Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1096 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

F 4 +2 & f Aw oe ' » * oe ‘ > o% ot | - ia ‘Je ™ ‘ L ‘ 7 \ a ; ‘ i . . 2 vy Ps *, he Wy: ‘ ‘ 1 l “a " ' Pee * r ‘ 1s .- + — ; ae ta ‘ ‘oe . es - ry "h % 3 , 4 ’ ; ie f ) * Pas (ie ON ‘ ee ke a 40 ¥ 7 . > ah , J ® . al pe t ' ¢ 12 —————EEE Dandy Dick’s Dragnet. ** Well, one was sent to that place, and a mes- senger from there has brought me the informa- tion.’ ** Good for you!” Fowley exclaimed. ‘' Now I presume the fatted calf will have to suffer, since the prodigal is coming.” **T will be willing to kill two fatted calves, if my boy is found in good health and strength.” ‘** Indeed, yes!” echoed Mrs. Gobles, ** And now for that insurance, eh?” hinted Mr. Teaberry. ** Yes: I think we will arrange that, as soon as Simeou comes,” Gobles responded, Fowley looked a look of disgust at Teaberry, and he and George Pierre exchanged a glance, The talk was lively all around till the meal was drawn to a close, As some were about to rise, Gobles remarked: ‘*Pray remain seated, gentlemen. When the ladies have retired I desire to have you drink to the health of my son in a bottle of the best the house affords,” ‘You want us to rejoice with you, eh?” langhed Fowley, “Yes; if you putit that way. Iam the hap- piest man in this country to-night, and I want to ive you a share of it, if I can, if not, then at east I want to make this an occasion to be re- membered.” ** We'll oblige you, of course,” said Gold-plate George. “Thank you, my friends. Tom,” to the China- man at his back, ‘‘ go to the bar and get halfa dozen of the best wine to be had, regardless of cost, and bring them here and serve,” The Celestial grinned and was off at once, while Mr. Gobles went on to tell the company what an expert Tom Lee was at preparing drinks for such an occasion, He was, he felt free to declare, the best band at that sort of thing he had ever known, CHAPTER XVII. THE FINISHING TOUCHES, In a few moments the Celestial returned, He bad the bottles in bis arms, and was grin- ning as ever. Going to a sideboard, he deposited the bot- tles there while he procured the necessary glasses. In this the waiter came to his assistance, and selecting as many glasses as there were noses present, including his own, the Chinaman set about serving. Mr, Fowley and Marshal Pierre were waited upon first, and then the others in order, Tom Lee moving about easily and rapidly as though accustomed to that sort of thing. The last to be served was Mr. Gobles, and ait al him the Chinaman proceeded to treat bim- self, He evidently considered Jack as good as his master. The first glass having been served, the bot- - tles were put on the table within the reach of all. The treat was heartily partaken of, to the evi- dent pleasure and satisfaction of Mr. Gobles, and toasts of various sorts were offered, ** Now, last of all,” Gideon finally remarked, **a toast from me,” **To -be sure,” was the approving shout, he it be health and wealth to the prodi- al, **No, no!” Gideon disputed. ‘* That has been toasted enough, Here is to the Invisible Seven! May they soon be put where dogs won't bite ’em!” This provoked a laugh, and the toast was heartily responded to, and that ended ‘the moda- est littie dip into dissipation for which Mr, Gobles stood responsible, and the participants went out, As they went from the room, Mr. Teaberry touched Mr. Fowley on the arm, “Insurance again?’ Mr. Fowley demanded, shortly. * No; not insurance this time,” was the smil- ing answer. “I see it is of no use to push that further with you. I want to talk with you ip private abort another matter.” “ W hat is it?” * You still suspect my identity?” “Of course I do; and not only that, but I _ know you are Darrel,” “Very well, [ will bave to admit it to you, ery: Will you cgme to my room and sit own while we talk?” A look of keenest satisfaction appeared on the 4 _ face of the hotel proprietor and mine-manager, » a8 he answered that be would gladly go with bis ST toougnt you would see the folly of holding out against me,” he remarked, boastfully. a s An wy ‘‘'Yes: it was foolishness, of course; but I wanted to be sure that you were not bluffing, you know, You will not let on?” ‘*Ob, no; of course not; you can trust me for that.” Teaberry led the way up to his room, and gave his host the best chair the room afforded, J Taking another himself then, and sitting with his back to the window, the fading light falling fnll upon Fowley, be opened the conversation, ‘Now, Mc. Fowley, since you have forced me to reveal myself to you, I am going to take you into my confidence and ask you to help me ona certain matter.” ‘‘ As it will give me pleasure to do,” Fowley made answer. ‘‘ You may repose all confidence in me, arf I will serve you as well as I can.” ‘*T have no doubt of that. Now, the general idea seems to be that 1 am here to hunt down the Invisible Seven.” ‘**As of course admit that,” ‘* Well, let us agree on that point, to please you; but I care less about the Invisibles than about something else.” ‘Tt is rather hurd to believe that, sir.” ** Still it is the truth,” ‘“*Then. what is that something else?” “‘1t is concerning that lam about to speak. I need help, and you seen#to be the man best fitted to give it.” ; ‘* Well, let me hear.” **The story is short. Some years ago, in San Francisco, lived a wealtby man named James Steelton, who died ratber suddenly, of heart failure 16 was eaid,” Something had come over Mr. Fowley. He was pale to the lips; he had started at the name, and was now staring at the other as in borror, Teaberry appeared to take no notice what- ever of this agitation, but went on with the story he had set out to tell, keeping his eyes on the man’s face, “This Steelton left a big fortune, and two daughters, but no will, The fortune naturally went to the children, or would so have gone, had not somebody else taken it, ‘* Shortly after the death of Steelton, a former partner in business, one Howard Rondleigh, came down upon the property, with evidences of debt that took almost everything, and he got all but a mere trifle out of the estate.” Mr, Fowley’s agitation was greater than aver, yet Teaberry still pretended not to notice it. **Rondleigh disappeared,” the narrator went on, “and was not heard of again, Now it bas been discovered that bis claim was a fraud, and that he simply robbed those innocent children of their property. I have been engaged to lock him ap, but I confess to you that I’m stumped,” ‘“*And what in the world has brought you away off bere?’ Fowley managed toask in pretty firm voice) having somewhat recovered, ‘Well, I did strike a clew that led this way, but it seems to have petered out, and here I am. Now, I want to ask you if you ever heard of a man of that name in these parts?” “| never did, sir.” ‘But then it is not likely that he would use hisown name, Here is a photograph of him as he was when a young man, Of course we would look for great changes by this time.” Fowley had paled again, and his hand was nervous as he received the card. He looked at it intently for a moment, and handed it back, “* Never saw that face, I’m sure,” he declared. **T was in hopes you bad. I hate to give up a case like this, for there is money in it, if I can only find my man,” ‘Wish I could help you, but I’m afraid I can’t. Have you asked any one else about it?” ** No; for you know I have been keeping close, In case you should see any one you think will fill the hill, will you let me know, Mr. Fowley?” ‘¢ Why, to be sure,” Fowley bad now begun to recover, and was almost himself, lt must have appeared strange to him that his recent agitation had not been noticed... Nothing in the look or manner of the man before him gave evidence that ft had been, however, and he no doubt flattered himself that be bad controlled his emotions so well, There was some further talk, and it was grow- ing dark when Mr. Fowley took his leave, No sooner had the door closed after him than that grim smile appeared on the face of Mr. Teaberry. Fowley went at once to the bar-room, whe> he found Gold-plate George, Him he drew aside immediately, and said: ** Well, we were right,” you are; you will have to | LL re es LL LLL LLL LLL LL CL CC LL ttt “In what?” ‘The man is Darrel!” ‘* We were sure of that, I thought.” ‘* Yes: but be has now admitted it to sie, privately.” ‘*Good! I thought it would be strange if he could fool us a third time.” And they took seats and discussed the situation, whatever their interest in it was, for some time. Meanwhile,, about as soon as it was dark, Ham Scantou bad gone out of the canip in the direction of the glade in the wood near the dark ol. Ror was he alone, for Simon Slow and a number of others followed him, each one moving in silence, and no word was spoken by any of them until their destiaatiun vas reached. At the hotel everything was as usual, the Go- bles were on the piazza till their usua) hour of re- tiring, when they went to their room. The young ladies, the Misses Silverton, had already retired, and it was not long before Mr. Teaberry followed the example set by the others, But strange things were taking place. To mention one, a Chinaman had descended from a window on the dark sice of the hotel. Touching the ground, he cast off the rope and it was quickly drawn up and the Chinaman glided away in the darkness, To follow him were needless, since it is to be revealed presently what be did, but upon bim depended in a great measure the success of what was to follow, Tbat.Chinaman, needless to say, was the wily Yang Kee, The dragnet was about ready for the baul. CHAPTER XVII. UNDER COVER OF NIGHT. THE hour was late, when, under the window from which the Chinaman had made his exit, the plaintive wail of a cat was heard, It was repeated two or three times; then the faint chirp of a cricket 1esponded, after which the call was heard a single time and then no more. Soon after a rope wiggled silently dowm the side of tne house, a dark shadow laid bold upon it as soon as it came within reach from the ground, anda slight jerk was given on if, For some moments then nothing was seen or heard, and the rope bung still and ile, Presently the rope was violently disturbed, and continued to move restlessly as a dark form came down it from a window above, It was the form of a man, and as soon as he was safely on the ground the cat-call was given once again, faintly, and again was the rope dis- turbed and set in motion, Another shadowy form was presently dis- cerned in the darkness, coming rapidly down- ward, and soon another person had joined the two, making three wbo stood there in the in- tense shadow close to the house. A brief consultation was held, after which two of the persons vanished into the night, the otber ascending the rope and drawing it up af- ter him. Some minutes later a light tapping was heard on the door of the room occupied by Mr. Phineus Teaberry. The key was beard to turn in the Jock imme- diately, and a man was admitted into the room, The door was again closed, the key turned, and the two men talked in whispers. No light was in the room, and the men could not see each other. Presently Teaberry groped his way to a closet, len ing his visitor by the arm, and the visitor entered. Teaberry pushed the door shut to within about balf an inch, and after a few more whispered words turned away and felt his way to the bed, Into the bed he got, and in a moment more was snoring away as though he had not been awake within the hour. Strange proceedings these, What was coming? It was an hour later, perbaps more, when a grating, rasping sound was heard at the door, This continued for a moment, the noise being low, and ‘evidently made no louder than was possible to help, — The opening of the door followed, and soft: steps glided into the room as silently, almost, as ghosts are supposed to tread. As silently the door was closed after them, and for some moments no farther sound was heard save the regular snoring of the man who occupied the bed, After a — moments a light was made, the flame of a match dispelling the darkness with magic power, : : a as - ’ ‘ ’ ; 4. f re ay bs J ‘ micbooks.com