The Perils of Pauline Part 44

The grat.i.tude of Cyrus was expressed in a leap to the side of his mistress. As Harry sat down, he discovered that Cyrus had occupied the favored place beside Pauline. Next instant there was a yowl of dismay and the adored gift of Lucille fell several feet away from the bench.

"Harry! I think that is dreadful!" exclaimed Pauline, springing to her feet.

"I do, too," he answered. "That was why I threw it off the bench."

"To treat a poor innocent dumb creature like that!"

"Polly! You don't mean it, do you? You think I hurt him?"

"You've-hurt-his-feelings."

"That doesn't matter, but if I've hurt yours--it does. I apologize."

"You are always joking. You don't understand how sweet and dear animals are. You will probably treat me the same way after we are married."

She ran to the spot where the wary Cyrus was munching the last piece of candy. But he accepted her caresses without enthusiasm, keeping a careful eye on Harry.

She called to the dog and walked briskly toward the house.

But Cyrus did not follow. The box of candy was still on the garden bench, and Cyrus was not immune to temptation.

Owen followed on his motorcycle the runabout in which Balthazar and the two chosen members of Rupert Wallace's band made their swift journey toward Castle Marvin.

A quarter of a mile from the grounds Owen drew alongside.

"This would be a good place to stop. The car can be hidden in the lane."

"Yes; master," said Balthazar.

He wheeled the machine upon a narrow roadway into the cover of the woods, and, with his companions, got out. Owen rode on ahead and was waiting for them as they neared the little foot path gate to the Marvin grounds.

"Look through the hedge there," he directed.

Balthazar crawled on his hands and knees to the box wall that surrounded the grounds. He thrust his shoulders through the bush and gazed for a moment at the dog devouring Pauline's bon-bons on the bench.

"I should say it would be well to act now--instantly, master," he cried, returning.

"Go on. I will be at the house, and will try to hold them back if there is any noise."

As Owen began to wheel his cycle up the drive to Castle Marvin, Balthazar and his two aides wriggled through the hedge-row, crossed a strip of sward and reached the bench. Balthazar caught the dog's head in his powerful hands. There was not a sound. The animal's muzzle was shut fast and in a minute it had been tied, leg and body. They ran to the gate, to the runabout, and were away.

"Why Harry, I can't find him anywhere. What could have happened to him?" cried Pauline, rushing into the library.

"Owen lost? Thank Heaven!" he exclaimed fervently.

"No; Cyrus. Harry it's your fault. He was angry because you pushed him off the bench and he ran away."

"Polly," he said, wheeling in his chair, "I am not worried. I decline to be worried. And I am going away from here."

"Not before you help me find Cyrus."

"Yes--long before."

She turned and whisked crossly out of the room.

Harry picked up his hat and coat, and in a few minutes was being driven away by Farrell on an urgent call to town.

Pauline stood on the veranda and watched his departure with silent wrath.

"I wonder if he is really cruel--or--if he is just a man and doesn't know any better," she pondered audibly.

Then, as she saw Owen approaching from the side path, "Oh, Owen, won't you help me? I've lost Cyrus!"

"Cyrus? Am I sure whom you mean? Ah, yes; the new member of our family circle."

"Yes; he's gone."

"The only thing to do, I should say, is to advertise. I will call up the newspapers immediately, Miss Pauline."

"You are dear! I must have him back. Think what Lucille would say if I lost him on the first day!"

"I'll offer a generous reward and he'll soon be back."

"Thank you, Owen."

CHAPTER XX

CYRUS MAKES A REPUTATION

The proceedings behind the hidden doors in the cellar of the ruined house between Bathwater and Castle Marvin were not interrupted by so small a matter as the kidnapping of an heiress--a kidnapping that had progressed no further as yet than the capture of a dog.

As Owen stepped into the den the next forenoon he saw the bull terrier tied to the wall.

"I see we have the main ingredient of the repast in hand."

"The main ingredient and the most dangerous," said Wallace. "He has done nothing but howl and bark. May we kill him?"

"Not yet," answered Owen. "It is possible that she might demand sight of him before entering the house, or some nonsense of that sort. I would let him howl a little longer."

"Very well," laughed Wallace. "What orders have you for us today, sir?"

The other counterfeiters kept steadily on at their work over the melting pots, the molds and stamping machines. The old woman was stacking half-dollar pieces at the table.

"Why do you have the woman here?" demanded Owen suddenly.