The Adventures of Rover Boys: 26 Illustrated Adventure Novels. Stratemeyer Edward
But they shall do so no longer. They cross my path again at their peril!"
"The tragic old fraud!" whispered Tom. "I've a good mind to face him just where he stands."
"Go slow! We don't know who is on board of that ship."
"Evidently friends to Crabtree, or they wouldn't let him hypnotize Dora's mother."
"Where can Dora be?"
"That remains to be found out."
"I wonder where that ship hails from?"
"One of the lake towns. She is an old vessel. There is the name — Wellington. That sounds as if she might be a Canadian."
"Perhaps Crabtree got both of them into Canada and then cast Dora adrift."
There was now a stir on the ship, and a fat old sailor came on deck.
"How long you say we stay in dees island, hey?" he asked, in a strong French-Canadian accent.
"We will sail as soon as the sun goes down," answered Josiah Crabtree.
"I no lak to stay here," went on the sailor. "You no pay for to stay here."
"I will pay you for your full time," answered the ex-school-teacher smoothly. "Do not worry on that account."
"You go on de land, hey?" "I think not. We shall set sail for Nestwood, as I told you before."
"Is Dora at Nestwood?" questioned Mrs. Stanhope.
"I expect to meet her there. But she may not show up until after the wedding, my dear."
"It is very, very strange," and Mrs. Stanhope sighed again.
The fat old sailor now went below again, and after a few words more with Mrs. Stanhope Josiah Crabtree followed.
"Now is our chance!" whispered Tom. "You stay here and I'll try to have a talk with Mrs. Stanhope in secret."
So speaking, Tom crawled out upon the fallen tree trunk until he could reach a rope hanging over the Wellington's side. Then he drew himself up silently.
"Oh!" cried Mrs. Stanhope, on catching sight of him. "Is it really you, Tom Rover?"
"Hush, Mrs. Stanhope! not so loud," he replied hastily. "I don't want to let Josiah Crabtree know I am here."
"But where did you come from?"
"From the island. It's a long story. I am here with Sam."
"It is very strange. But many things of late have been strange."
"May I ask how you happen to be here?"
"That, too, is a long story. I was to take a trip with Dora, for the benefit of my health. But, on the way to the lakes Dora disappeared and Mr. Crabtree turned up in her place and he has been with me ever since."
"He wants to marry you, doesn't he?"
"Yes, he has always wished that, as you know."
"I wouldn't do it. He is after your money, and that is all. He is a fraud, and everybody knows it."
Mrs. Stanhope passed her hand over her brow. Tom's blunt words did much to counteract Josiah Crabtree's strange influence over her.
"Your words impress me deeply," she faltered. "Dora talks that way, too. But — but — Mr. Crabtree, when he is with me, makes me think so differently." She tried to get up, then sank back in her seat. "And I am so weak physically!"
"Don't alarm yourself, Mrs. Stanhope. If you need a friend, I'll stand by you and so will Sam."
"Where is Dick? You boys are always together."
"I don't know where he is at present. We were carried off by the Baxters, who are not far off."
"The Baxters! Oh, I am afraid of those people more afraid than I ever was of Mr. Crabtree."
"They are certainly more daring, but no worse morally than Crabtree." Tom ran his hand through his curly hair in perplexity. "Who is aboard of this boat?"
"Mr. Crabtree and myself, two sailors, and one of the sailors' wives, who has been waiting on me."
"Not a very large crowd."
"Mr. Crabtree said he did not wish too many along."
"How long have you been here on the lake?"
"Several days. I did not wish to go, but, but — "
"He has an influence over you?"
"Yes, a strange influence I cannot understand. Oh, I am so wretched!" And the lady suddenly burst into tears.
"Don't, please don't!" said Tom, all sympathy at once. "It's Crabtree's work, and he shan't harm you. I'll see you safe back to Dora and home."
"Will you?" she demanded eagerly. "I do not wish to marry unless Dora is pleased. She said — "
Mrs. Stanhope got no further, for at that instant Josiah Crabtree reappeared on deck. His astonishment at seeing Tom can better be imagined than described.
CHAPTER XXI
TOM BRINGS ONE ENEMY TO TERMS
"Am I dreaming?" gasped the former school teacher, when he could command his voice sufficiently to speak.
"You might better be dreaming, Josiah Crabtree," replied Tom, eying the man sharply. "This is a bad business you are engaged in."
"Where did you come from?"
"None of your business."
"Don't be impertinent, young man."
"Then don't try to pry into my private affairs."
"Have you been following this boat?" questioned Crabtree nervously.
"Never mind what I've been doing. I have found you out, and that appears to be a good job done."
"Found me out? What do you mean to insinuate by that?"
"I mean that you are up to no good; that's what I mean, Mr. Josiah Crabtree, A. M."
"You are very, very — "
"Don't try to abuse me, it won't work. I want to know what you propose to do with Mrs. Stanhope."
"That is my affair — or, rather, it is the affair of that lady and myself — and does not concern such a scamp as you."
"Oh, Josiah! I do not think Tom is a scamp," broke in Mrs. Stanhope, in a pleading voice.
"He is a scamp, and worse, Pet. Allow me to deal with him alone."
"So you thought to elope with Mrs. Stanhope," went on Tom sarcastically. "To elope without Dora being the wiser."
"Ha! what do you know of Dora!" ejaculated the man, starting back in alarm.
"I know a good deal."
"Has she — ahem! followed me?"
"Would that surprise you?"
"It is — er — very extraordinary." Crabtree cleared his throat. "I — that is — where is she now?" And he looked around.
"I told you I wasn't answering questions. But you had better take my advice and go slow, or you'll soon find yourself in jail again."
"You must have followed us in a boat. Where is your craft?"
"Another question which I am not answering. Do you surrender?"
"Surrender?"
"That is what I said."
"I — er — don't understand."
"The case is very simple. You ran off with Mrs. Stanhope, influencing her against her will to accompany you.