At the end of the first week Ernest figured up the sales and found theyaggregated two hundred dollars. His share of the profit amounted to alittle over thirty dollars.
This was encouraging, being three times as much as he had ever realized inthe same length of time from mining. There was one embarrassment. Therewas no bank in the place where money could be deposited, and of course thechance of loss by robbery was much increased. However, his partnerpurchased a small safe, and this afforded some security.
One day a man entered the store and purchased a pipe and tobacco. He was astranger to Ernest, but there was something familiar in his look, yet hecould not place him.
The newcomer looked about with considerable curiosity.
"You have quite a snug store here," he remarked.
"Yes."
"Does it belong to you?"
"I have an interest in it, but it belongs to Mr. Ames."
"Is he here much?"
"He usually comes in evenings, but he is interested in mining."
"You seem to have a good trade."
"What makes you think so?"
"You have a good stock. You would not keep so many goods unless you had acall for them."
"Have I ever seen you before?" asked Ernest abruptly, for the idea grewupon him that he and his new customer had met somewhere under peculiarcircumstances.
"I don't know. I don't remember you," answered the customer, shrugging hisshoulders. "I haven't been in California long. I suppose you were bornhere."
"No; very few of those now living in California were born here. I oncelived in Iowa. Were you ever there?"
"Never," answered the customer. "I've been in Missouri, but never inIowa."
"I have never been in that State. Are you going to stay here?"
"I don't know. It depends on whether I can make any money. I suppose youdon't want to hire a clerk?"
"No."
Ernest said to himself that this man with his shifty looks and suspiciousappearance would be about the last man he would think of engaging.
"Perhaps Mr. Ames would give you a chance to work some of his claims," hesuggested.
"I will look about me a little before I apply to him," replied thecustomer.
"Did you come here alone?" he asked after a pause.
"No. A friend came with me--Luke Robbins."
The stranger started a little when Ernest pronounced this name, so thatyoung Ray was led to inquire, "Do you know Luke?"
"How should I know him? Is he a young man?"
"No; he is probably about your age."
"I suppose he came with you from Nebraska?"
"Iowa."
"Oh, yes, Iowa. He isn't in the store, is he?"
"He is working for Mr. Ashton on one of his claims."
At this point a new customer came in and the visitor, after a brief delay,left the store.
When Ernest had waited upon the new customer he looked for the firstvisitor, but missed him.
"I wonder who he was," he reflected, puzzled. "I am sure that I have seenhim before."
But think as he might he could not trace him.
Yet with this man he had had a very exciting experience in Oak Forks, forit was no other than Tom Burns, the tramp who had entered his cabin duringthe night and robbed him, and later had attacked him when digging forPeter's hidden treasure. It had been only a few months since they had met,but Tom Burns, during that time, had grown a thick beard, which had helpedto disguise him.
It is hardly necessary to explain how Burns had found his way out toOreville. It was his business to tramp about the country, and it hadstruck him that in the land of gold he would have a chance to line hispockets with treasure which did not belong to him. So fortune had directedhis steps to Oreville.
When he entered the store in which Ernest was employed, he immediately,and in some surprise, recognized the boy of Oak Forks. He was glad to findthat Ernest did not recognize him, and he immediately began to consider inwhat way he could turn the circumstance to his own advantage.
"I wonder if the boy sleeps there," he said to himself. "If so, I willmake him a visit to-night. Probably the money he has taken during the daywill be in some drawer where I can get hold of it."
As he was leaving the store in the stealthy way habitual to him, he met aman walking toward the place with a long and careless stride.
He started nervously, for this man was one whom he dreaded, and had reasonto fear.
It was Luke Robbins, who, tired with working the claim, was going to thestore to replenish his stock of tobacco.
Tom Burns pulled his soft hat down over his eyes and pushed swiftly on.
Luke Robbins halted a moment and looked at him. As in Ernest's case, heseemed to see something familiar in the appearance of the tramp. Herealized, at all events, that he was a stranger in Oreville, for he kneweveryone in the mining settlement.
"Who are you, stranger? Have I seen you before?" asked Luke, hailing him.
Tom Burns did not dare to reply, for he feared that Luke might prove tohave a better memory than Ernest. So he was passing on without a response,when Luke, who considered his conduct suspicious, demanded, in aperemptory tone, "Who are you? Do you live here?"
Tom Burns shrugged his shoulders, and said, disguising his voice, "Me nounderstand English, boss."
"What countryman are you?" asked Luke suspiciously.
"Italian," answered Tom.
"Humph! you are the first Italian I have seen in Oreville."
"Si, signor," answered Tom, and this comprised all the Italian he knew.
"Well, I don't think you will find any inducement to stay."
"Si, signor," replied Burns meekly.
Without another word Luke entered the store.
"Ernest," he said, "I am out of tobacco, and must have a smoke. Give mehalf a pound."
"All right, Luke."
"I ran across an Italian just outside. He seemed to be leaving thestore."
"An Italian?" queried Ernest, his tone betraying surprise.
"Yes. Wasn't he in here?"
"There was a man in here--a stranger, but I don't think he was anItalian."
"This man answered me in some Italian gibberish. He said he couldn'tunderstand English."
"What was his appearance?"
Luke described him.
"It's the same man that was in here just now, but he could speak Englishas well as you or I."
"Did you have some conversation with him?"
"Yes. He looked familiar to me, and I asked him who he was. He said he hadcome from Missouri. He was in search of work."
"You say he understood and spoke English?"
"Yes."
"Then I wonder what could be his game."
"Don't he look familiar to you?"
"Yes; there was something familiar about his appearance, but I couldn'tplace him."
"He asked me if I couldn't employ him in the store. I told him Mr. Amesmight give him a chance at mining."
"Well?"
"He said he would look round a little before deciding."
"Did he buy anything?"
"Yes, tobacco."
"Did you mention my name?"
"Yes, and he looked uneasy."
"Ernest," said Luke Robbins, with a sudden inspiration, "I know the man."
"Who is it?"
"Don't you recall any man at Oak Forks with whom you had trouble?"
"Tom Burns?"
"Yes. That's the man."
"Why didn't we recognize him then?"
"Because he has grown a full beard."
"That's so, Luke. I understand now why he looked so familiar. I am sorryto see him here."
"He'd better not undertake any of his rascalities or he will find himselfin hot water."
CHAPTER XXIX
TOM BURNS MAKES A CALL
When Burns left the store he walked to the outskirts of the miningsettlement, not wishing to attract attention. He wished especially toavoid encountering Luke Robbins, with th
e strength of whose arm he wasdisagreeably familiar.
He proposed to keep out of sight until night, and then make a visit to thestore. It would go hard with him if he did not make a raise there, eitherin the shape of money or articles of value.
He came to a cabin standing by itself, at a considerable distance from thehomes of the other miners. Sitting in front of it was a man with grizzledbeard whose appearance indicated advanced age. There were lines upon hisface that betrayed ill health.
"I wonder if anything can be got out of him," thought Tom Burns. "I'llsee."
"Good-day, sir," he said, affably.
The old man looked up.
"Good-day," he replied. "Who may you be?"
"I'm an unfortunate man, in search of employment."
"When people are unfortunate there is generally a reason for it. Are youintemperate?"
"No, sir," answered Burns, as if horror-stricken. "I hate the taste ofliquor."
"I am glad to hear it."
"I belong to three temperance societies," continued Tom, by way ofdeepening the favorable impression he thought he had made.
"And still you are poor?"
"Yes," answered Burns. "Once I was prosperous, but I was ruined by signingnotes for an unprincipled man who took advantage of my friendship. Do youthink I can find work here?"
"I don't know. Probably you can get a chance to work on one of Mr. Ames'sclaims."
"Is it Mr. Ames who owns the store?"
"Yes."
"I called there to buy some tobacco. Is the boy there his son?"
"No; he is a recent arrival in Oreville. He is a very smart boy."
"Is he? Mr. Ames trusts him, I suppose?"
"Yes. Why shouldn't he?"
"I--I would rather not answer that question."
"Have you ever met the boy before?"
"Yes; I met him in the East," answered Burns.
"Since you have said so much you must say more. I am a cousin of Mr. Ames,and if you know anything unfavorable of the boy, it is your duty to tellme."
"I have nothing against the boy, and would prefer not to speak."
"I insist upon your doing it."
"It is only this. When I knew him he was employed in a store. He wastrusted as he appears to be here. One night the store was robbed--that is,some money disappeared, and the boy claimed that it was broken into bythieves, who took the money, whereas he took it himself."
"That seems bad. Was it proved that he took the money?"
"Yes. That's why he was compelled to leave the place."
"Did you come here to expose him?"
"No; I didn't know he was here. I was very much taken by surprise when Isaw him in the store."
"This is important, if true. Mr. Ames ought to be informed."
"Don't tell him while I am here. The boy is very revengeful, and he mighttry to do me an injury."
"Are you afraid of a boy?"
"I am a man of peace. I don't want to get into any difficulty."
"I suppose you wonder that I am sitting here while others are at work."
"Well, it did cross my mind."
"My spine is affected. I look well, but I cannot walk. I hope to be betterafter a while, but at present I am comparatively helpless."
"Can't I help you?"
"You may go into the cabin, and bring me a bottle of medicine which youwill find in the cupboard."
Burns entered the cabin gladly. It occurred to him that he might findsomething worth taking.
On the wall, hanging from a nail, was a gold watch. It was too good achance to be lost. It might or it might not be valuable, but at any rateit was worth something.
So, while securing the bottle, Burns slyly possessed himself of the watch,which he slipped into his inside breast pocket.
"Here is the bottle, sir," he said, meekly.
"Thank you. Now bring a spoon which you will find on the table."
Burns did so.
"Now pour out a teaspoonful, which I will take."
"I am glad to be of service to you. Don't you want an attendant while youare sick?"
"There would not be enough for you to do. I have a son at work in themines who is here morning and night, and he gives me all the care Irequire."
"I am sorry to hear that," thought Burns. "The son may be dangerous."
"Then, sir, I will bid you good-by. I will pray for your recovery."
"Thank you. The prayers of the righteous avail much. Are you righteous?"
"It isn't for me to say, sir. I don't want to boast."
"That is creditable to you. By the way, are you hungry?"
"I haven't broken my fast since morning."
"You will find some cold meat and a loaf of bread in the cupboard. It isplain, but if you are hungry you will enjoy it."
"Thank you, sir. I will accept your kind invitation."
Tom Burns was really hungry, and he did justice to the food offered him.
When his lunch was over he came outside.
"Thank you," he said, "for your kindness."
"Out here we are always glad to give a meal of victuals to a stranger whoneeds it. Are you going to stay long in Oreville?"
"If I can get anything to do I may. You see I am a poor man, and stand inpressing need of employment."
"Keep up your courage! Something will turn up for you. I will ask my sonif he cannot find something for you to do."
"Thank you, sir. I will bid you good-by, with thanks for your kindness."
"If you are not pressed for time, I will send you on an errand."
"All right, sir. I shall be glad to be of service to you."
"Here is a Mexican dollar. You may go to the store and bring me a dozeneggs. If there is any change you may keep it."
"Thank you, sir."
"A dollar in!" thought Burns, as he turned away from the cabin. "I think Ican turn it to a better use than spending it in eggs. That was aprofitable call. I made a gold watch and a dollar by it. The old man can'tpursue me, thanks to his spinal complaint."
"That is a very clever fellow," reflected the old man, when Burns hadstarted on his errand. "A bit too religious to suit my taste. Still heseemed grateful for the little I did for him. If he had a little more pushand get up and get about him he would succeed better. Why, he isn't morethan forty and he confesses himself a failure. Why, at forty I consideredmyself a young man, and was full of dash and enterprise. Now I am sixtyand tied to my seat by this spinal trouble. However, I've got somethinglaid by, and, old as I am, I feel independent as far as money goes."
Half an hour--an hour--passed, and still the old man found himself alone.His messenger had not come back.
But there came up the path a tall, muscular figure, who greeted the oldman in a bluff, off-hand way.
"How are you, Luke?" said the old man. "I was feeling lonely. I am glad tosee you."
"Have you been alone since morning?"
"Not quite all the time. I had quite a long call from a stranger."
"A stranger!" repeated Luke suspiciously. "What was his appearance?"
The old man described Burns, and Luke knew him at once.
"What did he say to you?"
"That reminds me--he said he knew the boy whom Horace has put in thestore--young Ray."
"Did he?"
"Yes, and he doesn't speak well of him."
"What does he say about him?"
"I don't like to tell you, Luke, for I believe he is a protege of yours."
"Don't mind that. If there is anything to be said unfavorable of Ernest Iought to know it."
"He says the boy robbed a store in which he was employed, and thenpretended it was entered by thieves. It was on that account, he says, thatthe boy was compelled to leave the town where he lived and come toCalifornia."
"Really, that is very interesting. To my own personal knowledge the boywas never before employed in a store, and he came out to California withme."
"Then what could the man mean?"
"I can't say. I can
only tell you that he is a professional thief."
"Look quick, Luke, and see if my gold watch is hanging on a nail near thecupboard."
"No, it is not there."
"Then the rascal must have stolen it. I gave him a Mexican dollar to buysome eggs at the store."
"I don't think you will ever see it again, unless I catch the thief, as Imay to-night."
CHAPTER XXX
A BURGLAR'S FAILURE
If Tom Burns had been more prudent, he would have made good his escapewith the money and gold watch he had already secured. But he was toogreedy for gain.
He pictured to himself the store with its goodly stock of money taken induring the day, and he felt an irresistible craving for it. There might beone or two hundred dollars, and no one in charge but a boy whom he couldeasily overpower.
Apart from the pecuniary gain he felt that he should enjoy getting thebest of Ernest, who had already foiled him at Oak Forks.
"This time he will come out second best," chuckled Burns to himself.
Then he laughed when he remembered how his appearance had puzzled Ernest.
"It was a good idea growin' a beard," he said to himself. "Seems to havedisguised me pretty well. The boy thought he had seen me before, but hecouldn't make out where. The next time he'll know me, I reckon.