Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 1004 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

to. arrest these fellows for forcing their attentions upon me against my wishes. © will appear against them and press the charge.” “Not this evening, thank you,” said one of them, and he was on his wheel * and away instantly. : The other tried to follow, but, Be=zie laid a hand on ‘his wheel and clapped a @ pistol under his nose. . “You stay right here!” He stayed! Scorcher Sam had dismounted, but was on his wheel again immediately and aft- er the fugitive. It was a hot chase, but, before the chap could reach the other end of the bridge, sam was up with him, and when he called on him ta stop the fellow obeyed, and began to beg. “No .use;” avowed Sam: “A few of you roughs up here want a lesson of this kind to bring you *9 time. Your con- duct brings odium upon. respectable ‘Wheelmen, and the sooner it is. broken up the better. We'll put you where we put Don Quixote—” “Scorcher Sam!” “At your service, smiling. . “But, we have done no harm. We didn’t know the lady—that it was a de- coy—” “The fact that you did not know her tells against you for forcing your un- welcome attentions upon her. Mount | your wheels and come with us to the nae. «6station.”’ ‘$e They begged and argued, but of no use, and in due time they were in police eustody,. — That business done, Pa and. Bessie sought supper. They entered a nice, quiet hotel in the neighborhood, where Sam ordered a good repast. — “Now, Bicycle Bess,” he said, when the viands had been spread before them, “T am ready for the story of Dona Te- -resa and Louis Murrill.” she ordered, they exclaimed. ’* from the fetective, see.’ “Yes, and one that fits you well, too. You are the queen of wheelwomen, Bess.”’ ~ “Nonsense! ‘ Blarney,’ as your Night- ingale would tell you. You can’t com- _ pliment me that way, Sammy. [ll like -- you better if you won't try to flatter me.’ : ty Well, Tll drop it, then. Now, the es.) Story.” ) “Tt is not a very long one.” “ You can tell it all the more in detail, then. Was my suspicion in the matter Se right? = ~ That so? Bess!” “ Fire something ae your head? Well, give me your ears and here goes for it: “Dona Teresa is seeking to avenge the wrong a sister of hers suffered at the hands of Louis Murrill. The fellow - married her, but only to get her. property, and finding he could not get er became a brute to her. © a “They had one child, now about six years old, if living, and at last he stole that from its mother, hoping by that ‘But, _ fire away, Bonny | Rs You give me still another name, I |. the showman’s tent, while he, Scorcher Sam’s Sweep- “Stakes, seeking ever since, with Cactus Bill, so called, to assist her, . “Cactus Bill is not her brother, but they travel as brother and sister, and none of their companions know any bet- ter. He is, in fact, her lover, and they are engaged to be married, but she will not marry him until they have first dis- covered Louis Murrill and -righted the wrong of Dona Inez—that being the sis- ter’s name, as a girl. Hence, you can understand Cactus Bill’s eagerness to fin- ish the quest and find the missing boy. That is all.” CHAPTER XVIII. SCOOPING THE SCOUNDRELS. Scorcher Sam was an attentive listener. He complimented his aide upon her success, saying he knew she would ac- complish it. “ But, this child,” he questioned. “ Has it any identifying mark by which it can be recognized? If not, We may still have trouble.” “Yes, there is a mark. It has a birth- mark, a red stain, as it were, in the shape of a pear; that involves the right temple. There can be no mistaking the child, once seen.” “Good enough. That gives us a cinch on the rascal by which we may be able to force him to terms, if he does not vield to the pressure brought upon him by Dona ‘.‘eresa. By the way, you go up and spend the ev ening with her, till you hear from me.’ “What for?.”’ Sam briefly explained. They finished their meal. Sam settled the score and they passed out. Sam saw his aide off in the direction of watching her ride away, with something of tender- ness in his eyes, set out for the police station where he had the appointment with the sergeant. The sergeant was not there, but Sam left word for~him and took a run up to the old mansion to see how the two “pipers”’ were making out there. He found one on duty, the other having gone to supper, and from him he learned that the man had not yet returned to the house. Sam began to fear that perhaps the birds had flown, but in a short time he would know. Telling the man to keep up a tireless vigil, he returned to the station, where he now found the sergeant awaiting him. The sergeant was ready for the advent- IS means to force her to turn over certain. _ papers to him. In the mean time she had us transferred the property to her sister, Dona Teresa, and she had gone away ee from home. — yo “ Well, raaee cor her child killed the Ee mother in a short time, and she died on the day na Teres: ae necken home. On her d ayiig’S . e Teresa prom- et se that sh cod ig bo mM t h | im down and Teresa promised, and has been a” = ee ’ Ne * 3 é he ° ~* be : “ah AM ns % a avenge vr tenon and ‘aadand care for Spots aides Brak Rac bei er aptie ure, and suggested that they ought toa take another man or two along with them. This was Sam’s idea, too, so two besides themselves prepared for the trip, and just about dark they set forth from tho stable with the ‘horse and a wagon that would carry them all. Going to the place where they had that afternoon turned the horse in -the dis rection of the institution for the blind, they there turned about and gave the horse free rein and a touch of the whip. The horse was a good one, as we have geen, and it was off at once. They did not once lift a line to guide it, but al- lowed it to take its own course, which the beast did, unhesitatingly, and at last it came to its destination and stopped be- fore a rather imposing house. with ample grounds and a stable in the rear. The horse had turned in and stopped with its head at the’ driveway gates. ‘Here weare! ” Announced the Scorch- er. “‘ No mistake, I ‘SUS8H, Poe ak t" Fas “Tt looks so.” | A policeman happened along at the mo- ment, . Sam stopped him, nd! getting ‘out ot the wagon, had a andet Sou rerantion een rr x ‘pe 7 ath Sat ; ay < 15. _—— him, with the result that the policeman took charge of the horse and wagon, while Sam and his companions entered the zrounds, Two of the men passed around to the rear, so as to intercept any who might try to escape in that direction, in case of alarm, while Sam and the sergeant went to the front door, A servant answered the summons, and Sam inquired for the master of the house. His name was asked, but Sam did not give any, merely telling the servant that his business was of great importance and urging haste. The servant eyed him, and went off. In afew moments a man appeared, and, to Sam’s surprise, he recognized the man immediately. It was the same John Hen- ry Doolittle with whom he had had the tiff that day! Sam being in disguise, was not\ recognized in turn, and the man quietly inquired what he wanted. At tha same time he surveyed him searchingly. “I understand that you have lost a valuable horse, sir,” said Sam. As quick as a flash the man produced a whistle and raised it to his lips, but before he could sound the note ,Sam jerked his hand away and clapped a pis- tol to his head, “None of that!” he commanded. “T see you were quick to tumble, but you were not quick enough for that trick. One word above a whisper, and I will blow your head off! ag: handcuffs, ser- geant!”’ - They were applied in “e trice, and the man was a prisoner. At that moment the servant appeared, and with a bound Sam had him, too, and his silence was enforced.while he was quickly tied, hands and feet. It had all taken place in = ew brief moments, with- out a sound that could alarm any one else in the house. Sam sent the ser- — geant out to bring in the other men, and one of them was placed guard over the z re prisoners. Sam and the others passed down to the basement floor then, and more serv- ants were there arrested, and all the doors were securely locked to prevent any escapes.. These prisoners, too, being left in the hall, Sam led the way %o the floor above, and just as they approached a door, the door opened and a woman looked out. It was Mrs. Doolittle. ‘che Scorcher immediately informed her — what was wanted. He knew he was mak- — ing no mistake; and the fact that tho horse had brought him straight there, and the fact that Doolittle jad tried to give an alarm, were enough. , A boy appeared at the door, vhile Sam er stood there in the act of arresting the woman, and Sam noted a red mark on his temple! There was no doubting the identity; it must be the child for which Dona Teresa was so eagerly searching. ee Barely that discovery made, when an- other man appeared from the other sidé er, and had hold of him, a pistol at his head, before he had time to draw back or get a Weapon in hand himself. It had been a surprise and capture complete. The prisoners. all having been secured, the house was further searched, but no © others were found, and. Sam dispatched ‘ to the nearest police station gor addi- tional assistance. No a aly that, but he sent in haste for Ca ll and the two young women to come an nvettateny = The police arrived first, and were placed in charge of the house, poe in due time the others came and— of the hall—none other than Louis Mur, Ps rill! He was quick to take jn the situ- ee ation, but the police sergeant was quick-— est. dae oe A ‘ sh Fa Rak ees