"Do you mean to say Josiah Crabtree is going to marry her now?"

demanded Dora, springing to her feet.

"More than likely."

"Then he--he hired you to carry me off?"

"We'll talk about something else," said the bully. "Will you leave the _Falcon_ quietly?"

"Where do you want me to go?"

"To the home of an old lady who will treat you as nicely as she possibly can."

Dora shook her head. "I don't wish to go anywhere excepting home, and I won't submit a bit longer than I have to."

"Don't be foolish!" exclaimed Mumps. "We might treat you a good deal worse if we were of a mind to do so. Crabtree told us to bind and gag you."

"He did?"

"Yes. He says you are a perfect minx."

A few words more followed, and then both of the boys left the cabin.

"She won't submit," whispered Mumps.

"What had we best do?"

"Use the drug Crabtree gave us," answered Baxter. "It's a lucky thing I brought that vial."

"Yes--if we don't have any trip-up in the matter," answered the toady, with a doubtful shake of his head. Mumps had gone into the whole scheme rather unwillingly, but now saw no way of backing out.

A little later the _Falcon_ ran into the harbor of Cayuga and came to anchor close to one of the docks. Then Baxter appeared with some sandwiches and a gla.s.s of milk.

"You might as well eat; it's foolish not to," he said, and set the food on a little stand.

By this time Dora was very hungry, and as soon as the bully had left she applied herself to what had been brought. Poor creature, she did not know that both sandwiches and milk had been doctored with a drug calculated to make her dull and sleepy!

She had hardly finished the scant meal when her eyes began to grow heavy. Then her brain seemed to become clouded and she could scarcely remember where she was.

"Here's news!" cried Baxter, coming in an hour later. "We are to join your mother and Mr. Crabtree at Albany."

"At Albany?" she repeated slowly. "Have--have they gone there?"

"Yes; they are going on a honeymoon on the yacht _Flyaway_. Your mother wants you to join her and forgive her."

Dora heaved a long sigh. "I cannot! I cannot!" she sobbed, and burst again into tears.

Nevertheless, she allowed herself to be led off the _Falcon_ and to the depot. "Your face is full of tears," said Baxter. "Here, put this veil over it," and she was glad enough to do as bidden, that folks might not stare at her.

What happened afterward was very much like a dream to her. She remembered entering the cars and crouching down in a seat, with Baxter beside her. A long ride in the night followed, and she slept part of the way, although troubled with a horrible nightmare. She wanted to flee, but seemed to lack both the physical and mental strength to do so.

The ride at an end, Baxter and Mumps almost carried her to the river. Here the _Flyaway_ was in waiting. Bill Goss had gone on ahead and notified his wife that she was wanted. It may as well be added here that Mrs. Goss was as coa.r.s.e and unprincipled as her husband.

When Dora's mind was once more clear she found herself in a much larger cabin than that she had formerly occupied. She lay on a couch, and Mrs. Goss, a fat, ugly-looking creature, sat beside her.

"Are you awake, dear?" asked the woman as smoothly as she could.

"Who--who are you?" asked Dora feebly.

"I am Mrs. Goss."

"I don't know you. Where--where is my mother--and Mr. Crabtree?"

"You'll have to ask Mr. Baxter or Mr. Fenwick about that."

"Do you belong on this boat?"

"I do, when I go out with my husband."

"Was he the man who was with those boys?"

"Yes."

"Where are we now?"

"On the Hudson River, just below Albany."

"Where are they going to take me next?"

"You had better ask Mr. Baxter. I was only brought on board to wait on you."

"Then that means that they wish to take me quite a distance!"

cried Dora, and ran on deck.

Mumps and Baxter were talking earnestly together near the bow.

At once she ran to them.

"Where is my mother?"

"You'll see her soon," answered the former bully of Putnam Hall.

"It was another trick of yours!" burst out Dora. "And I think you gave me something last night to make me sleepy."

"What if we did?" came from Mumps.

"You are all right now."

"I do not want to go another step with you." Dora looked around and saw a strange boat pa.s.sing. "Help! help!" she screamed.