The Young Oarsmen of Lakeview Part 44

"You can do nothing against me."

"That remains to be seen."

"Who will take your word against mine? n.o.body. You are a mere country lad, while I am a well-known New York citizen."

"Mr. Ardell was also well known in his day."

Again Alexander Sloc.u.m's face grew pale.

"Nellie Ardell has no doubt urged you to attack me," he growled. "I must see her. Why didn't she come with you?"

"She is busy."

"I will explain matters to her in detail. Really, the claim is not worth anything, but I wish to avoid trouble, and--"

"You might as well stop, Mr. Sloc.u.m, for it's too late to say that now. I am positive our claims are of great value. Since you won't do the right thing, I shall advise my father to bring action in court to compel you to come to terms."

While speaking, Jerry had walked to the door, and now placed his hand on the k.n.o.b.

"Stop! stop!"

"No, I have had enough for the present."

"You villain!"

Sloc.u.m ran toward Jerry, who opened the door to step out, but found the way blockaded by Casey, his book-keeper.

"Here, what's up?" cried the man, in wonder.

"Don't let him get away, Casey!" cried Alexander Sloc.u.m. "He is going to make trouble, sure!"

"Let me go!" burst out our hero as the book-keeper caught hold of him.

"Let go, or I'll----"

Jerry never finished that sentence. Alexander Sloc.u.m had picked up the ruler the youth had dropped, and leaped to the front. Down came the weapon on the young oarsman's head; he felt a sharp stinging pain--and then he knew no more.

When Jerry came to his senses all was dark around him. He was lying on a damp, cement floor, evidently that of a cellar.

His head ached greatly, and for several minutes he could not remember what had happened.

Then came back that scene in Sloc.u.m's office. He staggered to his feet.

Where was he and how long had he been there?

The first question was readily answered. Stepping forward, Jerry stumbled over some loose coal. He was in a coal-cellar. Around and above were brick walls. The door was of sheet-iron, and it was tightly closed and barred.

How had he come to that place? Probably his enemies had carried him hither, although how they could do it without being seen was a question.

As soon as our hero felt strong enough he looked about for some means of escaping from his prison. With great care he examined the walls and tried the door.

Finding no outlet on any side, he turned his attention to the pavements above. From one spot there came a faint glimmer of light, in a circle, and he rightfully guessed that the coal-hole was located there.

How to reach the hole was a problem. It was several feet above our hero's head, and there was nothing in the coal-vault to stand upon.

Jerry considered the situation for a minute, and then, standing directly under the cover of the hole, leaped upward, sending his hand over his head as he did so.

The cover was loose, and the force of the blow caused it to fly upward.

Another blow and it fell away entirely, and in a second more the young oarsman was clambering out of the opening.

It was drawing towards evening, and the street was full of people, some of which eyed the boy curiously. Restoring the cover to its place, he left the spot.

The question now was, should he return to Sloc.u.m's office or seek outside a.s.sistance? He decided upon the latter course. To attempt to bring the rascally real estate agent to terms alone would be foolhardy.

Jerry's head ached so much he could think only with difficulty, and he decided to return to Nellie Ardell's apartments. It was a hard walk, and he was glad when the place was reached and he could sit down.

"What's the matter--are you hurt?" cried the young woman.

"I was knocked out," replied the youth, with a sorry little laugh. "I've got a pretty big lump on the top of my head."

Sitting down, he told his story, to which Nellie Ardell listened with breathless attention.

"The wicked man! He should be locked up!" she burst out, when Jerry had finished. "It's a wonder he didn't kill you."

"That's true. As it was, the blow was awfully hard."

"What will you do now?"

"I really don't know."

"Won't that Mr. Islen whom you work for, help you?"

"Perhaps he will," returned the youth, struck with the idea. "The trouble is his brother is dead, and that has upset him."

"One thing is certain, Jerry, the property is valuable."

"Yes, and another thing is certain," added our hero. "We want our shares of it."

"It would be a great help to me to get some money out of it," said Nellie Ardell, with a sigh. "This sewing constantly day in and day out is wearing on me."

The two talked for over an hour, and then Jerry felt compelled to lie down. It was nearly morning before his head stopped aching and he got some rest.

CHAPTER x.x.xV.

A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE