Plane and Plank; or, The Mishaps of a Mechanic

h as when we started. The town, then in the third year of its existence, had a po

g-place?" I asked, a

Mr. Lynchpinne. "But that boat wo

rather go t

in a few minutes. I want to inquire at

will tell me the way. I won't keep you wa

the boat won't arrive for an hour, certainly. I will g

friends wait for me

will go up to the hotel, and engage a room

treet of the town, and I gazed with int

o?" I asked, when I judged tha

but we are going towards

d a hotel

ces are too high for me. I have money enough, but you

much as possible of it. Mr. Lynchpinne turned down a cross street, and presently stopped before a large two-story frame house, the lower part

t the prayer-meeting," said my new f

be long. I will wait h

com

t as lief

e lets out some rooms here to lodgers. We can sleep here for

engage a room

ore I am ready to come in, you won't be able to f

followed him up the stairs. We entered the building, which was of considerable dimensions. I groped my way, after

called a voic

"Lynch is the short of Ly

me

of a bolt on the doo

placing himself behind me, and gen

t more than twe

a small toilet-table. The former was placed in o

is evening?" asked Mr. Lynchpinne o

cour

hat t

ve you there?" continued

ho has th

he man, producing a little silver box, open on one s

they might. I had heard the snap of the bolt as the man locked the door when we entered. I looked about me, and di

. Lynchpinne. "You kno

wanted to ope

" added my companion, who ce

ou do

I must stay in town over night, and we w

a r

d one?" persis

this floor is l

attic," said the man who had o

Redwood, who appeared to be the

me a light, and I won't tr

and soon appeared with a rusty iron candlesti

he room," said Lynchpinne,

this?" I demanded. "I don

should judge by the look

here. I don't want to

e if you go to the hotel. Let u

e seen i

n, if you don't like to stay h

an entry, which extended the whole length of the building, we ent

s we surveyed the room; "but when I can save half a d

I replied. "Wouldn't it have been more e

to come, and so did you. We will d

satis

ith a couple of matches by the side of it, s

id that boat will get to the landing

We shall have to wait half an hour when

am

t you, Phil," said my companion, as

le. But why do

scruple to rap you over the head for your money. Besides, there will be a crowd on the ste

his wallet from his pocket, and thrust

he added, as if thoroughly satisfied with wha

re," I replied. "I don't like the

such a thing as looking into the be

ke care of what money

or you wouldn't run any risks," he continued; and I tho

ocket than in that bed. But come, Mr. Lynchpinne. We are wa

ave you, Phil?" a

for a few days longer," I rep

ome into a place like thi

it. If I lose it, I won't blame you, for yo

in a safe place on your

pocket, where the shot-bag which held my funds was d

e certain to lose it all if you carry it in that pocke

pocket inside

hief, and fasten it to your suspender. Do anyth

andkerchief, and was about to deposit it in the place he had indicated, when, with a sudden spring, he snatched the bag from me, kicked over the chair on which the candle had been p

closed before me. The villain had made his calculations beforehand, and moved with greater facility than I could. I heard him lock the door upon me, and I immediately realized that I was a prisoner in

open; but though it was a sham affair, I did not succeed. If I shouted, I should doubtless call up Redwood, or his assistant; and I