第40章 ATTACKED IN THE DARK.(1)

"Joe,the plot worked to perfection!"said Felix Gussing,on the day following."I have to thank you,and here are twenty dollars for your trouble.""I don't want a cent,Mr.Gussing,"answered our hero."I did it only out of friendliness to you.I hope you have no further trouble in your courtship.""Oh,that was all settled last night.Clara and I are to be married next week.We are going to send out the cards to-day.

You see,"went on the young man in a lower tone."I don't want to give the major a chance to change his mind,or to suspect that that duel was not just what it ought to have been.""Does he suspect anything as yet?"

"Not a thing."

"Then you are wise to have the wedding as quickly as possible.""When we are married I am going to let Clara into the secret.Iknow she'll enjoy it as much as anybody."

"Well,you had better warn her to keep mum before her father.He looks as if he could get pretty angry if he wanted to.""As you won't take any money for this,Joe,wouldn't you like to come to the wedding?""I'm afraid it will be too high-toned for me,Mr.Gussing.""No,it is to be a plain,homelike affair--Clara wants it that way.The major has some country cousins who will be there,and they are very plain folks.""Then I'll come--if Miss Sampson wishes it."

So it was arranged that Joe should attend the wedding,and as he was in need of a new Sunday suit he purchased it at once,so that he could use it at the wedding.

"You're in luck,Joe,"remarked Frank,when he heard the news.

"And that suit looks very well on you."

In some manner it leaked out among the boys that Joe was going to the wedding,and two days before the affair came off Jack Sagger learned of it.He immediately consulted with some of his cronies,and it was unanimously resolved to watch for Joe after the wedding was over and chastise him severely for the manner in which he had treated "the gang.""We'll fix him,"said Sagger,suggestively.

At the proper time Joe took a car to the Sampson home and was there introduced to a dozen or more people.The wedding proved an enjoyable affair and the elegant supper that was served was one long to be remembered.

It was nearly eleven o'clock when Joe started for the hotel again.He had thought to take a car,but afterwards concluded to walk.

"A walk will do me good--after such a hearty supper,"he told himself."If I ride home I won't be able to sleep."At the corner the Sagger crowd was waiting for him.One gave a low whistle,and all slunk out of sight until Joe had passed.

Several blocks had been covered when our hero came to a spot where several new buildings were in the course of construction.

It was rather dark and the street lights cast long and uncertain shadows along the walk.

Joe had just started to cross a wooden bridge over an excavation when he heard a rush behind him.Before he could turn he was given a violent shove.

"Push him into de cellar hole!"came,in Jack Sagger's voice.

"Stop!"cried Joe,and it must be admitted that he was greatly alarmed.But no attention was paid to his words,and over the side of the bridge he went,to fall a distance of a dozen feet and land in a pile of dirt,with one lower limb in a puddle of dirty water.

"Down he goes!"he heard,in the voice of Nick Sammel."Wonder how he likes it?""You're a mean,low crowd!"cried Joe,as he stood up.He was covered with dirt and the cold water felt anything but agreeable on such a frosty night as it chanced to be.

"Don't you dare to crawl out of dat!"said Sagger."If yer do we'll pitch yer in ag'in,won't we,fellers?""Sure we will!"was the cry.

"De next time we'll dump him in on his head!"Growing somewhat accustomed to the semi-darkness,Joe counted seven of his tormentors,all standing on the edge of the cellar hole into which he had so unceremoniously been thrown.Several of the youths had heavy sticks.