CHAPTER XXVIII
PLUCKING A BRAND FROM THE BURNING
"Good day, my friends!" was the greeting of the detective as he closedthe door behind him, strode forward and saluted Mike, who, after hisexclamation, rose from his chair and, open mouth and staring eyes, limplyclasped the hand that was offered him.
"I wasn't looking for you, Mike, but I was searching for Hor--I begpardon, Orestes Noxon. I hope I see you well, barring the slight injuryto the leg inflicted by Mr. Gerald Buxton last night."
And what did the officer do but shake hands with Noxon, who kept his seatas if in a daze? Mike, who was watching the couple, instantly noted asignificant fact. Beyond question the two were acquaintances. The face ofthe young man flushed scarlet and he said faintly:
"Well, Mr. Calvert, you have got me at last."
"Yes; and a right merry chase you have led me. You won't get away thistime."
"I suppose not."
"Sit down, Mike," said the caller, drawing up a chair for himself. "Ihave something I would like very much to say to thee, Orestes."
At this moment Aunt Maggie swung through the door again. She had seen theman enter and wished to know what it meant. Calvert sprang to his feetand bowed.
"I have found a couple of good friends of mine, who I am sure are greatlyindebted to you for your hospitality. One cannot fail to tell by yourlooks that you have a wonderfully kind heart----"
"Arrah, now," replied Mrs. McCaffry, pushing away the hair in front ofher face with her fat hand, "but ye are the worst blarney of thim all.I'll have nothing to do wid ye till dinner time, whin I'll stuff ye allso full of roast pig and praties that ye'll be obleeged to kaap quietregarding dacent folks."
She knew the three wished to talk over private matters, and made surethey were left alone for the next hour or two.
"Mr. Calvert," said Noxon, "Mike here has proved himself a true friend tome--so you may talk freely before him. He doesn't know my right name andsays he doesn't care to know. So we will let that pass. What caused youto look here for me?"
"Warner Hagan met me in Wiscasset yesterday to give what help he could inrunning Kit Woodford and his gang to earth. Early this morning we heardof the attempted robbery of the Beartown post office. We hired a launchand got there as soon as we could. Nobody in Beartown suspects ourbusiness. It did not take us long to pick up all that was known. Welearned that one of the three got peppered with bird shot, and managed tolimp off in the woods. Of course I recognized the three young gentlemenwho were accepting the hospitality of Mrs. Friestone, the postmistress.They required no immediate attention and were sure to turn up all rightin the end.
"I left Hagan in Beartown to look into matters further while I set out tohunt for the fellow who had limped off in the woods, after turning thetables so cleverly on Mr. Buxton. Without any reason that I could explainI formed the suspicion that this member of the gang was you, Noxon (Ibelieve that is your travelling name). It was represented that he washurt much worse than I am glad to say was the fact. I inquired at eachhouse along the road between here and Beartown and hit it at last.
"Now," added the visitor as if seated with his intimate friends, "sinceyou tell me to talk freely in Mike's presence, I shall do so. Are youready, Noxon, to go to your home with me?"
"Begging yer pardin, Mr. Calvert, I beg to say that has been sittled. Thedearest hope of Noxy's heart is to return to his parents."
"Is that so?" asked the detective of the young man.
"I would give my right hand," he solemnly replied, holding it up, "if Icould go back three months in my life and have things as they were."
"You can't do that as regards time, but it will bring sunshine andhappiness to your loved ones when the wandering boy comes to theirwaiting arms. All being true, we have got to travel the 'rocky road toDublin.' You have committed a serious crime against the United Stateslaws, and if convicted nothing can save you from a long term in prison."
"Then what hope is there for me?"
"You haven't been convicted yet, but I won't deny that you are in seriousdanger of it."
"How shall I escape?"
"I thought that over while on the road from Beartown. This, I believe, isyour third essay as a burglar. Am I right?"
Noxon nodded.
"Once would be enough to send you to Atlanta, but let that go for thepresent. Are you willing to turn state's evidence?"
Noxon moved uneasily in his seat. The proposition was distasteful.
"You needn't feel any compunctions. Kit Woodford and that cub who callshimself Graff Miller have handed out the double cross many a time, andstand ready to do it again if it promises the slightest advantage tothem. They have run off in the hope of taking care of their own hides,without caring the snap of a finger what became of you."
"There is no mistake about _that_, Mr. Calvert?"
"I wouldn't deceive you for an instant. Their own actions prove it. Theyhave done the same thing before, and to-day they did not give you athought, when danger threatened them."
"I shall do whatever you wish."
"Good! You may not know that, although I am a Pinkerton detective, I amunder promise to my lifelong friend to do all I can to save you fromyourself."
"Does father know I am in this business, Mr. Calvert?"
"He doesn't dream of such a thing. The shock would kill him. Therefore, Ishall strain every nerve to keep him from ever learning the truth. I havea plan in mind, but before trying it you must answer a few questions."
"I am ready."
"In the first place, where do this gang with whom you have beenassociated have their headquarters?"
"I can guide you to the exact spot."
"It is not that little patch of ground in the cove at the southern end ofBarter Island?"
"No; the character of the islet forbids. Miller ran the launch in thereone night when he thought some one was watching, to throw him off thescent. Have you a pencil and bit of paper anywhere about you?"
Calvert produced the articles from an inner coat pocket and handed themto Noxon. Placing the paper on the table in the middle of the room, hespent several minutes in drawing a diagram. He was apt at the work anddid it with no little skill. By and by he handed paper and pencil to theowner with the remark:
"That will answer your question."
"It is a production of art," said the detective admiringly. "Noprofessional artist could beat it."
Noxon had not only drawn a perfect representation of the neighborhoodwhich he had in mind, but lettered it so that no mistake was possible. Itpictured a part of the eastern shore of Westport Island, opposite Barter,and only a short distance north of the inlet where the _Water Witch_ hadbeen visited some nights before. Noxon leaned forward and placed the tipof his finger on the different points.
"Right there is one of a hundred similar coves among the waters ofsouthern Maine. It is smaller than the others, and a little way back isan island, which resembles except in size those that you see in everypart of these waters. You know they rise above the surface like vastbouquets, with trees growing down to the edge of the river or sea. It isnot so with that bit of earth you first asked about, but it is so withthe islet in that cove which I show on that piece of paper."
"What about this one?"
"It is what you may call the headquarters of the Woodford gang of postoffice robbers. And, yet, it seems hardly right to call it that, for itis sort of hiding place to which they flee when things begin to growwarm."
"You have been there?"
"Several times. I will go again with you."
"No need; I can't go wrong with such directions. Why, Mike himself canunderstand it."
He gravely held up the drawing before the Irish youth, who squinted oneeye and carefully scrutinized it.
"I must say I don't make sure whither it's a picter of yersilf, Mr.Calvert, or a view of an automobile trying to climb a tree."
"What did I tell you, Orestes? Isn't he bright?"
"An unnicessary question," said Mike lo
ftily; "as Auntie McCaffry wouldanswer if ye asked her which was the handsomest and cutest and smartestone among her three guests."
"Noxon," said Calvert, with a smile over the repartee of the Irish lad,"do either Kit Woodford or Graff Miller know your right name?"
"They never asked me and it was never given in their presence."
"You said as much before. Do they know where you came from?"
"They haven't the slightest knowledge. I am as unknown to them as regardsmy real identity as if I never existed."
"That will help my plan, which, I may say to you and Mike, is simplythis: get you out of this neighborhood to your home. There, of course,you will assume your true identity and no one need ever be the wiser."
"What of the testimony of Woodford and Miller when they are released fromjail?"
"You and they will be so much older that neither will recognize theother. Have no fear on that score. The thing is to run you out of theState of Maine. The hunt for these post office robbers has become so hotthat it isn't going to be an easy job, but I believe I can work it.There's some sort of a mix-up of motor boats, which as yet I can't getthe hang of, but when I do I shall try my plan. Mike, how was it you werehere with Noxon when I called? Can you tell me anything about your launchor the _Water Witch_?"
Thereupon the Irish youth related his story, and when it was finished thedetective smiled.
"If I'm not mistaken that is going to help us a big lot."