CHAPTER XVI--KIDNAPPED
"Let me out," said Tom, rattling the closet door.
"Sure, how did you get in there?" asked Bill Barber.
"I was locked in."
"Who by?"
"I'll tell you later. The key is in the padlock."
"I see it."
There was nothing belligerent or threatening in Bill's behavior. On thecontrary, he seemed anxious to please Tom and glad to do him a favor.This was so foreign to the usual attitude of the Barber boy, that Tomwas both astonished and puzzled.
He noticed casually that Bill seemed more tidy than usual, and there wasnot so much of the hang dog look about him as in the past.
"Queer," spoke Bill, staring perplexedly at Tom as the latter steppedout into the room. "You didn't shut yourself up in there?"
"No, I'll tell you how it was soon. Thank you, Bill, you've done me abig favor in coming just when I needed help."
"I am glad," voiced Bill, sententiously but heartily.
"I've something to do, so just sit down till I get things to rights,will you?"
"I'll do that, Tom."
Bill sat staring wonderingly at the wireless outfit. He watched Tom flitabout as might a wizard among his trick apparatus. Tom flew to theoperating table. He knew that somehow irregular work had been done byhis two recent visitors. He wondered if he could head off the designthey had in view, and was intent on getting word to headquarters.
Just ready to flash the signal, however, Tom ran over to a corner of theroom and picked up a crumpled wad of paper. As he opened it, revealingtwo sheets, and reviewed their contents, he knew that he had discoveredsomething worth while.
"The cypher message and the key to it," exclaimed Tom eagerly. "Thosefellows got what they came after and carelessly dropped these. Now tofigure it out."
Tom ran his eyes first over one sheet and then the other. The cyphermessage dovetailed with words he had heard the surreptitious operatoruse. With a pencil he wrote the words out with the help of the key. Thiswas the result:
"Leave the steamer before arrival at Halifax, as New York police have telegraphed there to arrest you."
"I see it all as clear as daylight," murmured Tom. "The two men whoimprisoned me are warning a friend, a criminal confederate. I'll blockthe game."
Tom was busy at the transmitter for the next half hour. He flashed amessage to the _Councillor_, informing the captain that the passenger,Daniel Ritchie, had received a wireless message irregularly, and toprevent him from leaving the ship until he reported to the police atHalifax.
Then Tom sent a message to headquarters explaining the entireproceedings of the past hour, giving his construction of the episode,and advising an immediate report to the New York police authorities.
Pretty tired from his activities, he now sat down in a chair. He had tosmile as he observed the face of Bill Barber. The latter sat like oneentranced over the manipulation the wireless outfit had undergone.
"Say," he bolted out in mingled awe and admiration, "you know how to dothings with that queer contrivance, don't you?"
Tom briefly explained some of the minutiae of the wireless and had anardent listener. When he had concluded he intimated pleasantly:
"And how did you chance to come along just when I needed you, Bill?"
The Barber boy at once looked serious. A furtive embarrassed expressioncame into his face.
"That's it," he mumbled, "I came to tell you, Tom, you see?"
"To tell me what, Bill?" asked Tom encouragingly.
"About that tar and feather business. I had nothing to do with it, Tom,honest Injun."
"Who said you did, Bill?" propounded Tom, smiling.
"I'll bet you thought it."
"Well, wasn't it quite natural I should?" inquired Tom.
"No, sir!" declared Bill, quite indignantly, "I wouldn't play a meantrick like that on you, Tom Barnes. I've got nothing against you. Infact, ever since you spoke up for me at the trial, I've--well, Tom,"stammered Bill, a little sheepishly, "I've tried to remember what yousaid about giving me a chance to make a man of myself, and I--I hope I'mdoing it."
"Good for you, Bill Barber!" cried Tom heartily. "I'm proud of you, tohear you talk like that."
"It was some of my old gang hired out to trim you. I've thrashed thewhole kit of them for doing it, and they won't trouble you again, neverfear."
"You're a good friend, Bill," declared Tom. "Did you say you wereworking?"
"Yes, but not steady," answered Bill. "I get odd jobs running smalllaunches for the resorters down at Sea Grove. Had a trip or two for thatyoung Boston cad, who is hanging around with Mart Walters. Huh! he bragsabout what lots of money he's got, and he hasn't paid me for my workyet. I'll get it, though, or take it out of his hide," declared Bill,ominously. "I say, Tom, he's a bad one, and Mart Walters is worse. Lookout for them."
"I shall, Bill, and thank you for your good wishes and help. Any time Ican return the favor call on me as a real friend."
Bill Barber departed with a pleased face, and Tom was not sorry for thechance to help a fellow whom he decided had lots of good in him, ifrightly encouraged.
In about half an hour a message came from headquarters. It had the"sine" of the superintendent.
"Good work," it commended. "Parties interested notified. Man on steamerfugitive forger wanted by the Government. Probably a reward case."
Tom felt that he was progressing finely in his work. So far, applicationand straightforward devotion to duty had enabled him to perform hisduties without a censure, and to avoid snares set for his downfall.
He was glad when Ben appeared, for Tom was full of the theme of thehour, and his chum and assistant was a good listener. Something in Ben'sface checked the welcome rising to Tom's lips, however, and he eyed Benkeenly.
"Something wrong," reported Ben, looking pale and breathing hard as ifhe had been running fast.
"Where--how?" propounded Tom quickly.
"At the farm--Harry."
"What do you mean?"
"Harry is in trouble of some kind. I hurried to tell you. Tom, Harry hasdisappeared."
"You don't mean for good?" exclaimed Tom seriously.
"I don't know, but he's been kidnapped."