CHAPTER XV
STOLEN WEALTH
There was special reason why Dr. Byrd should feel more than ordinaryinterest in Mr. Miles. Both of them had long been enthusiasticcollectors of souvenirs and curios of many kinds, and it was not longafter their first meeting that each of them discovered the similarity oftheir hobbies. They were together frequently thereafter, both in thehospital and out of it. They talked of the places they had visited andthe sights they had seen and the curios they had collected until itseemed almost that they must have been companions in all their travelsand all their hunts.
Then Dr. Byrd pulled out some of his trunks, opened them and disclosed awealth of treasures such as caused the eyes of the aviator to stand outbig with astonishment. This treasure was not so remarkable in moneyvalue, perhaps; but it was indeed wonderful in novelty and abundance.
An idea of the nature of this collection may be presented by adescription of a few samples. One of them was an oriental jewel casketof engraved rock and crystal mounted in enameled silver. Two otherarticles of special interest, because of their rarity, were a set ofcheckers made of sharks' vertebrae and an "eye" from an Egyptian mummycase. This eye was made of bronze and black and white marble.
A long chapter could be devoted to a description of the doctor'scollection. As he exhibited them to Mr. Miles he handed over forinspection some Abalone pearls of California, blister pearls of Ceylon,a necklace of fluorescent amber from Sicily, jade ornaments, smokyquartz, Brazilian crystal balls, topaz from the Ural mountains,petrified wood, moss agate, rainbow agate, bloodstone from India,sardonyx from Uruguay, a Texan jasperized wood ornament, a jasper trayfrom the Ural mountains, fire opals, Norwegian sunstone, and an enameledtalisman necklace.
Undoubtedly Dr. Byrd valued this collection much higher than adisinterested authority would have valued it, but there is little doubtalso that it would have brought a considerable sum even at an auctionsale. Nevertheless, the owner of Lakefarm could not throw off somethingof an air of sadness as he was exhibiting his treasured gems and curios.
"Two years ago," he remarked to the aviator, "I could have shown you acollection that would have opened your eyes much wider. I then had adozen other stones that were worth several times as much as all of thesetogether, but they were stolen."
"Did a burglar break in?" asked Mr. Miles.
"No, I wouldn't feel so badly if they had gone in such manner. But itwas a trusted employe that took them. He had been a teacher at theschool for a year and I grew to like him exceedingly. He was really abrilliant fellow and I admired him. In fact, I gave him my fullconfidence. At the end of his year he resigned, and a few days later Idiscovered my loss."
"Couldn't you find him?" inquired Mr. Miles.
"Certainly. That's what made it so hard to prove anything against him.He was the smoothest kind, all nerve and calculation."
"How do you know he took them?"
"Didn't you ever know anything you couldn't prove?" replied the doctorslowly. "I knew who stole those gems the instant I found them missing.Immediately I saw his excellent qualities in a new light. He was anextremely clever hypocrite."
"Did you meet him afterward?"
"No, I never saw him again. I put it up to the police. I told them of mysuspicions, but couldn't give them any information that tended to fastenguilt on Maxwell any more than on anybody else."
"Maxwell was his name?"
"Yes. The police worked a while on the case, but gradually gave it up.Then I wrote to Maxwell and informed him plainly where my suspicionrested.
"He wrote a reply full of indignation and reproach, but it didn't ringtrue. I've noticed the smartest rascals seem to be unable to seementirely innocent when they know they are suspected. It's a remarkablestudy, criminology. And yet, it's as simple as A-B-C."
"In what way?"
"Everything's simple when you understand it, I'm ready to believe. If wecould learn the secret of the universe, we'd be astonished to find outwhat a simple proposition it is."
"You're getting pretty deep," smiled Miles.
"Perhaps I am. But I'm confident that the effects of dishonesty on thedishonest person are similar to the effects of the use of an untruesquare in the construction of a building. He absolutely can't helpgrowing out of plumb. When you appreciate that rule, you will understandhow I knew that Maxwell committed the theft."
It was months after the resignation of Rodney Maxwell before the boys ofLakefarm learned of the stealing of the gems, and then the informationcame to them in a vague manner. Pepperill Humphrey let the first hintdrop, and the curiosity of the young Scouts would not let him aloneuntil he revealed some more of his information. Pepper had many goodqualities, but he was very talkative, and did not require much pumpingto set him going in earnest, and soon the secret ceased to be a secret.
The conversations between the doctor and Mr. Miles on the subject oftheir collections led to a move highly pleasing to the Boy Scouts ofLakefarm. Dr. Byrd had several times expressed a desire to explore thecave behind the waterfall, where the aviator's lost bag of souvenirs hadbeen found. To both of them this cave was a place of some mystery, andnaturally they felt considerable interest in a solution.
"I'd like to know how that bag got in there," said the doctor one day."And the first step toward finding out must consist of an inspection ofthe cave and its immediate vicinity."
"I agree with you," returned Miles. "I'd like to go with you when youinspect the place, but it'll be a week or two before I can stand anyvigorous exercise."
"It seems to me that you're entitled to accompany the first expeditionof discovery," continued the doctor slowly. "But, as you say, you won'tbe able to move about in a lively manner for some time. Now, I have aplan. It's been working in my mind for several days, and I've aboutdecided to put it into execution.
"It is this: Mummy Canyon is really a remarkable place. It's a wonder tome that it hasn't been exploited as a resort long before this. I'mseriously considering, Mr. Miles, a plan to purchase the whole of thecanyon from the government and to enter on an extensive real estateproject.
"Of course I'll incorporate, but I propose to retain a controllinginterest in the stock company. I'll buy the land, get out myincorporation papers, and then invite some eastern promoters here tolook at my proposition.
"I'm dead sure the thing could be made a success. The D. and R. G.railroad is about to run a short line this way, and with a littleadvertising we'd soon have all the people out here we could take careof. A hotel, some cottages, and conveniences for sportsmen andsight-seers ought to start things humming.
"And the cave would be an important attraction. But it must be madeaccessible. So I have planned to give the boys a little experience inbridge and road engineering. I want to construct a foot bridge over theriver near the rapids and dig a walk along the steep western bank rightup to the cave. I would put up railings to make it safe and awell-protected bridge from the bank through the fall into the cave."
"That's a great idea!" exclaimed Miles, enthusiastically slapping hissound leg. "When are you going to begin work?"
"In a day or two. I've so nearly decided to put the big scheme intooperation that I've already begun action on the smaller one. The lumberfor the bridges and railing will be delivered at the canyon to-morrow."
"Good! I'm heartily in sympathy with the work. The boys will like ittoo."
"Oh, I've had the boys in mind all the time," declared the doctorwarmly. "The young Scouts of Lakefarm, I intend, shall have much to doin the building up of Mummy Canyon. The work will be full of lessons inengineering, construction and business."
Of course the boys were delighted when they were informed of this plan.The doctor did not tell them of the larger scheme he had in view, asthat was not yet fully decided upon.
A few days later work was begun. The lumber had been delivered at theshallow place near the head of the rapids, which was the place selectedfor bridge number one. The stream was wi
de at this place, but this widthsuited the purpose of Dr. Byrd the better, for he desired a task worthyof the efforts of forty-four energetic boys.
First, it was necessary to put in foundations for the abutments andsupports of the bridge. This was done by gathering stones and bowldersand wedging them in place as securely as possible. Then followed thetask of sawing the timbers into proper lengths, according to plans thathad been prepared under the supervision of Mr. Frankland and Mr. Porter.This done, the frame work was put up and the planks nailed down and therailings placed.
It was really a very satisfactory piece of work. First of all, it wasstable and safe to walk upon. Second, it presented a neat appearance.Third, the boys had done it all themselves.
The bridge was finished in two working days. The doctor, in mapping outthe program, provided for alternate days of work at the river and studyat the school, so that three days elapsed before the bridge wascompleted. Then another day was spent at their books, after which theboys returned to the canyon and began making a level foot-path along thesteep western bank of the river.
This was done in short shifts in order that the work might be pushedrapidly without fatigue. Half a dozen picks and shovels were keptswinging vigorously and the way the earth and stones went flying intothe river said the work would soon be done.
Two weeks after the starting of the work on the larger bridge the entirework was finished. There was a strong railing on the river side of thepath and a narrow well-protected bridge through the waterfall to thecave behind. It was nearly night when the last nail was driven, and asthey had no lanterns with them, it was decided not to explore the caveon this occasion, but to reserve this inspection for a special excursionon a later day.
That evening at Lakefarm, however, something happened that was destinedto bring about a decided change in the program with reference to thisplan. The person most affected was Hal Kenyon. It meant trouble for himand some extremely perilous adventures for some of the boys.
In the wash room Hal drew a handkerchief from his pocket, and as he didso something heavy and metallic hit the floor. Several of hisschoolmates heard the sound, and Pickles sprang forward and picked upthe object. As he did this, Hal also made a spring and attempted tosnatch it away from Pickles.
The latter, however, with no uncivil intent, edged away, at the sametime gazing eagerly at the small, heavy object in his hand.
"Oh, Hal, it's gold!" he exclaimed. "Where did you get it?"
"What's that?" inquired a voice that chilled Kenyon through, and,looking up, he saw Mr. Miles advancing toward them. He had discarded hiscrutches and was using a cane.
He held out his free hand toward Pickles, who, like one hypnotized,delivered the object of interest to the aviator. The latter looked at iteagerly for a moment, then fastened his eyes on Hal with searching gaze.
"Boy," he said sternly after a moment's silence; "this nugget is mine. Ithought you said--"
He did not finish the sentence, for Hal's face had become so pale thatit seemed as if he was going to faint.