Part 56 (1/2)
”Well, I can say this much: I was only hired for this work--I and Toglet.”
”Who by?”
”Squire Paget, of Westville.”
Had a bombsh.e.l.l exploded at Ralph's feet he would have been no more astonished than at this declaration.
”Do you mean to say Squire Paget hired you for this work?” he demanded.
”Yes, I do. The whole scheme was his.”
”But what was his object?”
”He wanted to get you out of the way.”
”But why?”
”He didn't tell me why, but I reckon it was on account of some valuable Westville property.”
”It must be the property down by the lake front!” cried Ralph.
”Had he the papers for that land?” asked Horace Kelsey.
”I never thought so,” returned the boy, slowly. ”But he might have. He used to transact most of father's business for him years ago.”
”Then you can depend upon it that he has the papers.”
”But the land belongs to my mother.”
”He's going to force her into selling out to him,” put in Martin Thomas.
”With you out of the way he felt sure, I suppose, that he could do as he pleased with your mother.”
”The scamp!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Ralph, his honest eyes flas.h.i.+ng fire. ”If you have told the truth, he shall suffer for this, mark my words!”
”And, hoping you will drop this matter against me,” went on the prisoner, ”let me give you another pointer. You wrote to your mother the other day, didn't you?”
”Yes.”
”Well, he got that letter. Your mother never saw it.”
”No wonder I haven't received any reply then!” burst out Ralph. ”Did you ever hear of anything so mean?” he added, turning to his rich friend.
”Your duty at present is plain, Ralph,” replied the insurance agent, pointedly. ”The best you can do is to take the first train home.”
”You are right.”
”There is no telling, if this Squire Paget is so villainous, what he may not try to do.”