Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 130 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

nut street that same afternoon when his _ present 16 we ee Near the bottom of the stairs she met a young gen- tleman coming vp She lifted her head in a heavy manner, and en- countered a pair of brown eyes fixed aos te u e 00 en eee ae le Detective Dick. eee ee ee ee me eee - — — 2 -o- ee a ee ee —- ~<a > -_— -_— — mysteriousness. But he was excessively anxious to | “You folks oughter be good judges of writin’. know what the bo let out a word; so was after, and Dick e perforce accompanied him. would not | Their way led now to Arch street, and ended at | — til and that together, and see what you make of them,”’ He pushed an open letter beside the envelope. her. A strange feeling affected heras she _ the hotel patronized by the government detectives. The officers bent closely over them for a minute. eagerly into the face before her. |. ‘*Misters Bounce and Frazer in?” asked Dick,in _‘‘“‘'They are undoubtedly the same handwriting,” t was unknown to her, yet there was something | his independent manner, of the clerk. | decla Jack, in a positive manner. ‘‘ There is no that set her brain in a whirl which it had not known “I don’t know,’ was that individual’s short attempt at disguise here.” for many days. Who was it? To whom didthose | answer. ‘ You might find them in their room.”’ _ “There was in the letter, though,” said Dick. eyes belong? she asked herself continually, as the _ handsome face photographed itself on her brain, like a picture from the far past. And Harry Spencer went up the stairs with a feel- ing like that of the mariner, who has caught a fleet- ing glimpse of the Fortunate Islands, on which fate forbids him to land. ‘*Come ahead, then, Hogan. I’ve blazed the way | **S’pose he nin nobody’d save an old envelope. before.”’ ‘** Who are these men, Dick?” asked Hogan, as they ascended the stairs. ‘**A brace of government chaps. You oughter know them.”’ ‘* But what do you want with them?”’ Didn’t know Dick Darling was *bout.”’ ‘Go on, Dick. This is getting interesting.” “Got a little story to tell you,” and Dick spread himself before the three curious officers. ‘ You see I knowed Harry Spencer, and when I see’d that let- ter tryin’ to git him snatched, I bet to myself it was ‘*Why you don’t kalkerlate I kin put all my jobs | writ by one of the gang—one that didn’t like him. CHAPTER XXL through with one? Got too much bizness on hand | Now I happened in a stationery store in Chestnut DICK’S CAT GETTING OUT OF THE BAG. for that. Things is gettin’ ge Hogan; that’s why | street, a day or two afore, when a stranger come in WILLIAMSON was taking a quiet stroll in Chest- uick eyes encountered a face that gave him a sudden start. I’m goin’ to interduce you. ant you now."’ Before Hogan could ask any more questions, Dick had abruptly opened the door of the parlor in ques- to order some paper. He took some envelopes with him that had a curious water mark. I know they talked a good deal "bout a and he wanted the peper e He looked “eam keenly into the fine but sad woman- | tion, and walked in, a break off a close | of the same kind. Jist hold that envelope ag‘in’ ly features before im. conference between Harry ncer and the officers. | light.” He then quietly turned away. ** Back ag’in, you see,”’ was his free-and-easy greet- “I see,’’ said Jack: ‘“‘an eagle with a serpent in **She here!’’ he said to himself, in Spey ay poe ing. ‘‘How do, Mr. Spencer? Didn’t spect to meet ws.” “What could have brought her from Boston? I can here.” **Precise! Wonder if I won’t turn out the le think of but one cause: some new illusion about her son,”’ He followed her until he saw her enter the Conti- nental Hotel. **So far well,”’ he thought. ‘‘She is safe for the but I must know what her objectis. She cannot be on the true track! I wish Parker was here now. I must write to himat once. And now I bad best see Mother Shipton.” you 4 “I wish you had been back a half-hour sooner,’’ said Jack. ** What for?—but stop jist a minit. Want to inter- duce you to Mr. Edward Hogan. He’s one of Pinker- ton’s—Mr. Hogan, this is Mr. Jack Bounce and Mr. Will Frazer; two gen’lemen in government service. Hope you'll know one another. introduction was made with great dilo- quence of tone, and a graceful wave of the hand. and him the snake. When Ned Hogan got the let- ter, Isee’d that the envelope looked like the same; so I ae looked through it, and twigged the eagle and snake.”’ ‘“*And what followed?”’ **I did—I follered to the stationery store, and fol- lered him off with the pd He shook me, but I got on a lay that ) ah me through. I found he were a friend of So Sly, and that he were after the This resolution was suddenly taken, and he Dick, however, hardly gave them time to acknowl- | same gal with Harry Beem: And I knowed that turned with a rapid step to execute it. Sharp as he | edge his formal introduction before he was at them | jealousy was a reg’lar iger. Been to the theater, was, he had failed to observe two persons who had and seen Otheller.”’ of his recent move- watched the whole by-pla ed Hogan, with his sign ments. One of these was again with Speen ‘* What did you want me for a half an hour ago?” “The Boston party—" | | | | ‘** And there got your education in jealousy,” sug- gested Jack, with a laugh. hung out in the shape of bis inevitable meerschaum. ‘*There, that willdo. Drop it right there,’ ejacu- “Got some p’ints,” retorted Dick, in a dignified The other was Dick Darling, as well marked by a | lated Dick, with a quick glance at Spencer. “The | tone. “ Well, 1 got you to write to that gen’leman steno feature of his attire. The frequent wet- | Bosting job willkeep. ‘Tain’t that we’re runnin’ now. | and int a interview. Only wanted his hand- n gs his new suit had received had proved too much for its powers of resistance. It had shrunk upon him until now the clothes seemed a part of his skin, and the unsolved mystery was how he had got into them, and how he was ever going to get out of them. Dick could not have answered himself, as he had not been out of his clothes since his last two dips overboard. ‘Now’s our time,” he said, quickly. “That cove’s my game. Wish I knowed who the woman was. Let’sarter him; there’s somethin’ afloat.” ‘Who is he, Dick?’ asked Hogan, anxiously, as he followed the eager boy down the opposite side of the street to that menes by Williamson. “He's the bit of bacon that I’ve got in my pickle barrel, and that I'm going to salt down, sure. won’t sell nobody that I ain’t bought and. pen for, Hogan, but I kalkerlate I'll soon own this p.”’ ps e one of the men whom you fancy to be con- — Got a little pressin’ bizness with you officers. Ain’t interruptin’ you?” he asked Harry. ‘‘No. Wewere about through,” replied the latter, with a smile at Dick’s peremptory manner. ‘* When does that little affair come up?” “What little affair?” asked Harry, in surprise. “You oughter know, as long asit’s your job—that little trial bizness.”’ “Oh! my trial? Now, I was ridiculous enough to fancy that a matter of some importance.” ‘* Yes; folks will be ridic’lous,’? was Dick’s cool reply. ‘**Tain’t much ‘longside some jobs I’m run- ‘That trifling affair will take place to-morrow,”’ confessed Harry. ‘* The blazes it will!’’ was Dick’s energetic answer. ‘* That won’t do, no how. Can’t you boost her over? Slide her on a few days more? ‘Spect to have some witnesses for you, but ain’t got them ready yet.”’ | *po writin’, That's it.” ‘** And who is Andrew Williamson?” asked Will, his eyes full of absorbing interest. “He's a lawyer at Fourth and Walnut. And that ain’t all. He’s head cook of these counterfeiters or else I’m the cheapest sold Jack that ever went off for a penny.” ‘You haven't told all you know?”’ “Not by a jug full. I’m only waitin’ to nail Andy Williamson so tight that the law can’t drag him through. I know the head-quarters of the gang is at Chester. I know he got a package of notes by ex- press from Chester, which he set adrift on the fharket. And, finerlly, I know jist where the queer stuff is manufactured, and I’m only waitin’ for the king bee rs Ret in the hive afore | snatch the whole caboo- e ’ Dick had risen to his feet as he approached this climax, and his last sentence was given with a nected with the counterfeiting business?”’ “It might be done,’’ returned Harry, smiling. andiloquent eloquence that would have shamed “Yes. And with another bizness that’s about | ‘The courts will not stand long over so small a mat- e best of curb-stone orators. as deep and wide, It’s gettin’ ripe. I'll be ready | ter.” = Well, if this is true,’’ cried Hogan, with excited to knock my apples off the tree in a day or two.” urtiest,’’ demanded Dick, positively. | energy, “Ill be hanged if the boy isn’t worth a **T hope you are not making a fool of me, Dick,” warned Hogan, doubtfully. ‘‘If you are, [ll be burst if I don’t smash my. pipe over your head.”’ “ All right, Ned Hogan. I'll give you some p’ints before half-an-hour that mought open your eyes. Did you ever see sich a fit as them trowsers?"’ Dick indeed had some trouble in his locomotion. Hogan laughed as he looked down at the boy’s at- ‘**Do vo “You'll find I ain’tin fun. I've got the trumps my hand to save you from Cherry Hill; but they ain’t quite ready to play yit.”’ **T shall do my best, then, Dick.”’ . Assoon as the door closed Dick turned to the of- ficers. ** Now let’s hear "bout Bosting,”’ he said. “ Didn't: want Harry Spencer to hear it.” dozen of us old stagers!”’ “True! Got any doubt of it?” asked Dick, appeal- ing to the government officers. As you tell it, Dick, Ifeel as if you are indeed on the track,’’ declared Jack Bounce. “T’m on it so sound that a dozen locomotives couldn’t knock me off. That’s what I want Spencer’s trial put off for. Want to wait till Williamson goes to tenuated legs. ** Boston is all right,’ answered Jack. ‘‘ Mrs. Mil- | Chester, and then yt the trap on the whole gang. ‘How are you ever going to get them off, Dick?’’ | ton has been found; and what is more, she is here | And I want you three folks, and about half a dozen “That's what's a-troublin’ me,” confessed Dick, | now, and anxious to have an interview with | more, to take a hand in it. bring a few bullets, dubiously. “’Feared [ll have to be meited down | you.” and atrifie of gunpowder too. It’ll maybe be hot and run outer them.”’ They had now kept within full view of Williamson for several squares. The streets here became less uented and they found it advisable to fall ‘*That’s the way with wimmen; they’re too cur’us. Why couldn’t she stay till she was sent for? You jist tell Mrs. Milton t I ain’t wisible yit. An’ tell her, if she wants to amuse herself waitin’, she work.”’ “T tell you what,” put in Will Frazer, quickly, ‘*there’s the steam yacht at the Navy Yard. I can get the use of that and its crew.” further back, barely keepin him in sight. mought ‘tend the trial of one Harry Spencer for *That’s the dodge!”’ cried Dick, with a joyful in- ‘* Weare on the track of somethin’,’’ announced | counterfeitin’. Tell her to keep her eyes open and | tonation. “Want you to bespeak it this very day. Dick. “I've followed this cove twenty times afore, | see if she reckernises anybody in the court. Can’t tell what night we mought want it. When the and I’ve noticed whenever he’s on some deep lay, ** All right,”’ said Jack. iron get’s hot we’ve got to strike. And hard, too." he’s jist as cautious as a fox. Look how he keeps ** And now to biz.” “Allright. I shall see that itis ready.” his eyes goin’. He cotched me once atit. Bet he don’t He hel himself toa chair beside the center- ‘* And now, feller-citizens,”’ said Dick, with a com- — table, and deliberately drew several papers from his | ical look at his garments, ‘‘I ain‘t heen in the bosom ey were now in a very disreputable part of the | pocket, which he spread out upon the table. of my family for a week, and ain’t had these trow- city. There were here a number of small streets ‘* Look at that, Ned Hogan. Ever see it afore?”’ sers off for ‘bout the same time. no for the horrible filth and iniquity of their - inmates—the leprous spot in a great city. Williamson turned quickly into one of these side streets, after glancing warily around. His two pursuers ran rapidly forward to the corner of the It was the torn envelope of a letter he pushed to- ward Hogan. = Why, it is addressed to me,”’ cried the latter. “That’s so. Know the writin’?’’ “It is familiar. Yes, it is the envelope of the let- Harry Want to get a good holt with my bootjack up ’bout my waist, and see if I can’t peel.” ‘“Those clothes are not fit for you to wear, Dick,” ack, after the laugh had subsided. ** Why don't you get a new pair of pants?”’ street in which he had disappeared. ter I received from Chester, telling me that ‘* Ain’t got no generous friend in the clothin’ line,” He was just entering a tumble-down frame house | Spencer would go there the next day, and have a a Dick. ‘And money’s kinder run down —or hut would be a better name—about half-way | conference with a red-haired man. This was the | with me.” ; down the street. ‘* You stay here, Dick,” said Hogan. ‘I will find out who lives there."’ He advanced and entered into conversation with the officer who had charge of this unpleasant beat. It was ten minutes before he returned. **T’ll swear I don’t know what a well-dressed man like him wants in such a hole,” he averred. **Mebbe J know who lives there!’ answered Dick. “Oh, an outrageous old crone, whom the folks in these parts christen Mother Shipton. She makes her money by begging or generally by sending some baby out to whine for her. She * said to be ~ pg short Of a new baby, if one happens to drop off. “Then she’s my meat!’’ cried Dick, joyfully: “It’s a hundred-dollar job we’ve struck y. Vl let you inter what I’m arter soon, Hogan. Jist take another short walk with me.” ed grew somewhat restive over Dick's persistent first hint of his being connected with the counter- feiters. The letter put me on his track.” ‘* And the envelope put me on a better track. It was a sharp game they played to send him on 4 fool’s errand Chester, and you after him; and while he was gone old Sol Sly, of South street, stuffed a pack of counterfeits in his drawers. You see, [twig the whole ie The officers looked at each other, with the light of ada intelligence in their eyes. “And how about the m that you say Sol el Chot it her pe ded Dick, tapping his pocket 2 it here,”’ respon c pping his pocket. ‘‘ Worked the traverse on them.” ‘Spencer had a long conference with the red- haired man at Chester,’ a declared. “Know all about (¢hai,” interrupted Dick. “~Tweren’t counterfeitin’. Tell you sometime, soon, what ’twas about,”’ ‘‘Very well. Come back to the envelope, then.” | Ned Hogan was the c “Oh! that’s the state of affairs! Here is a ten, Dick. Help yourself to a new rig.” Dick took the money with scant thanks, and he departed, leaving the officers in a deep consultation. CHAPTER XXTI. THE SIGNAL GIVEN. Dicx’s desires and Harry Spencer’s efforts were not crowned with success. No reason satisfactory to the court could be given why the trial should be | ed, as Dick’s true reasons were jewels too precious to be given to the public. The case was therefore in due order on the day at first named for it. | e court-room was well filled, asa great deal of public interest had been excited by the mystery of these dangerous counterfeits, so patuistently placed upon the market, The case for the tion was very simple. f witness, as having arrested = 4 ak a =cComicbooks.com -_ OO eee iS EE — ew ts ae