CHAPTER IX.

SETTING A TRAP

When the boys had at length gathered around the table in the old-fashioned kitchen of the Warren cottage and had drawn the window-shades, they proceeded to examine the box. It was an ordinary shallow tin box, such as a business man might keep odds and ends of papers and cash in. It was fastened with a small padlock. After trying to unlock this with every key they could find in the house, and without success, young Joe produced a file, and with this filed through the small staple in the box.

When the cover was thrown back there was disclosed a layer of fine cotton, like jewellers' cotton, and when this was lifted out there came from the box a myriad of tiny flashes of light. The inside of the box was fairly ablaze. Countless little flashes of light danced and twinkled there.

"Hooray!" cried George Warren. "We have the stolen jewels, and no mistake. Just see how these sparkle." And he lifted up a necklace of diamonds, that blazed in the light of the lamp like a ring of fire. They sparkled and gleamed like little stars, as the boys pa.s.sed them from hand to hand.

"Mercy on us!" cried a pleasant voice, all of a sudden; and Mrs. Warren, who had been awakened by the sound of their voices and had hastily dressed, entered the kitchen. "Is this den the cave of the forty thieves?" she asked, smiling, and then, as she caught sight of the glittering gems, she exclaimed, anxiously: "Why, boys, what on earth does all this mean?"

"It means, mother," answered George, "that Henry Burns has done what the detectives have been trying to do ever since the robbery at Benton. Here are the stolen diamonds, and Henry will take them to town to-morrow and claim the reward."

"Only on one condition," interrupted Henry Burns. "I don't stir one step to secure the reward until it is agreed that it shall be evenly divided between us all. You fellows have just as much claim upon it as I, and, unless every one of you solemnly swears to take his share, I shall never take one cent of it."

And every one of them knew that he meant exactly what he said.

Early next morning Henry Burns and George Warren stood upon the wharf, awaiting the arrival of the boat for Mayville. The boat connected there with a train that would arrive in Benton during the forenoon. Henry Burns carried in one hand a small satchel.

"I had hard work to persuade old Witham to let me go," said Henry Burns.

"He didn't see what I wanted to go poking off to Benton for. Said I better stay here and save my money. As it is, I've got to go and call on an aged aunt of Mrs. Carlin and spend the night there. Well, I guess I can manage to amuse myself, even there. I'm likely to see a few other people before I get back, eh, George?"

"I know one man who won't turn you out-of-doors, when you produce those diamonds," answered George.

"Well, George," returned the other, "you mustn't lose sight of this stranger, although I almost know he won't attempt to leave the island for several days. I remember that yesterday he got a letter, and I have no doubt it was from his confederates, saying when they would arrive. They are coming in a sailboat, for he has said so. Now, if they were coming to-night or to-morrow, he would not have hidden that box over there in the old house. You may be sure he did not expect them for a day or two,-but still you boys must keep him in sight, for one never knows what is going to happen.

"If he goes over to the bluff, you know what to do. You must get Captain Sam, the constable, to have him arrested at once. By to-morrow night I'll be back with everything arranged to capture the whole three. I think you and I will see lively times around this harbour before many days are over."

"Speak of the evil one and he appears," said George Warren. "And, as true as I live, here comes Mr. Kemble. You do the talking, Henry, for I feel as though I should give him cause for suspicion if I said a single word to him."

"Leave him to me," replied Henry Burns. "He's playing a bold game, and so must we;" and, as the stranger guest hobbled down to the wharf, groaning and wincing, as though racked with pain, Henry Burns gave him a cheery greeting.

"Good morning, Mr. Kemble," said he. "I see you're out bright and early.

I declare, you have begun to look better already than you did the night you arrived."

"Oh, I'm very miserable-very miserable," answered Mr. Kemble, most dejectedly. "My rheumatism is something awful. I'd give everything I possess in the world if I could run around and be as active as you young men."

"You will, I'm sure, in a few days," answered Henry Burns.

"How's that?" asked the man, turning upon Henry b.u.ms sharply, while a strange look, that he could not conceal, stole over his face.

George Warren turned away precipitately, and, taking a fishing-reel from his pocket, dropped a line over the side of the wharf.

"There's something peculiar in this island air," continued Henry Burns, looking Mr. Kemble full in the eye, with the most innocent expression on his face. "No matter how bad a person feels when he first comes here, it puts new life into him. The first thing he knows he begins to feel like rowing boats, and going fishing, and all that sort of thing. I come here sick every summer, and I go away feeling strong."

"Well," replied Mr. Kemble, uneasily, but looking relieved, "I hope it may do as much for me. If it does, I'll buy a cottage here."

"You won't find any cottages to sell, I'm afraid," said Henry Burns. "But there are several old farmhouses that could be bought cheap, and they make over as good as new."

"Humph! I'm not looking for old farmhouses," said Mr. Kemble, gruffly; and then, as the whistle of the boat sounded suddenly from behind the bluff, he added, "But I must be getting back to the hotel. I'm not feeling well to-day, at all."

"Any errand I can do for you in the city?" Henry Burns called after him.

But Mr. Kemble was hobbling away as fast as he could, and did not heed.

"I fancy he would feel worse if he could see what I've got in this satchel," chuckled Henry Burns, as Mr. Kemble went on toward the hotel, somewhat faster than he had come down. "Did you notice how suddenly he had to leave when he heard the boat's whistle?"

"Yes,-but what on earth were you thinking of, Henry, talking as you did to him?" said George. "It scared him in an instant when you told him he would be running around in a few days as lively as any of us. I almost believe he half-suspects something."

"How can he?" replied the other. "Perhaps my remark about his running around in a few days may have startled him at first. That was a sudden jolt to his guilty conscience. But, upon reflection, he decided it was only a coincidence. Then he did look a little queer when I spoke of farmhouses, didn't he?"

"He certainly did," said George. "What possessed you to do it? You might upset everything."

"No," answered Henry Burns. "He don't suspect us. By the way, do you remember how we got into this thing in the beginning?"

"Why, what do you mean?"

"If I remember rightly," said Henry Burns, speaking with a slight drawl, "we started out last evening to have some fun. My little chat with our friend is the nearest approach to fun that this sc.r.a.pe has afforded me so far."

"That may have been fun for you," said George. "To my mind it was very much like playing with fire; but here's the steamer. You've got my note of introduction to father?"

"Yes, I've got everything all right. Now keep your eyes open and expect me to-morrow night." And Henry Burns crossed the gangplank to the steamer.

The train from Mayville to Benton reached its destination at eleven o'clock, and at that hour in the forenoon Henry Burns walked briskly out of the station. Half an hour later he stood in the waiting-room at the wealthy banking-house of Curtis & Earle.

"Well, what do you want, young man?" asked an important and decidedly officious attendant, bustling up to him.

"This is Mr. Curtis, I presume," answered Henry Burns, blandly, but with the faintest suspicion of a twinkle in his eye.

"No, it isn't," said the man, abruptly, and looking a little foolish as several other attendants t.i.ttered audibly. "And, what's more, you cannot see Mr. Curtis, for he is just preparing to leave for the day."

"But I must see him," insisted Henry Burns. "I've got some very important information for him. Have the kindness to take this in to him," and he handed the surprised attendant a card upon which he had written in a clear but boyish hand:

_Henry Allen Burns Private Detective_

The attendant took the card, read it with a grin, looked at the boy, as if puzzled what to make of him, shrugged his shoulders and left the room.

Presently he returned.

"Mr. Curtis would be greatly obliged if you would call to-morrow," he said. "He is going out of town to-day."

"I must see him at once," said Henry Burns, firmly.

"Impossible-" but at this moment the door of the banker's private office opened, and a voice said: "Show Mr. Burns in."

Henry Burns entered. He saw before him a tall, well-built man, smooth shaven, with black, piercing eyes, and a firm, decisive mouth. He had on his hat and gloves, and carried a light coat on his arm, as though about to leave his office.

"You will oblige me by stating your business as quickly as possible, young man," he said, "as I am about to take a train out of the city.