CHAPTER XVI
FAIRFAX AT LAST
Elated by the capture and identification of the would-be train-robbers,the officers made much of Bob, praising him for remaining to listenuntil he had heard the dastardly plot, and commenting on the goodfortune which had placed him just where the tramps were.
Modestly Bob bore the words of commendation, for his mind was on othermatters, as the question he asked evidenced:
"How long before the train arrives that will take me to Fairfax?"
"I'm afraid it will be several days before you can go, Bob," answeredone of the officers.
"Why?" demanded the boy, disappointment evident in his voice and on hisface.
"Because it will be necessary for you to appear in court in order toconvict the prisoners."
"But I don't see why you need me," protested Bob. "I told what I hadheard and then pointed out the man who said he wanted to get even."
"That's just it, son. You are the only one who overheard theconversation and can identify the ringleader."
"Don't look so unhappy," chimed in another officer. "Kansas City is apretty good town, and we'll give you the time of your life. Theatres andpicture-shows, you know. The road will probably do something handsomefor you. Anyhow, you'll have good living until it is necessary to comeback here to testify."
But even the prospect of going to a theatre--a treat Bob had neverenjoyed while with his guardian--failed to appease him, and his usuallycheerful expression gave way to one of resigned gloom.
Noting this, and desirous of restoring the boy's good spirits, anofficer suggested:
"Let's go over to Kansas City. How'd you like that, Bob?"
"First rate. Then I can get my pass again." And at the prospect ofregaining possession of the precious piece of paper, he grew morecheerful.
While the detectives were making ready to start, two of their fellows,who had accompanied the prisoners to the jail, rushed in, exclaimingalmost at the same time:
"We've got the case clinched! One of the four has confessed!"
Just what this meant, Bob did not know, but the news seemed to pleasethe officers so greatly that their good spirits infected him.
"How'd you work it? Where's the confession? Let's read it!" exclaimedthe detectives who had remained at the station.
"One at a time," laughed the chief of the force. "The confession ishere," and he tapped his coat pocket. "It bears out exactly what ourfriend Bob told us."
"But how did you get it?" persisted the others.
"Promised the fellow who was most scared by his arrest a light sentenceif he'd turn witness against his pals. And say, he jumped at thechance."
"Well, you are in luck, Bob!" declared the officer who had striven tocheer him up.
"Why?" inquired the boy.
"Because now you won't be obliged to wait for the trial. This confessionand the evidence of the man will do the trick for us."
"Whoopee!" cried Bob, dancing about in delight. "Then I can start forFairfax to-night?"
"Just as soon as a through train comes."
This information restored Bob's good spirits, and eagerly he boarded thespecial car which was waiting to take the detectives back to KansasCity.
As the officers discussed the incidents of the capture, one of themturned to the boy and said:
"Say, you surely are a regular bunch of luck, kid! I'd like to take youout to the gold regions. I bet you'd tumble into some abandoned minethat would be worth millions!"
Every one laughed at this comment upon Bob's good fortune, and the chiefadded:
"I hope it sticks by him. He'll need all the luck he has if any of thoseOklahoma cowboys start in to have fun with him."
"I guess I will," smiled Bob. "Anyhow, a few knocks won't hurt me. Mr.Perkins told me all I must look out for was to keep away from the saloonand gambling dens and not to make friends too quickly."
"Well, if you follow his advice, you'll get along all right."
Upon the arrival of the special car at Kansas City, the officers weremet by a messenger with instructions to have Bob taken to the offices ofthe railroad company, as the vice-president wished to talk with him.
"There's more of your luck," commented the chief. "Mr. Nichols willprobably give you a reward."
Bob, however, was more concerned about regaining possession of his passand ascertaining when his train would leave than in speculation as towhether or not he would be rewarded, and he made no bones about sayingso.
"Never mind the pass, now," returned the messenger, who was to escorthim to the vice-president's office. "We'll get that in plenty of time soyou won't miss your train."
Thus reassured, Bob turned to the detectives, saying:
"Good-bye, if I don't see you again."
"Oh, you'll see me," replied the chief. "I shall have you make adeposition to support the confession."
And amid wishes for the best of success, Bob and the messenger set outfor the company's offices.
Direct to the vice-president's rooms Bob was taken.
As the messenger entered with him, a tall, gray-haired man arose from adesk and came forward with outstretched hand, announcing:
"I am Mr. Nichols, and I'm glad to know you, Bob."
For a moment the official gazed earnestly at the honest face before him,then continued:
"There's no use telling you that I and every man who works for ourrailroad is grateful to you for enabling us to catch the would-betrain-robbers. You know that. I want you to tell me how we can rewardyou."
"I wasn't thinking of any reward, Mr. Nichols," answered Bob. "Mr.Perkins has been so kind to me that when I heard those bad men planningto stop the train, I only thought of repaying his kindness by preventingthem if I could."
At these manly words, which showed that Bob was possessed withgratitude, in addition to his other good qualities, the vice-presidentagain shook his hand cordially, exclaiming:
"You've got the right stuff in you, Bob. I'll let Perkins hear what yousaid. And now, sit down, and tell me all about your trip, beginning atNew York."
Amazed that so important a man should evince interest enough in him todevote the time necessary to relate his story, Bob sank into thecomfortable chair indicated by Mr. Nichols and began.
At first he was embarrassed, but with the kindly words now and thenuttered by the vice-president, he regained his composure.
When the recital was ended, Mr. Nichols thrummed upon his desk forseveral minutes, and then asked:
"What would you like most in the world, Bob?"
Scarcely hesitating an instant, the boy replied:
"To prove that Len Dardus did not tell the truth when he said my fatherwas crazy because father wrote me he had entrusted five thousand dollarsto him for my education."
The expression that spread over Mr. Nichols' face as he heard this wishclearly showed surprise, for he had expected that, boy-like, Bob wouldhave requested money, a rifle, or the like, and again he thrummed thetable before saying:
"We will prove it, if we can, my boy. What was your father's name?"
"Horace Chester."
"Where was your letter written from--I mean the one telling you of themoney?"
"Red Top, Oklahoma."
Swinging in his chair, the vice-president drew out a slide from his deskon which was a map and scanned it eagerly.
All at once, with an ejaculation of surprise, he murmured:
"This is remarkable--remarkable!"
Unable to restrain his curiosity, Bob rose from his chair and approachedtill he could see the map. But this afforded him no reason for hisfriend's observation, and he asked:
"What is remarkable, sir?"
"Why, that you should have chosen to go to Fairfax. Red Top is the nexttown, thirty miles west!"
"O--oh! Then I may find out something about father!" exclaimed Bobexcitedly.
"Exactly. But you must be careful. If he really had the money, he mayhave possessed other property which is being withheld from you. In thatcase, s
hould the interested persons learn that Horace Chester's son wasin Fairfax something might happen to you."
The last words were uttered so significantly that Bob could not fail tounderstand Mr. Nichols' meaning, and when the latter continued, "I wantyou to promise me you will call yourself Bob Nichols till I have learnedthe truth of this matter," the boy solemnly consented.
"Good! Not only is it for your own safety, but it will enable you toinvestigate quietly without arousing suspicion.
"This will be our secret, Bob. You must not tell a soul, not even Mr.Perkins."
"I won't, sir."
Realizing from Bob's expression that he had aroused sad thoughts andmemories, the vice-president stood up and said:
"Now that we have made this agreement, we will dismiss it from our mindsfor the present. I want you to come to dinner and the theatre with me."
"But my pass and the train?" exclaimed Bob.
"Your train, or rather the limited, on which I shall send you, does notleave until eleven. I'll send for your pass now." And, pressing abutton, he ordered the clerk who responded to fetch Bob's pass.
This done, Mr. Nichols was signing some papers when word was broughtthat the chief of detectives wished to take Bob's deposition.
"Have them come in here," replied the official, and in due course thelawyer, notary and detective arrived.
Briefly Bob told his story, signed it, and solemnly swore to its truth.
"And now we'll forget all trouble and have a good time," announced Mr.Nichols. "Give this note to the cashier, chief. Take Bob's pass from themessenger and meet us at the limited at eleven. Bob and I are going tothe theatre."
To the boy, it seemed as though he were in fairy-land. First Mr. Nicholstook him to a store, bought him a new suit and a complete outfit ofshirts and clothes, had Bob don some of them, then purchased a trunk,ordered the things packed in it and sent to the station, finally takingBob for a drive about the city.
At first Bob had protested, but the vice-president silenced him bysaying that the service he had rendered the railroad was worth much morethan the clothes.
Dinner and theatre were one whirl of pleasure to the boy. And after hehad been put in care of the conductor of the limited, had biddengood-bye to Mr. Nichols and the detectives, who all gathered to see himoff, bringing various little presents, and the train was in motion, hesat and pondered over the series of events.
But his surprises were not ended, for when he opened the envelopecontaining his pass, he found two crisp fifty-dollar bills pinned to acard, which said:
"For Bob Chester, with the compliments of the Great Western Railroad."
Nature, however, asserted herself at last, and Bob went to sleep.
Interesting because of its novelty, the journey proceeded withoutfurther incidents, and in due course Bob reached Fairfax.