Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 452 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

14 8 —————— “T roust confess that I have, but 1 am not wholly to'blame. For some time the strain.on my nerves has been.such that I have used liquor, but never excessively until of late. Some time since I became convinced that Zadok Playlair was storing his'stolcn money somewhere, with a man named Storrow asa guardian. He was an | oldservant.of the Playfairs, when they lived in Baltimore. I also Jearned that Storrow fre- quented gambling-houses, and it was to find. him | that I began my downward path. I co fess | that] took to the excitement of playing and driniiing eagerly, but it’was the nervous excite- ment of an unhappy, doomed wretch.” ‘* Wot was. Storrow’s. first namo?” ‘‘T don’t know.” Bob was silent.for a moment, and Wellburn adlded: ‘‘ One word about the man and woman who followed me the night we first met. ‘The man ey a = was, of course, Brackett. “Who -was ‘the woman? Was it Olive Pray” ‘* INO.” ** Who, then?” ‘ In. my’ opinion, itrwar yer wife.” ‘1 feared as much.” ‘Seems that they want a bigger holt.on yer, @othey hev.been.a-dogzin’ on \yer_ ter finil out all (they could. Let ’em,go it; we'll bring em up wi’ a short. turn.” ‘“Useless, useless! against Late?” ‘“Nowse a tall, but yer, proper. scheme is ter ‘hop right inter ther harness with fate, pull wi’ ther measly thing, an’ .either win or bu’st_ther traces all ter fiddle-strings. Come, Andrew, brace up.an‘hev some style "bout yer, an’ we'll fix'these conspirationers an’ plant yer squar’ on yer feetag’in.” ‘* Impossible!” ‘“ Listen ter me, an’ we'll.see.” Bob drew wearer his.companion and began ing in an;earnest voice. The interview lasted ‘half an. hour louger,.but was finally, put to. an .end by.the -sound .of the dinner bell. Enough time had been given them,however, to arrange a/plan,:the |boldness of which rather took WelJlburn’s breath away. ‘He had, however, been directed toa reputable detective; a friend of Bob’s whose name was iWrixley ; aud an active campaign decided wpon. That night:the Street-Boy Detective retired early, but it was‘some time before he slept. He feviewed all the points of the case as far.as he had. worked it wp, and, though he was not quite sure of bis position, felt considerable hope of AIC COSS. iHe was not awake as soon ras usual in the morning, and when he did,o his .eyes he jpromptiv arose and began dressing, He had decided to see Detective Wrixley, him- elf, and .that.gentloman nie at any moment ibe off on the »work allotted to him. ‘It’s best ter bring-ther hull thing right tera focus, an’ I'll git my sbrunk .shanks .in motion an’ whoop her up ter white heat.” “Finishing dressing, he moved .to the, door, *#arned the.key aud—the door would not open! ‘Hello! w’ot’s ther defuglety?” ‘He tried it.again, but.withoutsuccess. “Sticks like Jersey mud, an’ don’t seem ter tstiek, neither. ’Pears:like thar was somethin’ heavy ag’in’ ther door.” He tried it thoroughly with his shoulder,, and, -as it still remained fast, confirmation. was given stoi suspicion already. in his. mind, “ Shut. in, b'hokey! Cons gned ter durance vailey an’.a pris’ner in. asnew Bastile! ‘Who's did it? |‘ Echo.answers ‘ Who?. an’ I don’t mind say- int-ter. her that *twere did by Dorcas .an’ her heelers. Oh, she’s wuss then a ward politician, sgheis. «Sbut.in! .Jess.so! .Wal, I’m. havin’ a 7p experience with prison cetls an’ sich.” The young ‘detective sat. downto study the sigjuation, ‘* T. ower it-all ter Doreas, o’ course, bit why ‘ah’ wher’fore? Hez she-tumbléd ter my status in this domicile? Apparently she hez, an’ hyar abe ly shet-up like-a barnyard fowl jest previous ‘ter Obristmas, “Wal, we'llsee ef I stay byar!” He. arose ‘and. went’ to.the window. Three “stories below was a paved. court;.a'fall there meant*certain death. How, then, was he to, es- ceape? ‘True, he-might. call. for. help from the owindew,.but. this was not in accordance with hisiplan. “He wanted to-escape silently aud un- -Sren. wg a situation with a critical eye, he saw tha house,.as well as tho-e that adjoin ~ed, had.broad window-sills,and.that the blinds, wahen thrown back, nearly touched. a ) Heat once conceived the bold idea of.escaping umn. this way. It was a risky scheme in more ways than one. Why .should ‘I struggle Hotspur Bob, the Street Boy D He might fall and be dashed to death; his cap- tors. might be on the watch and push ‘him.off, or shoot bim: or ‘he might be-seen by other people, worthy but mistaken, Who would ‘hand him over to an officer as a burglar. “Got ter'be did, ‘though. Ain't no sort.o’ use hesitatin’; thar is work fer me ‘ter do, an’'/lm goin’ out an’ try it on. ‘Them measly crooks | think ez how they hev:me foul, but Vil show ’em that things ain’t wot they seems, sometimes— not fer Joseph!” While mu tering thus he was working his»way | he out of the window, and mid-air, as it were. It wes a weak hold*he had to support him, ,but he relied on the fact that he | was himself a ‘lightweight, aml took the first step.in his dangerous journey. The other window was not far away. but if the blind gave way he would never reach it;.a fall meant sure death. Never venturing to look down, he swung ‘him- self lightly toward fhenext window. Would he reach it, or shoot down to destruc- tion? le on OR CHAPTER XVI. WHO WINS? THERE was a momet of suspense,.and then the Hotspur touched ‘the stone slab in safety. He made sure of his balance, and then tried the window. It was not’fastened, and he raised: the sash and saw a companion room to his own, into which he promptly scrambled. “Casually speakin’, ther gantlet “is run, b hokey! an’ hev only ter erack «my ‘heels an’ crow. ‘Pm still in Andrew’s ‘house, an’. ef ‘tits door ain’t locked, ’?m sound on ‘ther goose. *Tain’t, sure ez dogs is dogs!” Sure enough, the door yielded ‘to-his touch, and he’ knew that'the way was clear for’further investigation. He paused ‘for a moment to consider hispos!- tion. Of course, he had been ‘fastened in the other chamber by.the members of the family opposed ‘to Andrew Wellburn, and be was shrewd enough to-suspect that they had learned a good deal more about the cashier’s plans’ than was good for Andrew. Sucly being’the ease, the latter ought to be notified-at onee. Acting on this.idea, Bob secured his*cap and stole softly out-of the hens. As'he passed the outer door, he had an agreeable surprise. “There was Stumpy, his partner in the peanut business, looking at the house wistfu'ly. The lame boy came up at ence. “Why, they said you wasi’t here, Bob.” “ Who did?” “The servant.” “Sorvants sometimes prevaricates wen they’s paid ferit, Stepinout sight; Stumpy. See yer’, L. want,you ter do amerrant fer mo.” ‘“Anerrand? Of course I will) Bob.” “You ‘know whar ther Bonanza ‘Savings Bank 1s?” ** Of course.” “Wal, you go thar an’ ax fer ther cashier, an’ when vesee him, téll ‘him ‘ter-come home, ‘cause | want ter see bim bad. ‘Ketch on?” “Oh! yes, an’ and Pll goat once” “*Dovso, an’ don’t let grass grow under yer hoofs. Scoot! Slide! Git!” Stumpy hastened away, and the Hotspur was about to re-enter the house »when ‘he: caught sight of a familiar form down’ the street. It was that of Brackett, alias Bargrade. Bob dodged in out of sight. “ Gomin*hyar,Pll beta goldanine, ‘Now, then, Bob o* ther Bowery, hyar’s\a chanee fer you ter show’ yer p’ints. “ee you kin ov-rhear w’'ot' ther measly chap hez’ ter say’ ter his’ beloved “sister, Dorcas, it may be a heap o’ plums in ther. pud- ‘din’ He retreated toa safe ‘distance, and in a few moments Mr. Brackett ptilied the bell, was ad- mitted by a servant, and from there-went on to the sitting-room, where Mrs. Wellburn and Miss Pray already were. This delighted Bob, for it gave him. a eapital chance to'listen, and he was’ speedily loeated at a door where he could overhear all. The’ first ‘distinct words came in’ Mrs. Well- ‘burn’s’voiee, ‘“* What is the matter?” ‘‘The matter is thatswe.are ruimed?”’ It was Brackett who apswered, and his voice was harsh and angry. ‘‘ Ruined!” echoed the woman. ‘* What do you mean?” “Tt is along ofthat villain) Playfair evidence that he has been playing with time: using us’ for his own ends; and that-we wot't get a cept oubdft the bani.” ‘ Bather!” exclaimed Olive. ‘What ‘do: you mean?” _ 'Tyhave - *f +A. ‘ * o ‘ ’ é at > _ = | | | Was soon poised in | etective, — 8 ee — | | TOW, and peta us all the | | | ‘thing, and toldame Whatihe did, while anselently belpless. ; “public. nixley,end the - glimpse. of. othen men-outside ibaa that sy —— “Yes, call me father; the truth may as well he told, since lying will do no good. Dorcas, if you can make your peace Math Wellburn, you'd better do it; ‘tis the only way by which you can realize your dream of dortune.” ‘* Lt is too late!” treninlously replied the guilty wife. “I have angered him .past .ndubance. He will never forgive me, end I suspect ithat ‘he will soon insist on a separation.” ‘Can't ‘Olive change \Ler pretended jloye for Edward to real love, and mary him?” | ‘Not I!” cried the young woman. “I detest the black-faced brute, father; \[ won’t marry him, anyhow!” “Then we are all gone to ruin!” groaned Brackett. ‘But, what 1s the matten? Wihathas Playfair done?” ‘* Stolen all the. money the can, secreted. it, and got-all ready to,sail for Hurepe!” “Tellonthim! Have bim aprestedat.once!” ‘“T dare not. He knows too much about me.” ‘Then ave are indeed ruined!” nervously ac- knowledged (Mrs. Wellburn. *“/@b! why did J anger Andrew so, and make \him amy-enemy?! It was your fault! You led me to expect ma fortune fromthe bank ; it was wour danit!? “‘ Recriminations are:useless now. [thought we had Wellburn in-our pawer. Playiairstokdl me your ‘husband was a defaulter, | ut 26 Wasa he. The only bold the scoundrel ever ;had on himowasa forged -check, made out hy Andrew ina moment of desperation, and thet wasmet only made good, but: the ,evidence is gone. The check went to-ashes when:Playfair’s: house; hurn- ed. two years.ago.” ‘* Fooray !” This word cf exultation came:frem Bob, vut it was uttered under his breath, unbeard: ky the conspirators. “But, how do you knew thet Playfajr is working against us? Mrs. Weliburn asked. ‘T have the confession trem. a sau pamed Ben ‘Storrew. ‘He wescnce:Playlair'ssenyant, is still in' his cenf.dence, and will rail pfomaarepe with him. “This man is a)hangerren,@*;Bteve Rellix's;” * Whotis'Rellix?” “Prue, yeu dont ‘know; vent night. Ww y deaxyned last ol], he ‘keeps a egambiingrhoure .on Grand street. and itwas/frem there: that An- drew had ceme, that nightewhen we dogged him inthe carriage. /Rellix bas been bitter against me, buta little money has mMaaee it »all night. ‘Weliburn, it seems, wenteto; the ¢: Bs bling-honse on- purpose ‘to meet: Ptorrew , tor he. paspe eted that Zadok was stealing rfirem ;\the»bank and storing his ill-gottem gains with Storrew.” ‘Then -we are rumed?” chelplessly observed Mrs. Weliburn. ‘Den't ‘keep saying (thet hike .a. parrot?” )re- terted ‘Miss Olive, sith vber , uspal ,respeet) for her elders. *‘ Father, why can’t we buy up iter- shane of | the secreted, mereyt’ “ He cent be bought.” “Well, frighten him, then” ““ Useless, egein. /He;thinks they bave a.gqure snapping his fngers 10 ty; face. WNowewe-are Thene (is that in the -record,of-each one of us whieh would send. us to-prisen if made Zadek | Playfair knows ‘this; dt «wall never do to anger bim.” What owas! that? Bob heard a sound. and: turned bis bead. \Sev- era] persons Lad entered the frent doer. . Kirst | came Andrew Wellburn,and, behind bim, were Stumpy, “Zadok | Play tair, Ben -Stornew iaton i. coldierly-looking man. The Powery boy recognized the la fully. Jtawas hisdetective friend ; Wai tter Joy - Wrixley had nct come alone. Bob. vacated his: position,»and hastened fo-the detective. ‘** Say, be them twovyeur prisers?” He pointed to Storrowand the villainous Presi- dent, of: the Bonanza Savings Bank. “* Not mine, but:yours;”,wasthe reply.““\When ‘I got-word from yeu Iyuseds due zealand jit awasn't long before] beeamensetisfied that there “was evidence enough tocwarrant the arrest.” ‘Wellburn pointed:totke wtting fogm, “* Who is-in there? the asked, in a) haaduygice. “Rrackett an’ ther women, boss,” “Tole him P.saidthe cashier,,-withaswave of his hand. ; iously «walked »anto «the Wrixley -uneeremon room, and «thesotbers follewed. The previous inmates had-arisen and were trying-to look ‘Bob indignant, but: the: sight of \Wellbuan:andr® “4 wilted thent” ‘The detective walked upto Brackett. b] rs : > _ |