CHAPTER XX.
ANDY GRESSON IS ASTONISHED.
In the meanwhile Franklin had not been idle. He had waited only until Andy Gresson had sat down to the table to devour a late supper. Then, certain that the thief would remain at the cottage for at least a quarter of an hour, he sped off with all haste for the local police station.
It was not necessary, however, for the young electrician to make the entire trip. He had gone less than half the distance when he almost ran into a policeman, who stared at him and was almost on the point of grabbing him by the arm.
"What are you running for, young fellow?" demanded the officer as he followed Franklin up several steps.
"Oh, officer, you are just the man I want," returned Franklin, joyfully. "I was on my way to the station house to obtain assistance."
"What's the trouble—murder?" questioned the officer quickly.
"Not as bad as that, sir. I want you to come and arrest a thief."
"A thief?" Who? Where?"
"It is Andy Gresson, the man who robbed Mrs. Mace of her diamond rings last January."
"Oh, I remember him! And where is he?"
"At his home on Valley Place. Come, I will show you the way."
"All right, I'm with you, young man. There is no mistake?"
"No, sir."
"Who are you?"
"Franklin Bell."
"You are the boy, then, that was mixed up in the case?"
"Yes, unfortunately. But come on, there is no time to waste. He may leave the cottage at any minute."
Franklin began to run, and the policeman, who was young, and had good wind, followed close upon his heels.
It was now getting late, and the streets were almost deserted. The moon had gone under a cloud, making it quite dark, and no one observed their movements.
Valley Place was soon reached, and Franklin pointed out the Gresson cottage.
"The light was in the kitchen before, but I see it is now up stairs," he said.
"Maybe Gresson is going to stay at home all night," returned the policeman, as they made their way around to the kitchen door.
"It is not likely. He is too afraid of arrest," said the young electrician.
"While the policeman tried the door to see if it was unlocked, Franklin once more peered into the window. As he did so, Andy Gresson came down stairs, lamp in hand, with his wife behind him.
"Oh, Andy, I beg of you not to take that money!" cried Mrs. Gresson, tearfully. "I know you will only drink it up!"
"Didn't I tell you to shut up, Mary?" snarled the man, turning upon her fiercely. "I know what is best, and I don't drink any more than is good for me."
As he spoke, he set the lamp down the table, and then drew from his pocket a large and well-worn wallet.
"Here, I won't take your pocketbook," he said, as he opened the wallet and extracted a roll of bills from it. "Sixty dollars, sure enough," he went on, as he counted out the bills on the table.
He had hardly uttered the words when Mrs. Gresson gave a shriek of alarm. The policeman had opened the door and entered the kitchen, followed by Franklin.
Andy Gresson turned at his wife's cry, and then stared at the new-comers in mute astonishment. His surprise was complete, and for the moment he could not move hand or foot.
"You are Andy Gresson, I believe," said the policeman as he strode up to Silas Fell's former workman and caught him by the arm.
"Who—what—" stammered Andy Gresson. Then he caught sight of Franklin. "What, you!"
"Yes, Gresson," returned the young electrician. "I presume you were not thinking of meeting the officer and myself to-night."
"The dickens take the luck!" growled Andy Gresson. "How did you know I was here?"
"I followed you from the street," returned the young electrician.
"I reckon you know what you are wanted for, Andrew Gresson," put in the officer, with a strong show of authority, for he had not been on the force long, and this was by far his most important arrest. "You stole Mrs. Mace's diamond rings."
"It ain't so!" cried Gresson, recklessly. "That boy took them. I am an honest man."
"Nevertheless you will have to come to the station house with me."
"I won't go."
"Oh, yes, you will;" and without further words the officer brought forth a pair of handcuffs, one of which he fastened to his own wrist, and the other to that of his prisoner.
Andy Gresson wished to argue the case, and then he wanted to fight. But at the sight of the officer's club, and a stout stick Franklin had picked up, he changed his mind, and finally consented to go to the station house.
"Mary, give me that money!" he cried to his wife, who had picked up the bills on the table and placed them in her pocket. "I may want money for a lawyer."
"I will call on you, and see in the morning," returned Mrs. Gresson, prudently. "I guess I had better keep the money for the present."
"If it is your money you had better not let him have a cent of it," put in Franklin, warmly. "He is not worthy of it."
At these words, Andy Gresson began to scold the young electrician roundly. But Franklin paid no attention, and Mrs. Gresson kept her money, and a few minutes later the start was made for the station house.
Here Silas Fells's former workman was subjected to a thorough search, and in one of the pockets of his ragged vest, were found two pawn tickets from a pawnbroking establishment in Philadelphia. It was supposed that the tickets represented the rings Gresson had stolen, and a future investigation proved such to be the case. The rings had been pawned for twenty dollars each, and to avoid any trouble in the matter, for the pawnbroker did not seem to be willing to give up the rings without litigation, Mrs. Mace paid the amount advanced, and got them back.
After the examination, Andy Gresson was locked up to await the action of the Grand Jury. There was no use in setting a bail limit, for the man could think of no one who would go as his bondsman. It might as well be stated here, that he was later on tried and sentenced to one year in prison.
When Franklin returned to his uncle's house, he found all of his relatives much worried over his absence. They listened with deep interest to his story of Andy Gresson's capture.
"That will clear you at last!" cried Daisy. "And I'm so glad!"
"So am I glad," returned Franklin, with a smile. "But I am sorry for Mrs. Gresson," he went on, soberly. "She seems such a nice woman. What a shame she has such a husband!"
"I will see if we cannot do something for her," put in Mrs. Bell. "Now we are getting out of our own trouble, it is no more than right that we try to help other folks. I think I can get her some sewing to do."
"I know I can," added Clara, the oldest of the girls. "Mrs. Hill was asking me only last Friday, if I didn't know of some one who could make up a lot of slip covers for her parlor furniture, and do some other sewing."
"I am glad you are going to help her," said Franklin, and before he parted with his aunt that night he gave her a five-dollar bill out of his scanty store, to be used for Mrs. Gresson's benefit.
The young electrician was up bright and early on the following morning. His trunk had already been sent to the depot, and he carried a small satchel in his hand. All of the girls went to the station to see him off.
"Be sure and come back safe!" was Daisy's last cry, as he boarded the train.
"Let us hear from you often!" called out Annie, as she waved her handkerchief.
"Bye-bye, F'anky!" came in baby Bess's piping voice, and then, with a farewell to all, Franklin entered the car, and the train rolled on its journey.
"It's a big undertaking for a boy." he said to himself, as he selected a seat and dropped into it, with his satchel by his side. "I hope I succeed, for I would not like to disappoint Mr. Brice, especially after all he has done for me."
Franklin was a courageous boy, and one well calculated to succeed in any ordinary undertaking. But little did he dream of what lay before him—of the difficulties and the dangers. Had he known of them, his heart might have faltered, and perhaps he might even have turned back. He was going among utter strangers, and he was destined to meet many more enemies than friends.