Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 426 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

a4 pent leaving no sound or trace of the mysterious as‘silant.”’ ‘- A clever invention I should say.”’ ‘Yes. When you come in charge, all that will be necessary will be to frighten people away from the lace, by the methods that have been resorted to, 1eretofore, and to be careful not to get nabbed, in circulating the bogus. Icannotstop to explain more fully. now, for I have some other business to attend to. But I shall expect you to fulfill your promises, and keep my secrets.”’ ‘**To the letter!” Ralph assured. ‘I like money ond luxury, and shall not be backward ‘bout avail- ing myselt of opportunities of getting those commo- dities,’’ “Correct, I shall depend on you, and what ar- rangements are needed, I will attend to, to-morrow. ‘With the understanding that all is settled, 'Ilgoand attend to some other business, now.” And arising, he left the house, by the front way, and went up the road, toward the Van Gelder mansion, As he did so a figure climbed out of the window, in the rear of the sofa where Ralph Jamison was lying, and followed the footsteps of the judge, like & grim shadow. t was Sam Slabsides! Bound to get hold of such points as be could as well as to see Ralph, he had lurked in the vicinity of Larchmont, fiom the time it became dusk; then, seized with a sudden impulse to know what was going on in the mansion, he had easily gained en- trance to the parlor, through the bay window. and so had overheard every word that had passed be- “tween the two, and, as may be imagined, it was a very edifying conversation to hear. So when Judge Jamison left Larchmont, Sam went after him, like a sleuth, his face flushed with excitement, and his be gleaming. At last, he was on the true trail! Judge Jamison undoubtedly was about to vis- ‘it the secret mint; and if so, Sam meant to be not far behind. His surmise he found to be correct, for the judge wens straightway to the bluff, and ascended the yath, : When he reached the top of the bluff, he halted, and gave three low whistles. A moment later they were answered by two other whistles, of like nature. These seemed to be signals inquiring and an- sswering if the coast was clear; for the judge now strode rapidly forward, and entered the mansion. Sam Slabsides was notslow to follow. When the judge entered the parlor, Sam slipped noiselessly in after him, and hid himself behind the sofa, as the deep darkness permitted him to do. ' The judge seated himself on a chair, and gave a couple more whistles; then a minute later Sam be- come aware that a third party had entered the ‘room, ‘Is that you, Tighe?” the judge asked. ‘*You bet,’’ was the reply. “Isn't it dangerous for you here?”’ és Why ?”? **Some one might come prying around.” * Bah! The coast wasclear when I came, Arethe other boys below?’”’ ‘‘No. There was no work of their kind, ready for *em, so they went off hunting, to-day. ** You shouldn’t have allowed that,” Why not?” ‘** Because they're not so trusty as you, Tighe, How are the prisoners?” ‘* The Gypsy is furious, and I wouldn’t want to be in the neighborhood were he to get loose. He’s got a@ fearful temper.” ‘“‘Humph! You've got him caged so there's no possibility of his getting free?’ ‘“*T should smile! But, he raves about like an en- aged lion, judge.” ‘Let him rage. How is the old man?” ‘* Feeble, sir. very feeble. His confinement seems ‘to bear heavily on him, and I don’t believe he will live two days more.”’ “*So much the better!’’ the judge declared, unfeel- ingly. ‘‘ When heis dead, sink himinthe pond. As for the Gypsy, if you ron’¢ kill him, why, there’s no other course to pursue but to hold him a pris- oner. ‘* About the best plan, I guess. I ain’tstainingm hands wi’ murder, these days!’’ Tighe asserted vith jai * Did you see your son?” ** How about it?” ‘Oh! he will succeed me, when I am gone, and ‘you can keep right on at work, as usual.” “Allright. Only, can he be trusted?” “Certainly! Heis red-hot for gain, and will not give a thing away if there’s money to be made out of it, you may bet!” J Very well. How about that young tramp?” 9 wis if he comes nosing around here, any more, secure him, also, It will not do to run any risks, and if there is any liability of the mint heing dis- covered, sink the whole plant in the lake, and 8 rj ” I should smile.” “I must be going now, and it is not probable I shall visit yon again. So, I'll bid you good-by, and wish you good luck.”’ **Good-by, Cap! We'll stick by the new Same as we did by you, ’long’s he treats us right.” The two shook hands, then the judge took his de- parture, while Tighe walked to one side of the room and disappeared. ‘*Oh! I’m onter ye, culiy?’”? Sam mused, “ Yer a# reg’lar cute daisy-bender, but yer kin bet yer but- ‘tons yer ain’t cute enuff ter waltz around Sam Slab- ‘gides, when he’s got his Senatorial saffron dusted ee = a ee ee So es + xn : : tiie 1 ‘ ! r ~~ ow bad lig hk — —~s * - a ve ) oe ee ae ile ileal ‘ : nd : . ae 4 ? , M ; < > ; 4 Aimy :. TY an as mew ‘ ne ee ‘as han. a i's Peet, : y , « Wiig . re ‘4 r*. * ._* ‘ F < + es i - Z } ats -¥ - » ‘ = . - eit = | 7 a m Slabsides, the Beggar-Boy Detective. over his phizy—nix-ee, Sarah Jane! I’m gofn’ ter in- vestigate ther mint, or bu’st my Db’iler in the at- tempt!”’ CHAPTER XVI. A BOLD VENTURE. TicgHE had as good as said, in his conversation with the judge that he was alone. It was this fact that decided Sam to go to the res- cue of old Felix Gril Guyandotte. Tighe did not appear to be a large, or powerful man, and somehow, it occurred to sturdy Sam that he could handle him. When Tighe had been gone some ten minutes, Sam emerged from behind the sofa, and stole to- ward the point where Tighe had last been seen, In the center of the side of the room, where Tighe had disappeared, was an open fire-place, with a marble mantle above it. At either side of this fire-place, broad panels of plain walnut ran from floor to ae It was one of these panels that, instead of being wood, was simply two wide hinged strips of rubber, so artistically painted as to resemble and correspond with the other woodwork of the apartment. When. Sam reached the panel, he paused and list- ened. Not a sound could he hear, to indicate human presence, on the other side. Pressing his band slightly against the panel, he saw that it was indeed rubber. He did not immediately attempt to push through, however, for it occurred to him that such an action might be dangerous, but soon he made up his mind to go it whole hog or none!”’ ‘I'll make the attempt, ef I git the hull top 0’ me head blowed off!” he said, grimly, and the next minute, with his revolver firmly grasped, and ready for use, he pushed steadily against the panel, The novel door parted in the middle, and opened, inward, and Sam stepped across the threshold, allowing the rubber to spring noiselessly back to its place. Sam had imagined his move would bring him into impenetrable darkness, but he was agreeably disappointed. He found himself in a small apartment, some ten feet long, by four wide. On one side were the clap- boards of the house, on the other the partition that separated the room from the parlor, A lantern suspended from the ceiling, furnished a dim light. There was a floor to this room, and a carpet upon it. At the further end, a steep staircase ran down- ward, ever so far. After taking a survey of his surroundings, Sam verti tary to the stairway, and began a cautious de- scent. What might await him, below, he had no means of knowing, but he was keenly alert to his situation, and nerved for a struggle. Down! down! he went, step after step—it seemed as if the staircase was endless. He passed below what he calculated must be a line of the bottom of the cellar of the mansion, and after a descent of a few more steps, came to the end of the staircase. He now found himself in a large underground room, lit by a lantern suspended from the ceiling, and saw at once, that he was in the counterfeiter’s den, for tables, stools, and the paraphernalia of the profession, were scattered around on every hand. At the further end from where Sam had halted was a rude sort of desk. by was seated at this, with a lamp before him, and his back was turned toward the spy. As near as Sam could judge, he was sorting over a pile of money. efore oe any further move, Sam took a keen survey of the apartment. He concluded there was another cellar, for there was a door, at Tighe’s right, which was closed and secured with a padlock. Having completed his observations, Sam stole cau- tiously toward where Tighe was seated, It will be remembered that the boy was in his bare feet; consequently, his footfalls were so noise- less the counterfeiter could not hear them, When Sam was within a few feet of his man, he leveled his weapon, and cried: ** Tighe, hn are my prisoner!” With a startled oath, the counterfeiter sprung to his feet and gazed around, only tosee the polished steel tube leveled full at his heart. **Stand and deliver!’ Sam continued. ‘Make a move to disobey, and you're a dead man!”’ “Ten thousand curses!"’ Tighe gasped. ‘* What do you mean, you accursed rat?” ‘I mean that I’ve caught you right in your trap!” Sam declared, triumphantly; “and the only thing for you ter do is ter cool down and come ter time, like alittle man. I’ve got the bead on you, and if you try any monkey bizness with me, I'll put the contents o’ this rewolver inter yer corporosity, quicker’n scat. D’ye hear?” What brings you ‘The deuce take the luck! here?” “I’m in ther hullsale detective an’ rescuin’ biz- ness at present. I want a couple 0’ friends 0’ mine, — = a that I propose ter pull this heer j’int, you ‘For the love of God, spare me!” Tighe groaned, “Ifit were to get to my wife and children that I am eng. in this business, it would kill them!”’ ‘*That’s none 0’ m) bizness. mister, Yer orter tho’t o’ that afore this, Ef you’ve got any weapons about yer duds, jest fling ’em on ther desk thar; an’ remember! my finger’s on ther trigger!’’ Tighe immediately obeyed, by drawing two revol- | ¥ AE a - ven! from his pocket, and depositing them upon the esk, ‘“‘Thave no intention of resisting!’’ he declared, ‘but I pray to God you will spare me. Think how heavily this disgrace will fall on those who are dear tome. Spare me,and | swear before the Almight I'll leave off this sort of life, and forever after this live honest and upright.”’ ‘Well, we’ll see about that, after a bit, Tiger, old boy. Fer the present, ther’s matters 0’ more ime portance ter attend to. Git yer key ter thet door, and unlock it!” Tighe hesitated. “If I set the yissohers free,you won't let the Gypsy assault me, will you?’’ he demanded, uneasily. ‘*No, Go ahead.” Tighe then drew a key from his pocket, and un- locked and opened the door; then, taking the lamp, he led the way into another but smaller cellar, off «ft which, were built two stone dungeons, with iron- grated doors. The counterfeiter unlocked these, and flung them open, ‘Come out!’’ he cried. hand,”’ Gril Guyandotte promptly stepped forth, and the moment he saw Sam, he sprung forward, with a ‘*My true friend!’ he cried. ‘‘So If owe my liberty to you, eh?” ‘**Sorter,” Sam replied. ‘This feller, Tighe, *pears repentant, so we’ll be easy on him. Felix! come out!”’ Thesound of the lad’s voice caused the old man to hobble forth; but his step was feeble, and he totter- ed, unsteadily, ‘Is that you, Sammy?” he asked, faintly. ‘Yes, Felix, it's me, all right side up with care,” od veer went forward and took the old man by the and. ‘* How aire ye feelin’ Felix?” ‘Very poorly, lad, very poorly. I cannot live but a few hours longer,I fear. My strength is near] gone, Some one has been telling me of all the vil- lainy of my enemy, Sammy, and that my wife was not untrue to me.”’ ‘*T have explained everything to him,”’ added Guyandotte—" things you have nct yet learned.” ‘*I know all,’”? Sam replied. ‘Mrs. Jacobi and Floss are even now under my protection.” Then turning to Felix, he added: * Yes, Felix, itis true. Your wife proves to have been sinned against, fully as much as yourself, by ther son-of-a-gun, Milo Mitchell. But, Milo’s rope is peterin’ out toward the end, an’ "fore many hours more he'll be in prison.”’ No! no! that must not be. Law must not touch Jim, for such would not be the vengeance of Felix Jacobi. Take me first to my wife and children, that they may be near me whenI die. When I have heard their voices I shall be happy. Then I want Milo Mitchell brought before me, and forced to de- liver up all the money he robbed me of.” ‘All right, Felix. e will arrange et all O. K.”’ Sam and Gril then went one side. ‘* What does he mean .,by children?’ Sam asked. ‘** Does his other gal live around here?” **Yes. She iscalled Dolly Denning, her real name being Dora Denning Jacobi. The Priscilla Tangle- foot of Ivy Cottage is really Judith Jacobi. Felix’s sister. She conspired with Mitchell to ruin Mrs, Jacobi, and no doubt received a large sum of money.”’ Sam then made known the plot he had overheard, concerning Dolly’s abduction, ps ad rou believe Ralph means it?’’ Gril asked. ) “Why not?” ** Because I believe the present Ralph is in realit Frank, and hating the judge, he has grasped at this opportunity to get the bulge on him.”’ “If so, and we could get the young fellow on our side, that would be our prime chance to nab the judge, and force him to restitution.” ** You bet!” “Then you see him, and arrange it. Tske Jacobi to his wife, and bid him be kept out or sight, so that no one knows he is there.” ** And you?” “‘Tand Tighe will remain here, and capture the other two counterfeiters when they come—that is, if he will help me, for his liberty,”’ Tighe was called and questioned, and readily con- sented to assist to capture his two pals, on promise that none of them should be brought to court. The capture was to be made in order that no word should reach the judge, to alarm him to hastier ac- tion that might enable him to escape. After the plans bad been arranged, Jacobi was given a swig of brandy, and then Gril and Sam carried him out of the cellar and to the foot of the bluff, where he was placed upon his feet, and Sam qusiated him to walk slowly toward Honeybrook arm, In balf an hour the blind father and husband was locked in the embrace of his wife and daughter, Though tears were freely shed, they were tears of joy and forgiveness, and all was happiness and gratitude, Sam and farmer Norris & Dearly as much interested in the gladsome reunion as the par- Usthants themselves, , elix asked for his elder daughter, but was told that that would not be tage bea quite yet, and was finally prevailed upon to lie down, as it was feared that after the first excitement had worn away he would be weaker, and such a sudden relapse might prove fatal. ou,” he murmured, “ but ** Of course I can’t see I cannot. complain. has been merciful and blessed me by restoring you to me in my last days, “Your freedom is at ——_~ ee = ei dis