Alger Horatio Jr.
Frank and Fearless; or, The Fortunes of Jasper Kent
CHAPTER XX.
A STRANGE COMMISSION
The man whom we have called Dick stopped short and gazed in astonishment at the boy who had so fearlessly stepped upon the scene.
"Where did you come from?" he demanded, frowning.
"From that closet," answered Jasper.
"How came you there? What business have you in my house, anyway?" demanded the ruffian.
"I entered it supposing it to be deserted," said Jasper. "While I was below I heard that poor boy cry, and came up."
"Did you know he was here?" asked the ruffian, turning to his wife, and speaking menacingly.
"Yes, Dick."
"Why did you let him in?"
"He came in while I was out."
"Why didn't you tell me he was here?"
"Because I didn't want him injured in any way. I was afraid you would be angry with him."
"That is where you are right," said Dick, adding an oath. "The young scoundrel shall pay for his impudence in entering my house like a thief."
"You have no right to say that," said Jasper. "I have explained to you why I came here."
"You hid in the closet, intending to come out and steal when we were out of the way."
"What could I steal?" asked Jasper, looking around him.
"Do you mean to taunt me with my poverty?" exclaimed the ruffian, enraged.
"No; I am poorer than you."
"You look like it."
"It is true. I was robbed in the cars by a pickpocket, and because I was penniless and could not pay my fare I was put off at this station."
"Is this true?" demanded Dick, with a searching look.
"Yes; I wish it were not."
"How came you near this house?"
"I set out to walk to the village, and must have lost my way."
"Why did you come out of that closet?" was the next demand.
"Because I heard you abusing that little boy," said Jasper, fearlessly.
"I have a right to do what I please to my own child."
"It isn't your child."
"What do you mean by that, you impudent young jackanapes?"
Unobserved by her husband, the wife made a warning sign to Jasper not to provoke the man, whose evil passion she so well knew.
Jasper comprehended the sign, but it did not influence him. Frank and fearless by temperament, he thought it his duty to stand between the little boy and this ruffian's brutality. Still he appreciated the woman's kindness, and resolved to bear it in mind. Indeed, he saw that she was rather to be pitied than blamed. Her natural instincts were good, but she was under the control of a bad man.
"I heard what you were saying," said Jasper.
"You heard?"
"Yes, while I was in the closet."
"What did you hear, you young scoundrel?" demanded the ruffian.
"Enough to satisfy me that you have stolen this boy from his parents."
"It's a lie!"
"No; it is the truth. I felt sure of it before, and now I know it. You took him in order to extort money from his friends."
"Well," said the ruffian, defiantly, "what if I did? Have you anything to say against it?"
"Yes," said Jasper.
"I shall have to wring your neck by and by," muttered Dick. "Well, go on. Spit out what you've got to say."
"I say it's a cruel wrong to the parents," said Jasper, boldly, "and to the child also. But you make it worse when you try to abuse the boy."
"Come, boy, if you care so much for the brat, suppose you take his place, and take the beating I was going to give him," suggested the ruffian, mockingly.
"I would rather suffer than have him suffer," said Jasper, quietly; "but perhaps you will change your mind when you hear what I have to say."
"Oh, you are going to beg off!" sneered the ruffian, with a look of satisfaction. "I thought you'd come to your senses."
"You are mistaken as to my intention. I want to speak to you about your sister—formerly Mrs. Thorne."
"What do you know about her?" asked the man, in extreme astonishment.
"A good deal. She is my step-mother."
"What! Are you the son of the man she married?" asked Dick, eagerly.
"I am Jasper Kent."
"That's the name. So she sent you out to me, did she? That's better than I thought She hasn't forgotten her brother, after all."
"No; you are mistaken," said Jasper. "She never so much as told me she had a brother."
Dick looked disappointed. Then, with sudden suspicion, he said, roughly:
"I believe you are lying. This Jasper Kent is rich—the heir of two-thirds of his father's property. You say you are penniless."
"That is true. Both stories are true. I am my father's principal heir, but your sister is my guardian. She has treated me in such a way that I left the house."
"Ran away, eh?"
"No, I gave her full notice of what I should do. I told her that if I were decently treated I would stay, but if she continued to insult me, and give the preference in all things to her own boy, Nicholas, I would go away."
"You haven't been such a fool as to go off and leave all your property in her hands?"
"I shall come in possession of it when I am twenty-one. Till then I will try to support myself."
"Come, boy, you're plucky. I'm glad you came, after all. I want to hear more about my sister's affairs. Come down stairs, and we'll talk."
Dick appeared suddenly to have forgotten his animosity. He became even friendly in his manner, as he gave our hero this invitation.
"Old woman," said he, addressing his wife, "can't you rake up something for this boy to eat? I dare say he is hungry."
"I don't think we've got anything more in the house."
"I'll go out directly and get something. Come down, boy, I want to ask you a few more questions."
They went down stairs, followed by the wife. She was happily relieved by the unexpected good understanding between her husband and Jasper.
"Now tell me," said Dick, eagerly, when they were in the lower room, "how much property has my sister got?"
"Probably between thirty and forty thousand dollars."
"As much as that?" said Dick, complacently. "Well, she has feathered her nest well."
"I don't like Mrs. Kent," said Jasper. "Though she is your sister, I am obliged to say that, but it is not at all on account of the property my father left her. If he had given her one-half his estate I would not have complained, as long as she treated me fairly."
"Helen was always a hard customer. She's got a will of her own," chuckled Dick.
"There was no hope of our getting on together," said Jasper.
"She ought to do something for me—don't you think so? I'm her only brother."
"As to that," said Jasper, "my opinion wouldn't have any weight with her. If you are poor and need help, it would be only natural for her to help you."
"That's the way to talk! You won't say anything against me to her?"
"Certainly not," said Jasper. "I shall not write to her at all; and even if I did, I wouldn't try to interfere with her disposing of her property in any way she thinks best."
"Come, you're a trump, after all. I like you. You're plucky, too."
"Thank you."
"I'll say a good word for you to my sister when I see her."
"You'd better not," said Jasper. "If she thinks you are friendly to me you'll stand a poor chance of any favors. Better abuse me."
Dick roared with laughter.
"I say, youngster, you're a smart 'un. I see you're friendly by your hint. I'll abuse you to her, never fear. You must take a drink on that. Say, old woman, where's the whisky?"
"There's not a drop in the house, Dick."
"I forgot. Curse the luck!"
Just then a man entered the house only less brutal-looking than Dick himself.
He held a letter in his hand.
Dick seized it eagerly.
"It's from the father of the boy," he said.
The letter proved to contain fifty dollars.
"I send this in advance," said the writer. "When the boy is safely delivered into my hands a hundred and fifty more will be paid to the one who brings him, and no questions asked.
Herman Fitch."
"Good!" said Dick, "as far as it goes. I'm ready to give up the brat, but will his father keep faith? Perhaps he'll have the police on hand ready to nab me."
"Haven't you anybody to send—anybody you can trust?"
Dick slapped his knee forcibly. An idea had come to him.
"I'll send him in charge of the brat," he said, pointing to Jasper.
CHAPTER XXI.
JASPER IS INTRUSTED WITH A DELICATE COMMISSION
"Look here, boy," said Dick, "do you want a job?"
"Yes," said Jasper, "if it's honest."
"No fear of that. I want you to take that boy home to his father."
"I'll do it," said Jasper, eagerly.
"How much pay do you want?"
"None at all, except money to pay my fare in the cars."
"You're the right sort," said Dick, with satisfaction. "But there's another matter I've got to think about. How do I know but you will betray me?"
"How?"
"Put the police on my track."
"If you hadn't given up the boy I might," said Jasper, frankly.
Dick regarded him attentively.
"You're bold," he said. "Then you won't betray me now."
"No."
"Promise it."
"I promise—that is, if you send the boy home by me."
"All right; that's understood. Now for another matter. Read that letter."
Jasper read the letter of Herman Fitch, already quoted.
"You see this man, the boy's father, agrees to pay one hundred and fifty dollars when he is given up."
"I see that."
"He will give you that money—that is, if he means fair—and you will bring it to me. Do you understand?"
"I do."
"Do you promise that?"
"I promise that, too. Where am I to find you? Here?"
"No; I'll give you an address in St. Louis."
"Does the father live in St. Louis?"
"He lives a little out of the city. His name is in the directory, so you won't have any trouble in finding it."
"How glad he will be to see the little boy again!"
"He ought to be. You don't think he'll back out from his agreement?" said Dick, suspiciously.
"No; he'll be so glad to see the child, he will care nothing for the money."
"That's what I hope. When I get that money I'm going East."
"You'll take me with you, Dick?" asked his wife.
"What good'll you be?" growled Dick. "It'll cost more."
"What can I do alone, here?"
"I'll leave money for your board."
"But I'll be so lonely, Dick," she persisted.
"Oh, I'll come back! It's business I'm going for, old woman. If I can't come back I'll send money to bring you."
"Do let me go with you, Dick."
"Oh, hush up! I can't have you always in my way. What, blubbering? Plague take all the women, I say!"
"When do you want me to go?" said Jasper.
"There's a train this afternoon; take that, for the sooner matters are arranged the better. Here's five dollars. It'll be more than enough to pay your fare, but you'd better have it in case anything happens."
Jasper felt some repugnance in taking money acquired in such a way, but it seemed necessary, and he thrust the note into his vest-pocket.
"You'll be able to carry the boy back to-night," said Dick. "To-morrow at twelve bring the money to this address."
He handed him a greasy-looking card with the name "Mark Mortimer, No. 132 S– Street," scrawled on it in pencil.
"Am I to ask for Mark Mortimer?" asked Jasper.
"Yes, that's me—that is, it's one of my names. Don't fail."
"I won't."
"If you should play me false, you'd better never have been born," said the kidnapper, menacingly.
"I'll come, not on account of your threats, but because I have promised," said Jasper, quietly.
"You're a plucky boy. You ain't one of the milk-and-water sort," said Dick, with respect for the boy's courage.
"Thank you," said Jasper, laughing. "I am not often afraid."
"By Jove! you've got more pluck than half the men. You'd make a fine lad for my business."
"I don't think I'd like your business, so far as I know what it is," said Jasper.
"Well, there's some I'd like better myself. If my sister does the right thing by me I'll become a model citizen—run for Congress, may be. Eh, old woman?"
"I wish you would reform, Dick," said his wife.
"Let the world give me a chance, then. Now, boy, you must be starting."
"Harry," said Jasper to the little boy, whose name he had learned, "do you want to go with me?"
The little boy confidingly put his arms round our hero's neck.
"Will you take me to my mamma?" he asked.
"Yes, I will take you to her."
The little boy uttered a cry of delight.
"Me all ready!" he said, eagerly.
"Do you think he can walk to the depot?" asked Jasper.
"Yes; it is only a mile or so."
"Then I will start."
Part of the way he carried the little boy in his arms. They could make but slow progress, but luckily there was plenty of time, and they reached the depot a quarter of an hour before the train started.
The station-master looked at the two with curiosity.
"Is that boy yours?"
"He isn't my son, if that's what you mean," said Jasper, amused.
"Brother, then?"
"No; he's a friend of mine that I'm taking home to his father and mother."
"Been makin' a visit around here?" asked the station-master.
"Yes," replied Jasper, briefly.
The arrival of two passengers, who wanted tickets, relieved him from the questions of the curious station-master. He might have asked questions which it would have been inconvenient to answer.
"Did you ever ride in the cars, Harry?" asked Jasper.
"I did ride in the cars when the ugly man took me from my mamma."
"Was that the only time?"
The little boy could remember no other.
Jasper led him a little away, to avoid questioning, but was back in time to enter the cars when the train arrived. He found a vacant seat, and gave the little boy the place next the window. There were many admiring glances directed toward the little fellow, who was remarkably handsome. Jasper was apprehensive lest the boy should be recognized by some one who knew him. This would have brought suspicion upon him, and placed him in a very embarrassing position. Fortunately, though the child's appearance was much admired, no such recognition took place.
Two hours later they rolled into the central depot at St. Louis.
"Now," thought Jasper, "I must find out as soon as possible where Mr. Fitch lives."
Jasper had not been much of a traveller, as we know. Finding himself now in a strange city, he felt at first a little bewildered—the more so, that he had a young child under his charge. He did not know in which direction the boy's father lived, but the natural thought occurred to him that he could find his name in the directory. He went into a lager-beer saloon near-by and asked:
"Will you let me see your directory?"
"I got no directory," answered the burly Dutchman, who presided over the saloon. "I can give you lager."
"Not at present," said Jasper, laughing. "We don't drink."
It occurred to him that it might be as well to get into the central part of the city. He accordingly hailed a passing car, and got aboard with Harry.
After awhile he judged from the appearance of the buildings that he had reached one of the principal streets. He descended from the car, lifting Harry carefully down and carrying him in his arms to the sidewalk. There was a large and imposing store situated at the corner of the street.
"They must have a directory in there," thought Jasper.
He entered, holding the little boy by the hand. What was his surprise when a richly-dressed lady, turning and catching sight of the child, sprang to him, seized him in her arms, and began to cry and laugh alternately. But the mystery was explained when he heard Harry say:
"Oh, mamma, I am so glad to see you!"
CHAPTER XXII.
A BUSINESS MAN'S SUSPICIONS
Jasper stood at a little distance, witnessing the happy meeting between the mother and child. He did not wish to interrupt their happiness. Soon, however, the mother looked up, and then Jasper advanced, raising his hat, politely.
"Is this Mrs. Fitch?" he asked.
"Yes," said the lady, surveying him with curiosity.
"Then I have great pleasure in restoring to you your child."
"What? Did he come with you?"
"Yes, madam."
"Did you know I was in here?"
"No; I only came in to consult the directory to learn your residence."
"How could you be so wicked as to steal my boy?" demanded Mrs. Fitch, with pardonable indignation, judging that Jasper was the kidnapper.
"I wouldn't have done it for five thousand dollars!" said Jasper, impetuously.
"He didn't 'teal me, mamma," said little Harry, coming opportunely to Jasper's defense.
"Who did, then, my darling?"
"It was big, ugly man. Jasper good boy—kind to Harry."
Mrs. Fitch, prompt to remedy her injustice, held out her hand to Jasper, which he took respectfully.
"Excuse me," she said; "but I thought, as Harry was with you, that you had been concerned in his kidnapping."
"I never saw him till this morning," said Jasper. "Chance drew me to a lonely house where he was confined."
"And you rescued him! How can I thank you?"
"I would have done so if I could, but I can't take the credit of it. Your husband offered a reward, which the kidnapper thought best to accept. He did not dare to bring him back himself, and having no one else to employ, asked me to become his agent in restoring him. Of course, I was very glad to do it."
"It was not chance that directed you to the haunt of these wicked men; it was a good and merciful Providence. Did they ill-treat my darling?"
"I found him tied to the bed in which he was lying."
"How could they treat you so my dear boy!" said the mother, piteously. "May I ask your name?"
This was, of course, addressed to Jasper.
"My name is Jasper Kent."
"Can you come out and stop at our house over night? We live about two miles distant. I want my husband to see you and thank you for bringing back our darling boy."
Jasper reflected that he must see Mr. Fitch, at any rate, in order to obtain the promised reward. Moreover, he had no means of his own to pay for a lodging, and he promptly accepted the offer.
"I will return home at once," said Mrs. Fitch. "I came in to make some purchases, but I can't think of those now. Come, Mr. Kent."
"Take hold of my hand," said little Harry to Jasper.
Jasper smilingly took the proffered hand, and Harry, happy in the double companionship, went out of the store.
There was a handsome carriage in waiting, with a coachman in livery perched on the box.
"Edward," said Mrs. Fitch, her face fairly glowing with delight, "do you see? Little Harry has come back."
"So he has, Heaven bless him!" said the coachman, heartily. "How do you do, Master Harry?"
"I'm pooty well," answered the little boy.
"Where did you find him, ma'am, if I may be so bold?"
"This young gentleman brought him back, Edward. Now, drive right home."
"Won't you go around to the office, ma'am, and tell master?"
"No; he must have left the office by this time. We shall see him at supper to-night."
Half an hour later the carriage drew up in front of a handsome residence, far enough from the centre of the city to have a side yard of considerable dimensions, in the rear of which stood a brick stable. It was clear that Mr. Fitch was a man of wealth, so Jasper decided.
Of the sensation produced in the house by Harry's arrival I will not speak. Jasper found himself regarded in the light of the heroic deliverer of the little boy from captivity, though he laughingly disclaimed the credit attaching to such a character.
They had been home but fifteen minutes when Mr. Fitch arrived. At the moment of his arrival Jasper was in a handsome chamber on the second floor, which had been assigned to his use, preparing himself for dinner. Mr. Fitch was overjoyed at the recovery of his little boy, but he listened with some incredulity to the praises lavished upon Jasper by his wife.
"You don't seem to realize," he said, "that this young hero of yours is a companion and acknowledged agent of a kidnapper."
"Wait till you see him," said Mrs. Fitch, confidently.
Mr. Fitch shrugged his shoulders.
"How the women are carried away by a specious appearance!" he thought. "I am a man of the world, and cooler in my judgment."
Yet when Jasper entered the room he could not help acknowledging that his appearance was very much in his favor. Frank and manly in his looks, he met Mr. Fitch with gentlemanly ease.
"You are the young gentleman who brought back my little boy, I believe," said the father.
"Yes, sir," said Jasper. "I occupy, for the time being, the office of agent of the man who kidnapped him."
"Who is this man?"
"I should be willing to tell you if I had not promised secrecy."
"Then," said Mr. Fitch, with slight suspicion, "you are in confidential relations with this villain."
"Partly so, but it was forced upon me. I never met him till to-day, and he confided in me because there seemed to be no one else that he could trust."
"Why did he not come himself?"
"Because he thought it would be dangerous."
"Shall you meet him again?"
"Once only, to finish this business. He said you had promised a certain sum on the boy's return, and this I agreed to carry him."
"How much commission are you to receive?" inquired Mr. Fitch.
"Nothing at all," said Jasper. "He handed me five dollars to pay the railroad fare of little Harry and myself to St. Louis. What is left over I shall return to him."
"Then Harry was not concealed in this city?"
"No, sir; but he was at no great distance from it."
"Are you living here?"
"I never was in St. Louis until this afternoon. I have only just come on from the State of New York."
"To find employment, I suppose?"
"Yes, sir. It was by the merest chance that I fell over your little boy and his captor. I was contriving plans for getting him away, when fortunately the kidnapper received a communication from you which led to my being here."
"Suppose you had got Harry away from this man, how could you have found me?"
"That would have been the difficulty. I didn't know your name, or where you lived. But I meant to come here and get one of the daily papers to publish an account of the recovery, in the hope that the paragraph would find its way to your notice."
"A very sensible plan," commented Mr. Fitch, approvingly. "When have you agreed to meet the kidnapper to carry him the money?"
"To-morrow at twelve."
"And then you will proceed to carry out your own plans?"
"Yes, sir. After supper, if you can spare the time, I will tell you my situation, and the circumstances that led me here, and ask for advice."
"Very well. I will gladly give you the best counsel I can."
After supper Jasper told his story briefly, and confirmed the favorable impression he had already begun to make. Mr. Fitch cast aside his lingering remnant of suspicion, and promised his good offices in procuring him employment.
"After you have seen this man and paid him the money," he said, "come to my counting-room, and we will talk over your affairs."
The evening was spent socially, little Harry, of course, being the central object of interest. The little fellow appeared to have taken a great fancy to Jasper, and was unwilling to have him go the next day. He was not reconciled till Jasper promised to come back.
