"You'd better go upstairs and get that money, or I will go up myself,"said the tramp, boldly.
"I will go," said Mrs. Cole, terrified.
It was at this time that Tom Tripp, looking in at the window, got anidea of the situation, but he was unobserved. The river bank was near,and he ran down to it, hoping, but not expecting, to see some one whocould interfere with the impudent robber. We have already seen that hewas luckier than he anticipated.
Meanwhile Mrs. Cole went upstairs, not knowing how to save the moneyfrom being carried away. She wished heartily that her husband had takenit with him. One hundred dollars, as she well knew, would be a seriousloss to her husband, who was only moderately well to do. She thoughtit possible that the tramp might know how large a sum there was in thehouse, but could not be sure. She resolved, however, to make an effortto save the larger part of the money. From the wallet she took twofive-dollar bills, and then, removing it from the drawer, put it betweenthe beds. She lingered as long as she dared, and then went downstairswith the two bills in her hand.
"Well, have you got the money?" growled the tramp.
"Don't take it," she said; "be satisfied with the breakfast I have givenyou."
"You're a fool!" said the tramp, rudely. "How much have you got there?"
"Ten dollars."
"Ten dollars!" said the tramp, disdainfully. "What do you take me for?"
"It is a large sum of money to me and my husband, sir," said the poorwoman, nervously.
"It isn't enough for me! You have got more money in the house. Don't lieto me! You know you have."
"I am not used to be talked to in that way," said Mrs. Cole, forgettingher timidity for the moment.
"I can't help what you are used to; you'd better not trifle with me. Goupstairs and bring down the rest of the money--do you hear?"
"Oh, sir!"
"'Oh, sir!'" repeated the tramp, impatiently. "I can't stay here allday. Are you going to do as I tell you?"
"I suppose I must," said the poor woman.
"That's sensible. You'll find out after a while that nothing is to begained by trying to fool me. I'll give you just three minutes to findthat money and bring it down."
"You'll leave the spoons, then?"
"No; I want them, as I've already told you. Come, two minutes arepassed. I don't want to kill you, but--"
Mrs. Cole uttered a shriek of dismay, and turned to obey the commandof her unwelcome visitor, when a loud, clear voice was heard from justoutside the window.
"Stay where you are, Mrs. Cole! There is help at hand. This ruffianshall not harm you."
It was the voice of George Melville. The tramp turned swiftly and staredin ill-disguised dismay at Melville and Herbert.
"What business is it of yours?" he demanded, in a blustering tone.
"We make it our business to defend this lady from your thievishdesigns," said Melville.
"You!" exclaimed the tramp, contemptuously. "Why, I could twist eitherof you round my little finger."
"You'd better not try it!" said Melville, not showing the leasttrepidation. "Mrs. Cole, has this man anything of yours in hispossession?"
"He has my spoons and I have just handed him ten dollars."
George Melville turned to the tramp.
"Be kind enough to lay the spoons on the table," he said, "and give backthe ten dollars Mrs. Cole handed you."
"You must think I'm a fool!" said the tramp.
"No; but I think you are a prudent man. If you do as I say we will letyou go; if not--"
"Well, if not?" blustered the tramp.
"If not, you may regret it."
All this time George Melville had spoken in his usual tone of voice, andthe tramp was puzzled to know whether he had any weapon with him. Forhimself, he was unarmed, and this made him feel rather ill at ease,notwithstanding his superiority in physical strength. He was ratherdisposed to think that George Melville had a pistol, for he could notunderstand how otherwise he should dare to confront a man of twice hissize and strength.
"I don't care for the spoons," he said, "but I will take the money."
"No, you will return the money," said Melville, calmly.
"Who will make me?" demanded the tramp, defiantly.
"I will."
"We'll see about that!" said the tramp, desperately, and he sprangtowards Melville, who had in the meantime entered the house and stoodonly six feet distant.
"Stay where you are!" exclaimed Melville, resolutely, and he drew apistol, which he leveled at his formidable antagonist.
"That settles it, stranger!" said the tramp, "You've got the advantageof me this time. Just wait till we meet again."
"I am willing to wait for some time," said Melville, shrugging hisshoulders. "I have no desire to cultivate your acquaintance, my friend."
"There are the spoons!" said the tramp, throwing them down on the table.
"Now for the money!"
The tramp looked at George Melville. Melville still held the pistol inhis hand leveled at his breast. The thief was a large man, but he wasnot a brave one. He cowered before the resolute glance of his smallopponent.
"Won't you interfere with me if I give back the money?" he asked.
"No."
"Will you let me go without firing at me?"
"Yes."
"Perhaps you won't keep your agreement," suggested the tramp, nervously.
"I am a man of my word," said Melville, calmly.
His calm, resolute tone, free from all excitement, impressed the trampwith confidence. He drew the notes from his vest pocket, where he hadthrust them, and threw them on the table.
"Now, may I go?" he said.
In answer, George Melville, who stood between him and the door, drewaside, still, however, holding the pistol in position, and the tramppassed out, not sorry, it may be said, to get out of range of theweapon.
They watched him striding through the yard, and when he was fairly goneMrs. Cole said:
"Oh, how can I thank you for saving me from this wretch?"
"I am glad to have been the instrument of deliverance," said Melville,politely.
"It was fortunate you had the pistol with you, Mr. Melville," saidHerbert.
"Well, yes, perhaps it was," said Melville, smiling.
"Pray, put it up, Mr. Melville," said the farmer's wife, "it alwaysmakes me nervous to see a loaded pistol."
Melville bowed, and put back the pistol in his pocket.
"As your unpleasant visitor has gone," he said, "I may as well relieveyour fears by saying that the pistol is not loaded."
"Not loaded!" exclaimed Herbert and Tom Tripp in concert.
"No; it has not been loaded to my knowledge for a year."
"Then how could you stand up against that man?" asked the farmer's wife,in wonder.
"He thought it was loaded!" replied Melville, "and that answered thepurpose. I should be very reluctant to use a loaded pistol, for I havea high idea of the sacredness of human life, but I have no objection toplaying upon the fears of a man like that."
Melville and Herbert remained at the farmhouse for half an hour, tillthe return of the farmer, when they resumed their river trip. Theyreturned about noon. When they were walking through the main street,Herbert saw the town constable approaching with the air of a man who hadbusiness with him.
"Did you wish to speak to me, Mr. Bruce?" he asked.
"Yes, Herbert. I have a warrant for your arrest."
"For my arrest!" exclaimed Herbert, in amazement. "What for?"
"On complaint of Eben Graham, for abstracting postage stamps and moneyfrom the post office last evening."
CHAPTER XI. TRIED FOR THEFT.
Do and Dare — a Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune Page 10