CHAPTER XXIII
THE THEFT
The others looked in amazement at the two speakers. Frank and Mr. Jackson seemed oddly excited.
"Have you met before?" asked Albert.
"Well, I should say we had!" answered Frank, but he was smiling now.
"Won't you shake hands?" asked Mr. Jackson, also smiling. "I believe I have never thanked you for saving my life."
"Saving your life!" exclaimed Albert. "I never heard anything about that."
"Nor did we," put in Pep, with a look at Randy.
"I told you about it at the time," said Frank, "but it is only just now that I know who the man is that I saved."
For, in that flash he recognized the man he had pulled back from being run down by an automobile on Broadway.
"It was that time when I had the row with Royston in the New York bank," Frank explained. "As I came out I saw a queerly dressed man about to dart right in front of a swiftly-moving automobile. I pulled him back just in time, and he hurried off. I thought he was a bit queer at the time——"
Frank stopped suddenly. He had not realized how it would sound to make such a remark about Albert's uncle.
"Don't mind me, young man," spoke Mr. Jackson, with a laugh. "I certainly was queer. I had just learned that I had lost everything, through Royston's scoundrelly acts, and that is the last I really remember until I found myself in the hospital. I suppose I did act queerly, and I might have been oddly attired, for I came from my hotel in such a hurry that perhaps I did not properly dress. Did I?" he asked of Frank.
"Well, not according to New York standard," was the smiling reply. "You had on one black and one tan shoe, and were without a collar or tie. In fact, you were—well, rather strange."
"I can well believe you. And to think it was you, of all persons, who should save me, and then so befriend my nephew. I don't know how to thank you."
"Don't try, please," begged Frank. "You have done more for us than we ever hoped for, selling us the concession. We are more than in your debt."
Mr. Jackson was introduced to the other boys, and there was a merry little party at the reunion.
"There's only one thing I regret," said Mr. Bullard.
"What's that?" asked Frank.
"That Royston got away. I have discovered new evidence that would convict him of some former crimes. Now I'll have hard work tracing him. He has given me the slip."
But the friends were not yet done with Royston, as they were very soon to learn.
With the motion picture chums in formal possession of the valuable Zone concession formerly belonging to the Jacksons, the boys were in for some busy times. So, too, were Hank Strapp and Ben Jolly. The latter, as might be expected, did little, however, but look after the organ, and the ordering of a new effect box, with which he could simulate almost every known sound that would be of value in a motion picture exhibition.
Meanwhile the wild animal exhibition that Royston had started was taken out. He had put no exhibits in place, though, and his scheme of decoration was modified to a great extent. Then two fireproof booths for the motion picture machines were put in the place, and a new kind of screen erected. The seating arrangements were changed, and more exits opened. In short, a most complete and comfortable motion picture theatre was made of the concession.
Frank and his chums worked hard. They obtained the exclusive rights to the expensive films on which they held an option, and as the weeks went past they got in readiness for the opening performance of their motion picture theatre.
Albert was taken in with the chums as a valuable helper, and his typewriting ability was most useful, as there were many letters to be sent to the various centers where the friends had business. Mr. Jackson continued to improve, though it would be some time before he had his whole strength back again. He lived a quiet life meanwhile.
The Panama-Pacific Exposition was rapidly nearing completion. Exhibits were being rushed into place, the grounds became more and more beautiful each day, and the artificial lakes sparkled blue in the golden sun of California.
Fountains splashed their waters, colored by myriads of electric lights at night, and flowers yielded their perfume to the balmy air. It was like some vast fairyland, and the boys had never seen such wonders. Their own affairs did not keep them from admiring the many beautiful sights on every side.
The location of their concession in the Zone was most advantageous, and they could have sold it several times at a handsome profit. But they were determined to give motion pictures as they had originally planned.
Their theatre was all but complete. Some finishing touches were needed here and there, but they could have opened in three days had it been necessary. Ben Jolly's organ had been installed, and he was getting it in tune. His new "effect box" was also ready for use.
Mr. Bullard had made strenuous efforts to locate Royston, but had failed. He received several false clues that took him out of San Francisco, but the government man returned each time to the "City of the Golden Gate."
"Somehow I feel that I shall find him here—that he will come back," Mr. Bullard said. "He will not give up so easily the concession which might have made his fortune had he been content to run it honestly."
"Oh, he'll never bother us," declared Pep. "He's out of the running. Don't worry about him."
"Wait and see," advised Mr. Bullard.
All was in readiness for the opening of the Zone Theatre. The reels of the valuable films had been put in the safe in the office of the playhouse, for the regulations of the fair called for a complete opening program, to be witnessed by officials, so that it might be certain there would be no delay when the public was admitted. The fair would officially open in about a week.
"Come and hear the organ," urged Ben Jolly, on the morning set for the official trial. "I'll give you a few tunes and new effects while we're waiting for the officials. It's early yet. This instrument beats the one in the Empire all to pieces!"
The boys, with Mr. Strapp and Ben, had come from their hotel. They slipped into the darkened theatre. Only a few lights were aglow, as Ben took his seat before the keyboard. Then, through the silence, came a sound as of a mighty wind rushing. It grew in volume until the whole building seemed to tremble. And then came a burst of melody, so grandly sweet and solemn that Pep felt tears come into his eyes. Ben was playing with a master hand.
Louder and louder grew the music. It wailed, it sobbed and seemed to cry. Then it sang, as a joyous woman might sing, clear as a silver flute. Next came a crash of military chords, as though a vast conquering army were on the march.
The music died away in a crash like thunder. And then, clear and sweet sounded the Vesper Hymn, growing fainter and fainter, until it died out altogether, only the echoes of the accompanying chimes being heard.
Then came a great silence.
"Great, Ben! Great!" cried Pep. "That will make 'em sit up and take notice."
"It was—wonderful," spoke Frank, softly. "We made no mistake getting that pipe organ."
"And wait until you hear some of the other effects," boasted Ben. "I can make rain so natural that you'll look to see if you can't borrow an umbrella and a pair of rubbers from your seat neighbor."
Ben Jolly had not been able to use the second-hand organ he had heard of, though it was in fairly good shape. So the chums had purchased a new one for him, with the latest effects. It was a great improvement over the one in their Empire theatre and Ben was delighted with it. He produced some wonderful effects with it, fairly astonishing at times.
While they were discussing Ben's triumph a messenger came to say that the fair officials had arrived, and were ready for the test.
"All right," spoke Frank, "we'll give 'em an exhibition. Give 'em some music, too, Ben."
"That's what I will—and some of the best. Oh, but that is a splendid organ!"
The motion picture operator had tested his lights and the machines. Frank went to the safe to get out the first reels of the new films, for only one or two thousand feet were to be run off.
As he entered the office, and twirled the combination of the safe a sudden fear came to him. There was something in the "feel" of the shiny knob that was not right. Without completing the combination, Frank threw back the handle. It worked easily. The safe was not locked!
The heavy door swung back, and Frank, after a quick glance inside, cried out:
"We've been robbed! The valuable films are gone!"