Herbert would not have thought to give this caution, but, just as Mr.
Carroll uttered the words, "I have a large sum of money with me," a man dressed in a rough frieze coat, with black whiskers, and a general appearance, which, to say the least, did not prepossess Herbert in his favor, chanced to walk through the car. Whether he caught the words Herbert could not tell, but he paused a moment, and fixed an unpleasant eye upon the two, as if determined to know them when he should meet them again. There was another suspicious circ.u.mstance. It had evidently been his intention to pa.s.s through the car, but he paused abruptly, and, turning back, sank into an unoccupied seat a few feet back of that occupied by Mr. Carroll and his young companion.
His attention naturally drawn by this suspicious conduct, Herbert was impelled to glance back once or twice. Each time he met the watchful look of the man fixed upon them, instead of being directed at the scenery outside, as was the case with the other pa.s.sengers. When he saw that the boy was watching him, he turned his head carelessly, and commenced whistling. But this apparent indifference did not deceive Herbert for a moment.
"I will watch him," thought our hero. "I do not like his looks. If he means mischief, as I think very probable, it is necessary that I should be on my guard against him."
At half-past seven o"clock Mr. Carroll signified his intention of getting out at the next station. "I am beginning to feel tired," he said, "and shall feel the better for a good supper and a night"s rest."
"Very well, sir," said Herbert.
It occurred to him that now they would get rid of the man who was watching them so closely.
"If he gets out of the train with us," he thought, "I shall know what it means."
The train slackened its speed, the sound of the whistle was heard, the brakes were applied, and soon the conductor, putting his head in at the door, called out "Oakland!"
"Here we are," said Herbert. "Give me your hand, Mr. Carroll, and I will lead you out."
The old gentleman rose from his seat, and, guided by Herbert, walked to the car door. At the door Herbert turned and looked back.
The man with the black whiskers, who a moment before seemed absorbed in a newspaper, had left his seat, and was but a few feet behind him.
Herbert did not believe that this was an accident. He felt sure that it meant mischief. But he did not on that account feel nervous, or regret that he had a.s.sumed a charge which seemed likely to expose him to peril.
He had the pistol in his pocket, and that he knew would make him even with the rascal who was following them.
There was a covered carriage waiting outside to convey pa.s.sengers to the only hotel which the village afforded.
"Shall we take the carriage, Mr. Carroll?" asked Herbert.
"Yes," was the reply.
Herbert a.s.sisted him in, and placed himself in a seat opposite.
There were two or three other pa.s.sengers, but the man with the black whiskers was not to be seen among them.
"I may be mistaken," thought Herbert, who had rather expected to see him. "Perhaps he lives here, and I have been alarming myself without reason. Still, it is always best to be on one"s guard."
A ride of half a mile brought them to a small but comfortable-looking inn. Herbert a.s.sisted Mr. Carroll to descend, and together they entered the house of entertainment.
"We shall want some supper. Herbert," said Mr. Carroll. "You may order some."
"What shall I order, sir?"
"I should like some tea and toast and some beef-steak. If there is anything that you would prefer, you may order that also."
"No, sir, I should not wish anything better than you have ordered."
"Tell them to get it ready as soon as possible. I feel weary with my day"s ride, and shall retire early."
"I feel tired, too." thought Herbert, "but it won"t do for me to sleep.
I must keep my eyes open, if possible."
Supper was soon served. The toast was well browned, and spread with excellent b.u.t.ter. The steak was juicy and tender, contrary to the usual custom of country inns, and the tea was fragrant and strong. Both the travelers partook heartily, having eaten nothing since noon, with the exception of a little fruit purchased from the car window at one of the stations. Herbert was not usually in the habit of drinking tea at night, but on this particular occasion he wanted to keep awake, and therefore drank two cups, of undiminished strength.
"Now, Herbert," said Mr. Carroll, when they had finished supper, "you may ask the clerk to a.s.sign me to a large room with a couple of beds in it. I should prefer to have you in the same room with me."
"Very well, sir."
He rose from the table, and went to the public room, one portion of which was occupied by the office. As he made his way to the desk, he observed the man with black whiskers on a settee at one end of the room.
He was smoking a clay pipe. Herbert caught a stealthy glance directed towards himself, but that was all. The man continued smoking, fixing his eyes with apparent interest on a large yellow handbill pasted on the opposite wall, announcing a performance by "The Great American Circus Company" the succeeding evening.
Herbert succeeded in obtaining such a room as he sought, and accompanied by a servant bearing a lamp, went back to the dining-room to accompany Mr. Carroll to it.
CHAPTER XX
FACING A BURGLAR
Herbert deliberated as to whether it would be best to inform his aged traveling companion of the suspicious-looking man, who appeared to have followed them for no good purpose. He finally decided not to do so, since it would only alarm Mr. Carroll, and prevent his sleeping off his fatigue, while there would be no advantage gained, since a blind and feeble man could be of little use in repelling the burglar, should the stranger prove to be such.
The bedroom was large and square, and contained two beds. The larger of these was placed in the corner, and this was a.s.signed to the old gentleman. The smaller was situated between the two side windows, and was, of course, the more exposed of the two. This Herbert was to occupy.
"Do you know how to load the pistol, Herbert?" asked Mr. Carroll.
"Yes, sir," said Herbert, confidently.
"I don"t antic.i.p.ate any occasion for using it," continued the old gentleman. "Still, it will be best to be prepared."
"So I think, sir."
"You won"t be afraid to use it, if it should be necessary?"
"No, sir."
Mr. Carroll took a package from his carpet-bag and showed it to Herbert.
"This package," he said, "contains five thousand dollars in bank bills.
If it were known that I had it, I should be in danger. I suppose it will be best to put it back in the carpet-bag."
"If it were mine," said Herbert, "I would not do that."
"Where, then, would you put it?"
"I would put it between the mattresses. If anyone should get into the room, they would seize the carpet-bag first, and, perhaps, make off before they could be stopped."
"I don"t know but you are right," said Mr. Carroll. "Perhaps it will be well to put my watch in the same place."