Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 130 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

o * - eee + + " aetenaauedaemis aad a a a a in as “+ einstein tet i a Detective Dick. buil containing his office but passed under the surv ce of the boy’s keen eyes. There was not a pareel of any uncertain character taken from the building but what he traced it to its destination. There was not as taken by Mr. Williamson but it was elosely followed by our young sleuth-hound. The lawyer’s keenness on a former oceasion had taught Dick a usefullesson. He was not the rat to be caught twice inthe same trap. Williamson little dreamed under what a close scrutiny his every movement was placed. This incessant vigilance of Dick was not without its reward. He succeeded in adding another valu- able mash to the net which he was slowly drawing around certain u icious individuals, “1 tell you,” he declared to Jack Bounce, drop- ping in unceremoniously on that casy-going p rson- age, “I tell you there's fun afloat. ore work cut out for you detectives.” | “How is thaty’ asked Jack, taking his feet down from the window and looking round at Dick. “What's broke loose now, my lad?” ** fun!’’ announced Dick, seating himself astride a chair, “I'm ‘workiug up a little traverse, Mr. Bounce,” looking the embodiment of. boyish shrewd- ness, ‘and if I ain't jeft out some of the figgers, or got in a loose scréw somewhere, then there'll be guts ses That's ya nits ne ' ‘Suppose you get a e nearer the nt, m outh tH friend, Then it might be reivately posaibip o get an inkling of what you are diiving at—which it would puzzle tne devil to tell now.” : “IT thought it was the bizness, of you detectives to see clear in shady places,” retor ed Dick, with a langh. ‘“* Well, this is the solid English of it, IfI ain’t sold out by sarcumstances, there'll be new counterfeits on the market afore the next sun gits head above water.”” | Pe he do, Met ra earaly boy?” demanded Jack, speaking quickly an y. Mi It's a way I have of smeilin’ out things.” “That's not much of an answer.”’ “ Bless you,” said Dick, laughing, *‘I didn’t intend to give you much of an answer. I allers want my figgers to proye theirselves afore I add them up. It’s jist this. I've follered what I think are counter- feits into sartain shady places, 1 don’t know, mind ou; and maybe won’t jist yit. So It hold my ongue, But if you hear’soon of anybody shovin’ the queer, jist recolleck that Dick Darling told you O ‘ , Jack looked at the’boy with an odd expression. He seemed p ng himself to take Dick’s' measure. ia right,” he exclaimed. “I don’t forget a Any news from Bosting yit?” “Nothing. It is too soon,” “It come. There’s a bit more of fun in ‘hat 7 “That is another of pirsin deep secrets, Dick,’’ the detective remarked, indifferently. | “Yes. I'’mgreat guns on a secret, Likethem too well to sell them out cheap. The beer’s a-brewin’, my friend, You shall have your cup full when it’s ripe.” a - Dick had his elbows on the back of the bis face cont d between his two a very owl o our as he spoke, ‘Jack Bounce laughed as he caught the comical ex- ono fe bp ‘ e eT Show like ¢3 know in what blind alley you were ab Se uP» You are the queerest specimen I have seen for au age.” “Cute, ain't IT?" oe “Cute is no,word for it.” “That's what I’m a-diggin’ for. It’s jist my idear of glory.’ ) They. were interrupted . Mi Ae fit pene by the en- trance of Jack’s associate, Mr, Will Frazer. ‘The spate face of this gentlemun was somewhat Sager asif he had beenimbib ng good liquor, or news. “~ oie | ' flung himself reckle into a chair, looki up wilh z woebeeone eettation that set J “Tt beats thunder!’ ‘““And thuader ain’t easy beat,’ was Jack's re- nse. | oP mn just ready to give up,” “Don't, give up the ship,’’ quoted Jack, with a comical grimace, | *“Obl! you'd be fiddling if the world was on fire,” growled Will, impaticnily. ‘You are the most ageravating—” ** But I don’t see that even a corner of the world is on fire. There is not astraw burning, so far as my eyesiczht goes! ’ Dick, who had a hich admiration of Jack Bounce’s wit, sat listening, with his whole face full of sileut enjoyment... 4 ‘lll show you where the fire is,’’ exclaimed will. **What do you think of anew note afloaty A bran- new twenty on the Arlington First. National. And hardly a false line in it. It took one of our cutest brokers to make it out. . [tell you this is enough to trin kets?” . , —_— —_ — = air, and’ looking **Did put you on Sol Sly’s track, returned Dick. **How's that lay progressing?" ‘“*He is a doubtful character. But we haven't ‘* And won't very soon,” added Will, with a touch of scorn. ‘The boy was right in one thing, though. The Jew has been in 1,08 North Eleventh street.’ wae To-day?’ asked Dick, quickly. “ es.”’ ‘“* Tosee the folks?” “To see Mr. Spencer, who was absent. Mr. Sly waited a half-hour for his return, and then left, say- ing he would call again.” That’s growin’ nobby and interestin’,’’ and Dick was somewhat excited. ‘* What follered? Did you *bey orders? Did you snatch him and go through | caught him napping yet.” | him " “Yes, He was arrested and searched. And pretty | fools we made of ourselves to pay any attention to _ your vagabondish fancies,”’ *“Didn’t find nothin’, then?’’ asked Dick, excitedly. “Hadn't stole nothin’?” ‘*‘ Nothing lighter than a dstone, nor heavier than a feather,” said Will, sarcasticaliy. ‘We found not a pemny’s worth about him that didn’t be- long to him. Nothing more than a few nickels and A nket or two. His whole outfit wasn’t worth the rating and threatening we got.” ‘““A few trinkets, eh?’ mused Dick aying no at- tention ‘to his other words. “ hat d of L hardly know, as I took little notice of them. A cameo pin, a bronze medal, with an odd sort of chain, a— ““There! that'll do. That's a-plenty!” said Dick, with intense sarcasm. ‘“‘And you let him slide, with all that on him?’ “ es ” “Well, you did make purty fools of Se ay and you kin say so ag’in and tell no lie. , Jack Bounce, that medal was the very thing he went through Harry Spencer’s house for! And you're oin’ to make a mint of trouble by lettin’ it slip ough your fingers.” | “Ma we had better search him again and re- lieve of it,”’ suggested Jack. “S’arch a hen’s roost for eggs arter a weasel’s - contemptuously. “ That jigs danced. Can’t git it up ag’in. Bet high that 1 hadn’t that medal ten minits arter the perlice opened their claws and let him slide, I know where it is, though, and I’m goin’ for it, quicker’n greased lightnin’ ever went for a scorche i . And Dick left the room in hig gust with the police. . | e had another important interview that. same day with Ned Hogan. The latter had just heard from Mr. Ha at Chester, and had some information which Dick oe erp caclly’ traced the n ho left the package “Tie: @ man who le e 7 confessed the detective. — y * That’s .my.mutton,’’ cried Dick. ‘“‘Who and "TP Hatta, ropteerote’ bin tlemanly | 7 is represents as a gentlem young fellow, who hes been . icerdline for. the last six months at the Steamboat Hotel in Chester. A well dressed, sociable chap, who seems to have nothing e do but to enjoy mself, and plenty of money to e fs) ee a do it. thing odd or suspicious about ‘‘Mebbe not. What's his name?” “Wi Hendricks.” . fo “All right! Wears store-clothes, and cuts a figure, eh! O, K.! Bet he’s my meat. Been investiga- tin’ the Molly lately ?”’ ; | * Yes. But Turner is pumped dry I fancy; for nothing comes up now pe as as I will.’ * He's cute!” said Dick, ingly. ‘“*T only learned one piece of information.” “Let's hear it.”’ -““The Molly is going to change her quarters. She sails from th'# port at ten to-morrow morning.” “That's news. There’s more fun afloat. Shouldn’t wonder if I sailed with her.. Look out for news soon, Mr, Hogan. Things is comin’ toa focus, And,now, if you ain’t got no objection, il go hunt my sup- r. PeAnd, without waiting for an objection, Dick took his departure, CHAPTER XVI. DICK’S THIRD BATH. Nep Hogan was right in one piece of information he had gained. There were busy notes of prepara- tion on board the yacht Molly the next morning, It was a bright, peg day in the latter part of April, the sun shining with a warmth and splendor that presaged August weather. Just at ten Mr, Williamson, who had bern for some time closeted in the cabin, left the yacht, cry- lng eheosHy to the captain, who had followed him on deck: ping his forehead and his vest-pocket. “It will go ard if I don’t manage them. Cast off that line!” he cried to one of the two sailors of the yacht. In a minute more the Molly began to slowly glide out of her dock. Her sail was partly raised, and caught a breath of the fitful wind. Now all her sails rose to the mast-head and were spread to their fullest extent. There was something bird-like in the graceful movement with which she | bent to the breeze, and glided with increasing speed | out into the broad bosom of the river. | Mr. Williamson stood gazing Se, after her, | as did also a knot of loungers on the next wharf. Yet there was nowhere a sigu of Dick Darling, who had, the night before, ftheen ee his intention of tak- ing a trip on the Molly. Had he changed his mind? Or had be been frightened off by the presence. of Williamson? board, The yacht stood across till near the bar, then es and stood down the open channel of the ver. | The lawyer now turned and walked away, just one minute too soon to witness an incident which was curiously noted by the group of loungers. “Look at the boy! He don’t. know how to use, an oar I guess,” said one. What boat is that he’s got?’’ ~**Oh! Joe Carson’s leaky old tub, that isn’t worth the oakum to stop the leaks. The boy borrowed it to go a-fishing. By thunder, he’ll be struck!” “The je pen is trying to get out of his way.” ‘“* But did you ever see oars handled so awkwardly? It was certain that he was not on He is right across her fore-foot again.”’ **Down goes his house!’’ shouted the other speak- er. “I hope the veuturesome. young vag d won't be drowned:”’ er At that instant a slight, crashing sound was heard, reaching faintly to their ears. e boat they had been watching passed under the swiftly-gliding yacht. , AY | “* Where is the boy? Is he gone?” cried the first speaker, inalarm, “I'll swearthe yachtmen didn’t half try to get out of running him down.” ; ‘““Drown him," rejoined the other. ‘“‘ You could as well drown a fish. ere he goes!” meer They could see a slight, boyish form, clambering, hand over hand, up the side of the vessel, by a Bape he had grasped. In a moment more he sprung light- ly in on the Molly’s deck, Oe as We will accompany him on board... He stood erect and defiant on the deck, the water running in streams from his drenched clothes, i “Well, if you aip’t a purty set. of one-hoss sailors, rll sell out!” he exclaimed, contemptuously. | ““There’s a new boat smashed inter kindlin’ wood - *cause. there ain’t a man onboard knows howto | shift a rudder. You’d best go ashore and hireina menagerie.” “It's your own aruptalty, boy,”’. growled Cap. Parker, advancing. ‘* What business have you in the channel, when you know no more than a cow about handling an oar?’’ ve “That's right; blow me up, arter you've run me down and half-drownded me,” retorted Dick, for it was that precious individual., “ Ain’t you got a cook- stove somewhere handy, where I can git my French broadcloth dried?” .. : 2 ‘We had best stand in and put him ashore,” sug- gested Joe Turner to the captain, . - “No hurry ‘bout that,” said Dick. “I want togit dried fust. You kin drop me out somewhere down the river, Don’t be feared but I'll drop on my legs no matter where you fling me. I’m at home any- where.” , And the independent young rogue went below in Kee of a fire where he might dry his dripping clothes. “Well, he’s. a queer customer,” declared Cap. Parker. ‘ Where is the boat?’ “Oh! it wasa rotten old shell,” replied Turner. “Tt ain’t worth picking up. And as long. as the little villain isin no hurry about gettine ashorerwe can take him at his word, It is luck to turn back after making a good start. We can land him at Chester.”’ , “That will do, Joe, as long as he is so easily satis- © fied. ._He is a saucy-looking young Villain.”’ Swiftly down the river sped the yacht, in front of the long, red lines of the city. She was an excellent sailer, and light as the wind was, her great spread of sail caught up every wandering puff, and turned it into rapid motion through the sunlit waters. It was high noon before Dick again appeared on deck, thoroughly dried and renovated, for one of t men, with a soft spot in his soul, bad taken the boy in hand, giving him athorough rubbing from head to foot, and ironing out his wet clothes. “There, I feel, jist as neat as anew clothes-pin,”’ announced Dick, cheerily, as he stepped into the open sun, “I’m in forancw baththough. Thisis - my second trip overboard inside a week. S"pose I'l ots another trip. Things allers goes by threes, you now,” : ; It was not twenty minutes before he was_hail- fellow with all the crew, from the captain down, his. cheery independence of manner seeming to just hit their fancies. _ ” * Dunno but I'd jist as lieve go round the world in a craft like this,’’ he declared, as he took.in the delight of their swift, smooth motion. ‘She’s jist like a bird on the wing. Couldn’t carry them sails, though, in a wind,” ‘‘Ié would take a strong gale to make the Molly haul in her wings,”’ averred Cap. Parker. “And as for your going around the world, it is only sailors, not land-rats, that make that triv.” ‘* And what makes a sailor?” asked Dick. ‘**He’s got to beas much at home on deck or aloft ‘i oe OOMECVOOKS CO ‘“A prosperous voyage! Besure you hit the mark. ey : me posted in all your movements,”’ “Ay! ay!’’ sung back Cap. Parker, waving his hands in adieu. He was a handsome fellow, with long black mus- tache and dark curly harr. There was something in _ his face not unlike that of Harry S:eucer. Yet his expression was very d.fferent, his eyes having an unsteady, sinister look, while his weak mouth and chin seemed to indicate a lack of ener- make a man forswear his zrandmother.”’ Jack had started hastily from his lo position on hearing these words. His eyes were fixed on Dick os if be was, loosing at a wizard. “ Well, [LL be shot if it ain't just come out as he ' iid,” eried the officer. ‘You're on a hot trail, iivk, sure as shooting! What is it, boy? And who «re the parties in ib?’ ** Don’t know,’’ Dick drawled out, with an aggra- vating utterance. “I see’d somethin’, thatI ’spected 2248 queer money, takin’ wing. Couidn’t swear, though, that this is. the same stuff, and wouldn’t sie to risk troublin’ innercent folks.”’ “Leave that tous. We are older hands than you. Put us on the track and leave us to follow it up.’ —_ ee ee bY. | “Tf it is necessary telegraph, and I will come on at | once,’ said Williamson. ‘**T don’t think it will be necessary,”’ the captain answered; “I have the facts here, and here,”’ tap-