CHAPTER XIX
A SUSPICIOUS CHARACTER
I pass over the route pursued by the travelers from Columbus toWheeling, in West Virginia, as it possesses no special interest.
But after leaving Wheeling there is quite a change. Those of my readerswho are familiar with the Baltimore & Ohio Railway will be able tounderstand the enjoyment which Herbert derived from the bold andromantic scenery visible from the car windows. Mr. Carroll made him takethe seat nearest the window, that he might have a better view, andfrom time to time Herbert described what he saw to his sightlessfellow-traveler.
Northwestern Virginia is very mountainous and the construction of arailway through such a region was a triumph of engineering skill. Attimes the road makes bold curves, so that the traveler, looking from thecar window, can see opposite him, across an intervening gulf, the trackover which the train was passing five minutes before. At some placesthe track is laid on a narrow shelf, midway of the mountain, a steep andrugged ascent on one side, a deep ravine on the other, somewhat likethe old diligence road over the Alpine Mt. Cenis. Here and there appearsmall hamlets, consisting of one-story cabins, with the chimney builtalongside, instead of rising from the roof in the usual manner.
How long shall we be in reaching Baltimore, Mr. Carroll? "asked Herbert.
"I believe it takes about twenty-six hours," said the old gentleman."But I do not mean to go through without stopping."
"I didn't know what your plan was," said Herbert.
"I have been meaning to tell you. Our tickets will allow us to stopanywhere, and resume our journey the next morning, or even stop two orthree days, if we like."
"That is convenient."
"Yes. If it had been otherwise, I should have purchased the ticketpiecemeal. I cannot endure to travel all night. It fatigues me toomuch."
"Where shall we stop, then?"
"I have not yet quite made up my mind. We will ride till about eighto'clock, and then stop over at whatever place we chance to havereached."
This arrangement struck Herbert favorably. He was in no particularhurry, and the scenery was so fine, that he feared that he should losea great deal by traveling at night, when, of course, he could not seeanything.
They sat for a while in silence. Then Mr. Carroll inquired, suddenly,"Did you ever fire a pistol, Herbert?"
"Yes, sir," was the surprised reply.
"Then you understand how to use one?"
"Oh, yes, sir. There was a young man in Waverley, the town where I usedto live, who owned one, and I sometimes borrowed it to fire at a mark."
"Then I think I will intrust this weapon to your charge," said the oldgentleman, drawing from his pocket a handsome pistol, and placing it inHerbert's hand.
"Is it loaded, sir?"
"No, not at present. We will have it loaded before going to bed. I willtell you," he added, in a lower tone, "my reason for going armed. It sohappens that I have a large amount of money with me, and, of course, Ifeel a little concerned about its safety."
"Perhaps it will be well not to say anything more about it at present,sir," suggested Herbert, in a low voice. "You may be heard by someonewho would like to take advantage of his discovery."
"No doubt you are right. I will follow your advice."
Herbert would not have thought to give this caution, but, just as Mr.Carroll uttered the words, "I have a large sum of money with me," aman dressed in a rough frieze coat, with black whiskers, and a generalappearance, which, to say the least, did not prepossess Herbert in hisfavor, chanced to walk through the car. Whether he caught the wordsHerbert could not tell, but he paused a moment, and fixed an unpleasanteye upon the two, as if determined to know them when he should meet themagain. There was another suspicious circumstance. It had evidently beenhis intention to pass through the car, but he paused abruptly, and,turning back, sank into an unoccupied seat a few feet back of thatoccupied by Mr. Carroll and his young companion.
His attention naturally drawn by this suspicious conduct, Herbert wasimpelled to glance back once or twice. Each time he met the watchfullook of the man fixed upon them, instead of being directed at thescenery outside, as was the case with the other passengers. When hesaw that the boy was watching him, he turned his head carelessly, andcommenced whistling. But this apparent indifference did not deceiveHerbert for a moment.
"I will watch him," thought our hero. "I do not like his looks. If hemeans mischief, as I think very probable, it is necessary that I shouldbe on my guard against him."
At half-past seven o'clock Mr. Carroll signified his intention ofgetting out at the next station. "I am beginning to feel tired," hesaid, "and shall feel the better for a good supper and a night's rest."
"Very well, sir," said Herbert.
It occurred to him that now they would get rid of the man who waswatching them so closely.
"If he gets out of the train with us," he thought, "I shall know what itmeans."
The train slackened its speed, the sound of the whistle was heard, thebrakes were applied, and soon the conductor, putting his head in at thedoor, called out "Oakland!"
"Here we are," said Herbert. "Give me your hand, Mr. Carroll, and I willlead you out."
The old gentleman rose from his seat, and, guided by Herbert, walked tothe car door. At the door Herbert turned and looked back.
The man with the black whiskers, who a moment before seemed absorbed ina newspaper, had left his seat, and was but a few feet behind him.
Herbert did not believe that this was an accident. He felt sure that itmeant mischief. But he did not on that account feel nervous, or regretthat he had assumed a charge which seemed likely to expose him to peril.He had the pistol in his pocket, and that he knew would make him evenwith the rascal who was following them.
There was a covered carriage waiting outside to convey passengers to theonly hotel which the village afforded.
"Shall we take the carriage, Mr. Carroll?" asked Herbert.
"Yes," was the reply.
Herbert assisted him in, and placed himself in a seat opposite.
There were two or three other passengers, but the man with the blackwhiskers was not to be seen among them.
"I may be mistaken," thought Herbert, who had rather expected to seehim. "Perhaps he lives here, and I have been alarming myself withoutreason. Still, it is always best to be on one's guard."
A ride of half a mile brought them to a small but comfortable-lookinginn. Herbert assisted Mr. Carroll to descend, and together they enteredthe house of entertainment.
"We shall want some supper. Herbert," said Mr. Carroll. "You may ordersome."
"What shall I order, sir?"
"I should like some tea and toast and some beef-steak. If there isanything that you would prefer, you may order that also."
"No, sir, I should not wish anything better than you have ordered."
"Tell them to get it ready as soon as possible. I feel weary with myday's ride, and shall retire early."
"I feel tired, too." thought Herbert, "but it won't do for me to sleep.I must keep my eyes open, if possible."
Supper was soon served. The toast was well browned, and spread withexcellent butter. The steak was juicy and tender, contrary to the usualcustom of country inns, and the tea was fragrant and strong. Both thetravelers partook heartily, having eaten nothing since noon, with theexception of a little fruit purchased from the car window at one of thestations. Herbert was not usually in the habit of drinking tea at night,but on this particular occasion he wanted to keep awake, and thereforedrank two cups, of undiminished strength.
"Now, Herbert," said Mr. Carroll, when they had finished supper, "youmay ask the clerk to assign me to a large room with a couple of beds init. I should prefer to have you in the same room with me."
"Very well, sir."
He rose from the table, and went to the public room, one portion ofwhich was occupied by the office. As he made his way to the desk, heobserved the man with black whiskers on a settee at one end of the room.He was
smoking a clay pipe. Herbert caught a stealthy glance directedtowards himself, but that was all. The man continued smoking, fixinghis eyes with apparent interest on a large yellow handbill pasted on theopposite wall, announcing a performance by "The Great American CircusCompany" the succeeding evening.
Herbert succeeded in obtaining such a room as he sought, and accompaniedby a servant bearing a lamp, went back to the dining-room to accompanyMr. Carroll to it.