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Although, as has been said, Stevenson passed from the primitive romance of the Shilling Shocker to the romance of character, his interest in character study was keen from the first: the most plot-cunning and external of his yarns have that illuminative exposure of human beings in flashes at least which mark him off from the bluff, robust manner of a Dumas and lend an attraction far greater than that of mere tangle of events.
"Don't you do it!" cried Nat. "Here, wait, I'll fix him! Hold him!" Nat poured some of the stuff in the bottle on the cotton and advanced on Dave. At the same time Tom Shocker caught Dave by both arms and essayed to hold him. Dave was strong, and a sudden fear gave him additional strength. He might have been a match for his two assailants, but for the stuff on the cotton.
The Iroquois, however, had soon to separate from the flag-ship, owing to news received of a singular occurrence, savoring more of two hundred years ago, or of to-day's dime novel "shilling shocker," as our British brethren have it than of the prosaic nineteenth century.
The note was taken by Nat. Then the money-lender's son took a soft pillow and placed it over Dave's face. "That will keep you from calling too loudly," he said. "I guess it won't hurt your breathing though. Come," he added to the man. "Let us get out of here, before somebody comes." "All right," answered Tom Shocker. He gazed wistfully at Dave's watchchain and at the stickpin.
At Buffalo the others separated from Nat Poole, who said he was going to take the early morning train home. Nat felt very bad over the outcome of his joke, and to a certain extent Dave and his chums felt sorry for him. "I was a big fool to take up with a stranger like Shocker," said the money-lender's son. "You'll not catch me doing it again! I only hope I can lay my hands on him!"
This was chloroform, and when Nat clapped the saturated cotton to his mouth and nose he was speedily rendered all but unconscious. "Don't give him too much!" he heard Tom Shocker say. "You watch him, while I tie his hands," answered Nat, and then Dave was forced back and onto the bed.
"Yes, but if he did, Nat is partly responsible, for he left me tied up," said Dave. "Of course he is responsible," came from Roger. "I don't see how," grumbled the money-lender's son, but his uneasiness showed that he thought as did the others. "You'll see how, if that Shocker doesn't show up with my things," said Dave, sternly. "I'll hold you and your father responsible for every dollar's worth."
You are Nat Poole, the boy I met at Rally's Pool Parlors," said the stranger. "Yes, and you are Tom Shocker, the traveling salesman." "Right you are but I'm not a traveling salesman any longer," answered Tom Shocker, and gave a short laugh. "Why?" asked Nat. "Lost my job." "I suppose your boss found out that you were spending your time playing cards and pool," said Nat.
As he did so Tom Shocker closed the door and locked it. Dave heard the click of the lock's bolt and wheeled around. "What did you do?" he demanded sharply. "I guess I've got you now, Dave Porter!" cried another voice, and now Dave recognized the tones of Nat Poole. "You played me a scurvy trick by putting me aboard the freight train. I guess it's about time I paid you back; don't you think so?"
"Got a note for you," went on Shocker, and produced it. It was sealed and marked Private in plain letters. Wondering what the note could contain, Dave opened and read it. His face changed color and he gave a little gasp. "Excuse me, I'll have to to leave you for a little while," he stammered to the others. "What's the matter?" asked Roger. "I I can't tell you just now." Dave turned to his uncle.
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