Part 16 (1/2)
The lad was glad of this at first, for, although he had walked some distance, he had not pa.s.sed a house, nor had any vehicles come by. But a second glance at the man who was coming toward him made him by no means so pleased at his appearance. The other foot pa.s.senger was a heavily built man with a lowering brow. He wore clothes that savored of a nautical character.
”Hullo, there, young feller,” he said, as he halted to allow Billy to come up to him.
”Good morning,” said Billy. ”I am trying to find my way to Musky Bay.
Can you direct me?”
The other looked at the boy with a glance of quick suspicion. ”Livin'
there?” he asked.
”Yes, that is to say, I'm staying there with friends.”
”Umph! I know a crowd of folks there. Who you stopping with?”
Before Billy realized what he was saying he had made a fatal slip.
”With Captain Simms--that is,” he hurried on, in an effort to correct his blunder, ”I----”
”Know a kid named Ready--Jack Ready?”
”Why, yes, he's my best friend. He--here, what's the matter?”
The other had suddenly drawn a pistol and held it pointed unwaveringly at Billy.
”Jerk up yer hands, boy, and get 'em up quick!” he snarled.
Billy had no recourse but to obey. The man facing him was a hard-looking enough character to commit any crime. With a sudden pang Billy recalled that he was wearing the handsome watch--one of which had been given both to Jack and himself for services they had performed for a high official in Holland, when they rescued the latter's wife and daughter from robbers who had held up the ladies' automobile.
He saw the man's eyes fixed on the chain with a greedy glare. ”Hand over that watch,” he ordered.
Billy did as he was told. Then came another order while the pistol was pointed unwaveringly at him.
”Now come across with your cash.”
Billy handed over what money he possessed--about fifteen dollars. The rest was in a New York bank, and some in a safe at the hotel.
The man looked at the inscription on the watch.
”William Raynor, eh? Your friend was talking about you just before we had to----”
All his fear was forgotten as the man spoke. His tones were sinister.
Billy realized, like a flash, that this man was an ally of the Judsons, and must have had a hand in Jack's disappearance.
”Had to what?” Billy demanded. ”You don't mean that you committed any act of violence?”
”Well, I'm not sayin' as to that,” rejoined the other, who, as our readers will have guessed, was Bill Sn.i.g.g.e.rs, ”you'll find out soon enough.”
The man was deliberately torturing Billy.