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Pleasure Book for Boys - Chapter 4

FORESTER OF THE FLANNELS.

By K. Netson Abbott

Chapter 4

“Yes, that was it, of course,” assented Dick eagerly.

“This means trouble for somebody,” said Mr. Hazeldean thoughtfully; ”the question is-whom? The ‘Twin Daggers,’ or The Twins,’ are a secret society. They have kept very quiet lately, but it appears they are up to mischief again.”

"An attack on the mine, do you think, sir?” enquired MacFarlane.

"Maybe-or political, perhaps; then again it might be theft, or a private vendetta of some kind. The ‘Twins’ stick at nothing, as long as there is money in it."

There was a pause, everyone seemed to be thinking it out.

“I’m afraid it is the mine,” said Mr. Hazeldean slowly.

As you know we shall have a good-sized consignment of gold ready by this time to-morrow. I suspect they’ve heard of that."

“Anyway, we are quite prepared, sir,” put in Captain Harland,

“especially as we have received notice,” and he smiled at Dick.

“Yes, my boy, I’m very glad to find you keep your eyes open,” said the millionaire kindly.” Still, this sort of thing annoys me. I have always tried, as far as possible, in whatever country I am working, to keep on the right side of the natives——’

“But there is very good feeling in the mine, sir. I’m sure the men there are loyal,” put in MacFarlane.” As for these secret societies, the sooner they are exterminated the better."

Eagerly the boys listened, as the men discussed the necessary precautions to be taken for the safety of the gold. But great was their disappointment the next day to hear they were not allowed to go near the mine.

“It’s too bad to keep us out of the scrap,” grumbled Dick, as they watched the men trail down the mountain side.

“Yes,” agreed Paul,” but it’s no use saying anything. If the Gov. makes up his mind, nothing short of an earthquake would make him change it. Let’s go up to the tower, and watch them out of sight."

An observatory stood at the end of the garden. Built at the edge of a precipice, it overlooked the mine far below. They spent more than an hour there, training the big telescope first on to the twinkling lights of the mine, then switching it upward to the stars.

“Come on, we may as well turn in, it’s getting chilly,” said Paul with a shiver, ”and we shall have to be up early in the morning to hear the news."