Part 40 (1/2)
”It's a lie!” exploded the stoker, straightening up suddenly, his face flus.h.i.+ng and his features working convulsively.
”Ah! Then you do know something about this man, Collins, eh?”
”Ye--no, I don't know anything about him. I've heard of him, that's all. Now you let me alone, or----”
”Smith, you saved my life. I'm not such a cur as to forget that. I think you have something to say to----”
”I ain't got anything to say to you.”
”Oh, yes, you have. Come with me to my cabin, where we can talk without interruption. It may be worth your while.”
”I won't go!”
Smith raised a hand as if he would strike the boy whose finger-tips were resting on the stoker's shoulder.
”You come with me!” commanded Steve, placing a firmer grip on the shoulder of the stoker. In that way, and without further resistance, Steve led him to his own stateroom.
”Sit down! Now tell me all about it.”
The fireman's face was sullen and rebellious.
”There--there ain't nothing to tell,” answered the man in a low, half-angry voice.
”You are Gus Collins! I know you, now. I was sure I had seen the man whose description was sent out by the police and the government officials.”
The stoker's face went ghastly.
”Yes, I am. Now what are you going to do about it?” he demanded, rising to his full height, standing over Rush in a threatening att.i.tude.
”I am going to talk with you for the present. I think I have a right to do that, and see if there isn't something I can do for you after all you have done for me. Sit down, Gus.”
With a bewildered look on his face, the stoker sank into the chair.
”Tell me the whole story, Gus,” urged Rush gently. ”You need not be afraid of me. I am your friend, no matter what you have done.”
For a full five minutes Collins did not speak. It was plain to the keen-eyed boy before him that the man was battling with himself and was trying to decide what his course of action should be.
”Did you have any part in the robbery of that post-office?” urged Steve.
”_No!_” fairly shouted the stoker.
”Then you have nothing to fear.”
”Yes, I have, too. I've got everything to fear. I'm a bad man, and----”
”Perhaps you were, but you have wiped that all out by your heroic act in----”
”Boy, I've served time in Joliet. I'm an ex-convict. I stole something once when I didn't know what I was doing. They put me away for five years for that little job. While I was in prison my temper got the best of me one day, and I hurt a man, and----”