The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 227: what you’re looking at

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

—_—-— THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDIS YOUNG CAPTAIN. 221 “ Jonathan’s wife and Shanks, the tutor, were punished for perjury.” ‘“‘T also heard that,” “But you did not hear, I suppose, that Jonathan himself was hunted night and day by the police?” “Impossible !’’ “No, not at all. Ford’s murder.” ‘The scoundrel,” said Joel, with well assumed indignation, _ “Yes, wasn’the? And his partner in that business is even a still greater vagabond.” “No doubt. What's his name?’ “The same as yours, exactly.” “ Tt can’t be.” “Tt is though ; your father, Joel, is as deep in the mud as old Jonathan is in the mire.” “You are joking,” said Joel, ‘and try to act upon my fears.” I do not,” said Tomasso, proof.” So speaking, he read the following letter :— “ SIGNOR TOMASSO, DETECTIVE POLICE, LEGHORN. ** DEAR SIR,—In answer to your letter, I have to inform you that, up to the present moment, the detectives of Scotland Yard have not been able to capture the two old villains, Jonathan and old Flint, the lawyer. ‘* The officers have not the slightest doubt of their guilt in the matter of old Ford’s murder; but the old rascals are so cunning that they have eluded the vigilance of the whole detective force for the present. “The old lawyer has a son somewhere abroad; but where cannot be discovered. _ ‘If we could ouly unearth old Flint’s son, it is more than likely that we could fasten upon him also some share in the bloody tragedy. “* Before the old lawyer made his escape, it has been ascertained that a large iron safe was packed in a box, and sent to South- ampton for transmission abroad ; but whether it did or did not go on the continent is a matter of doubt. “‘ That the safe contained many things of value there cannot be a doubt, for it has been ascortained that a day or two pre- vious to old Ford’s murder, old Flint the lawyer had deeds and documents in trust for the two nephews, Tom and Frank Ford, besides a very large sum in ready money. “If you can trace either his son or the large packing case, we have no doubt but it would tend to clear up this mystery very speedily, for nine chances out of ten the son .knows where the treasure js, and, perhaps, may be living on part of it. “If you discover the son, track him, and intercept his letters, for there can be no doubt but that they (the father and son) correspond with each other. Hoping to hear from you soon, **T remain, yours, &c. ‘“GALE, Detective.”’ Tomasso finished reading the letter, and Joel stared at him like one who was half demented. “You see,” said the Italian, “I have you in my clutches.” ‘So it seems,” said Joel, and he breathed very hard, and was flushed in the face. ‘‘ And what do you intend to do with me? You cannot arrest me on mere suspicion.” _ “But Ihave more than suspicion of your share in the murder,’ said Tomasso. « How 2”? : “Why, a pocket-book was discovered in Caspar’s room the night yow stole his cloak and mask.” ‘* Me steal his cloak and mask ?” “Yes, you, Joel ; it could not have been any one else, or why should Gale inform me of finding your pocket-book in his room ?” Joel was nonplussed at the amount of evidence Tomasso seemed to have against him ; but he made no other remark than to say, ‘Oh, all this kind of reasoning is trumpery ; no doubt I did loose my pocket-book in Caspar’s room during the riot, but I did not steal the cloak and mask.” ‘That remains to be seen; but perhaps you will explain the meaning of several mysterious notes which we found in the pocket-book, coming from He also had a hand in old ‘‘ Here is the best of your father, and all speaking of Mr. Ford’s affairs, and what he thought of the boys. There are several very broad hints in them to the effect that if Frank and Tom could only be accidentally drowned while bathing, it would be a matter of thousands in his, your father’s, pocket as well as your own.” “Who told you all this nonsense ?’’ said Joel, rising from his seat. ‘‘Do you suppose for one moment that I believe anything of all this you have told me? No, not one word.” “Tt isa matter of very little importance to me whether you believe it or not. I have got copies of the letters to which I allude, and that is suf- ficient for your apprehension.” * And do you mean to do that ?” “Yes, unless you buy my silence.” ‘‘ But suppose I were to do so, what then?” “Why, you could pay me a handsome price, I should retire from the ‘force,’ and then-—-—”’ “ T might go to the devil, I suppose?” “Exactly. Come, what do you say ?”’ “Tsay this much, that I have not a five-pound note in all the world.” 3 ‘But you know where the iron safe is; there is plenty of money in it.” “T don’t know where it is, or I should not allow myself to be in such poverty as I am at present,” said Joel. “Oh, that’s all nonsense,” Tomasso replied; “ You know where it is well enough, but you can’t get at it, perhaps, eh, that’s more likely ?” “You seem to know more about the) affairs: of my father than I do myself,” said Joel. “T do,’ said Tomasso, ‘and, if you ‘will..be guided by me, I will get you out of the scrape you are now in.” “In what way?” “ 7 know where the safe is.” “You ?” “Yes, and more than that, it is not a mile away from here, as you know very well.” : “‘T tell you again and again I do not know where it is.”’ “And I tell you again and again that you do. Listen to me, Joel. I have your life in my hands; but, as I perceive a good chance to make my fortune out of you, I am going to do so.” Joel bit his lip. “‘T know that your father sent that safe’ to South- ampton, and there it remained unti, by his letters to you, he advised you to send for iti ‘“T never received those letters,” said Joel, in surprise. “T dare say not, but I did, and sent for the safe. It is now lying in the custom-house, and remains there for you to call for it.” “Are you serious ?” **T was never more so in my whole life.” ‘‘This is a trap you have laid for me, Tomasso,” said Joel, with a quivering lip. ‘‘I knew that the safe was there, and that it was guarded both night and day by two men, who have been sent from England for that purpose. I have no right to go and demand the safe, and therefore shall let it re- main where it is.” ‘‘Then I shall this instant ring the bell, call in a couple of officers, and cast you into prison.” Acting up to his word, Tomasso rose to ring the bell, “ Stay |’ said Joel, with a flushed face. in your power, although I am innocent, ring that bell, Tomasso, on your life !” “What?” “y am Do not CoOMmicloo CO