CHAPTER XXVI.
ABNER BLODGETT AGAIN.
The next day in his wanderings Sam entered the Parker House. He had nodefinite object in view, but, feeling tired, thought he would sit downa few minutes in the reading-room.
"This is where that fellow roped me in," he thought. "I wish I couldget hold of him."
After sitting for quarter of an hour, he strolled downstairs into thebilliard room. He stood on the threshold for a moment, when a familiarvoice struck his ear. His heart beat rapidly with excitement, for herecognized it as the voice of Abner Blodgett. He glanced eagerly aboutto find him, but he could see no one resembling the young man from thecountry who had victimized him.
"I don't believe two voices can be so much alike," he said to himself."I must look more carefully."
The voice was heard again, and this time Sam perceived that thespeaker was playing billiards on the second table to the right. But itdid not appear to be Abner. His personal appearance was verydifferent, and he had a black mustache. But when Sam scanned the upperpart of the face, he saw a strong resemblance. He suspected the truthat once, Abner was disguised.
"He's spending my money," said Sam to himself, indignantly. "No wonderhe can afford to play billiards when he gets his money so easy. Iwon't lose sight of him."
By this time Abner--for it was he--had finished his game, and laiddown his cue. He had no money to pay, for he had beaten his adversary.He sauntered up to the door, and was about to pass Sam, whom he hadnot noticed, when our hero laid his hand upon his arm.
"I want to speak to you, Mr. Blodgett," he said, "on very particularbusiness."
Abner started when he recognized Sam, and changed color slightly, butimmediately his disguise occurred to him, and he decided to brazen itout.
"Excuse me, sir," he answered, coolly. "Did you address me?"
He changed his voice as well as he could in uttering these words, andthis confirmed Sam's previous suspicion.
"I said I should like to speak to you on business, Mr. Blodgett," Samrepeated, in an emphatic tone.
"You have made a mistake in the person," said Abner, shrugging hisshoulders. "My name is not Blodgett."
"And I suppose your first name is not Abner?" said Sam.
"Certainly not."
"Well, all I can say is, you have changed your name within two days."
"Come out into the street, and I will talk to you," said Abner, notwishing the conversation to be heard.
Sam followed him upstairs, and they went into School Street together.
"What did you say my name was?" asked Abner, with an air ofamusement.
"Abner Blodgett."
"Ha, ha! that's a capital joke--the best I've heard lately."
"You told me you were from the country," Sam continued.
"Really, I should think you must be from the country yourself, to makesuch a mistake."
"I am from the city of New York, if you call that the country," saidSam, in rather an important tone.
"I am sorry for you, but you've made a great mistake about me, my dearyoung friend. My name is John Warburton, and I am a student of HarvardCollege, in Cambridge. I only just came into Boston this morning. Ihaven't been here before for a week."
He spoke so volubly and confidently that Sam was staggered for aminute. Was it possible that he was mistaken, after all? Was thisreally a Harvard student, whose voice happened to resemble that ofAbner Blodgett? Abner saw that he was mystified, and a gleam ofexultation appeared in his face. When Sam detected this, he felt surethat he had got the right man, after all. Abner even ventured to ask:"Why do you wish to see this Abner Blodgett, whom I have the honor ofresembling?"
"Because," said Sam, bluntly, "he stole my money."
"Stole your money!" repeated Abner, with mock indignation. "Do youdare to take me for a thief--me, a Harvard student, belonging to oneof the first families! Why, it is an insult and an outrage! I have agreat mind to chastise you."
"I don't know whether you belong to one of the first or one of thesecond families," answered Sam, unterrified; "and I don't believe youare a Harvard student at all. Just give me back them ten dollars youstole out of my pocket or I'll make it hot for you."
"You young scamp!" said Abner, now really angry; "you've insulted melong enough. Now, clear out, or I'll kick you!"
"Kick away," said Sam; "but first give me my money."
"This is an outrage," said Abner, who noticed the approach of apoliceman; "but if you are really in want I'll give you fifty cents,though you don't deserve it."
"I don't want your fifty cents, I want the money you stole from me,"persisted Sam, who was not to be bought so cheap.
"For Heaven's sake, hush!" said Abner, nervously. "One of theprofessors is inside, and I am afraid he'll come out and hear you.Here's the fifty cents."
"That won't go down, Mr. Blodgett," said Sam. "How much of my moneyhave you got left?"
By this time the policeman was within hearing distance. Sam saw himnow, and determined to press his claim vigorously.
"I'll complain to that policeman," he said, "if you don't give up mymoney."
"Hush!" said Abner. "Wait till he goes by, and we'll arrange it."
"No, we won't," said Sam, stoutly. "Do you want me to call him?"
The policeman was now passing them. He glanced casually at the pair,rather to the discomfort of Abner, whose face was not wholly unknownto the force.
"What do you say?" demanded Sam, in a significant tone.
"I'll lend you five dollars," said Abner, desperately. "It's all I'vegot now."
"Hand it over, then," said Sam, who had not expected to get back somuch of the stolen property.
Abner drew out a bill from his pocket, and passed it over.
"Is that all you've got left, Mr. Blodgett?" asked Sam.
"Don't call me Blodgett. It isn't my name. I told you my name was JohnWharton, of Harvard College."
"You said Warburton five minutes since," said Sam, dryly.
"You didn't understand me," said Abner, rather embarrassed. "The namessound alike."
"I don't believe any of the names belong to you. Now, when are yougoing to pay the rest of that money?"
"I told you I knew nothing of your money," said Abner.
"Then why did you give me that five dollars back?"
"Out of charity."
"Then I wish you'd give me a little more out of charity."
"I have only enough to get me back to Cambridge."
"By the way, Mr. Blodgett," said Sam, slyly, "what do you use to makeyour mustache grow so quick?"
"Nothing at all. What makes you ask?"
"When I saw you two days ago you had none. It's grown pretty well forso short a time."
"I can't stop talking with you any longer. I must go out to Cambridge.I have a recitation in Latin in two hours."
"May I go out with you? I would like to see the college."
"Can't see it to-day," said Abner. "It isn't open to the public onSaturday."
"That's strange. I can go to Cambridge, can't I?"
"If you want to; but there isn't anything to see except the college."
"He don't want me to find him out," thought Sam. "I'm bound to go ifhe goes."
"I guess I'll go," he said, quietly. "Come along."
Abner unwillingly started with his unwelcome companion, and walkedslowly to Bowdoin Square.
"There's the cars," he said, "just in front of the Revere House. Jumpin, and I'll be with you in a minute."
As he said this he dodged round a corner and Sam found himself alone.
"Just as I expected," thought he. "That fellow isn't a Harvard studentany more than I am. I'm lucky to get back part of my money. PerhapsI'll get the rest out of him some time."
He got into the car which had been pointed out to him and inquired ofthe driver: "Does this car go to Harvard College?"
"It is a Mount Auburn car, but you can get out at Harvard Square."
"I guess it's all right," said Sam to hims
elf. "I might as well go outand see Harvard, as I've got nothing else to do."