Part 25 (1/2)
Curlie thought a moment, then of a sudden the s.p.a.cious walls of the Ardmore mansion flashed into his mind. To go there as an officer of the law was one thing; to go as a guest was quite another.
”Why--why--” he drew back in confusion--”you'll have to excuse me but--but--”
”Oh! I know!” she exclaimed. ”It's the house and everything. Tell you what,” she seized him by the arm; ”there's a little old-fas.h.i.+oned farmhouse down in one corner of our estate. It was there when we bought it and has been kept just the same ever since. Even the furniture, red plush chairs, kitchen stove and everything, are there. We'll go down there and have a regular frolic sometime, popcorn, mola.s.ses candy, checkers and everything. We've a wonderful cook who once lived on a farm. We'll take her along as a chaperon. Now will you come? Will you?”
she urged eagerly.
”Why--why--”
”If you don't,” she held up a warning finger, ”I'll come up and visit you in that secret wireless room of yours just as I once said I would.”
”In that case,” said Curlie, ”I suppose I'll have to surrender. And,” he added happily, ”here we are, back to dear old North America, without any gold but with a lot to be thankful for.”
The boat was b.u.mping against the dock. Giving his arm a squeeze the girl dashed away.
CHAPTER XXV
OFF ON ANOTHER WILD CHASE
A few nights later Curlie was back in the secret tower room. He was busy as ever running down trouble.
Joe Marion, entering the room noiselessly, dropped a letter into his hand. The letter bore the insignia of the Ardmore family in one corner.
”From Gladys Ardmore!” he told himself.
But he was mistaken. It was a typewritten letter signed in a bold business hand. It ran:
”It is with great pleasure that I inclose a check for the sum of the reward offered for the safe return of my son.
”(Signed) J. Anson Ardmore.”
Curlie looked at the check, then uttered a low whistle.
”Pay to the order of C. Carson, $10,000.00,” he whispered. Then out loud:
”Joe, what would a fellow do with ten thousand dollars?”
”Search me,” Joe grinned back. ”You got the fever or something?” he asked a second later.
Curlie showed him the check.
”Why,” said Joe, ”you might buy a car.”
”Not much. The Humming Bird's quite good enough.”
”Tell you what,” he said after a moment's thought, ”just get that cashed for me, will you? Then find out where our old skipper and the engineer live and send them a thousand apiece. After that pocket a thousand for yourself. Then--then--Oh, well, hire me a safety deposit box and buy me a lot of Liberty bonds. Might want 'em some day.