victory anddefeat, since, to reach the opening, Gladys would either have to get farenough ahead to cross the _Eleanor's_ bows or else to cross behind her,which would entail so much loss of time that Dolly would be certain tobring her craft home a winner. But since the previous racing had shownthe _Defiance_ to be just a trifle swifter before the wind, thatadvantage seemed to be one that Gladys could easily overcome.
Now that she was racing, however, Dolly changed her tactics. Fresh asthe wind was, she shook out a reef in her mainsail, and as they nearedthe bar the _Eleanor_ actually carried more canvas than Gladys dared tokeep on the _Defiance_. Being less used to heavy going than Dolly, shewas not so sure of the strength of her sticks, and reckless though shewas, she was too wise to be willing to take a chance of being dismasted.
And so the advantage that Gladys had to gain to be able to cross the_Eleanor's_ bows seemed to be impossible for her to attain. The_Eleanor_ did not go ahead, but she held her own, and she had the rightof way.
"You're going to beat her again, and fair and square this time," saidEleanor, excitedly. "She won't be able to say a word to this!"
"Look!" said Dolly, suddenly. "She's going to cross me--and she's got noright to do it!" She shouted loudly. "Gladys! Gladys! I'll run you down!Don't do that! I've got the right of way!"
But Gladys kept on with a mocking laugh. Furious at the trick, Dolly puther helm hard over, and the _Eleanor_ came up in the wind.
"That's a mean trick, if you like!" cried Dolly, indignantly. "In aregular race, if she did a thing like that, the other boat would run herdown, and would win on a foul. But she knew very well I'd give up theposition rather than cause an accident!"
The check to the _Eleanor_ was only for a moment, but it was enough tothrow her off her course and make it certain that the _Defiance_ wouldreach the bar first.
"Never mind, Dolly. You did the right thing," said Eleanor, quietly. "Ithink she's quite welcome to the race, if she cares enough about winningit to play a trick like that!"
Bessie was up in the bow, looking intently at the _Defiance_. And now asGladys came up to get the straight course again, something went wrong.By some mistaken handling of her helm she had lost her proper direction,and to her amazement Bessie saw the boom come over sharply. She saw it,too, strike Gladys on the head--and the next moment the _Defiance_ gybedhelplessly, while Gladys was swept overboard.
Bessie did not hesitate a moment. She had seen that blow struck by theboom, and with a cry of warning she plunged overboard as they swept bythe helpless _Defiance_, and with powerful strokes made for the placewhere Gladys had gone overboard. Gladys had gone straight down, butBessie had marked the spot, and she dived as she reached it, and met hercoming up. She clutched her in a moment, and was on the surface almostat once, holding Gladys, and looking for Dolly and the _Eleanor_. Dollywould return for her at once, she knew, if she had seen Gladys go over.But, to her amazement the sloop was heading for the bar, sailing awayfrom her fast! Dolly had not seen her and, for a moment, Bessie wasbadly scared.
The Camp Fire Girls at the Seashore; Or, Bessie King's Happiness Page 10