A Cousin's Conspiracy: or, A Boy's Struggle for an Inheritance

“He must have got out this way,” said the outlaw.

“Won’t he come back, papa?” said Frank.

“Yes,” said his father resolutely. “I will bring him back.”

CHAPTER XXIII

GIVEN IN TRUST

“Well, lad, have you had enough of Emmonsville?”

The speaker was Luke Robbins and the time was two days after the series of exciting incidents recorded in the last few chapters.

“Why do you ask, Luke?” replied Ernest. “Are you tired of it?”

“Yes, lad, I want to move on.”

“But what about the reward you are entitled to for the capture of John Fox?”

“The cashier thinks I will only receive a part of it, as Fox has escaped.”

“That is unlucky. You will have to wait until the matter is decided, won’t you?”

“No. He has offered me an advance of a hundred dollars, and is authorized to collect whatever prize money may be awarded to me. You have some money left?”

“Yes, about seventy-five dollars.”

“Then we both have enough to start on. I propose to go to California by train, getting there as soon as possible. When we reach there we will see what we can do to increase our pile.”

“I like that plan. When shall we go?”

“We will start on Monday.”

Before they departed there was some sensational news. Peter Longman, one of the Fox band, taking offense at some slight put upon him by James Fox, went to the authorities and revealed the existence and location of the cave, with other information of a like nature. The result was that a strong force was sent to surprise and capture the notorious outlaws.

The visit was made at night and under guidance of Peter himself. Wholly unsuspicious of treachery, the outlaws were captured in their beds and the valuable articles in the storeroom were confiscated.

James Fox was reclining on the sofa when the officers entered.

“Is your name Fox?” asked the leader of the invading party.

“Yes,” answered the outlaw proudly.

“Then you are my prisoner.”

“Who has betrayed me?” demanded Fox quickly.

There was no answer, but just behind the invading party the outlaw caught sight of Peter Longman, apparently trying to screen himself from observation.

“I need not ask,” he said. “There is the treacherous hound. He shall not live to profit by his baseness.”

Before anyone could interfere James Fox leveled his revolver at Longman, and a sharp scream showed that his aim was true. His treacherous follower fell to the ground, mortally wounded.

James Fox looked at him disdainfully, then threw the revolver upon the floor of the cave and held out his hands. “Now bind me if you will,” he said; “I am your captive.”

Little Frank was a terrified witness of this scene.

“What are they doing to you, papa?” he asked. “They are bad men.”

In spite of his fortitude the outlaw showed traces of emotion. “That is my little son,” he said to the lieutenant commanding.

“He shall be taken care of. Do not be anxious about him.”

“There is an old colored woman here – Juba,” went on the outlaw. “The boy is used to her. If possible let them be together.”

Under a strong guard the famous robbers were carried to jail, and the cave which had been for years their meeting place was dismantled and was never again used for a criminal resort.

When Ernest read the story his feelings were mixed. He rejoiced that the outlaws were taken, but he felt a sympathy for little Frank, and understood what a shock it must be to the father and son to be separated.

He learned where Frank was and called upon him. He had been taken to his own home by the leader of the raiding force.

When he entered the room where Frank sat disconsolately at the window the little fellow uttered a cry of joy.

“Is it you, Ernest?” he said, running forward. “I thought I should never see you again.”

Ernest stooped over and kissed him.

“You see I am here,” he said.

“What made you go away? Why didn’t you tell me you were going?”

“I will tell you some time, Frank.”

“Why did those bad men take papa away?”

“I do not think you would understand. Where is Juba?”

“She is in the kitchen. I will call her.”

Juba came in and seemed pleased to see Ernest.

“I have got a letter for you, honey,” she said, fumbling in her pocket.

She brought out a yellow envelope. It was directed to Ernest.

The contents ran thus:

Now that misfortune has come upon me my chief thought is for my boy. Whatever befalls me I want him cared for. You are scarcely more than a stranger to me, but when you were in the cave you seemed to love Frank. Poor boy, he will stand in need of some friend who loves him. So far as you can, will you be his friend and guardian? He has some property – a few thousand dollars – which you will hold in trust for him. It is not stolen property. It was left him by his mother.