The Tin Box Part 17

By this time they had penetrated a considerable distance into the wood, and Philip grew impatient to carry out the plan which, from the first, they had had in view.

"Isn't it about time?" he asked, significantly.

"Just as you say," replied Congreve, indifferently.

As he spoke he drew from his pocket a ball of strong cord, and both boys--if Congreve can be called one--looked significantly at our hero.

"What's coming?" thought Harry, perplexed.

He found out soon enough.

CHAPTER XIV

WHAT HAPPENED TO HARRY IN THE WOOD

"I have a little matter of business with you, Gilbert," said Congreve.

"Business!" repeated Harry, looking from James Congreve, with his cool, deliberate manner, to the face of his companion, who was openly exultant. "I don't understand you."

"You'll understand better in five minutes," said Philip.

"I hope so, for I am quite in the dark now."

"The fact is, Gilbert," commenced Congreve, in the cool, deliberate tone habitual to him--for he seldom allowed himself to get excited--"my friend Philip, here, feels that you have treated him badly----"

"Outrageously!" interrupted Philip.

"Very well; let us say outrageously."

"In what way have I treated him outrageously?" demanded Harry, undauntedly.

"Plenty of times," answered Philip, excitedly. "Didn't you attack me in the berry pasture?"

"Yes, and you know why. You were abusing two young children."

"It was none of your business," said Philip, shortly.

"It will always be my business," said Harry, boldly, "when I see a large bully abusing two unoffending children."

"Quite a modern Don Quixote, upon my word," said Congreve, but not in the sneering tone Philip was accustomed to adopt.

He never sneered, and never showed excitement, but he was none the less dangerous on that account.

"Don Quixote was a gentleman, though a foolish one," returned Harry, who understood the allusion.

"That is where he had the advantage of you," observed Philip.

"A very neat hit, upon my word, Philip," said Congreve. "Really, you are improving."

Philip was flattered by this compliment, and looked as if he had quite overwhelmed Harry with his sarcasm.

"However," continued Congreve, "we had better proceed to business.

Philip feels aggrieved, and he expects satisfaction."

"Are we to fight a duel?" thought Harry, who did not in the least comprehend what was coming.

"What sort of satisfaction?" he asked.

"You'll see!" said Philip, triumphantly.

Congreve, who was standing beside Harry, handed the ball of cord to Philip, saying:

"I will hold him, while you tie his hands and feet."

"What!" exclaimed Harry, starting.

"We propose to tie you hand and foot and leave you here," said Congreve, coolly. "It will subject you to some inconvenience, and you may have to remain here all night; but it will teach you not to interfere with my friend Philip again."

"Is that what you invited me to come out here for?" asked Harry.

"Yes."

"Pretending to need my services as a guide?"

"My dear fellow, there was no pretense about that. We selected this wood as well adapted for our purpose, and, as I was not familiar with the locality, I thought it best for all reasons to hire you to guide me."

"So I have walked into a trap, and lost my time in the bargain," said Harry, bitterly.

"Oh, no; you haven't lost your time. I agreed to pay you fifty cents, didn't I?"

"Yes."

"Well, here it is. I generally fulfil my contracts."

Congreve drew from his pocket two silver quarters, and handed them to Harry with a bow.

"That's right, isn't it?" he asked.

"Yes," said Harry, mentally deciding that James Congreve was the queerest fellow he had ever met.

"Good! You can't complain of any violation of contract. Now, will you remain quiet while I tie you, or must we use force?"

"Wait a minute!" said Harry, deciding to try the effect of an appeal to Congreve, who appeared to have some sense of honor. "I think you don't understand what pa.s.sed between Philip and myself. Let me explain."

"No, thank you. It would only be wasting your time," said Congreve, with a languid wave of his hand. "I quite understand that Philip here was playing the bully----"