Part 33 (1/2)
If she had had any doubts about the right and wrong of an attempt to thwart the sheriff before, Laura had none _now_. Perhaps her course was indefensible; but intuitively she believed that farmer to be a bad man. And she was sure that he was the one who had set the sheriff on this trail.
He had doubtless followed the young man with the gun and seen him join Professor Dimp. The two had paddled for Acorn Island. The farmer had communicated with the sheriff.
Right then, so hotly burned Laura's righteous indignation, that she would have done her very best to keep the officer of the law from landing those bloodhounds, and chasing the mysterious ”Mr. Norman” out of his hiding place.
But it was Bobby who put the ball into play first.
”Say, Mister! don't you bring those dogs ash.o.r.e here!” she called to the sheriff.
He was a big, red-faced, beefy-looking man, with a bristling mustache and little, piglike eyes.
”I wanter know!” he said, huskily. ”Who do you think you are giving orders to, young lady?”
”You are a sheriff, aren't you?”
”Yes I be,” said the man.
”And you are searching all the woods around about for a convict?”
”Not perzactly. But he's likely ter be a convic' arter I git him,” and he chuckled, hoa.r.s.ely.
”Well, this island is posted. We have a permit to camp here, but I don't believe _you_ have any warrant for landing at all,” said Bobby, sharply. ”And my father, who is one of the directors of the Rocky River Lumber Company, certainly does not want a pack of hounds like those, running the game on this island--out of season, too.”
”This ain't that kind o' game, young lady,” said the sheriff, slowly.
Then he stopped. A figure had suddenly appeared from the wood. It was a shabby but commanding figure, and the girls themselves shrank together and waited for the old Latin professor to speak.
”Miss Hargrew is quite right,” said Professor Dimp, in his iciest tone. ”Those hounds must not land here.”
”I say, now!” growled the sheriff.
”This is private property,” continued Professor Dimp, coldly, ”as Miss Hargrew tells you. You can see the signs. You will trespa.s.s here if you are determined. But I warn you that if you bring those dogs ash.o.r.e you will be prosecuted.”
”I'm a-goin' to search this islan',” growled Sheriff Larkin, uglily.
”You may. You have no warrant to do so, but you may. But you must not bring ash.o.r.e those dogs. And,” added the professor, turning and bowing with old-fas.h.i.+oned courtesy to Mrs. Morse, ”you must keep away from the camp where this lady and her young charges are ensconced.”
He turned on his heel in conclusion, and walked into the woods again.
”Three rousing cheers!” whispered Bobby under her breath. ”What's the matter with Old Dimple? _He's_ all right!”
CHAPTER XXIII
LIZ ON THE DEFENSIVE
The professor had spoken with such authority that Sheriff Larkin hesitated in his intention of landing the bloodhounds. Besides, having learned that one of these girls was a daughter of a member of the powerful lumber company, he feared to make a misstep.
The Rocky River Lumber Company could make or break a sheriff easily enough. The political power of the men owning the corporation in Monadnock County was supreme.
”Well, I tell ye what it is, ladies,” he said, pulling off his broad brimmed hat to wipe a perspiring, red brow. ”I gotter do my duty----”