"Did you hear that, lad?" he asked, when he and Ernest were alone.
"Yes, Luke."
"A thousand dollars would do us a great deal of good."
"That is true, Luke, but it would be as much as your life is worth to huntthe rascals."
"Don't try to make a coward of me, Ernest."
"I couldn't do that, Luke. I only want you to be prudent."
"Listen, lad. I want that thousand dollars and I'm going to make a try forit. Come along with me."
"Where are you going?"
"To the bank. I'm going to have a talk with the officers and then I'lldecide what to do."
CHAPTER VIII
LUKE JOINS THE FRIENDS
At the Emmonsville bank they were on their guard. The expectation of avisit from the Fox brothers caused anxiety and apprehension. The evilreputation of these men and their desperate character made themformidable.
When Luke Robbins entered the place he was regarded with suspicion. Hishunting costume was not unlike that of a bandit. But the fact that he hada young companion tended to disarm suspicion. No one could suspect Ernestof complicity with outlaws, and the Fox brothers had never been known tocarry a boy with them.
Luke was unused to banks. So far as he knew he had never entered onebefore. He looked around him in uncertainty, and finally approached thewindow of the receiving teller.
"Are you the boss of this institution?" he asked.
The teller smiled.
"No," he said. "Perhaps you want to see the president?"
"I guess he's the man."
"If you will give me a hint of the nature of your business I will speak tohim."
"I hear you're expectin' a visit from the Fox brothers."
"Have you anything to do with them?" asked the teller with somesuspicion.
"I want to have something to do with them," returned Luke.
"I don't understand you."
"Then I'll tell you what I mean. I hear there's a big reward out for theircapture."
"A thousand dollars."
"I want that thousand dollars, and I want it bad."
"I shall be very glad if you become entitled to it. Anyone who will ridthe State of either of these notorious outlaws will richly deserve it."
"That's the business I came about. Now can I see the president, if that'swhat you call him?"
"Wait a minute and I will find out."
The teller went to an inner room and returned with a stout, gray-headedman of about fifty.
He looked curiously at Luke through the window. Then, as if reassured, hesmiled.
"I understand you want to see me," he said.
"Yes."
"About the Fox brothers?"
"You're right there, squire."
"Go to the last door and I will admit you."
Luke Robbins did as directed, and soon found himself in the office of thepresident of the bank.
"You are anxious to secure the reward offered for the capture of theseoutlaws, I believe."
"That's straight."
"Why do you come to me, then?"
"Because a man told me you expected a visit from them."
"That is not quite exact. I don't expect a visit, but I am afraid they maytake it into their heads to call here."
"Suppose they do."
A shade of anxiety appeared upon the face of the president.
"We should try to foil their plans," he answered.
"Wouldn't you like to have me on hand when they come?"
The president looked over Luke Robbins carefully. He was impressed by hisbold, resolute air and muscular figure. Evidently he would be a dangerousman to meet.
"You are a strong, resolute fellow, I judge," he said thoughtfully.
"Try me and see."
"You would not be afraid to meet these villains single-handed?"
"I never saw the man yet I was afraid to meet."
"So far, so good, but it is not so much strength that is needed asquickness. A weak man is more than a match for a strong one if he gets thedrop on him."
"That's so, but I reckon it'll take a right smart man to get the drop onme."
"What have you to propose? I suppose you have formed some plan."
"I would like to stay round the bank and be on the watch for thesefellows."
"Remain here and I will consult with the cashier."
Five minutes later the president rejoined his visitor.
"I have no objection to securing your services," he said, "if it can bedone without exciting suspicion. In your present dress your mission wouldat once be guessed, and the outlaws would be on their guard. Have you anyobjection to changing your appearance?"
"Not a particle. All I want is to get a lick at them outlaws."
"Then I think we shall have to make you a little less formidable. Have youany objections to becoming a Quaker?"
Luke Robbins laughed.
"What, one of those broad-brimmed fellows?" he said.
"Yes."
"Will I look the part?"
"Dress will accomplish a good deal. I will tell you what put the idea intomy head. We used to employ as janitor an old Quaker--a good, honest,reliable man. He was about your build. A year since he died, but we havehanging up in my office the suit he was accustomed to wear. Put it on, andit will make a complete change in your appearance. Your face will hardlycorrespond to your dress, but those who see the garb won't look anyfurther."
"That's all right, boss. I don't care how you dress me up, but what will Ido?"
"I think it will be well for you to keep near the bank, watching carefullyall who approach. You never saw the Fox brothers, I presume?"
"I never had that pleasure."
"Most people don't regard it as a pleasure. I will give you somedescription of them which may help you to identify them. One is a tallman, very nearly as tall as yourself; the other is at least three inchesshorter. Both have dark hair which they wear long. They have a swaggeringwalk and look their real characters."
"I don't think it'll be hard to spot them. They generally ride onhorseback, don't they?"
"Generally, but not always. They rode into Lee's Falls and up to the bankentrance on horseback. Perhaps for that reason they may appear indifferent guise here."
"You haven't any pictures of them, have you?"
The president laughed.
"No one was ever bold enough to invite them into a photographer's to havetheir pictures taken," he said.
"I see. Well, I think I shall know them."
"Perhaps not. They often adopt disguises."
"They won't come as Quakers?"
"That is hardly likely. I can give you one help. However they may bedressed their eyes will betray them. They have flashing black ones, andsharp, aquiline noses."
"I'll know them," said Luke confidently.
"I observe that you have a boy with you?"
"Yes."
"Is he your son?"
"No; I wish he were. I'd be proud to have such a son as that."
"Perhaps we can use him. The bank messenger--a young man--is sick, and hecan take his place temporarily."
"Is there any pay for such work?"
"Yes, but it is small. We will give him ten dollars a week. Of course hemust be honest and trustworthy."
"I'll stake my life on that boy, boss," said Luke warmly.
"His appearance is in his favor. Will you call him?"
Ernest was waiting in the doorway. He was anxious to learn the result ofLuke's interview with the president of the bank.
"The boss wants to see you," announced Luke.
"All right. What luck are you meeting with, Luke?"
"Good. I've hired out to the bank as a Quaker detective."
Ernest stared at his companion in astonishment. He thought it was a joke.
When he came into the presence of the president the latter said: "Iunderstand from your friend here that you would like employment?"
"I should," answered Ernest promptly.
&n
bsp; "The post of bank messenger is temporarily vacant. Would you like it?"
"Yes, sir, if you think I can fill it."
"You are rather young for the place, but I think you will fill itsatisfactorily. We will instruct you in the duties."
"Very well, sir; I accept it with thanks."
"Of course it is necessary that you should be honest and reliable. Butupon those points I have no doubts. Your face speaks for you."
"Thank you, sir. When do you wish me to begin my duties?"
"To-morrow. I suppose you are not provided with a boarding place. You canget settled to-day and report at the bank to-morrow morning at nine."
"Wait here a minute, Ernest," said Luke. "I will join you at once."
When Luke emerged from the president's room he was attired in the Quakercostume of his predecessor. Ernest stared at him for a moment, then burstinto a loud laugh.
"Why does thee laugh?" asked Luke mildly.
This sent Ernest into a second convulsion.
"Do I look like a man of peace?" asked Luke.
"Yes; will you live up to the character?"
"Until I see the Fox brothers."
CHAPTER IX
AN ARMED ESCORT
Luke Robbins entered at once upon his duties as janitor of the Emmonsvillebank.
He was provided with a broom, and in the morning swept the bank. Sometimeshe washed the windows; at other times he sat on a bench in the rear of thebank, ready for any call upon his services.
Several days passed, and though Luke kept a sharp lookout for the Foxbrothers he did not catch a glimpse of anyone who resembled them.
Then one morning Luke went to the bank as usual and put on his Quakergarb.
About eleven o'clock an elderly man appeared, and presented a check forfive hundred dollars. The money was paid him, and then he lingered amoment, ill at ease.
"I don't like to have so much money about me," he said in a tone thatbetrayed anxiety.
"No doubt you will find plenty who would be willing to relieve you of it,"rejoined the paying teller, with a smile.
"That's what I am afraid of. They do say that the Fox brothers have beenseen not far away."
"Is it absolutely necessary that you should have the money in yourpossession? You could leave it in the bank, or most of it."
"I shall want to use some of it to-morrow, and I live ten miles away--inClaremont."
"How are you going back?"
"I have a buggy outside."
"The road to Claremont is rather lonely, I believe."
"Yes."
"Why don't you get some one to go with you?"
"I don't know anyone I could get."
"I can find you a companion, but he would want to be paid."
"I'll pay him if he'll see me through all right."
"I have the very man for you. Here, Luke!"
Luke Robbins heard the call and approached.
The farmer looked at him doubtfully.
"A Quaker?" he said in a disappointed tone.
"He is no more a Quaker than you are. He is a detective, and very anxiousto meet either of the Fox brothers."
The farmer brightened up.
"He's the man I'm after, then."
A bargain was struck between Luke and Ezekiel Mason whereby the farmerpromised to pay him five dollars to accompany him home and remainovernight at the farmhouse until he had disposed of the money in the wayhe intended.
Luke was glad to accept the proposal. It promised variety and possiblyadventure. The farmer climbed into the buggy and the Quaker detective,following, took a seat by his side.
After they had driven some time they reached a part of the road where fora clear mile in advance there was not a house or building of any kind tobe seen.
"This is the place I was most afraid of," said the farmer.
"Yes, it seems to be lonely. I wish one of the Fox brothers would happenalong."
"Why?" asked the farmer in a tone of alarm.
"Because I'd like to tackle him."
"Why are you so anxious to tackle him? I cannot understand."
"Then I'll tell you, my honest friend. There is a reward of a thousanddollars offered for the capture of one of these famous outlaws, dead oralive."
Ezekiel Mason shrugged his shoulders.
"I'd rather earn the money some other way!" he said.
"You are only a peaceful farmer, while I am a fighting Quaker," respondedLuke.
As he spoke he looked up the road, and his glance fell upon a short,compactly built man in a gray suit, who was walking toward them. He seemeda quiet, commonplace person, but there was something about him thatattracted Luke's attention.
"Do you know that man?" he asked abruptly.
"No," answered Mason after a rapid glance.
"Are the Fox brothers tall men?" asked Luke.
"One only."
"The other?"
"Is about the size of the man who is approaching."
Luke did not reply, but examined still more critically the advancingpedestrian.
"If this should be one of the Foxes----" he began.
"Do you think it is?" asked the farmer in a terrified tone.
"I can't tell. If it proves to be, do exactly as I tell you."
"Yes," replied the farmer, now thoroughly alarmed.
By this time the newcomer was but twenty feet distant. Though hisappearance and dress were commonplace, his eyes, as they could see, weredark and glittering.
He made a halt.
"Friends," he said, "can you oblige me with the time?"
The farmer was about to produce his big old-fashioned silver watch whenLuke nudged him sharply.
"Leave him to me," he whispered in a tone audible only to the farmer.
"Thee has asked the wrong party," he said. "We don't carry watches."
The pedestrian regarded him with contempt. Whoever he might be he lookedupon a Quaker as a mild, inoffensive person, hardly deserving the name ofman.
"I didn't speak to you," he said scornfully.
The pedestrian's next move was a bold one.
"I am tired," he said. "Give me a ride."
"Will thee excuse us?" said the Quaker meekly.
"Oh, shut up!" cried the assumed pedestrian. "Quakers should be seen andnot heard."
Then to the farmer: "I am tired. Let me into your carriage."
"There is no room," said the farmer nervously.
"Then tell the Quaker to get out and I will take his place."
Ezekiel Mason was by no means a brave man and he did not know what to sayto this impudent proposal.
He looked appealingly at Luke.
"I will accommodate the gentleman," said the latter meekly. With the wordshe rose from his seat and jumped to the ground.
"Shall I assist thee?" he asked the stranger in a mild voice.
"No; I am quite capable of getting into the carriage without help."
The stranger did not immediately get into the buggy.
"I don't care to ride, after all," he said coolly. "Just hand me yourmoney, you old clodhopper."
The worst had come. The new arrival was evidently one of the Fox brothers,after all.
"Indeed I have no money," said the terrified farmer.
This was true, for he had put the wallet containing the five hundreddollars into the hands of Luke.
"You lie! You have just come from the Emmonsville bank, where you drew alarge amount."
At this proof of knowledge on the part of the outlaw the farmer was almostparalyzed. It appeared to him that the robber must be supernaturallygifted.
"I haven't got it now," he said.
"You lie!" cried the outlaw sternly. "Come down here and give up the moneyor I'll shoot you."
"You can search me," said Mason desperately.
"Come down then."
"Thee is very unkind," observed Luke.
"Shut up. It is none of your business."
"Thee had better come down and let the man search thee," said Luk
e to thefarmer.
CHAPTER X
FOX ASTONISHED
Ezekiel Mason had been waiting for a hint from Luke, in whom he recognizeda master spirit. His only hope was in his companion.
"Art thee Mr. Fox?" asked Luke in a tone of mild inquiry.
"I'll let you know who I am," was the swaggering reply.
Though he was but one man opposed to two he had no fears. The farmer wasevidently cowed and terrified, while the Quaker seemed, though large, tobe peaceable and harmless.
But in his judgment of Luke the outlaw was very much at fault. Whenthreatening the farmer he had covered him with his revolver, but as he waspreparing to leave the buggy he carelessly lowered it. Luke, who wasaching to attack him, noticed this.
While Fox, for it was one of the notorious brothers, was standing incareless security, the Quaker sprang upon him like a panther upon hisprey. He knocked the revolver from his hand, with one powerful blow felledhim to the ground, and placed his foot upon his prostrate form.
Never, perhaps, in a career crowded with exciting adventures had theoutlaw been so thoroughly surprised.
"What the mischief does this mean?" he ejaculated, struggling to rise.
"It means that thee has mistaken thy man," answered Luke coolly.
"Let me go or I'll kill you!" shrieked the outlaw fiercely.