Captain Joe; or, The Days of the Mint — page 9: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE HALFPENNY STANDARD. A - i DARE DEVIL DICK: THE BOY KING OF THE SMUGGLERS. CHAPTER XI.—(Continued.) Ons of the kegs was broached, and Heidrich sent the beat back for a couple more, which were duly carried to the station. Lindrake drank to the Dutchman’s prosperous voyage in a generous bumper, and then rejoined Dick outside, while the landlord of the © Albatross” and the skipper of the ** Katterina”’ —_re- tired to have their interview. “©You are wonder- ing why I drank with him,” said Lindrake, as he saw Dick regarding him with a glance that was thoughtful and not approving. Dick’s answer was a significant nod. ‘*Well,” smiled Lindrake, ‘‘ we are advised to‘ hold a candle to his Satanic Inajesty when he wants an extra light, and I did so in this case, because I. want, to watch his gaine. He thinks my sus- picions are lulled, and he wil! be up to mischief before morning,” “That is more than likely,” said Dick; ‘‘ but don’t be too sure that he thinks your sus- picions are lulled,” “Tt does not do to be too sure of anything when deal- ing with the skipper of the ‘Katterina,’ said Lindrake ; ‘‘and any stratagem is pardonable. Did he seem to be on good terms with your uncle?” “No; I could lainly see that Mica Dave would rather have had his room than his coi- pany. ‘By the wee Dick, did you do anything to offend the Dutchinan ?” “‘ Nothing much. He wanted to shake hands, and I kept mine in my pockets, He called me a spy, and I gave him the lie direct — that’s all. 3 ‘And rather more than enough. Van- dergrift is a man who never forgives, and just as you were turning away he gave youa look as full of malice and mur- der as the hatred of a black heart could make it.” ‘Did he?” said Dick, coolly. ‘* Well, I shall be able to take care ofmyself. But he overlooked our little exchange of compliments, and said he hoped we should be friends, and that I should be none the worse for a voyage in his lugger.” ‘‘Ah,” said Lindrake, “there was a double meaning in this, my boy. If he ever enticed you on beard his‘luggar, I would not give much for your life or your liberty.” “So I thought at the time,” said Dick, ‘* There was a peculisr look about him when he suggested it, but Captain Heidrich Vandergrift will find that I am not quite so simple as I look.” ‘* Were you present at the interview between him and your uncle David ?” ‘‘T was near enough to see them, not to over- hear them.” ‘“‘ And what was your opinion ?” “That the Dutchman is up to mischief, and he has, or think he has, some kind of hold over Uncle Dave, Itis only an impression of mine, but a very strong one.” ‘*DO NOT BE AFRAID,’ for convenience in his pocket, there was abso- lutely not a sign of life on deck. She rose and fell so lazily that the motion would mot have disturbed a sleeping child. And yet Dick had an idea that, like her master, she was full.of mischief, an idea which would have been strengthened could he have heard what passed between Vandergrift and the landlord of the ‘‘ Albatross,” They had gone into a private room, where they were quite sate from interruption, and Sherlock placed a couple of glasses with a full decanter on the table. The Dutchman pulled out a pipe with a bowl as large as a moderate-sized — tur- nip, and a hand- somely - embroidered tobacco pouch, lined with oiled silk. Having filled both his pipe and his glass, he took a drink, and began to smoke with the air of a man who felt that he was in a very comfortable position. ‘When does that o fice r — Lindrake you call him—go off duty ?’ Vandergrift asked after a Yong sileuce, “JT might say never,” Sherlock re- plicd ** He seems 'o be on duty day and night, and as he seems to suspect you, you may be sure he will not sleep till your lugger is out of the bay.” “Ts he to be bribed ?” 5] DICK SAlD., ‘‘Itis mine also, Dick ; and I shall keep an eye on him,” ‘So shall I,” said Dick; ‘She may be a very clever fellow, but he is not going to have it all his own way while I am on the alert.” Lindrake went up the cliff to the hut where Croker was on duty, and Dick continued his stroll along the beach watching the lugger that he could not help thinking looked rather too innocent. With the exception of a broad-beamed sailor, who was smoking a big pipe and taking a sip now and then from a bottle which he kept ‘‘YoU ARE ALL BIGHT Now.” “‘T should not like to try it, unless I wanted to have the words rammed down my throat with his tist, or the handle of his dirk.” “Then he is not like Singleton. <A donble handtul of yellow shiners anda keg of the real stult would always make him blind and deaf for a few hours. So much the more pity for him,” said Heid- rich, ‘for the man who will see what he should not see, must have his eyes closed by some means. The best part of my cargo must be in your store-room _ to- night, David, my friendt.”’ David shook his head, ‘* Thave done with that kind of business for ever,” he said, ‘*Do as I do, Van- dergrift, and try the Inxury of being ho- nest for a time,’’ When I can afford it,” said Heidrich, with 7 grim laugh ; “but I am poor, David Sherlock and I have no one to fall back upon in the tin of need,” David shook his head again. “Come,” said Vandergrift, with rough per- suasion, ‘‘ we are old shipmates, and I have done you more than one good turn, This cargo is of special value, and you run no risk, but I must have a secret hiding place, and there is only one where it would be safe. You know the one mean, our old csve ip the r r here?” kg, un COmlcoooke,. Com