Part 23 (1/2)

”Yes, sir.”

”Well, now, that might be arranged easier than you imagine. But come in, all of you, and make yourselves comfortable.”

He led the way on to the s.p.a.cious verandah which looked out over a portion of the river and afforded an excellent view of many of the other islands.

”You see,” continued Mr. Lawrence, ”I am in a secluded spot, yet when I feel lonesome, I can watch the boats over yonder plying up and down the stream.”

”Do you live alone, then?” asked Tom.

”Well, yes, except for my j.a.panese cook and valet. I suppose I may as well admit boys, that I am a bachelor,” and he smiled rather indulgently. ”I am fortunately able to come here with Hoki and spend the summers, going back to Boston in September or October to again take up my business duties.”

He did not state what these duties were, but the boys felt that he must be either a banker or a broker, to be able to leave his work for an entire summer on a stretch, and they secretly envied him his ease.

Soon they were seated on the verandah, their coats having been taken by Hoki, an intelligent looking little j.a.p, dressed in a white suit. The j.a.p then brought two tables which he placed in front of the boys. Then they could hear him cracking ice somewhere in the rear of the building, and presently he emerged with a mammoth pitcher of lemonade.

”I knew you boys must be thirsty,” said Mr Lawrence, ”hence told Hoki to find the largest pitcher in the house. You see, I was a boy once myself.”

The boys began to like Mr. Lawrence from the start, and as for the cooling beverage brought by Hoki, nothing would have been more welcome.

Soon they found themselves feeling comfortable not only from a physical standpoint, but thoroughly at ease at Winnsocket Lodge, and wis.h.i.+ng that some trick of fate would cause Mr. Lawrence to rent them the premises for the time of their stay.

As if divining what was pa.s.sing in their minds, after a moment's silence, in which he appeared to be debating something to himself, Mr.

Lawrence said:

”I find it imperative that I take a short journey, probably leaving to-morrow. I had intended leaving Hoki in charge of Winnsocket Lodge, but I am inclined to believe that I could not do better than leave it in the hands of you boys.”

The Comrades and their chums exchanged glances of mingled joy and amazement, and Mr. Lawrence, stopping only to take a couple of draws from his cigar, continued:

”I may be gone two or three days; the time may stretch into two or three weeks. I am going on special business, and it is impossible to say just when I can accomplish what I desire. The lodge is well stocked with provisions, and Hoki is a fine servant. He will obey you as implicitly as he does me if I say the word.”

”But, Mr. Lawrence,” said Chot, ”I feel that we should protest against your kind offer. We don't want to take advantage of your hospitality. We would rather rent-”

”That's just it; you boys want to rent the lodge, but the lodge is not for rent. You are simply a fine lot of young fellows, athletes everyone, I imagine, and I am very fond of young men. I trust you thoroughly, and I ask you to stay at Winnsocket Lodge until my return-to stay as my guests, taking care of my property, at the same time going where you please, when you please, in search of such amus.e.m.e.nt as you may desire.

The rent you boys could afford would be nothing to me. I say to you, frankly, that the money would not be of the slightest use, as I now have all I can care for with any peace of mind.”

”Since you put it in that light, and speaking for us all, sir,” said Chot, ”I will say that we accept your kind offer, and will show you that we can take the very best care of your property while you are away.”

”I have no doubt of that. You will find plenty of sleeping accommodations both downstairs and up. I frequently have house parties here, and I provided sufficient room for everyone when I built the lodge.”

And it was to these rooms that the boys were shown that night, after they had been taken through the lodge by their host. The lodge was constructed after expensive plans, mostly of rough wood, but solid and substantial, and with interior fittings that might have gone well in a Boston brownstone front. There were six rooms below-a living room, a dining room, a kitchen and three bedrooms, with a bath in a convenient spot to each of the latter. Upstairs there were a large bedroom, a smaller bedroom and a large compartment used as a plunder-room, in which fis.h.i.+ng nets, tackle, hunting apparatus and many other things were stored. The house was fitted with electric lights, generated, Mr.

Lawrence told them, by a small dynamo in the cellar, or bas.e.m.e.nt.

Expressing a curiosity to see this, the boys were taken below by their host. The bas.e.m.e.nt, built entirely of stone, was damp and cool. In one end a small dynamo-room had been part.i.tioned off, and in this was the dynamo and batteries that served to light the lodge in such a brilliant fas.h.i.+on.

The cellar contained several barrels of wine-or, so the boys judged from their appearance-countless jars of fine fruit, packed away on shelves, as well as many other things that demanded a cool place for safe keeping. Mr. Lawrence was, indeed, well supplied for a summer's outing.

The boys were curious to know more about him, but he did not volunteer any further information, and they were too well bred to appear at all inquisitive.

Tom and Chot were given the bedroom just to the rear of the one occupied by Mr. Lawrence, with Bert occupying a bedroom still farther back. Fleet and Pod were taken to the large chamber upstairs, and Hoki occupied the little one next to it.