Fritz to the Front, or, the Ventriloquist Scamp-Hunter. Wheeler Edward Lytton
obeyed, giving a description according as he remembered the bridegroom – also of the man who took Madge Thurston from the hotel.
"The latter was undoubtedly Gregg," the speculator declared, "and the other also, was, it is likely, disguised for the occasion, with a false beard. Now, Fritz, I want you to help me find my child, and break the neck of this rascal, and you shall have for reward the sum I promised you. We'll search this world high and dry but what we'll recover my child. Come, let's seek a conveyance to take us to the cave."
They accordingly went back to the Hotel Brighton, ate dinner, and afterward secured a carriage and set out for the scene of the strange wedding the night before.
And thus Fritz entered into a five-thousand-dollar chase, which was destined to lead him into more adventures than he had yet experienced.
CHAPTER III.
THE BLUFF HOUSE
In due time they arrived at the cave, where the ceremony of the previous night had taken place, but a thorough search of the cavernous wash-out failed to yield any tidings of the romantic lovers.
"Pshaw! there's no use of further search in this direction; they have long ere this set out for some other portion of the country, and we are wasting time in tarrying here."
"Mebbe dot ish so, but I dink dey vas go on up der coast, instead off cum pack by Atlantic City."
"Not impossible. In that case, it will be our best lead to go back to Atlantic, take the cars to Philadelphia, and strike for some sea-coast point ahead of them."
"Dot vould pe a purty good idea vor you, but I t'ink better I remain on der coast stardting vrom here, und follow der trail in der rear. I'll bet a half-dollar I find 'em first, afore you do."
"Very well. It shall be as you deem best. I will leave you here and join you, or rather be there to meet you, when you reach Long Branch. If nothing results in our favor by that time I'll decide what is the next best course to pursue. Here is a hundred dollars, toward defraying your expenses. If you need more, telegraph to Jim Thornton at the Chalfonte, Long Branch, and I'll remit."
And placing the sum of money in Fritz's possession, he soon after took his departure.
After he had gone, Fritz sat down on a rock in the mouth of the cave, which overlooked the ocean, and gazed thoughtfully out upon the sunlit waters.
"Vel, here I vas – but der next question ish, vere vas I?" he soliloquized. "I haff undertaken a job mitout any bases vor a start-off. I kinder vish Rebecca vas here, too – but ash vishin' don'd vas do some good, pizness is der next consideration."
Night was not far distant, but he resolved to continue on up the coast in hopes of finding a fisherman's house, where he could obtain food and lodging.
He accordingly left the cave and continued his journey. He soon came to a level stretch of beach again, and followed its northward course for a number of miles – until sunset, when he found himself as far from any human habitation as he had in the start.
He accordingly sought a grassy spot, back from the beach, and lay down to rest.
Arising early the next morning, he struck out once more on his journey, feeling decidedly anxious to find some kind of a human habitation, as he was very hungry.
He soon spied a farm-house, inland from the beach, and made for it in double-quick time.
A gruff-looking man sat upon the front veranda, as he entered the well-kept yard, and eyed him with an expression of suspicion.
"Well, what d'ye want, young man?" he demanded, sourly.
"Grub – somedings to eat," Fritz replied, spiritedly. "I vas hungry like ash a sucker after a hard winter."
"Get out! I don't want no tramps about here. Clear, I say, or I'll set the dog on you," the farmer growled, stamping on the veranda with his cane.
"But, I don'd vas no tramp, nor I don'd vas skeardt at der dogs!" Fritz replied. "I vants some preakfast, und ish able to pay vor id like a shendleman."
"Go to a tavern, then. I don't keep no puttin'-up place."
"But I don'd find some tavern, und I ain'd going no furder ondil I get somedings to eat. So trot oud der best vot you haff, und I pay for 'em."
"Didn't I tell you, you couldn't get something to eat here?" the man cried, getting exasperated. Then he began whistling for the dog. "I'll show you who runs this place."
"All right! Fetch oud der canine," Fritz grinned, perching himself on the fence, and taking a pistol from his pocket. "I yoost ash leave haff dog steak ash peef stew. Anydings to fill up ven a veller vas hungry."
"What! how dare you, sir! I'll have you arrested for carrying concealed weapons, you scamp!"
"Den I haff you arrested vor causing cannibalism, py not giffin' a veller somedings to eat. Come, now, mister; yoost set oud der vittles und der von't pe no droubles; otherwise, der may be an exposure off somedings!"
The farmer started at Fritz's unmeaning declaration, and giving him a swift, startled glance, arose and entered the house.
Fritz noticed what effect his thoughtless shot had had, and gave vent to a low, peculiar whistle, denotive of surprise.
"Hello! vot ish dose I've done?" he mused. "I give der old chap a sour grape, dot time, all of which proves dot he is 'fraid off der exposure off somedings, und don'd vas got a clear conscience. Vel, dot ish purdy goot, too. Von t'ing leads to anodder – mebbe I vil discover somedings else. Anyhow, I'm going to stay right here undil I gets somedings to eat, und I reckon der old man vil fetch or send id."
Nor was he wrong in his reckoning, for shortly afterward a plump and pretty maid brought him out a tray of victuals that looked most tempting.
There was bread and butter, cold meat, cake, pie, apples, and a bowl of rich milk. No wonder Fritz's eyes sparkled with satisfaction, as he sat down upon the carriage-block, and received the offering.
"I thank you more ash a t'ousand times," he said. "Der old man didn't vas goin' to give me somedings, but I told him I would expose him, und dot fixed him. Vot's der old crab's name, young lady?"
The girl stared.
"Mr. Sample, do you mean?" she asked, in surprise.
"Yes, I reckon dot's der one – der old vinegar-barrel vot yoost sot on der veranda. So his name vas Sample, eh? If he vas a sample off der neighbors around here, I dinks I stop no more. He vas got a segret, don'd he?"
"How should I know, sir?"
"Oh! vel, I didn't know but you might haff heard somedings."
"If I had, I don't believe I should confess it to you," the maid retorted. "When you get through eating leave the server on the block."
"But, hold on – you ain'd going?"
"Yes."
"But vait aw'ile! I say no. I vant to ask you some questions."
"What?"
"Vel, one t'ing – ish der a town somevere's near, on der coast?"
"Yes, several."
"Vot one is der nearest?"
"Forsyth Landing."
"Vot is der population?"
"Four people."
"Shimminy dunder! So mooch ash dot? Any old maids among der lot?"
"Nary a maid!"
"Vel, dot's all. Much obliged."
After she had departed, Fritz finished his meal, and then resumed his tramp along the lonely beach.
Half an hour brought him to the landing, but he did not pause.
Two rough-looking old sea-dogs were lounging outside a sort of a hut, but their appearance did not inspire Fritz with any desire to cultivate their acquaintance.
About sunset he arrived at a far prettier spot than he had yet encountered.
A great bluff of land rolled up to an abrupt