The Adventures of Rover Boys: 26 Illustrated Adventure Novels. Stratemeyer Edward

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ would not be right. That she very foolishly made a vow never to be present should you marry again, and that she must keep that vow. She feels her position keenly, but she won't break her vow."

      Such a statement would have aroused any ordinary woman, but Mrs. Stanhope appeared to be completely in Josiah Crabtree's power, and all she did now was to draw a long sigh and then wipe away a tear which stole down her pallid face.

      "I do not think it right that I should marry without Dora being present."

      "Pooh! If the girl wishes to remain away, let her do so. She will soon come to her senses and be glad of the way matters have turned."

      "You do not know Dora. She is very — very headstrong at times."

      "Yes, I do know her, Pet. She is headstrong, and greatly influenced by those Rover boys — especially by Dick Rover, who seems to be — ahem — somewhat smitten with her."

      "Dick always impressed me as being a good youth."

      "Good? He is anything but that. Why, if it wasn't for the Rovers, I would now have the finest boarding school for boys on Cayuga Lake. They spoiled all the plans I ever made. 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

       Table of Contents

      "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 СКАЧАТЬ