Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 130 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

too, twin-born with darkness, reigned around them. Yor now there was a faint sound that seemed to onnan through the wall, a sound no more obtrusive, Fs to sharpened senses, than was the excessive- ly fa aint suspicion of moonlight that penetrated to those pee Booey depths. Their alert ears were startled when Dick, with the end of the mone ave twos mo knocks upon the con- cealed door. remained silent. Even the faint sounds they had heard ceased to be audible. Again he signaled; this time with four knocks ven hay deliberate succession. So far there had not article of ez evidence to Dick’s fol- were that they had not been made fools of. i pk had seen nor heard nothing definite, and only had his story to base their faith upon. Yet they were worked up with expectation of some striking denouement, worked up more by his mystery aod caution, and ‘the excitement to which the present surroundings had wrought them, than by any satisfactory knowledge. doubtfulness was sharply dispelled. From within the wall, in answer to Dick’s second signal. came the faint sound of two blows, as audible as a pistol-shot i have been to their acute senses. Dick's rep ly was with two similarly given blows. A moment’s silence. Then the tones of a voice were heard. It seemed to come ae h miles of earth, so faint and far-off was the sound. Yet the words were ar emg distinct. “Who 0 goes ” ** Siloam,” “DE Dick, with his lips close to the door. The next moment there came a kind of once sound. A line of light broke through the appare crack in the wa The mysterious door wel thrown half-open, letting out a sudden flash, and re- vealing to the eyes of the observers a number of hu- man forms within a well-lighted room beyond. There followed a quick exclamation, and a hasty effort to close the door. But Dick had his crow- bar inserted in the opening, and the closing portal cau ht on the cold iron. ck! Take hold!” cried Dick, with abrupt en- orgy, They may have some other way out.” half-dozen hands caught the ly open doo flinging it open so suddenly that the man who had been holding it from within was flung abruptly out eqeinat the opposite wall. @ scene within was a striking one, It was a room of some twenty by ten feet in dimensions, a portion of it being or by a table, which was covered by engraver’s tools, with steel plates finel cut, and with quantities of printed bank-notes. In another portion was a hand Caan machine; in an- other a small forge. In fact, every necessary detail of their nefarious business surrounded thé up of men, who had ne bs in startled surp at this abrupt invasion of their domain. Several oil-lamps depended from the ceiling, their light shining on faces pallid with sudden fright. And well might they be, for they looked into the muzzles ef a dozen revolvers, and into as many resolute faces behind them. ‘*At them, men! ‘Fire on them! Burst through them!" cried one of the counterfeiters, a handsome, determined-looking man. ‘‘On your ‘lives, don’t be captured |”’ e sprung to the side of the room, out of sight of the officers “At them!” yelled Dick. ‘‘Give them a dose of bullets to learn them sense! Dash for them afore the ey kin fire!’ e dashed forward himself, flourishing his crow bar, and followed by the re eports of a number of pis- tols, whose oreo pattered warningly against the opposite wall. e counterfeiters were too much taken by sur- a to bein a position for self-defense. The door- er was already captured, Two or three of the coher drew pistols, and with oaths sprung forward. But Dick's followers had crowded resolutely after him into the room. They were two to one of the forgers. Before the latter could make any concerted movement for defense, they were surrounded and seized by stalwart men. veral more harmless shots were fired, yet the whole affair had passed so any that the criminals had not time to recover eir surprise. Scarce a minute had ela since Dick’s inserting his bar in the opening of the door until they were in the hands of their greatly outnumbering antagonists, who lost no time in se- ey binding their dangerous captives. ow’s this?’ cried Dick, suddenly. six fish in the Ren nd, and there’s only four in the net. Where’ s Andy illiamson and Cap. Parker?’’ ** Willlamson?”’ asked Jack Bounce. ‘* Yea, that’s the chap that toldthem to fight. And he’s cut stick hisself.”’ Dick looked hastily around for means of re “Here itis!" cried oneof the men, “Up the big chim here! There’s a ladder in it.” under, that’s so!’’ yelled Dick. ‘* Out with you! Tumble ‘out! Roll out! If they git away, wet be the cheapest sold coons ever brung to mar- et 9 Dick set the ae by dashing into the outer cellar, and gO oing up the stairs three at a step. He was followed closely by the others, except such as had charge of the prisoners. But quick as they had been the fleeing criminals had been quicker. They had already esca from the house, and were dimly visible in the misty — about two hundred yards off across the “There was re them |” cried Ned Hogan, eagerly. ‘“‘ We ean cateh them ae “You can’t ” eried Dick. “Back! all of ou, Let Hceen ‘al ow them. We've better fish to ry. ec cc et ee IC LL LL LLL LL LLL LL LLL — = er rh rl us—”’ Pp rive In pic MMRON ReeieaeaRR 6+ in onsen Dick. mentee =~ --— +--+ —_—--- —_ —_— harsh revolt from Dick’s leadership. ‘“*T mean this,” returned Dick, decidedly. “I'm runnin’ this machine, and I know what’s what. Do you 8 ‘pose you could beat them to Chester? You couldn't do it. There they’ve got the yacht Molly, and ‘ll be off shore quicker’n greased lightnin’. How’ll ye ketch them then? Swim for them, hey?” ‘*What better?” asked Will, sternly. “What's better? Why, the steamer. Hogan’s the chap for them if they try to double in Chester, He’ll get Right enough. The steamer’ s our game,’ as a trivet, Dick,’’ put in Jack, slapping him “teartily onthe shoulder. ‘‘ Put your ‘prisoners on board, under hatches.”’ “Jist so. Let Mr. Frazer and one or two men stay. here, and look after the plunder. The rest of ‘“* Will take to the Lightfoot, and then, hey for the Molly !”” cried Jack. Dick’s ideas were at once putinto effect. The pris- oners were brought up and secured on board the steamer. Will Frazer willingly sit ‘to the part of the gas Sy igen, marked out for him by Dick. The others hurried on board. The moon broke clearly from her mi vail, and poured a stron ng light upon the rippling river, as the steamer moved out into the broad stream. With a full head of steam, the light craft made rapid head ay down the river, keeping close in shore as the channel would admit. gos, were yet a quarter of a mile above the Ches- sc when they saw what appeared in the moon- light a great-winged bird, wheel suddenly out into the ire 8 and commence a rapid flight down the announced Dick excitedly; “‘and she’s got Jist her wings. Let out, lads. Burn rosin, or coal ile, if wood wou't answer.’ avery few minutes they aby past the head of Chester pier. A solitary, coe gure stood there, looking out upon their approach = “Tt’s the Molly!” “That you, Ned?’ called out Jack. Ti ay!” came from the hoarse voice of Hogan. ‘ That’s the Molly?” “ Our game abroad?”’ “Yes: dried and salted! Go for them. If you ore back short-handed, put your own heads in e, ? ‘** We'll fetch them, or burst!” cried Dick, energeti- cally, as they swept rapidly past the pier. And now in utter silence the chase continued, the swift-moving steamer rapidly clo up the distance between the two yessels. e Molly made a brave effort to escape, loading herself with sails until she bowed deeply before the rising wind. But she was far overmatched in speed, and it was not many minutes before the dark prow of the steamer forged gp up upon her quarter. Until then deep silence had been preserved on both sides. Nowa stern voice came from the deck of the Molly. “What do you mean by this chase? Draw off, or it will be worse for you!” “Nary draw,” came from Dick’s saucy lips. “B water, or I’)] fire!’ “Fire and be blowed!"’ was Jack Bounce’s ener- getic rejoinder. The speaker was good as his word. A bullet ranged the deck of the xteninbe, fortunately doing no damage. In a minute more the two vessels were rbd | clasped together by means of boat-hooks. “Now we'll answer * nag shot!’’ cried Jack, as he enpes aboard the Mo Af tall form of Williamson confronted him, pis- tol in hand, and a dangerous look in his eye. He took a quick aim and pulled the trigger. It would have fared ill with Jack Bounce at that moment but that a light form had leaped on board beside him, and threw up the pistol-arm of the des- perate man. The bullet sped far above the head of the officer. Before the shot could be repeated Jack's stalwart fist had struck the villain a square blow in the face. He went down like an ox before the ax of the butcher. Cap. Parker rushed to the defense of his associ- ate, but only to find himself in the hands of vigor- ous foes. There was a moment's severe struggle, for Joe Turner and the crew of the yacht rushed with hastily-seized weapons to the aid of their leader. Williamson, too, had risen on his elbow and was again leveling his pistol. ‘““At them, lads!’’ shouted Dick. ‘You back down brick-top. or it'll be wuss for you. I owe you one, Cap. P Parker.’ And with a quick, skillful trip, the Niet? oe! knocked Parker’s legs from under him. He f heavily across Williamson, knocking the pistol from the villain’s hands, ‘“*That’s your sort!’’ yelled Dick. ‘“ Tie them, t them with their friends every critter of them! aboard the Lightfoot,”’ This advice was speedily followed, Williamson submitting in sullen silence. In five minutes more the two vessels were put about, and headed up the moonlit river. CHAPTER XXIV, DICK’S EVIDENCE. Ir was theday succeeding that in which such stir- t events had occurred. The trial ring and impo of axes Spencer had been resumed, and had gone on for an hour with a rather lame line of defense. The vailed lady auditor of the sumed her position, and was a revious day had re- eeply-interested lis- ‘What do you mean?” exclaimed Will Frazer, in | tener. to the somewhat’ prolix - — the lawyer ekeing out the thinness of his festitnend by a multi tude of questions. At this stage of the case the door of the court- room opened, and three or four men pushed them- selves into the alread y crowded room, One of these made his way to the legal inclosure. At that moment the counsel for the defense was un- occupied, the opposite lawyer having taken up the witness. The stranger, who was no other than Jack Bounce, sat and whispere red eagerly for several minutes with e the lawyer latter lost all interest in the cross- questioning, and his face lit up with a new light. “That will do,” he said to the witness, just re- leased from the badgering of the Commonwealth's attorney. He turned and spoke to the crier, whose voice | rung out through the court-room: lomon Sly!” There was @ movement near the door of the court- room, and the attenuated form of the Jew could be seen ‘slowly making his way to the witness stand. He was somewhat pale, and his hand trembled as he laid it upon the railing. Jack Bounce fixed his eyes upon him with a stern glance, which seemed to hold the witness in awe. | After the preliminary questioning, the question was asked: ‘Were you not alone in Mr. Spencer’s house on the afternoon of April 4th ” “*T called to see him,”’ ‘* He was not in,”’ tantly. pt See left alone in the parlor?”’ Yr Yes, e girl thought he might be in soon.” “ How did you occupy yourself while there?’’ ‘*Looking over a book,’’ responded the witness, hesitat aos gh lainly, sir; you will save yourself from wae trouble hereafter. Did you remain in the parlor?” as sir,’ protested the witness, growing still “4p ‘Where did you go?” “To a small room that had a bookcase and desk. It seemed used as an office.” ‘“ What did you do while there?” The witness hesitated and stammered. He seemed unable to speak. Jack Bounce transfixed him with the keen light of his eyes. ** Did you put enyalting in the desk?’’ ** Yes,’’ stammered the witness. wy What Nase pO ‘*‘A package of papers.” “Or of countertett bank-notes?” I did not examine it.” ose was it put there?” “*T was order to do so.’ ‘* By whom?”’ The witness again hesitated. ie ack Bounce spoke rapidly for a moment with the it will do,”’ he said, suddenly, turning to the witness. ‘‘ You may go down now; but remain in the court. You will probably be wanted again,” The deepest interest was now manifested in the case. These few answers had put such a different aspect upon it that it was evident to all that the ac- cused was the victim of a conspiracy. ‘“* Richard Darling!” called the crier. ‘* Here,’ echoed a distant voice, and the sms 1l form of Dick could be seen making his way to the witness stand. There was considerable surprise felt by those resent at the unusual course taken by the counsv! or the defense. To have sucha witness as Solomon | Sly in his hands, and to ang 2 drop him at the very commencement of his testimony, must have been done for some important reason; and the evi- dence of the next witness was eagerly waited for. Dick came up with his peculiar walk, which wis not quite a swagger, yet was full of the spirit of in- dependence, Will you swear or affirm?” asked the clerk. i Ain't much given to swearin’,” declared Dick. ose I Se ae strain a p’int this once.” e oath was administered amid a restrained dis- said the witness, reluc- “*T cannot say. “For what pu “a position to laugh in the audience. ‘* What is a name?”’ asked the lawyer ‘* You oughter know. That feller jist sung it out. Don’t sign myself with my Sunday name much, though. I’m generally Dick Darling!” ere do you reside?”’ ‘* Where do [ hang out, do you mean? ‘Most any- where. A cellar door’s a comfor’ble bed this hot | weather. AndI pick up my vittals indiscriminate.”’ ‘* But you have some home. I wish the street and | number of your residence.”’ ‘“‘It is home where the heart is,’ replied Dick. ‘“* Mine’s "most anywhere where there’s a bit of fun or a free fight.”’ ys a Cong the witness to the point,’’ admonished the , impatiently, as a suppressed laugh broke out | nt e room. ‘ We want none of this cheap fun.” | ** Hope you don’t calla free oa t cheap fun,” cried | Dick, in a tone of ik eye e last one I tried on was jist the dearest bit of fun I ever dug into.”’ | After some more of this sparring they at last suc- ceeded in ning the important fact concerning Dick’s residence. “If we go on at this rate,”’ averred the judge, ‘‘we will be all day with this witness. He must answer more directly. “All right, ‘Judge, * said Dick, contritely. ‘*‘ Wait till he cits down to solid bottom in his questions, and I kalkerlate you'll find me as direct as a streak of lightnin’.”’ ‘‘ That will do, sir. Let me have no more imperti- | | nent answers,” frowned the judge. Dick had wit enough to know that it was advisable a Oo IJOORS : COM