Comrades on River and Lake Part 33

"He will probably enter by means of the secret pa.s.sage," said Tom. "That is the way he left, I am sure."

"In other words," said the lieutenant, "believing that you know nothing of the underground exit, he will probably seek to enter his room in the night and appear before you at the breakfast table as a complete surprise."

"That's the way he likes to do things, I should say, from what little opportunity I have had for observation," Tom replied.

"Does anyone know what Mr. Lawrence does in Boston?" asked Pod.

"I understand he is a diamond merchant," said Lieutenant Winters, "and that is one reason why we have been so anxious to catch him. The duty on precious stones is something enormous, and the government stands to lose considerable as long as such clever smugglers remain at liberty."

Chot took occasion to explain the a.s.sistance the j.a.p had rendered them, telling the officer how the Oriental had feared Mr. Lawrence, who had kept him at all times in a state of subjection and humility.

"I am sure the little j.a.p never did a wrong thing in his life," said Chot-"in fact, we found that he knew absolutely nothing about the smuggling, except that something mysterious was going on in the lodge. I doubt if he even understood what the word, 'smuggling' meant."

"Very likely you are right," replied the lieutenant, "and I a.s.sure you that I have no desire to place him in custody. I should like to have him where I can reach him, however, in case I need his testimony at the trial of the smugglers."

Hoki was delighted when informed that the officers had no designs on his peace and happiness. He declared his life-long devotion to the boys, and expressed an ardent desire to learn some American trade or business where he could always be near them. He had saved over a thousand dollars in his two years' service with Mr. Lawrence, he told them, the smuggler chief having been generous in his reward for Hoki's faithful work.

"Mr. Lawrence can't be all bad," said Fleet, "when he treats Hoki so well."

"At any rate," said Chot, "this has given me an idea regarding Hoki."

After a moment's pause in which he was apparently thinking deeply, he said: "Hoki, how would you like to go to an American school?"

"It would give me greatest of pleasure, sirs, if my money is sufficiently large enough to accomplish such desires as you mention,"

replied Hoki.

"I believe a few years at Winton would make a good American out of you.

You already read English do you not?"

"Yes; I read quite well, thank you, sirs."

"Then I believe we can induce Commandant Cullum to take you in."

"It will give me much joy, believe me, sirs," said the little j.a.p.

The prospect of being near the Comrades and their chums appealed to him more than anything else.

The boys resolved to take the j.a.p to Mortonville as their guest at the end of the canoe trip, from which place negotiations could be carried on with the commandant at Winton, looking to Hoki's entry into the school.

He would be unable to pa.s.s a rigid examination, they knew, but in the case of foreigners exceptions had often been made in other schools, and they felt sure that Commandant Cullum would make it possible for the j.a.p to attend his inst.i.tution.

A plan of action was agreed upon before any of the inmates of Winnsocket Lodge retired that night. If Mr. Lawrence cared to return to the lodge, he was to be allowed to enter and go secretly to his room. A man would then be stationed outside his door, and another in the yard outside, to guard against any tricks, and in the morning the leader would be informed of the capture of his band.

As the chief would probably enter the lodge through the bas.e.m.e.nt, the smugglers were removed to one of the upper rooms of the lodge, that they might have no opportunity for disclosing their capture prematurely. Two men still remained on guard over them.

It was a.s.sumed that Mr. Lawrence would return in a motor-boat, as he had left, and Lieutenant Winters arranged that at a signal from him-a light placed in an upstairs window on the side where the government boat was moored-the "Lucia," as the government boat was named, was to go in pursuit of the boat which landed Mr. Lawrence, overhaul and capture her, returning thence to the island to take the prisoners to the New York sh.o.r.e.

Nothing occurred the first night, but shortly after midnight on the second the sound of a motor-boat was wafted over the water to Lieutenant Winters and Tom, who were doing guard duty. Every light had been extinguished, and from the rear window they waited for some sign that the smuggler chief was returning.

They had not long to wait, for the motor-boat came up to the sh.o.r.e of the island at a rapid pace. It was a perfect starlit night, and while the craft had no lights out, they could make out her dark outline against the water. There was some conversation which they were unable to catch, then the figure of a man sprang ash.o.r.e and made for the mouth of the pa.s.sage.

Lieutenant Winters called softly to one of his men to flash the signal to the "Lucia," and a moment later they heard the government boat move out of the cove and shoot around the end of the island in pursuit.

Tom ran quickly to his room and crawled in bed, and presently the lieutenant heard a soft, sc.r.a.ping sound in the bas.e.m.e.nt, then light footfalls on the stairs. Mr. Lawrence made no attempt to strike a light, being thoroughly familiar with every foot of the lodge, and he tip-toed softly to the door of his room, entered and closed it with scarcely a sound.

"Ah!" breathed the revenue man. "The most important bird is caught at last."

Then he sat down outside the door of the smuggler chief to await the coming of day.

CHAPTER XXIII-A SURPRISE FROM MR. LAWRENCE

When Mr. Lawrence entered the diningroom the following morning to greet his young guests, he was surprised to observe Lieutenant Winters and two men from the "Lucia" seated at his table. Hoki had prepared breakfast at Chot's request, and the boys were all instructed to act as if nothing unusual had occurred.

The boys greeted their host with a cordial "Good morning," as he entered the room, looking spick and span in a light duck suit. Then Chot arose.

Lieutenant Winters and his men also got up.

"Mr. Lawrence," said Chot, "you left us in charge of Winnsocket Lodge, so when these gentlemen arrived yesterday in a boat, and signified their intention of awaiting your return, I invited them to partake of our hospitality. Was I right?"

"Perfectly," replied the smuggler chief. "Winnsocket Lodge has always been noted for its hospitality."

"This, then, is Lieutenant Winters of the United States revenue boat, 'Lucia'," Chot continued.

Both Mr. Lawrence and the lieutenant bowed.

"I have a few matters of importance to discuss with you, Mr. Lawrence,"

said the lieutenant.

"Pray, be seated," said the master of the lodge, in a courteous tone.

"After breakfast I shall be most happy to talk to you."

There was nothing in his tone to indicate that he felt any uneasiness over the visit of the revenue men. On the contrary, he appeared to be in particularly jovial spirits, for he fell to laughing and chatting gaily.

Lieutenant Winters and the boys, not to be outdone entered into the spirit of the occasion, and the meal pa.s.sed off pleasantly, Hoki serving in his best style and earning many golden opinions from his master and the others for his fine cooking.

The meal over, the entire party adjourned to the s.p.a.cious living-room of the lodge, where, after offering the officer and his men some of the best of his cigars, Mr. Lawrence said:

"Lieutenant Winters, I should be blind, indeed, did I not divine your purpose in visiting Winnsocket Lodge."

"I have no desire, sir, to keep my purpose a secret."

"Well, before we settle the matter that lies between us, let me ask you if you have heard of Stanwood Gray?"

"Many times," returned the officer, rather surprised at the question. "I doubt if there is a man in the United States revenue or secret service who has not heard of him, though I dare say few have seen him."

"He is, then, a person of some note?"