The Hunniwell boys and the platinum mystery
“Why, you said it was well and I said I wasn’t so sure. As a matter of
fact it isn’t at all well from my point of view.”
“Don’t get funny,” the Jap snarled. “What does he do?”
“I don’t think I shall tell you that,” Gordon said slowly.
“You won’t? Why won’t you?”
“Well, for one thing I don’t like your attitude and for another I’m not
sure that it’s any of your business.”
“Then I’ll make you.”
“How?”
“That pain in your neck, it wasn’t very pleasant, was it?”
“I’ll say it wasn’t.”
“Now you understand how I can make you?”
“I think I get your drift.”
“That pain was nothing.”
“Maybe not, but it felt something to me,” Gordon grinned.
In spite of the man’s actions and threats there was something about him
that drew him and he did not believe he would torture him.
“Once more, are you going to answer my question?” the Jap asked getting
up from his seat.
“Suppose you tell me why you are so anxious to know,” Gordon suggested.
“You are in no position to dictate.”
“I guess you’re right there. Still, I’d like to know.”
“But you aren’t going to, that is, not now.”
“I reckon that goes both ways then,” Gordon smiled.
“You’ll feel differently about it in a minute,” the Jap told him as he
stepped forward still holding the gun pointed at him.
As the man advanced Gordon also got to his feet and for an instant the
two looked in each other’s eyes as though it were to be a battle of
wills. Then, taking another step, the Jap placed his left hand on the
back of the boy’s neck at the same time pressing the gun against his
breast.
“You’re a mighty brave man,” Gordon sneered.
Instead of replying to the taunt the Jap pressed with his fingers and
again that fierce pain ran through his neck. But only for an instant.
Angered now to the point of not caring what happened, Gordon suddenly
ducked and threw himself against the other’s legs and they came to the
ground together, the gun flying from the Jap’s hand. But it was, of
course, a useless gesture. Even had his hands been free he would have
been no match for the man skilled as he was in the traditional art of
his race. All this Gordon realized as he felt himself yanked to his
feet.
“You are a very brave boy,” the Jap declared as he picked up the
revolver, “and I shall not hurt you again.”
“Thanks,” Gordon grinned and resumed his seat on the box. “In return for
your kindness I wish I could tell you what you want to know but I don’t
think it would be right, not with my present amount of knowledge. You
see, he’s a very dear friend.”
“All right. I don’t blame you. Maybe I can find out some other way. I
suppose they’ll start hunting for you as soon as they get back.”
“Probably.”
“That’s what I want them to do.”
“You do?”
“I certainly do.”
“Say, did you do anything to the plane?” Gordon asked after a short
pause.
“I fixed it so that they can’t fly it.”
“What was the idea, if you want them to find me?”
“They might have been scared off and left.”
“Don’t you believe it. They’re not that kind.”
“Probably not, but I wasn’t taking any chances. I’m going outside a
minute to see if I can see anything of them. Don’t try to get away
because you can’t.”
He was gone only a moment and when he returned it was with a puzzled
look on his face.
“See them?” Gordon asked.
“Yes,” was the reply.
“But why all the trouble on your face. I thought you wanted them to
come.”
“But they’re coming in the plane.”
“Thought you fixed it so they couldn’t. What did you do to it?”
“Took the brushes out of the motor.”
“I’m afraid you’re not so smart as I thought,” Gordon grinned. “We’ve
got several pairs of extra brushes along.”
“I might have known it. Still, if they’re going to hunt you up, there’s
no harm done.”
“Not to the motor,” Gordon grinned.
“You think they’ll hunt till they find you?”
“Sure they will, but if you want them to find me why don’t you get
outside and let them see you?”
“You don’t think I’m fool enough to do that I hope.”
“Well, you see, I don’t know a thing about it, the whole thing seems a
bit foolish to me. Here you kidnap me and then say you want them to find
me. What is it, a ransom game?”
“Never mind what it is. I want you to do just as I say. Do you
understand?”
“Well, I’ve been pretty gentle so far, haven’t I?”
“Because you had to be.”
“What is it you want me to do?”
“Wait till I take another look outside and perhaps I’ll tell you.”
“Suit yourself,” Gordon said as the Jap disappeared.
As before he was gone but a minute and when he returned it was with the
news that they were flying in circles.
“That’s to make a thorough job of it,” Gordon told him.
“They won’t see this hut unless they fly directly over it.”
“Then let’s hope that’s what they’ll do.”
“It’s some machine you’ve got,” the Jap declared a moment later.
“You said something,” Gordon assured him.
“I suppose those brass cylinders I stole the other day are some new kind
of a battery.”
“You suppose just exactly right. They are.”
“Did you invent them?”
“No.”
“Did the man you call Rogers?”
“No.”
“Who did then?”
“Couple of friends of ours back in Maine.”
“Boys?”
“About our age.”
“They must be smart.”
“They are.”
“It must seem strange to be in a plane and not have it make any noise.”
“It does till you get used to it.”
“What are you fellows here for?” He abruptly changed the subject.
“I can’t tell you that, not just now.”
“You mean you won’t?”
“That’s about the size of it.”
“I’ll find out later.”
“Which is on the knees of the gods,” Gordon grinned. “But, I say, you’ve
got that cord tied mighty tight.”
“Does it hurt?”
“It’s beginning to feel mighty uncomfortable.”
“If I take it off will you give me your word of honor to do exactly as I
order?”
Gordon hesitated a moment, then he shook his head. “Reckon not. I guess
I can stand it a bit longer.”
Again the Jap went outside and this time he was gone longer than on the
previous occasions. “They’re going to hit about right in about two more
turns, I think,” he announced when he came back.
“Suits me,” Gordon said.
“You lie down on the ground close to the side there,” the Jap ordered.
“What’s the idea?”
“Never mind the idea. You do as I tell you, and when they come in here
you keep perfectly still.”
“You want them to think I’m dead?”
“No. I don’t want them to know you’re here.”
“But they’ll see me.”
“I shall cover you up with a blanket.”
“And suppose I don’t keep still?”
“In that case you’ll wish you had. If you do as you’re told I promise
that you’ll not be hurt.”
“How about my brother?”
“He won’t either, unless he does something very foolish.”
“And Rogers?”
For a moment the Jap did not answer.
“How about Rogers?” Gordon again asked.
“I make no promise in regard to him.”
“Then I think I’ll stay right here.”
“And I think you won’t. Come, they’ll be here soon. Get down there
before I have to hurt you. You can’t help yourself you know and please
don’t make me resort to harsh means. It’s so useless and unnecessary.”
For a moment Gordon pondered the situation and was not long in coming to
the conclusion that the other was right. He was completely in his power
and might as well do as he ordered before he was hurt as afterward.
“You win again,” he said shrugging his shoulders. “But I warn you not to
hurt Rogers.”
“I hope it won’t be necessary,” the Jap said drily.
CHAPTER IX
SOLVING A MYSTERY
“You follow me and don’t make any noise if you can help it,” Rogers said
as he started to push his way through the dense growth.
“I’m right behind you,” Bill told him.
It was hard work and they were obliged to literally force their way foot
by foot so dense were the bushes. But, after what seemed a long time,
Rogers gave a grunt of relief and, as Bill crept up, he saw that they
had reached the hut.
“Regular Indian tepee,” he whispered with his lips close to Rogers’ ear.
“Guess we’re on the back side,” Rogers whispered back. “Listen.”
For several minutes they listened with their heads close to the poles.
“Hear anything?” Rogers whispered.
“There’s someone in there,” Bill told him. “I’ve heard him move twice.”
“I thought I did, but I wasn’t sure. Follow me now and keep your gun
handy.”
Careful not to make the slightest noise they stole around the hut until
they reached the path close to the doorway. Then they again stopped and
listened. Yes, there was no doubt but that the hut was occupied.
“Keep your gun in your hand but hold it behind you,” Rogers whispered as
he stepped into the path and advanced through the open doorway.
It was rather dark inside as there was no window and at first he did not
see the figure sitting on a box near the side directly opposite the
door.
“I’ve got you covered and shall shoot if you make the least move,” came
a stern voice and as their eyes became accustomed to the faint light
they saw the speaker and that what he said was true. “Drop your guns and
raise your hands.”
Both obeyed.
“Now come over to the center of the room. That’s right.”
“What’s the idea?” Rogers asked, a slight smile on his lips.
“You’ll know in a minute. What’s your name?”
“Rogers.”
“You lie.”
“Perhaps in that case you’ll tell me what it is,” Rogers suggested.
“I will. Your name is Doctor Horn.”
“What makes you think that?”
“I know it. You live in Honolulu.”
“Pardon me, but you’ve made a mistake. I never was in Honolulu till the
other day.”
“Of course you’d say that.”
“Because it’s the truth.”
“And you probably never heard of a Japanese named Ito Yoshihito.”
“You’re right, I never did. Who is he?”
“I am he.”
“Well, I can’t deny that.”
“Because you know it’s true. Now back out, both of you, outside where
there is more light.”
They backed out keeping their hands well above their heads and
thoroughly convinced that they were in the hands of a crazy man.
“Now stop,” the Jap ordered as soon as they were in the open where the
sun struck down in the pathway. “Now look at that hand,” he shouted
holding out his left hand while the right kept a firm grip on the gun.
“Is there any sign of leprosy there? Tell me, is there?”
“Why, not that I can see,” Rogers assured him. “Of course I’m not a
doctor as I told you but——”
“But less than three months ago you declared that I was a leper and
ordered me deported to this island.”
“You’re crazy, man. I never——”
“Don’t lie to me,” the Jap interrupted. “I know what you did and why.”
“Now see here,” Rogers began, as a thought struck him. “Let’s get this
straight.”
“Oh, it’s straight enough,” the Jap declared, but Rogers went on as
though he had not spoken.
“You say that a doctor examined you and pronounced you a leper?”
“That is so.”
“I don’t dispute it,” Rogers told him. “But it was not I. Probably it
was someone who happens to resemble me and you’ve taken me for him. Now
take a good look at me. No two men are exactly alike.”
For a full minute the Jap looked fixedly at Rogers and Bill, watching
with intense interest, fancied that a look of doubt followed by one of
incredulity swept over his face. Then, suddenly, he dropped the gun and
turned his back on them.
“Well?” Rogers asked after a moment had passed.
“You are right,” the Jap declared, turning his face toward them. “You
are not the man.”
“You are sure of it?”
“I am sure of it. He has a slight scar on the side of his face. Except
for that you look exactly like him.”
“Then it’s indeed fortunate for me that he has the scar,” Rogers smiled.
“It is,” the Jap agreed. “But I owe you the most humble apology.”
“No. It was a mistake and a natural one. But I do wish you would tell us
all about it. But first, we are looking for the third member of our