The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 226: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

220 THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’S YOUNG CAPTAIN. NE een ne Ena SIT take our family ; for my father’s wealth is im- mense,”’ “Tm glad to hear you say so, But, if that be so, how the devil is it that he doesn’t send you some money to pay all your debts at the hotel and other places?” “Well, you see,” said Joel, with the air of a young man who had thousands at his command, ‘you see, my friend Tomasso, affairs of this kind are beyond your comprehension. My father may be busy, his letters may haye miscarried, or even the mail robbed.” “Ah, I dare say. Very unlikely, I think ; but you have delayed paying me so long that I——”’ ‘Pay you? Why, what in the name of Heaven do I owe you?” “Owe me, eh? Ha, ha! well, that 7s good, upon my word.” “Yes, owe you?” said Joel, with a slight flush across his face. ‘I owe you nothing.” “Don’t you, though, Not so fast; just you listen to me.” ‘Nay, you just listen to me instead,” said Joel. angrily. ‘I have given you hundreds upon hun- dreds to capture and convict that young rascal, Frank Ford, but instead of doing that you let him escape,” ; “Oh, indeed ; go on, I am all attention,” ‘And let me tell you,” said Joel, ‘you have acted very shabbily towards me, for you have not only robbed me——” 2 ‘Robbed? ‘Nay, nay, stop, stop, young m4n ; don’t you use such words so freely. My honour and reputation are beyond all suspicion.” “Beyond all suspicion, eh? Fiddle-de-dee, Signor Tomasso! You are like all of your trade, and will receive money from both the innocent and the guilty at the same time.” “TI received it from the guilty when I took the money from you,’ said Tomasso, with an air of triumph, “Me guilty ?” said Joel, astounded. “Guilty of what? How dare you, sir, insinuate such foul charges against a person of my standing! Go your way, sir ; for two pins I’d give you in charge for swindling !’ “Would you indeed?” said Tomasso, grinning, ‘‘ How very polite you are all at once, Give me in charge for swindling, eh? Ha! ha! By Jove! that is good, and no mistake,” “It would not be very good or pleasant to you, I think, if I were to expose all your rascality to the prefect of police,” “I dare say not, in your opinion; and in my opinion it would not be pleasant if I were to have you up before the same prefect, and tell him all about your ——” “ My what ?” “Why, all you’ye done in connection with your father in robbing old Ford, and depriving the young Fords of their fortune.” ‘‘ Robbing—old Ford—the young Fords! What do you mean ?” stammered Joel, ‘Oh! nothing ; but you see robbery was not the worst part of the business—murder was done, Mr. Schmidt.”’ Tomasso said these few words in such a low, earnest tone that made Joel’s blood run cold again, He answered not a word, but for a second looked the peven fairly in the face, pale with [astonish- ment, ‘Murder |” Joel mechanically answered, I am listening. Proceed, “Yes, murder,” said Tomasso, with glittering eyes. a oel tried to speak, but could not. f ‘ Look you here, Mr. Joel Flint, Mr. Schmidt, or whatever your name is,’ said the detective. I have had my eye on you for a very long time.’ “ For what 2?” “Why, for taking part in the robbery and murder of old Ford. A mere trifle, ain’t it?” “But I am innocent.” “blac “Of course you are. What scoundrel is there living who is not innocent if you believe them, ha |! ha!” ‘But surely you cannot for a moment think that I’d do such a foul thing as that ?” “ That depends,’’ ** How do you mean?” “ Why, if you have plenty of money——” “ But I have not a five-pound note in the world.” ‘“You didn’t hear me out, don’t be in such a hurry, but listen. If you have plenty of money, or can get it by any means, why, then, you are inno- cent; but if you are poor, and can’t raise a stiver, why, then, you are guilty.’ For some time Joel nor Tomasso spoke, Joel was deep in thought. He felt as if he had been clutched by some des- perate, cruel-handed demon. “Come this way,” said Tomasso, ‘Let us go into this cafe and have a quiet chat, this one near the steam-boat pier. Ihave much'to say to you.” Joel followed his companion, and ere long they were seated in a small private room. Tomasso locked the door, and finding everything safe and snug around him, helped himself to wine, threw himself into an arm chair, and pulled out of his pocket a bundle of official and private papers. “There,” said Tomasso, ‘if you only knew the contents of those letters, it would turn your hair gray.” ‘Indeed ! Why all this mystery ?” “TI will soon explain. The very night of old Ford’s murder you did not sleep at Bromley Hall Academy,” “How do you know that?” ‘““ By private information,” “Well, what of that? According to the news- paper accounts the murder must have taken place on the night of the very day on which occurred the riot at Bromley Hall.” . “You are right; your recollection is not at fault.” ‘‘ But there were many who did not sleep in the Hall that night. The young Garibaldians had left, and many others ; Caspar, for instance,” ‘IT know it ; but can you tell me where youslept on that particular night ?” ‘*Y-e-e-8,”’ said Joel, “of course I can,” ‘Where, pray ?”’ “Why, in the village,” ‘‘ But, of course, you can prove that ?” ‘Scan.’ “You can ot,” said Tomasso, with a smile. You did not sleep in the village at all,” ‘‘ What! would you make me out a liar?” said Joel, in great anger, “Yes ; you are not only a liar, but one of the greatest that ever lived, Sit down.” Joel sat down, for escape was impossible. He was now in the lion’s den, from which there was no chance of running, “ Now, of course you don’t know that Mr, Caspar was tried and acquitted of robbery ?” ‘'T heard it by chance,” GEomicboo Conn