|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 59
"Do you consider me responsible for that fire?" faltered Danes.
"Hazelton and I went through that fire," Tom retorted sternly. "We had
a hard fight to save that woman and her babies, and were nearly choked
with the fumes of the coal oil with which the fire was kindled. I
couldn't swear, in court, Danes, that you started the blaze, but your
coat and your hands have the odor of coal oil."
Dane's face turned pale, his legs shaking under him.
"So, you see," continued Tom savagely, "you'll do well to escape before
anyone else notices the smell of coal oil on you."
"You've been mighty good to me--and I--" chattered Danes.
"Shut up, as I advised you before!" rasped Tom Reade. "I've been as
good to you as I'd be to a rattlesnake. Get out of Arizona before the
men of this town suspect--understand--you?"
"I will," Frank Danes agreed, his teeth chattering.
"Don't ever show your face again in this part of the world."
"I won't, Reade. Again, my thanks--"
"Shut up!" Tom insisted. "Thanks from you would make me feel like a
traitor to the community. Skip! Carry word to the Colthwaite Company,
however, that their latest scheme against us has failed like the
others!"
At mention of the Colthwaits, Danes turned and fled in earnest.
"That was their second attempt," muttered Tom grimly, as he turned back
to where the flames still held dominion. "I wonder if I shall be as
lucky when the third attempt against me is made?"
CHAPTER XVII
TIM GRIGGS "GETS HIS"
In another hour the spot where the hotel had stood was marked only by a
shapeless mass of smoking embers.
The citizens of the town went back to their beds. Mrs. Gerry and her
children had recovered consciousness and had found a friendly lodging
for the night.
The rescue performed by Tom and Harry had been a simple enough
achievement.
Shut off from every other means of escape, they remembered the
dumbwaiter that ran from the kitchen up to the floors above.
The two little children were sent down on the dumb-waiter, Harry riding
on the top of the wooden frame. Mrs. Gerry's rescue was delayed until
Harry could send the dumb-waiter up to the third floor, where she and
Tom awaited its return. Aided by Tom, she descended to the kitchen
without accident; then Tom followed, sliding down the rope. It was but
the work of a moment to break through the basement window and pass the
woman and her children out to safety.
Morning found Proprietor Carter somewhat resigned to his loss. True,
the hotel had been destroyed and the embers must be removed, but both
building and contents had been fairly well insured.
"I'm a few thousand out," said the hotel man philosophically, "but I
have my ground yet, and, the insurance money will allow me to rebuild.,
and put up a more modern hotel. Of course I'll be a few thousand
dollars in debt, to start with, but after a short while I'll have earned
the money that I've lost."
"Why did you smile when poor Carter was talking about his loss?"
demanded Harry, as the chums strolled away in search of breakfast.
"Did I?" asked Tom, looking suddenly very, sober.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|