Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1006 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

y —- =. Et 10 Flipper Frank’s Flush. ee ll Us In that mood he was in no frame of mind to **As you please, Mr. Wilson; I leave it with | in a hole, my friend,” answered Clarkson, quiet- oe observe the man tide of life, and numbers | you.” ly. ‘*That boy walked into my trap, If he = of people passed him unseen by his heedless **Come with us, then. We'll give you a week’s | badn’t, our cake might have been all dough!” , &e eyes. trial.— W hat’s your name?” o ‘* Explain yourself, I don’t understand,” = Not until half an hour and more had elapsed ** Joe, they call me at home,” “‘It is just this: that young hound, whom 1s was he calied to a wide-awake sense of the situ- ** Very well, A week’s trial, mina.” you last saw in New York, and whom you | ation, and this by a voice that addressed him in ‘* All right, said Frank, ‘I’m not afraid but | found to-day with his eyes on this nouse, isn’t me much surprise, Til suit you.’ the saint he seems to be, but one cf the liveliest little imps out of Satan’s dominions. He has followed you here from New York, and would have run you to earth, if I had not stepped in.” ** I really don’t see—” ‘You shall, then, The boy is a protégé of one Of the keenest of the New York detectives, and is assharp as his master, I knew him at sight, though [ played off on him successfully, ‘Ha, young fellow! how in the world did you He had been thinking earnestly during the last get here? And what are you doing in New | fewminutes, Did Clarkson know him? There Orleans?” was not the least sign in his face or manner that Frank looked quickly up. There, before him, | he did. To all appearance he was honest in his stood the form of the man for whom he had | wish for a messenger boy, been so long looking—Jacob P. Converse! He | But, Frank was not quite at ease in his mind. was gazing on him with a jook cf astonish- x, ment, Converse had displayed a passing show of sur- prise at his friend's suggestion. The boy knew = pz ** Aren’t you the same young hero who plung- | well that be had two deep rogues to deal with, | It was he that ran me down last year, and if fs fete 2 ed into the hotel fire in New York and saved | and that he must not take appearances for facts. | 1’d gone to prison I’d had him to thank for it, . ie. 36 my box for me? Of course you are; I don’t for- | But there seemed here such a promise of oppor- | It’s my turn now, I’ve got the young rat in : 3 ae get faces easily, and yours is not a common | tunity to penetrate the designs of these villains | limbo, There he'll stay tiil we end this job. ' fe Be one.” that he could not hesitate, Had he been offered | After it’s done 1 don’t know but Ill make an 4 SaaS | While these words were being spoken, Frank’s | a dollar a week be would have accepted, end of himfvr good and all. We'ro not safe > = ; _ brain had been busily working, His first im- The three new friends walked away—Hill and ! while that boy is above ground,” : 4 = pulse was to deny his identity, and claim to be | Wilson, as the two men had named themselves, There was a dangerous look on Clarkson’s face eS Pe on his native soil, But the last words of the | andJoe, as the boy had chosen to designate him- | as he spoke. speaker caused him to change his mind, If he | self. He could not venture to trust his real did not want to raise suspicion, and perhaps | name in Clarkson's hearing, defeat his purpose, he bad best face the music, They had not farto go. In fact, Frank had + = Li ~*~ re ue i d t . <r ye ‘ CHAPTER X. CF fe i i * fal» hay 144 es : ‘* Are you the gentleman?” he asked, witha | unwittingly stopped within a few steps of their THE PROWLING OF A CAT, od See well-acted show of surprise. ‘‘ Yes, I know you | place of abode, They made their way to the A WEEK passed away during which Frank a. now. Buti did not expect to meet you here,” | house adjoining the garden into which he had | Melton continued, to all seeming, a close pris- = ** Nor I you.” been gazing, cpened the door, and entered, ask- | oner in the room into which the Artful Dodger : a **Ob, we have moved here, Came away from | ing him to foliow. had so artfully led him. Daily, at proper inter- ‘ 4 ee iy A New York right after that fire. Going to live It was a roomy mansion in which he now here, Mr. Converse?” found himself, with a broad center hall, and “Oh, no! I’m only on some business, Butit | ranges of wide apartments on either side. The did give mea start to see you. The world’s a ! furniture was not abundant, but was tastefully narrow one, after all.” chosen, and was cool and comfortable, as befitted vals,a surly-faced colored individual brought bim very spare and frugal meals. It seemed as Ay if, for purposes of their own, bis captors wished to keep him on very short rations, As for Clarkson and Conver-e, they never pay, - ‘ee + ; all t Fy a i es ee —_—___——— f - iF = *T should think so,” spoke a quiet voice near | the climate. came near him; nor, at the end of the week, did aos him, ‘‘Are you just finding that out, friend | It seemed like the residence of a gentleman of | the eight dollars contracted fur make its appear- a ee S Hill?” considerable weaith and of good taste, ance. As for the messages and letters he was to a ae Frank, with a sudden impulse, turned his face | _ “ This-way, Joe,” said Clarkson, ascending the | deliver, he heard no more cf them, epee Eo away from this new speaker and looked iatently | broad flight cf stairs that opened upon the hall, | The negro who waited on him was a silent os 3 down the street. He did go with a purpose. He He led the way up there, end then up a sec- | fellow, of a brutal cast cf countenance. Frank | mee a wished to gain control of his features. In fact, | ond flight, to the upper fl or of the mansion, did not fail to question him, with a show of dis- if se ol it was only by great command of himself that he ‘This will be your room, my lad.” As he | tress and indignation, but failed to get a word : <a kept from a sharp start of surprise—for the spoke he opened the door of a small apartment, | of answer. The negro would deposit his food on . Pe a voice he heard was the well-remembered one of | and led the way in. ‘*‘ Where are you living | the table, and leave the room as silently as if he 54 a ae John P. Clarkson, the Artful Dodger! ~ | now?? : was deaf and dumb, 2 ae Some further words passed between the two'| , frank named a street on the other side of the} But, sharp as were his jailers, they were not Seo men, while Frank wae repressing the sicns of | “!*Y: as sharp as their prisoner. His possession of ~ See OS delic : - 8 ey ‘* Well, you will not want to go home,” the key to the rear decor of his prison gave See elight and surprise which marked bis face at 6 ; 9 ves | eH: this importaut discovery. and trying to lay out But I must; to report and get my clothes, Frank fuli cofmmand of the situation, As for \ Sa lan 2 action y) ying y You need not; just_now, at any rate. We/| thedry and coarse focd that wus brought him . L en Sn ee ms will want you to-day. Make yourself at home | he made only a pretense of eating it—thrustin $4 ae There was no use trying to get away. He | here,” the most of it under his bed. He had foun af Sao must face the music, aud trust to luck that Re stepped from the room, with his most bene- | his way to the pantry, and every night ended \ ag Clarkson would not recognize him, After a | yojent smile, closed the door quietly behind him, | his daily fast by a plentiful feast from its con- ioe a we. tA minute he turned and looked him full in the | anq—the boy’s quick ears heard tbe click of the | tents, oe os. : face. lock ! In fact,’long before the end of the week ; ie xe Yes, there was that same smooth, good-looking He was locked in! Frank knew that mausion es thoroughly as if Sa SS end benevolent countenance he had known so Startied at this, he 1ooked hastily about him. | he wereitsowver, He had traversed it by day 3 * a well a year before. Tle man before him was | Had Clarkson Enown him and been playing on | and by night, with the quiet step of a cat and a a undoubtedly the Artful Dodger with whom he | him? Was he caught like a rat ina trap? the cunning of a fox, now biding from some ers had had much to do in his early detective life, His eyesran over the room, taking in all its | approsching step, now venturing boldly onward, ee Sa and who was just then badly wanted by the | details at a glance. tillte had been in its every room without being i Saag authorities of New York, Yet in effect he saw only ono thing, This was | seen by an inmate, me” ES Clarkson looked at the boy with no sign of | a second door, on the opposite side of the room, This couid not bave been easily dons had there - a Set peg on his quietface. It was closed, but the key stood in the lock. It | been many people in the house. But he soon : age FS ‘*You know this young gentleman, Hill?’ he | took but a second for him to spring to it, try the ! learned that, besides his two enemies, who were | era > asked, latch and find it to be locked, and draw out the | absent most of the time, the only others in the ; Se **] should think so, He did me a valuable | key, which he thrust under the mattress of the | house were his surly keeper, and a colored cook ) eo service last month.” cot on the opposite s'de of the room, in the kitchen. He, therefore, had no great { ee, Mere ye Mr. Converse told, in few words, the story of Hardly bad he done so, when the entrance | trouble in dving his spying and foraging un- ~ ee ee . the fire and of Frank’s heroic act, door was again opened and Clarkson stepped in, | ceen, ; : ‘* By my honor, a brave lad!” ejaculated | Converse remaining in the doorway, It was his game, however, to remain a pris- Clarkson, heartily. ‘‘Give me your hand, boy. Without a word Clarkson walked across the | oner. The pair of rogues fancied they had him | i. -—s—s«sZ like to hear of courage like that.” room and tried the opposite door. safe, and it was well to keep them in that idea. f poe e+ _ ** Mercy, it wasn’t nothing to brag of,” an- ‘Locked,’ he said, with an air of satirfac- | If they should once suspect him they roight take ; < a =~. " . sé Ye | ; i mee | Eis 2 swered I'rank, diffidently, extending his hand | tion. ‘‘That’s good. I was afraid some one | danzerous precautions. = Sage fs with some reluctance, might disturb you.” Yet Prank was ina quandary. What did it ** Don’t spoil the merit of your deed bv over- But—” Frank’s voice seemed to quaver. | allmean? What were they doing here? How See modesty, my lad,” replied Clarkson, shaking his | ‘‘ But—didn’t you lock that door? What was | came they in possession of this mansion? What ai hand heartily. ‘* By the was Hill, you ought | that for?” was the next step on their programme? All 5, ‘to have rewarded this brave ellow well for such | ** One door is locked to keep anybody from | this be asxed himeelf, but with uo answer. “4 an act.” disturbing you; the other, to keep you from dis- ‘Playing rat in @ hole is a mighty pretty **Reward him! He would not listen to the | turbing anyboiy else,” answered Clarkson, with | game, where there’s good nibbling,” he muttered =e | word!” answered Converse, & meaning. laugh. ‘* Good-day, Jove! We'll | discontentedly. ‘ But it begins to look to me as ae: | ‘‘ There are some things people do for money; | come for you whea we want you.” . if I’m wasting my time, I thought I’d hear x6 ~~ ——s gome that can’t be paid for with money,” re-| Heslipped out as he spoke, and again locked | them let out some secrets, but I haven’t. I'd aL} ss Goined Frank, modestly. the door behind him, | not stay here a day longer only I want to keep eee Z ee ‘Very true. Very well put. Are you en- ‘*“ Will you?’ said Frank, quietly, to himself. | their optics shut,” et Se ee ed in business, my modest lad?” ‘The Artful Dodger’s a mighty good name for He became silent, and sat in reflection for = ea = ** No; [ am looking for a situation.” you, Mr. Clarkson, but I’m not bad on the | some minutes, | 4. — eS “Then, by my honor, you shall bave one! | dodge myself, andif I ain’t the bulge on **T’ve a notion they’re de sg Bie something ~ .——s—s«éBaay,, Hill, we want an intelligent youth, and I | you this time there’s no use talking, Here’s the | or somebody, and I'd like to know what,” be =F ss fancy this is just the one we need. There are | right bower, and the game's mine. resumed, ‘It’s getting near the time they set ok letters to deliver, messages, and so on, Will © drew the key from under the mattress, | to make tracks for Louisville. What’s at the Sa you engage with us, young man? We will give | and waved it in the air triumpbantly, bottom of it, anyhow? Guess I'll take another : i ss You six dollars a week for a start?” Meanwhile the two men had descended to the | stroll.. Mr. Midnight brought me my grub san ii — Make it eight, and I'll take it,” second floor, and entered a room there, hour ago. He won’t be here again these six i ey => ae ~~ Kizbt—eight--that’s ie Idon’tknowif| ‘* Now,” said Converse, ‘‘I’d like an explana-/| hours.” es ‘qa =e ou’ll be worth it to us, bat say you, Hill? | tion. What does this move mean?” It took him but a minute to find the key in its | =. 3h + ~~ B hal! we try bim one week at that rate?” ‘“‘It means that we were very near being put | hiding place, unlock the door, and slip out from et oe nS . - ated oe * eS