Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 130 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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10. “Why, girl, you take my breath!” exclaimed ae Andrews, starting up from her reclining pos- e. “And yo Tatil d fend him? Did expect ou 8 efen m ou any- thing better from one of his sort?”’ rs “T still defend him!’ said Helen, seeming to gain the calmness which her mother had lost. ‘I believe —I know that he is innocent. Therefore I defend him. Justice shall be done. He shall be freed from this false charge. And he loses nothing in my esti- mation, because he is accused of a crime which he never committed.” “The proofs found in his own house? What evi- ence your girlish belief against that? You are let- = a childish imagination run away with you now, en.”’ “I know he is the victim of some base plot! I year never desert him while I believe him inno- een **Do you remember about whom you are talking, Helen, or the character of his relations with you?’ asked her mother, with much dignity of manner. “This is only your music-teacher; not your friend and associate. And he seems to have effectually put a bar to any further lessons—unless, indeed, you should desire to take them in his prison cell.” Her voice had grown very sarcastic, “There will be no need of that,’”’ Helen returned, etly. Tr And why not? I think he will hardly get bail on such a charge." “There are strong circumstances in his favor. mother. I am satisfied that the judge will accept bail for him,” “It must be some heavy amount, then, And who is his wealthy friend who will risk much on his hon- esty?”’ “er The friend is found. Ihave directed Mr. Widdin to see that he obtains bail, on the security of my private inheritance.” a Why, child, are you mad?” cried Mrs. Andrews, ett But this is ridiculous. A woman cannot go “I think my offer, with power of attorney in Mr, Widdin's hands, will be accepted,” replied Helen. “T think, indeed, that Mr. Spencer is already free, I have no fears of his avoiding a trial.” But for you to take such an action! Without consulting me or your father!”’ exclaimed the ex- cited and agitated woman. “Excuse me, mother, I did consult with father. aes ‘es agreed with ‘<e_ , had no we . see Med ew, of course, that you would not agree what I had determined on dota on ust like your father!” cried Mrs, An- drews, t ng her tide of anger from her resolute daughter to the absent husband. “He is full of all sorts. af radical and nonsensical ideas, and he has infecteS you with the same plebeian proclivities.”’ Mrs. Andrews hurried from the room, not dari to trust herself further under her angry excitement. “Tt knew there must be a scene with mother,” pour ured Helen, sadly. “I am glad the worst of over. CHAPTER XIL Bur what of Di ke Shem wwe lett elinetoe Oi: UT Ww of Dick, whom we ) rudder-posts of the yacht Molly? The boy was very quick of hearing, and his acute senses were strained to not miss a word of the im- rtant conversation which he hoped to overhear. et for the first flve minutes the voices of the two meh in the cabin were pitched in too low a key for a to ea con etee aan OURS. his right foot cK. position so as to ge oot on one of the rudder-irons, Dick gained a more com- fortable location, and one that brought his ear nearer to the open window. ‘The voices of the two men, also, w uncon- re ge Methane as they proceeded with their conver- se a er’s half-tipsy condition interfering with his cautiousness, Struck his fancy from the start; I could see "he said, decidedly, “I don’t think it was so m the mone Nee tps there’s mighty few men to whom a pile ain’t an object.” “What was it, then?” spoke the deeper tones of Mr. Williamson. “The m ry. You see, he’s been troubled at naert abou wae i ieeuet ane rag te Had a fear of some ‘ »28 soon as I broached the matter, his eyes lit ed like two stars on a dark sky.” ‘We will dispense with the poetical part of the subject,”’ put in Mr. Williamson, coldly. “Did you let out anything about the location of the property, or the residence or condition of his nts?” os Certainly; told the city they lived in, and all “*I should be very little surprised if you did. Es- pecially if you let anybody pour liquor into you, as “ Told him they lived in New Orl and were creoles,’’ protested Turner. ‘ Guess that’s far enough off the track. Told him it was out of the q uestion to say a word more till 1 was sure he was e son. ‘“*And asked him for remembrances of his in- fancy? And relics, if he had any?’ inquired Wil- **TIt was liamsgon. **Now it’s comin’,” thought Dick. “If Imissa word now, Id jist better let go my holt, and drown myself for an idyot. Never see’d anything so well primed as I’ve got them.’ His face b ened with a silent laughter that was full of intense peg Foe of the situation. “He let it out freely enough,” replied Turner. “Didn’t seem to smella mouse anywhere. He re- Detective Dick. members well a la stone house, with extensive ounds around it. It was neither city nor country or there were numbers of houses near, with broa pleasure-grounds around each.” ‘** What was the house like?” **That he could not well describe. It was some- thing of the old-fashioned style, with stone out- buildings.”’ “ Jist so!” thought Dick, noting these details in his memory. “Dig in, my cove. I’m a-takin’ it “Had he any further recollections?” “Yes. Of a beautiful lady, dressed in blue silk, and wearing a very bright stone in hercollar. There was also atall, handsome gentleman, who fondled and made much of him,” “ That's down, brick-top,”’ was Dick’s mental com- ment. ‘Slide ahead,” “* Anything more?” ** Nothing that he could recall. His next recollec- tion is of being very roughly used, and forced to beg on the streets in company. with an old crone, who beat him when he failed to bring home money.” “It will be important to learn the name and resi- dence of that crone,”’ asserted Williamson. “ Also her peeing gr Did he have any remembrance of this be Boston ?”’ ** No. 6 woman must have brought him on to x piled She probably stole the child for the sake of his fine clothes, and with the purpose of esding her in her begging operations, and came to Philadelphia to avoid detection.” e: fool mought see that,” muttered Dick. “ Bosting, though. Won't do to forgit Bosting.” ** And now as to relics of his childhood,” suggested Williamson, ‘These will be most important.’ ‘“‘ Sartain sure they will,” thought ick. “ Pile in, redhead; let’s have your relicks.”’ “His clothes were probably sold by the crone who stole him,” Turner went on. “ All he had left be- longing to his youth was a bronze medal, and a curi- ously-knit chain attached toit. This he remembers to have had in his childhood.” **Good! We must have that medal.” “*I expect to see him again,’’ declared Turner. “You know of his being arrested on a charge of counterfeiting, and that the alderman has put him under heavy bail?” **He should have put him in prison,” declared Williamson, harshly. ‘'He must have been a fool to accept bail on ‘sueh a charge. You must see Spencer at once, and try and learn where he keeps e medal and chain.” “Twill hunt him up to-day, But understand, I cannot do any pickpocket or burglar work,” ‘“* You can’t!"’ thought the listener, *‘ You’re mean enough to steal green persimmons and sell them for apricots.” Get it from him by any lie you can manufacture. If he won't take, find where he keeps it. I am bound to have the Milton estate, and won't be stopped by any slight vraag a Going to play the lost heir?” asked Turner. “ His recollections will be of no use if somebody else has them in advance of him. Probe him om on that subject; he aay. recall some nie ts. And the medal] will clin the business. e old woman who stole him will swear black is white if I **T see,” confessed Turner. “ You’re a blamed shrewd one. The old lady Milton will swallow it all as easy as a cat swallows milk, What a precious son on will make, “1?” said Williamson, quickly. ‘“‘No, no, my terni is too well known. I have my man, thoug we ll, it will soon be no secret, Captain Parker is the man.” “Well, if I ain’t holed a precious pair of rascals then whitewash me, that’s all!’’ Dick had to admit, to himself. “Got that whole biz mapped out. But, they’re ep oa | shy of the counterfeit bizness. Bricktop talks as if he weren't in that ring.” Dick's position by this time had grown unbearably unpleasant. He shifted his feet and tried to make eres: se ath Sag ie ar cry 80 se na an 6 parties e ca were suddenly startled by a heavy splash in the water. Turner ran to the cabin window, and looked out. There was nothing visible, though a circle of wave- rings was spreading in the water from the rudder post outward. Williamson, alarmed lest their con- versation should have been overheard, ran on deck and looked warily into the water all around the boat. But there was no object to be seen, and the ring of wavelets was rapialy dying out. “It is strange,” he said. ‘“ Something must have fallen from the wharf. Though I cannot see how.” “It must have been a fish jumped,” suggested Turner eppearm on deck. “Wish of that size don’t swim in the docks,” said Williamson, incredulously. “But whatever itis it has gone to the bottom, so we need not care much. Attend to that matter instantly, Turner, and re- ort to me at once. And mind, let us have no more ppling while this affgir is in hand.” “I don’t think any fresh water sailor, or salt water either, for that matter, will make a fool of me again . “*Don’t forget that,’”’ said Williamson, as he left the vessel, and walked briskly up the wharf. “ That splash was blamed queer,” growled Turner, looking again Saag ha into the water. He shook his head doubtfully as he turned and went below. At the same moment, from behind a small coast- ing smack that occupied the i ey side of the dock, there eppemed a grinning boy’s face, washed clean of the dirt it had lately gathered while rooting behind the post. “*Tt’s jist the biggest fish that you eversee'd,” said the boy, with a hearty laugh. ‘eS to flung your line over, Mought have cotched him. Bless your eyes, Williamson, there ain’t a fishin the Delaware kin swim under water better nor Dick Darling.” Dick crawled up the wharf and stood in the sun- light on the top of the wharf log, the water dripping from him as from a drowned rat. ‘**Reckon I’ve guv my new clothes a seasonin’,”’ he said, trying to squeeze some of the superabundant water out of them. ‘“ Don’t keer how soon it rains now. Can’t spile my fixin’s.” He got out of that locality, and laid himself out in the sun to dry in a boar yore not far distant, re- moving and spreading out outer garments till _— was little left but his bare skin for the sun to act on. But, we must leap over a space of time, and pre- sent Dick, thoncesshty dried, renovated, and remark- — well washed—for him, in a different locality. It is near the evening of the same day, and in the region of Fourth and Walnut, that we again take u our water-rat, loun about with his eyes turne toward the door of the building containing Mr. Ane Cece wegen, Donen: iil goods, sto express wagon, lo , Stops in front of fie door, and Dick hurries over to that side Tho ex peek fumbles awhil his parcel e expressman es awhile among and then takes out a small, oblong ete, 2 2 “Here, boy, hold this a minute,”’ he to Dick, handing him the package, while he extricates him- self from his constrained position. Dick takes instant opportunity to read its address: ** ANDREW WILLIAMSON, Fourth and Walnut Sis., Philadelphia.” On the opposite side was the broad card of the Adams Express Co., dated at Chester, Pa., the pre- vious day. ““That will do, my lad,” said the expressman, cheerily, as he took the package. ‘“‘Ask me for a sugar plum the next time you see me,”’ “Tf you only knowed what a sugar plum you’d guv me now!” thought Dick, as he walked easily away. ‘Guess I’ve done my day’s work.” But his day’s work was not yet performed. He had not gone any great distance on his homeward journey ere he formed a new resolution, ‘* Allers best-to strike while the iron’s hot,’’ he de- clared. ‘‘ Don’t do to leave bizness like this opeu if you don’t want it to spile. Guess I'd best go see my detectives and sort out some work for them." Dick laughed silently as a comical thought oc- curred to him, ‘** Bet there ain't many customers in these diggin's keeps as fine a pack of private detectives as Dick Darling. And the beauty of it is, they think they’re using me. That’s the gayest sell out.” He continued his silent enjoyment of the thought as he made his way toward the domicil of Ned Hogan. ca oT guv Ho the Chester job, ’s ap as he’s t a look-out there. The other chaps kin work e Bosting lay. Guess that’s a fair divide of the *sponsibility. Gettin’ too much work on my shoul- ders fur one boy to put through without help.” He found Ho at home, seated behind lasting meerschaum, which he was wasting his life in efforts to color. At least his persistent application seemed to indicate that as his object. “Got five minutes fer you,’’ announ Dic with an air of great importance, as he deposi himself in the nearest chair. ‘Want you to write eBartain|'” assented H ving what $ assen R 8) what seem- ed to strike himn as a good ok, ™ is it to be? e drew ink and r from the drawer] of Pr eg pen, pape , ‘“‘Want you to write to your watch-dog, Harris, at Chester. I'll jist guv you the p’ints. You kin shape them. Mr. Andrew Williamson, of this big town, jist got a pee from Chester by Adams Express. ust have n sent yisterday or this mornin’. Now I want Harris to find out all he kin *bout that package; who sent it, what kind of a cove he was, where he hails from, or any particulars he kin stir up. Do you take it in?” “ Yes,” averred Hogan. ‘ Are you in earnest?” “Solid; nothing else now.” “ Here goes then.” Hogan proceeded to write as directed by Dick, folding and sealing the letter. ** And now, what the blazes is it allabout?” he de- manded, holding the letter in his hand. ‘‘ Have yov trod into any lark’s nest?” **Guv me the letter,” was Dick’s only reply. “I’P poe it. *Tain’t safe to answer your question yet. ant to hear from Harris fust. Mought be barkin’ up the wrong tree.” ick took his de re, hastening to the nearest t his letter. a to dep **So much fur my matte alley,” helaughed. “ And if Ned Hogan thinks I’m goin’ to sell out to him he dunno where I got my eddication. Ain’t diggin’ = urtaters for no sich chaps as him to eat. Guess I’ utter my own biscuit.” And Dick, with much self-importance, made his way toward the hotel patronized by the government detectives. ever- CHAPTER XIII. DICK AND HIS DETECTIVES. Dick had the same luck with the government officials as he had had with Ned Hogan, finding them both at home. They were seated at their table, busily engaged in writing, when Dick swaggered into the room, dis- | pensing with the formality of a knock. e€oim eGpoo cS aw -- ' «a