A few words more followed, and then both of the boys left the
cabin.
"She won't submit," whispered Mumps.
"What had we best do?"
"Use the drug Crabtree gave us," answered Baxter. "It's a lucky
thing I brought that vial."
"Yes--if we don't have any trip-up in the matter," answered the
toady, with a doubtful shake of his head. Mumps had gone into
the whole scheme rather unwillingly, but now saw no way of
backing out.
A little later the _Falcon_ ran into the harbor of Cayuga and came
to anchor close to one of the docks. Then Baxter appeared with
some sandwiches and a glass of milk.
"You might as well eat; it's foolish not to," he said, and set
the food on a little stand.
By this time Dora was very hungry, and as soon as the bully had
left she applied herself to what had been brought. Poor
creature, she did not know that both sandwiches and milk had been
doctored with a drug calculated to make her dull and sleepy!
She had hardly finished the scant meal when her eyes began to
grow heavy. Then her brain seemed to become clouded and she
could scarcely remember where she was.
"Here's news!" cried Baxter, coming in an hour later. "We are to
join your mother and Mr. Crabtree at Albany."
"At Albany?" she repeated slowly. "Have--have they gone
there?"
"Yes; they are going on a honeymoon on the yacht _Flyaway_. Your
mother wants you to join her and forgive her."
Dora heaved a long sigh. "I cannot! I cannot!" she sobbed, and
burst again into tears.
Nevertheless, she allowed herself to be led off the _Falcon_ and to
the depot. "Your face is full of tears," said Baxter. "Here,
put this veil over it," and she was glad enough to do as bidden,
that folks might not stare at her.
What happened afterward was very much like a dream to her. She
remembered entering the cars and crouching down in a seat, with
Baxter beside her. A long ride in the night followed, and she
slept part of the way, although troubled with a horrible
nightmare. She wanted to flee, but seemed to lack both the
physical and mental strength to do so.
The ride at an end, Baxter and Mumps almost carried her to the
river. Here the _Flyaway_ was in waiting. Bill Goss had gone on
ahead and notified his wife that she was wanted. It may as well
be added here that Mrs. Goss was as coarse and unprincipled as
her husband.
When Dora's mind was once more clear she found herself in a much
larger cabin than that she had formerly occupied. She lay on a
couch, and Mrs. Goss, a fat, ugly-looking creature, sat beside
her.
"Are you awake, dear?" asked the woman as smoothly as she could.
"Who--who are you?" asked Dora feebly.
"I am Mrs. Goss."
"I don't know you. Where--where is my mother--and Mr. Crabtree?"
"You'll have to ask Mr. Baxter or Mr. Fenwick about that."
"Do you belong on this boat?"
"I do, when I go out with my husband."
"Was he the man who was with those boys?"
"Yes."
"Where are we now?"
"On the Hudson River, just below Albany."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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