Part 22 (1/2)

So his guide pointed out Cambridge, Chelsea, Malden, the Charles and Mystic Rivers, gleaming in the suns.h.i.+ne, the glittering dome of the Boston State House and other conspicuous objects. Herbert felt that it was worth something to have a companion who could do him this service, and he felt the extra twenty cents he had paid for his companion's ticket was a judicious investment.

He noticed with some surprise that his companion seemed annoyed by the presence of the other party already referred to. He scowled and shrugged his shoulders when he looked at them, and in a low voice, inaudible to those of whom he spoke, he said to Herbert: ”Are they going to stay here all day?”

”What does it matter to me if they do?” returned Herbert, in surprise.

Indeed, to him they seemed very pleasant people, and he was especially attracted by the sweet face of the little girl. He wished he had been fortunate enough to possess such a sister.

At last, however, they finished their sightseeing, and prepared to descend. Herbert's companion waited till the sound of their descending steps died away, and then, turning to Herbert, said in a quick, stern tone: ”Now give me the money you have in your pocket.”

”What do you mean?” he said.

Herbert recoiled, and stared at the speaker in undisguised astonishment.

”I mean just what I say,” returned the other. ”You have one hundred and fifty dollars in your pocket. You need not deny it, for I saw you draw it from the bank and put it away.”

”Are you a thief, then?” demanded Herbert.

”No matter what I am, I must have that money,” said the stranger. ”I came over with you exclusively to get it, and I mean business.”

He made a step towards Herbert, but the boy faced him unflinchingly, and answered resolutely: ”I mean business, too. The money is not mine, and I shall not give it up.”

”Take care!” said the other, menacingly, ”we are alone here. You are a boy and I am a man.”

”I know that; but you will have to fight to get the money,” said Herbert, without quailing.

He looked to the staircase, but his treacherous guide stood between him and it, and he was practically a prisoner at the top of the monument.

”Don't be a fool!” said the stranger. ”You may as well give up the money to me first as last.”

”I don't propose to give it up to you at all,” said Herbert. ”My employer trusted me with it, and I mean to be true to my trust.”

”You can tell him that it was taken from you--that you could not help yourself. Now hand it over!”

”Never!” exclaimed Herbert, resolutely.

”We'll see about that,” said his companion, seizing the boy and grappling with him.

Herbert was a strong boy for his age, and he accepted the challenge.

Though his antagonist was a man, he found that the boy was powerful, and not to be mastered as easily as he antic.i.p.ated.

”Confound you!” he muttered, ”I wish I had a knife!”

Though Herbert made a vigorous resistance, his opponent was his superior in strength, and would ultimately have got the better of him. He had thrown Herbert down, and was trying to thrust his hand into his coat pocket, when a step was heard, and a tall man of Western appearance stepped on the scene.

”h.e.l.lo!” he said, surveying the two combatants in surprise. ”What's all this? Let that boy alone, you skunk, you!”

As he spoke, he seized the man by the collar and jerked him to his feet.