the lost road-第29章

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at　Monica；　and　then；　as　though　assured　that　it　was　she；　his　eyes
dilated。　　In　them　were　fear　and　horror。　　So　genuine　was　the　agony
in　the　face　of　the　counterfeiter　that　Everett；　who　had　followed；
turned　his　own　away。　　But　the　eyes　of　the　brother　and　sister
remained　fixed　upon　each　other；　hers；　appealingly；　his；　with
despair。　　He　tried　to　speak；　but　the　words　did　not　come。　　When
he　did　break　the　silence　his　tone　was　singularly　wistful；　most
tenderly　kind。

〃Did　you　hear？〃　he　asked。

Monica　slowly　bowed　her　head。　　With　the　same　note　of　gentleness
her　brother　persisted：

〃Did　you　understand？〃

Between　them　stretched　the　cobweb　of　strings　hung　with　yellow
certificates；　each　calling　for　five　hundred　dollars；　payable　in　gold。
Stirred　by　the　night　air　from　the　open　tunnels；　they　fluttered　and
flaunted。

Against　the　sight　of　them；　Monica　closed　her　eyes。　　Heavily；　as
though　with　a　great　physical　effort；　again　she　bowed　her　head。

The　eyes　of　her　brother　searched　about　him　wildly。　　They　rested　on
the　mouth　of　the　tunnel。

With　his　lowered　arm　he　pointed。

〃Who　is　that？〃　he　cried。

Instinctively　the　others　turned。

It　was　for　an　instant。　　The　instant　sufficed。

Monica　saw　her　brother　throw　himself　upon　the　floor；　felt　herself
flung　aside　as　Everett　and　the　detective　leaped　upon　him；　saw　her
brother　press　his　hands　against　his　heart；　the　two　men　dragging
at　his　arms。

The　cavelike　room　was　shaken　with　a　report；　an　acrid　smoke
assailed　her　nostrils。　　The　men　ceased　struggling。　　Her　brother　lay
still。

Monica　sprang　toward　the　body；　but　a　black　wave　rose　and
submerged　her。　　As　she　fainted；　to　save　herself　she　threw　out　her
arms；　and　as　she　fell　she　dragged　down　with　her　the　buried
treasure　of　Cobre。

Stretched　upon　the　stone　floor　beside　her　brother；　she　lay　motionless。
Beneath　her；　and　wrapped　about　and　covering　her；　as　the　leaves
covered　the　babes　in　the　wood；　was　a　vast　cobweb　of　yellow　bills；
each　for　five　hundred　dollars；　payable　in　gold。


A　month　later　the　harbor　of　Porto　Cortez　in　Honduras　was　shaken
with　the　roar　of　cannon。　　In　comparison；　the　roaring　of　all　the　cannon
of　all　the　revolutions　that　that　distressful　country　ever　had　known；
were　like　fire…crackers　under　a　barrel。

Faithful　to　his　itinerary；　the　Secretary　of　State　of　the　United　States
was　paying　his　formal　visit　to　Honduras；　and　the　President　of　that
republic；　waiting　upon　the　Fruit　Company's　wharf　to　greet　him；　was
receiving　the　salute　of　the　American　battle…ships。　　Back　of　him；　on
the　wharf；　his　own　barefooted　artillerymen　in　their　turn　were　saluting；
excitedly　and　spasmodically；　the　distinguished　visitor。　　As　an　honor
he　had　at　last　learned　to　accept　without　putting　a　finger　in　each　ear；
the　Secretary　of　State　smiled　with　gracious　calm。　　Less　calm　was　the
President　of　Honduras。　　He　knew　something　the　Secretary　did　not
know。　　He　knew　that　at　any　moment　a　gun　of　his　saluting　battery
might　turn　turtle；　or　blow　into　the　harbor　himself；　his　cabinet；　and
the　larger　part　of　his　standing　army。

Made　fast　to　the　wharf　on　the　side　opposite　to　the　one　at　which
the　Secretary　had　landed　was　one　of　the　Fruit　Company's　steamers。
She　was　on　her　way　north；　and　Porto　Cortez　was　a　port　of　call。
That　her　passengers　might　not　intrude　upon　the　ceremonies；　her
side　of　the　wharf　was　roped　off　and　guarded　by　the　standing　army。
But　from　her　decks　and　from　behind　the　ropes　the　passengers；　with
a　battery　of　cameras；　were　perpetuating　the　historic　scene。

Among　them；　close　to　the　ropes；　viewing　the　ceremony　with　the
cynical　eye　of　one　who　in　Europe　had　seen　kings　and　emperors
meet　upon　the　Field　of　the　Cloth　of　Gold；　was　Everett。　　He　made
no　effort　to　bring　himself　to　the　attention　of　his　former　chief。　　But
when　the　introductions　were　over；　the　Secretary　of　State　turned
his　eyes　to　his　fellow　countrymen　crowding　the　rails　of　the
American　steamer。　　They　greeted　him　with　cheers。　　The　great
man　raised　his　hat；　and　his　eyes　fell　upon　Everett。　　The　Secretary
advanced　quickly；　his　hand　extended；　brushing　to　one　side　the
standing　army。

〃What　are　you　doing　here？〃　he　demanded。

〃On　my　way　home；　sir；〃　said　Everett。　　〃I　couldn't　leave　sooner；　there
werepersonal　reasons。　　But　I　cabled　the　department　my　resignation
the　day　Mendoza　gave　me　my　walking…papers。　　You　may　remember；〃
Everett　added　dryly；　〃the　department　accepted　by　cable。〃

The　great　man　showed　embarrassment。

〃It　was　most　unfortunate；〃　he　sympathized。　　〃We　wanted　that　treaty；
and　while；　no　doubt；　you　made　every　effort〃

He　became　aware　of　the　fact　that　Everett's　attention　was　not
exclusively　his　own。　　Following　the　direction　of　the　young　man's
eyes　the　Secretary　saw　on　the　deck　just　above　them；　leaning　upon
the　rail；　a　girl　in　deep　mourning。

She　was　very　beautiful。　　Her　face　was　as　lovely　as　a　violet　and　as　shy。
To　the　Secretary　a　beautiful　woman　was　always　a　beautiful　woman。
But　he　had　read　the　papers。　　Who　had　not？　He　was　sure　there　must
be　some　mistake。　　This　could　not　be　the　sister　of　a　criminal；　the
woman　for　whom　Everett　had　smashed　his　career。

The　Secretary　masked　his　astonishment；　but　not　his　admiration。

〃Mrs。　Everett？〃　he　asked。　　His　very　tone　conveyed　congratulations。

〃Yes；〃　said　the　ex…diplomat。　　〃Some　day　I　shall　be　glad　to　present
you。〃

The　Secretary　did　not　wait　for　an　introduction。　　Raising　his　eyes
to　the　ship's　rail；　he　made　a　deep　and　courtly　bow。　　With　a　gesture
worthy　of　d'Artagnan；　his　high　hat　swept　the　wharf。　　The　members
of　his　staff；　the　officers　from　the　war…ships；　the　President　of
Honduras　and　the　members　of　his　staff　endeavored　to　imitate　his
act　of　homage；　and　in　confusion　Mrs。　Everett　blushed　becomingly。

〃When　I　return　to　Washington；〃　said　the　Secretary　hastily；　〃come
and　see　me。　　You　are　too　valuable　to　lose。　　Your　career〃

Again　Everett　was　looking　at　his　wife。　　Her　distress　at　having　been
so　suddenly　drawn　into　the　lime…light　amused　him；　and　he　was
smiling。　　Then；　as　though　aware　of　the　Secretary's　meaning；　he
laughed。

〃My　dear　sir！〃　he　protested。　　His　tone　suggested　he　was　about　to
add　〃mind　your　own　business；〃　or　〃go　to　the　devil。〃

Instead　he　said：　〃I'm　not　worrying　about　my　career。　　My　career　has
just　begun。〃





THE　BOY　SCOUT




A　rule　of　the　Boy　Scouts　is　every　day　to　do　some　one　a　good　turn。
Not　because　the　copybooks　tell　you　it　deserves　another；　but　in
spite　of　that　pleasing　possibility。　　If　you　are　a　true　scout；　until
you　have　performed　your　act　of　kindness　your　day　is　dark。　　You
are　as　unhappy　as　is　the　grown…up　who　has　begun　his　day　without
shaving　or　reading　the　New　York　Sun。　　But　as　soon　as　you　have
proved　yourself　you　may；　with　a　clear　conscience；　look　the　world
in　the　face　and　untie　the　knot　in　your　kerchief。

Jimmie　Reeder　untied　the　accusing　knot　in　his　scarf　at　just　ten
minutes　past　eight　on　a　hot　August　morning　after　he　had　given　one
dime　to　his　sister　Sadie。　　With　that　she　could　either　witness　the
first…run　films　at　the　Palace；　or　by　dividing　her　fortune　patronize
two　of　the　nickel　shows　on　Lenox　Avenue。　　The　choice　Jimmie
left　to　her。　　He　was　setting　out　for　the　annual　encampment　of
the　Boy　Scouts　at　Hunter's　Island；　and　in　the　excitement　of　that
adventure　even　the　movies　ceased　to　thrill。　　But　Sadie　also　could
be　unselfish。　　With　a　heroism　of　a　camp…fire　maiden　she　made
a　gesture　which　might　have　been　interpreted　to　mean　she　was
returning　the　money。

〃I　can't；　Jimmie！〃　she　gasped。　　〃I　can't　take　it　off　you。　　You
saved　it；　and　you　ought　to　get　the　fun　of　it。〃

〃I　haven't　saved　it　yet；〃　said　Jimmie。　　〃I'm　going　to　cut　it　out
of　the　railroad　fare。　　I'm　going　to　get　off　at　City　Island　instead
of　at　Pelham　Manor　and　walk　the　difference。　　That's　ten　cents
cheaper。〃

Sadie　exclaimed　with　admiration：

〃An'　you　carryin'　that　heavy　grip！〃

〃Aw；　that's　nothin'；〃　said　the　man　of　the　family。

〃Good…by；　mother。　　So　long；　Sadie。〃

To　ward　off　further　expressions　of　gratitude　he　hurriedly　advised
Sadie　to　take　in　〃The　Curse　of　Cain〃　rather　than　〃The　Mohawk's
Last　Stand；〃　and　fled　down　the　front　steps。

He　wore　his　khaki　uniform。　　On　his　shoulders　was　his　knapsack；
from　his　hands　swung　his　suit…case；　and　between　his　heavy　stockings
and　his　〃shorts〃　his　kneecaps；　unkissed　by　the　sun；　as　yet　unscathed
by　blackberry　vines；　showed　as　white　and　fragile　as　the　wrists　of　a　girl。
As　he　moved　toward　the　〃L〃　station　at　the　corner；　Sadie　and　his　mother
waved　to　him；　in　the　street；　boys　too　small　to　be　scouts　hailed　him
enviously；　even　the　policeman　glancing　over　the　newspapers　on　the
news…stand　nodded　approval。

〃You　a　scout；　Jimmie？〃　he　asked。

〃No；〃　retorted　Jimmie；　for　was　not　he　also　in　uniform？　〃I'm　Santa
Claus　out　filling　Christmas　stockings。〃

The　patrolman　also　possessed　a　ready　wit。

〃Then　get　yourself　a　pair；〃　he　advised。　　〃If　a　dog　was　to　see　your
legs〃

Jimmie　escaped　the　insult　by　fleeing　up　the　steps　of　the
Elevated。


An　hour　later；　with　his　valise　in　one　hand　and　staff　in　the　other；
he　was　tramping　up　the　Boston　Post　Road　and　breathing　heavily。
The　day　was　cruelly　hot。　　Before　his　eyes；　over　an　interminable
stretch　of　asphalt；　the　heat　waves　danced　and　flickered。　　Already
the　knapsack　on　his　shoulders　pressed　upon　him　like　an　Old　Man
of　the　Sea；　the　linen　in　the　valise　had　turned　to　pig　iron；　his　pipe…
stem　legs　were　wabbling；　his　eyes　smarted　with　salt　sweat；　and　the
fingers　supporting　the　valise　belonged　to　some　other　boy；　and　were
giving　that　boy　much　pain。　　But　as　the　motor…cars　flashed　past　with
raucous　warnings；　or；　that　those　who　rode　might　better　see　the　boy
with　bare　knees；　passed　at　〃half　speed；〃　Jimmie　stiffened　his　shoulders
and　stepped　jauntily　forward。　　Even　when　the　joy…riders　mocked　with
〃Oh；　you　scout！〃　he　smiled　at　them。　　He　was　willing　to　admit　to　those
who　rode　that　the　laugh　was　on　the　one　who　walked。　　And　he　regretted
oh；　so　bitterlyhaving　left　the　train。　　He　was　indignant　that　for　his
〃one　good　turn　a　day〃　he　had　not　selected　one　less　strenuousthat；
for　instance；　he　had　not　assisted　a　frightened　old　lady　through　the
traffic。　　To　refuse　the　dime　she　might　have　offered；　as　all　true　scouts
refuse　all　tips；　would　have　been　easier　than　to　earn　it　by　walking　five
miles；　with　the　sun　at　ninety…nine　degrees；　and　carrying　excess　baggage。
Twenty　times　James　shifted　the　valise　to　the　other　hand；　twenty　times
he　let　it　drop　and　sat　upon　it。

And　then；　as　again　he　took　up　his　burden；　the　good　Samaritan　drew
near。　　He　drew　near　in　a　low　gray　racing…car　at　the　rate　of　forty　miles
an　hour；　and　within　a　hundred　feet　of　Jimmie　suddenly　stopped　and
backed　toward　him。　　The　good　Samaritan　was　a　young　man　with　white
hair。　　He　wore　a　suit　of　blue；　a　golf　cap；　the　hands　that　held　the　wheel
were　disguised　in　large　yellow　gloves。　　He　brought　the　car　to　a　halt　and
surveyed　the　dripping　figure　in　the　road　with　tired　and　uncurious　eyes。

〃You　a　Boy　Scout？〃　he　asked。

With　alacrity　for　the　twenty…first　time　Jimmie　dropped　the　valise；
forced　his　cramped　fingers　into　straight　lines；　and　saluted。

The　young　man　in　the　car　nodded　toward　the　seat　beside　him。

〃Get　in；〃　he　commanded。

When　James　sat　panting　happily　at　his　elbow　the　old　young　man；　to
Jimmie's　disappointment；