University of Virginia Library

4. CHAPTER IV.
The Rendezvous.

AT sundown, on the same day, Joseph
Jenks stepped out of one of the Boston
and Roxbury omnibuses, at the latter place,
and took the road that led to the residence
of the Actons.

Arrived there, he found Kate already at the
place of rendezvous, agreeably to their plan,
she having excused herself to Mrs. Barnes,
and stolen into the orchard unobserved.

It was a secluded spot, but a short distance
from the road, and one in which the
two could meet without fear of being surprised.
It was already dark when Light
Joe arrived, but the moon arising, gave promise
of a beautiful and brilliant night.

`What more of the Rev. Mr. Everett?'
asked Joe, after having greeted his mistress
with becoming tenderness.

`The villain!' exclaimed Kate, `I am
afraid he has won the affections of Miss Irving—for
she knows nothing of him whatever.
If she should marry him, and learn afterwards
what a man he is, it would kill her
—break her heart!'

`That is none of our business,' said Joe.
`Let him work. We will not forget him—
revenge will yet be ours. I have just learned
where he lives, and I shall be down upon
him soon. But how is the business I came
to speak with you about? Have you found
where they keep the plate?'

`Yes,' replied Kate, stifling her conscience
and strengthening her heart to carry
out her original design against the Actons.
`It is a rich haul for you, Joe, I assure you.'
And the girl proceeded to name over certain
articles of silver ware, at which Light Joe
could not conceal his interest and delight.

`But the money—have you found where
he keeps it?' asked the young burglar, eagerly.

`Not yet. I have my eye on a place
which I suspect contains a treasure, but I
ain't certain. It was chiefly on this account
that I wanted to see you to-night. You must
give me the keys you mentioned, and I will
try them on the bureaus and chests I can
get access to, and if they fit I'll soon be able
to tell you where you'll find the money.'

`I come prepared,' returned Joe; `Here
is a good assortment I've brought on purpose
for you. Be cautious, Kate, and shrewd—
be devilish shrewd—for recollect your interests
are mine and mine are yours. Gordon
and I are to divide the spoils between us—
old Meg shares with him, and you with me.
Find out where the money is—get keys to
fit all the doors, drawers and safes that contain
any thing valuable; then lend a hand
to help Gordon and me off with it, and—
What the devil is that?'

This sudden interruption, and rough remark
were occasioned by a rustling movement
in the leaves close by, and a deep
growl scarce a dozen feet from the spot
where Joseph stood.

By the light of the newly risen moon, the
startled couple beheld a large, black, ferocious
looking dog ready to spring upon
them.

`By —!' muttered Joe, snatching a
dirk-knife from his pocket and opening it in
an instant. Stand away, Kate, and let him
come.'

`Instead of complying, the girl, without

losing her presence of mind, advanced boldly
towards the dog, spoke to him, and patted
him on the neck. The fierce animal was
tame and peaceable as a lamb.

`It's Pluto, Joe,' said Kate. `I forgot to
mention him. He is a faithful friend, but a
terrible enemy—not one of the barking
breed, but one that is not afraid to bite.—
Mr. Acton keeps him shut up by day, and
let's him out nights. He knows me, you
see, for I feed him, and do all I can to make
him like me. He's a good fellow.'

`Good fellow, and be d—!' exclaimed
Joe, who had not yet recovered from his excitement.
`It wouldn't be a very pious notion
to have him about our ears when we
come for the plate and money. The devil
take the black imp! he would just knock our
plans all in the head if we should attempt to
break into the house when he was loose.—
Kate, you must manage some way to get rid
of him.'

Pluto was beginning to smell of Joe, as if
glad to make his acquaintance, and Joe was
caressing him, while, Judas like, he was at
the same time plotting against his life, when
suddenly the dog pricked up his ears, as if
he heard some suspicious noise, and uttered
a deep growl.

`Hush, Pluto!' said Kate.

And the animal was silent.

It was well for Joe and his mistress, however,
that the dog was with them, for his
quick ears had discovered the approach of
two persons, and given the couple timely
warning which enabled them to couceal
themselves before the new comers suspected
their presence. They withdrew at once to
the shadow of a fence, which hid them effectually
from the view of the two strangers.
Kate called the obedient Pluto with her, and
made him lie down by her side.

`Now speak,' said one of the new comers,
`we are alone. What business have you
with me?'

`If you knew me, you could guess,' replied
the other, significantly.

`If I knew you? I have never seen you
before!' retorted the first speaker.

`You are mistaken, Mr. Acton. You
know me well. Look at me now!'

And the speaker removed his cap from his
brow, and by the light of the moon, which
cast its bright silvery rays upon his face,
discovered to the eyes of the astonished listeners,
the features of Isaac Gordon.

Yet Mr. Acton did not seem to know him.
He looked full into his face, and scrutinized
his features closely, still failing to recognize
them.

`I know you not,' said he. `Who are
you?'

`Would you know my name?' asked Gordon
with a malicious grin.

`Speak!'

Gordon looked cautiously around him, as
fearing lest his secret should be overheard,
then placing his hand on Acton's arm, and
looking him full in the face, whispered a single
word in his ear.

Mr. Acton started back, and staggered as
if smitten by a deadly blow.

`Do you know me now?' demanded Gordon,
still holding him by the arm.

And he continued to gaze at him with a
look of malicious triumph.

Mr. Acton was pale as death, but in a moment
he recovered his self possession, and
shook off the hold of the burglar with disgust.'

`Yes, I know you!' he muttered through
his teeth—`I know you too well, curse of
my existence! what would you with me
now?'

`That your wife—'

`Silence, villaiu!' interrupted Acton,
fiercely.

`Can I not see her?' demanded Gordon,
nothing moved.

`I would cut your throat first!' exclaimed
Acton in a tone of terrible meaning.

`I don't doubt it,' said Gordon, coolly. `I
believe you love her—and if so, you would
not have her detest you as you deserve'

Before Gordon could finish his sentence,
Acton, wrought to desperation, seized him
by the throat and shook him fiercely.

`Fiend!' he muttered, `you will tempt
me to destroy you!'

Gordon became black in the face before
he could shake off his grasp; then pale as a
corpse his eye flashed with suppressed rage,
and his ashy lips quivered with passion.

`Serpent!' he hissed through his set teeth,
`I will be revenged on you for this! do you
consider that I could make you detested of
her?'

`By —!' exclaimed Acton, `if you goad
me thus, I shall be sure to kill you! Beware!'

`Do you think I fear you? No, for I have
you in my power! And it is to tell you this,
that I am come—to torment you with fears
lest Maria should discover—'

Gordon knew not the desperation of the
man he had to deal with, else he was foolishly
rash. Acton's spirit was roused, he felt
that the wretch before him had him in his
power; that his character—his honor and
his happiness were at his mercy. Could he
—should he suffer such a man to live and be
his curse? A terrible thought—a desperate
purpose took possession of his soul.

`By —, Kate,' whispered Joe, who had
heard and seen all—`Murder will come of
this—but keep back the dog!'

Even as Joe spoke, Acton snatched a pistol
from his pocket, and quick as thought
presented it to Gordon's breast and fired.
Gordon dashed it aside the moment it was
discharged, and threw himself upon Acton,
as if he would have crushed him. Down,
they went, falling heavily to the ground;
and the next moment Pluto, whom Kate
could no longer control, burst away and

`Like Mountain Cat that guards her young,'
darted fiercely at his master's antagonist.
His fangs were already at Gordon's throat,
when Acton shouted to him to desist. The
animal obeyed, and the two antagonists arose
to their feet.

Kate had taken advantage of the confu
sion to fly to the house, but Joe still remained
in his hiding place.

`You would murder me, eh?' said Gordon,
with a ghostly attempt at a laugh. `Ha!
ha! that is a rich joke—but you shall pay for
it, Acton, true as there is a devil in hell!'

`A rich joke, indeed!' thought Joe, who
was getting exceedingly nervous; `a devilish
rich joke!'

`Think you,' said Acton, that I can tamely
submit to your insults, and that I can suffer
to be tormented by you at your pleasure?
By heavens! you do not know me!'

`Nor do you know me;' retorted Gordon,
`if you think that while you are rolling in
riches and I am crushed by poverty—'

`Ha?' cried Acton, his features brightening,
`It is money you want!'

`It is money I must have!' exclaimed
Gordon.

`How much, wretch! will buy you to secrecy?'
demanded Acton, in a contemptuous
tone.

`Had you treated me as you would have
treated an old friend,' replied Gordon, `I
would have said five hundred—'

`Five hundred!'

`But as it is,' pursued Gordon, `I shall
double that amount. One thousand dollars
—not a penny less—will save you from dishonor.'

`A rich joke indeed!' muttered Joe. `A
cool thousand! Bravo, Gordon!'

`Exorbitant!' exclaimed Mr. Acton.

`Think of it!' said the burglar. `What
is one thousand dollars to you? It will purchase
you what nothing else can—security!
The moment the money is in my hands, I
promise never to trouble you again. Think
of it!'

`I will,' said Acton, `Come here day after
to-morrow evening at ten o'clock, and
I will give you an answer. Not before.'

And before Gordon could arrest him, Mr.
Acton followed by Pluto, hastened away in
the direction of his house.