The suburban citizen., 1902-01-11


blacRness. He saw deeper shadow
than those about and took Frye's hand
and slowly skated toward 1t. When
very near they heard loud, angry
voices.
You're a dandy, you are" cried out
a man In very savage tones. said
you knew the whole country, and get
lost same's II you were in an African
| desert! You're a nice one to put trust
inw
How could I know this eclipse was
going to leave us in this blackness"
| We'll, all l know is, If we don't get
over to the sloop soon and make all
sail for New York, Van Schalk will
catch us like mice. bet they're after
us now, and this snow, confound it,
leaves tracks. Ye gods, man, can't you
tell which way to turnT'
Il can't If we so straight on for all
all know Wen run right into Van
Schalk and the police"
Joel listened and froze with some
thing else than cold. At once the
words of his mother, which he had
paid little attention to at the time, re-
cured to him, about a diamond rob-
berry at Van Schalk's great country
house. full OF guests for a Christmas
house party.
"Fryew he whispered. Lets go!
They're bur-
Two big hands fell on the boys
necks.
"What do you want hereT a great
voice growled, and in a second the
breathless boys were pushed to the
spot where the two men were talking.
A light road wagon with one horse
stood on the ice. Two men We're at
the horse's head.
did you find any look Of shore?"
,one cried, as the boys captor led them
Iup.
Not bit! It's as black as ink! But
here's two kids [ ndnosing around"
One man lit a match and examined
the boys faces.
whats up?' said he.
1--WE were skating and got lost" said
Joel.
Belong round these parts"
"Yes, sir"
"We're lost, too. Look here, II you
want to earn a dollar apiece will you
guide us TO the coast shore? Surely
you can tell which direction that is
in2"
Joel looked around in perpleXity ana
fear, and, as he did so, his keen bright
eyes, familiar with every light on the
bay, detected what none of the others
did-a faint twinkle in the rear. He
knew the light in the tower of the bis
hotel near his home. He was about
to speak, when, for he was a sharp
boy and a brave one, he remembered
what his mother had said about re-
ward for those lost diamonds. He re-
membered too, the ring dropped on
the ice. He had no doubt these were
the thieves. Frye was shaking with
cold and crying. He could not even
nudge Frye.
"Pm almost sure, sir" he said, II
know the way"
"Which?"
Joe pointed TO the rear,
Il knew you were wrong" cried the
man to his comrade-villain. "There's
no time to waste. Skate on, boys and
we'll follow. Two dollars when you
show us the shorep'
On went Joel. white but firm in a
sudden determination, gripping the
weaker Frye's hand. Plots and plans
were whirllng through his excited
head 1t was still pitch dark, and they
could easily have skated away from
the robbers, but that was not Joel's
wish. He skated just in front of the
horse.
at seems a long wayw the man
shouted
Not far now" Joel ans ,yered, as
cheerily as he could
They moved swiftly. The light in
the hotel came nearer-grew bigger.
The night lifted; the moonlight came
creeping back. Joel increased his
speed the man whipped his horse.
ITS long way" yelled the man
with a note Of sudden suspicion in his
voice.
Not far noww Joel screamed back,
and dashed ahead. Come on, Fryew
The moon shone out again, and the
robbers howled with rage for Joel had
led them straight to the town, and
right before them, among the trees,
stood the house they had robbed.
Trapped screamed one.
"Turn round and go backw
They tried to, but they were close in
among rushes where the ice was thin,
Squish crish splash! The horse and
wagon went through the ice into three
feet of water, while the boys were run
ming along the beach yelling at the ex.
treme height Of their shPiT voices:
Help! MURDER Diamonds!
Thieves"
= They reused the town; men rushed
from the houses; the burglars were
caught; the diamonds were recovered,
and the boys were rewarded, but-they
got well spanked, too, by judicious
parent who looks at both sides Of a