Timothy Crump's Ward: A Story of American Life by Jr. Horatio Alger (top 10 novels to read TXT) ๐
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- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
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โIโI don't understand it,โ said the old man, turning pale.
โI do. He has cut a hole in the door, slipped back the bolt, and escaped. When could this have happened?โ
โI don't know. Yes, I do remember, now, being disturbed last night by a noise in the entry. I got out of bed, and looked out, but could see no one.โ
โDid you come up-stairs?โ
โPart way.โ
โWhen was this?โ
โPast midnight.โ
โNo doubt that was the time he escaped.โ
โThat accounts for the door being locked,โ said the old man, thoughtfully.
โWhat door?โ
โThe outer door. When I got up this morning, I found the key had disappeared, and the door was locked. Luckily we had an extra key, and so opened it.โ
โProbably he carried off the other in his pocket.โ
โAh, he is a bold lad,โa bold lad,โ said Foley.
โYou may find that out to your cost. He'll be likely to bring the police about your ears.โ
โDo you think so?โ said the old man, in alarm.
โI think it more than probable.โ
โBut he don't know the house,โ said Foley, in a tone of reassurance. โIt was dark when he left here, and he will not be apt to find it again.โ
โPerhaps not, but he will be likely to know you when he sees you again. I advise you to keep pretty close.โ
โI certainly shall,โ said the old man, evidently alarmed by this suggestion. โWhat a pity that such a bold lad shouldn't be in our business!โ
โPerhaps you'll wish yourself out of it before long,โ muttered Peg.
As if in corroboration of her words, there was a sharp ring at the door-bell.
The old man, who was constitutionally timid, turned pale, and looked helplessly at his companion.
โWhat is it?โ he asked, apprehensively.
โGo and see.โ
โI don't dare to.โ
โYou're a coward,โ said Peg, contemptuously. โThen I'll go.โ
She went down stairs, followed by the old man. She threw open the street door, but even her courage was somewhat daunted by the sight of two police officers, accompanied by Jack.
โThat's the man,โ said Jack, pointing out Foley, who tried to conceal himself behind Mrs. Hardwick's more ample proportions.
โI have a warrant for your arrest,โ said one of the officers, advancing to Foley.
โGentlemen, spare me,โ he said, clasping his hands. โWhat have I done?โ
โYou are charged with uttering counterfeit coin.
โI am innocent.โ
โIf you are, that will come out on your trial.โ
โShall I have to be tried?โ he asked, piteously.
โOf course. If you are innocent, no harm will come to you.โ
Peg had been standing still, irresolute what to do. Determined upon a bold step, she made a movement to pass the officers.
โStop!โ said Jack. โI call upon you to arrest that woman. She is the Mrs. Hardwick against whom you have a warrant.โ
โWhat is all this for?โ demanded Peg, haughtily. โWhat right have you to interfere with me?โ
โThat will be made known to you in due time. You are suspected of being implicated with this man.โ
โI suppose I must yield,โ said Peg, sulkily. โBut perhaps you, young sir,โ turning to Jack, โmay not be the gainer by it.โ
โWhere is Ida?โ asked Jack, anxiously.
โShe is safe,โ said Peg, sententiously.
โYou won't tell me where she is?โ
โNo. Why should I? I am indebted to you, I suppose, for this arrest. She shall be kept out of your way as long as it is in my power to do so.โ
Jack's countenance fell.
โAt least you will tell me whether she is well?โ
โI shall answer no questions whatever,โ said Mrs. Hardwick.
โThen I will find her,โ he said, gaining courage. โShe is somewhere in the city, and sooner or later I shall find her.โ
Peg was not one to betray her feelings, but this arrest was a great disappointment to her. Apart from the consequences which might result from it, it would prevent her meeting with John Somerville, and obtaining from him the thousand dollars of which she had regarded herself certain. Yet even from her prison-cell she might hold over him in terrorem the threat of making known to Ida's mother the secret of her child's existence. All was not lost. She walked quietly to the carriage in waiting, while her companions, in an ecstasy of terror, seemed to have lost the power of locomotion, and had to be supported on either side.
CHAPTER XXIV. โTHE FLOWER-GIRL.โ
โBY gracious, if that isn't Ida!โ exclaimed Jack, in profound surprise.
He had been sauntering along Chestnut Street, listlessly, troubled by the thought that though he had given Mrs. Hardwick into custody, he was apparently no nearer the discovery of his foster-sister than before. What steps should he take to find her? He could not decide. In his perplexity he came suddenly upon the print of the โFlower-Girl.โ
โYes,โ said he, โthat is Ida, plain enough. Perhaps they will know in the store where she is to be found.โ
He at once entered the store.
โCan you tell me anything about the girl that picture was taken for?โ he asked, abruptly of the nearest clerk.
The clerk smiled.
โIt is a fancy picture,โ he said. โI think it would take you a long time to find the original.โ
โIt has taken a long time,โ said Jack. โBut you are mistaken. It is the picture of my sister.โ
โOf your sister!โ repeated the clerk, with surprise, half incredulous.
There was some reason for his incredulity. Jack was a stout, good-looking boy, with a pleasant face; but Ida's beauty was of a delicate, refined
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