Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 514 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

dave ter sta 14 Billy pressed her arm to caution her to be silent. ** So, boss,’ Hawk was saying, *“‘ you've made up your mind to do it, eh?” ‘*Heavens! I’m sorced to do it!” young Melvin exclaimed. ‘My account is something like thirty thousand dollars short, and thereis no other way. The girl I meant to marry bas suddenly become a fool, a ere os idiot, and of course that game is blocxed. If I could have got my fingers into the El- more fun’s. I could have saved myself.”’ ‘Even if you did have to commit bigamy to do it,” Hawk put in. ‘*T cared nothing for that. herif I'd had a dozen wives,” ‘Well, what’s yer plan?’ one of the other men asked, ‘*T will tell you. Ihave left the —~— Bank so that it can be broken into with ease, I want you to rob it. You will get at least three hundred thousand dollars cash, if you follow my directions. Out of that you must give me fifty thousand. The rest you are to divide among yourselves. Will you doit?” ‘* W.ll we!”’ cried the three; ‘' will ducks swim?”’ Broadway Billy felt Miss Elmore trembling so that he feared she wouid fall, and he put his arm around her for support ** Don’t weaken, miss,’”’ he whispered, ‘‘ Jest wait I would have married @ minute more till 1 get onto this little plot, an’ then we'll try ter get out. In a short time Billy had the whole plot. At two o'clock these four men intended to break into and rob the bank of which Maurice Melviu was cashier. ‘* Come now, miss,” the boy then whispered, ‘ an’ we'll see what’s ter be did,” Silently they moved toward the door, out into the hall, and then Billy negen to feel around for a door in the rear—or front, whichever it was—of the house. He knew he could not escape to Centre street through the saloon with Maud with him. He found a door, and after some effort he man- -aged to get it open, Stepping out they closed the door after them, and _— descended into what seemed to be a miserable ard. Just ahead of them they saw a light. Guided by this, Billy led the way as well as he could, and presently they came to the window of the house from which the light shone. This house was on Mott street, and the light: proved to be ina Chinese laundry, Billy soon found a dour, and gently pushed it open. It proved to be the rear door of a hall. Into this hall they passed, and in a moment more ‘were safely out upon Mott street. ‘Thank th’ good Lord we’re out o’ there,”’ Bill exclaimed earnestly. ‘‘ An’ now, miss,’’ he added, **I’m goin’ ter take ye ter my home, where ye kin -stay with my mother till mornin’, an’ then I'll take -ye ter yer own home,” ‘*No—no! I must go home at once!”’ the girl **Can’t be done!” Billy exclaimed. ‘ You'll have to follow my lead, an’ I’m goin’ straight home, Don’t you feel oneasy, fer my mother is one o’ th’ best o’ women, even if she is a little upset since th’ fire.”’ Maud wanted to go home, but she was wholly de- pendent upon Billy, and had to do as he said, So Billy took her to his new home. ‘*Who’s there?’ his mother called, when he “knocked at her door, ‘It's me, Billy,” the boy answered. ‘ Open th’ door, mom, quick. I’ve got a lodger fer ye who'll here till mornin’,”’ * Why, Polly!’ Mrs. Weston cried,when she opened the door, and she caught Maud in her arms at once. ““’'Tain’t Polly, thougb,”’ said Billy. And then he explained the situation. rs. Weston was greatly surprised, and assured Maud that she would take the best of care of her till morning. And Billy, leaving his mother to tell her all about Polly Osmond, set out again to do ‘further good work. He went at once to the nearest police station. There he told the officer in charge all about the intended robbery, and gave him all the details he had overheard. The officer at once detailed five men to take charge of the affair, and they set out for the bank imme- diately, and Billy with them. When they arrived there they knocked loudly at the door, and they burriedly explained the situa- mon to the two watchmen, who promptly admitted them. ' It was now almost one o'clock. Two of the officers were stationed in a room under ‘the main floor, where the traitor cashier had ar- ranged an easy means of entrance. These two were to stand guard and cut off the retreat of the rascals, ‘ The others posted themselves in the room where stood the safe which, from Billy’s understanding of the scheme, was the one upon which evil designs were intended. The watchmen sat down to a game of checkers. An hour pas-ed. Finally, a little after two o'clock, the policemen in the lower room heard a noise at a small door, and a moment later four masked men filed into the room. The one who led the way was a slim man with very thin legs. This was the cashier, Instead of using force upon the safe, the other men had prevailed upon Melvin to accompany them into the building and open it for them, after which they would damage it enough to give the impression that it had been forced. As silently as shadows the fourcrept up to the ‘ -poom above, where, with drawn revolvers, they came Broadway Billy’s Boodle. suddenly upon the two watchmen and ordered them to throw up their hands. The watchmen obeyed, and were quickly and securely bound and gagged. This took place in a room that was not visible from the street. The watchmen being secured, one of the burglars stood guard over them while the others turned their attention to the safe, As soon as they were off their guard the policemen wigs forth. ‘Hands up! you rascals!’’ they cried, ‘‘or we'll drop you in your tracks.” The four villains were paralyzed. “Trapped!’’ cried Hawk, and he made a dash for the door and down the stairs. The next moment a voice below cried ‘halt!’ and then all realized how cleverly they had beén duped. But, how had their secret got out? They could not imagine, for Broadway Billy had not yet shown himself. ‘‘Hands up!’ the officers ordered again, and the rascals obeyed. Then one of the policemen tore the masks from their faces, and at the same time the others brought Hawk back to the room. ‘** Cock-a-doodle-doo!"”” crowed Rroadway Billy, then, as he sprung out in sight and waved his hat. ‘Sweet pertaters! Hawkey, old rocks how d’ye like it? Hello! dude, you too, eh? I told ye I meant ter keep my eye onter my boodle, an’ you bet I did! I seen signs o’ Canada in your eyes th’ first time I sighted ye. Canada is a handy place To-ron-to, and it Can-ad-a boodler amazin’ y when he gits thar; but you didn’t start soon enough, Please don’t faint; I didn’t mean ter fire a double-barreled chestnut, but it would slip out. Ha, ba, ha! Oh! but this does megood! Say, dude, want ter knock me down ag’ in? Has another stick o’ timber hit ye, Hawkey? Oh! th’ feller that gits up in th’ mornin’ ahead o’ Broad- way Billy has got ter stay up all night, Z tell ye! Covk-a doodle-doo |” ‘* How did you escape?” demanded Hawk, filled with curiosity to know. ‘*Ha, ha, ha!’’ the boy laughed, ‘‘wouldn’t ye like ter know! I got out, an’ that’s all that’s neces- sary. I guess if you’d really knowed what a rip- snortin’ terror I am, when I git my war-paint on, ye’d ‘a’ let me alone. I got th’ gal out, too, an’— Oh! ye needn’t look so s’prised, fer ye might ’a’ knowed I’d doit. An’ that gal wasn’t Polly, either, but Miss Maud Elmore.” ‘What!’ cried Melvin, and he glared at Hawk, ‘* vou told me the girl you had was a common girl of the down-town streets,”’ “That's where he made his mistake,”’ cried Billy. ‘*Th’ gal he thought he had is th’ one you seen day before yesterday at th’ Elmore ranch. This one is Miss Elmore, an’ she’s no more crazy nor you be. Oh}! but we did wax it to ye, didn’t we! I was there an’ seen it all.” Further conversation was interrupted by the offi- cers, who baving handcuffed their hn ety and re- leased the watchman, set out to take the rascals to the lock-up. \ CHAPTER XVIII. THE MYSTERY CLEARED, . Ar an early hour vext morning Broadway Billy set out to take Miss Maud Elmore to her home. When they reached the house Billy rung the bell and Leone 8 the door was opened by the old darky whom Billy had encountered once before. ‘Fo’ de Lawd!” the old man gasped, as his eyes fellupon Maud. “What is the matter?’ Maud asked, with a smile, thinking he was surprised at her appearance. ‘*Here’s somethin’ kin startle a shadder, anyhow,” Billy muttered, “Why, missy, whar yo’ been?’”’ the old darky asked. ‘‘Ididn’t know you was out ob de house.” This caused Maud to look surprised, ‘* You did not know I was out!”’ she exclaimed. ‘‘No, for I see’d you in your room a minute ago.” Billy saw how it was, as of course the reader does, and said: ‘ There’s a mystery here, miss, but it’!l be allclear as soon as snd go up to yer room. Come on, fer there’s somebody there fer ye ter see,”’ Billy was anxious for the two girls to meet. ‘Some one in my room?’’ Maud questioned. ‘“ What do you know about my room?” “Oh! I’ve been there afore ter-day,’> Billy an- swered, and then to cut the matter short he started up-stairs. Maud followed him, filled with curiosity. When they arrived at the right door, Billy knock- ed, and the door was opened by the maid. “‘Her» she is, safe an’ sound!” Billy cried. ‘I told ye I’d bring her back!’ “On! it is Miss Elmore!” the maid exclaimed, and quickly she caught ber young mistress in her arms. Polly had arisen from her chair, and as soon as the maid released Maud, the eyes of the two young girls met, Imagine, if you can, their surprise—their thoughts, In looking at the other, each girl bebeld herself. It was like lookinginto a mirror, for they had changed places literally, and each was wearing the clothes of the other. Maud was the first to speak. ‘*You are the girl for whom I have been mis- taken,’’ she remarked. “Yes, and whose place I have been forced to usurp,.”’ Polly answered. Explanations followed, | Meanwhile the maid went for Mr. and Mrs, EI- more, and when they came in they were at first puzzled to decide which was Maud. 4 ; , : - ve angie gS dea. ak he Red Cg sil ee ey ee 3 co ; q| Cc Our now limited space forbids our repeating all that was said,so we must leave it to the reader’s imagination. Of one thing be sure, Broadway Billy’s tongue was not idk. . e, Maud and Polly told their stories in full. Presently there came a knock at the door. It proved to be the fat doctor, He was admitted, and the moment he saw the two girls he exclaimed: ‘* Bless me! what means’ this?” He was told, and never a doctor felt so cheap. He took it good naturedly, though, and _ insisted that the mistake was no discredit to his skill. The others did not express an opinion, Another knock soon came. This time it proved to be the detective, swinging his eye-glasses, and with him was a woman—none other than Mrs. Osmond. With a ery of joy Polly sprung at once to her arms, exclaiming—*' Mother!” The detective looked around in surprise, and his surprise did not lessen when his eyes fell upon Broadway Billy. ‘‘Hello!”* Billy exclaimed, “‘is that you? Kin I give ye any more p’ints? Isee you’re comin’, seein’ as ye've found Mrs, Osmond, but ye’re too Jate. I told ye I was goin’ inter this case, old hoss, an’ here Ibe. Ye see I’ve found Miss Elmore an’ brought her home, besides bein’ th’ means 0’ Saving a bank from being robbed. Oh! I’ve got here, jest as I said I would,”’ The detective looked blue. * But, my lad,’’ he said, “have you solved the 7 rstery? 0 you know who is at the bottom of it all?’ ‘Say,’ was Billy’s retort, “‘mebby you kin re- member my axin’ youa civil question t’other day on Broadway. It wouldn’t be business-like fer me ter answer your questions.” Billy had got in a shot just where he wanted it. ‘Oh! well,” the detective remarked, ‘* I sha!l soon learn it all, now that | am on the track.” “ Hope ye do,” said Billy, ‘ that's what I had ter Oo 99 When the excitement abated a little Mr. Elmore took the case in hand, and asked questions freely all around. And he soon brougat out all that is known to the reader. Then he and the detective called at the house where Maud had been held prisoner, Then the whole secret came out, In that house lived a Mrs. Bloom, In former years she had been a Miss Rich, a society belle. She ad loved St. John Elmore, and when he married her rival. a Miss Davids, she vowed to hve revenge, Mrs. St. John Elmore’s first and only children were twins—girls. When thev were one year old Miss Rich stole one of them and hired Mrs. Osmond to This nearly killed Mrs,-Elmore, and in one year her hair turned white from grief. Miss Rich afterward married a Mr, Bloom. € was now dead. The woman’s idea was, to let one of the twins be reared in luxury and become educated, while the other, living in poverty, would grow up ignorant. tee when they grew up she i:tended to change them, How she succeeded has been shown, The negress who assisted her was oneof her tools whom she had managed to get into the Elmore house. And to her was due the burning of the old tenement, she havinz hired Abner Hawk to set it on fire. This was done so that all trace of Mrs. Osmond might be lost. The woman made a full confession, and it was afterward decided by competeut medical ; uthority that she was partly insane. Indeed, a short time later she was confined in an asylum. Thus the strange res*mblance between Polly Osmond and Maud Elmore was accounted for, Thev were twin sisters. Mrs. Osmond’s cor: oboration of Mrs. Bloom's story proved that, even hed further proof been wanting. And Polly, whose true name was Meta Elmore, was welcomed home, Mrs. Osmond, whom “ Polly ” declared had always been good to her, was given a home in the house- hold, Maurice Melvin was handled without lowes, and te law touched bim not lightly. Maud Etmore, out of pity, found his wife and child and provided for them, Abner Hawk, too, received his just deserts, as did his comrades in crime, Broadway vy was rewarded, of course. Mr, Jonas Herman placed two hundred dollars to his ac- count at once, and Mr. Elmore added five bundred more, which made the sum total fifteen hundred dollars, which Billy called a ‘respectable boodle.”’ Maud Elmore and Meta grew to love each other at once, and they both welcome Biy to the Elmore residence whenever he calls. Billy says he shall hold * Polly ” strictly to her bargain, of which men- tion has been made, but she tells bim he must first give up the street and atten! tohis education, Their agreement was—that Polly was to become his sweet- heart as soon as he became old enough to have one. But Billy still sticks to, the street, though he has romised to attend night-school and study hard, Ie and his partner, “ Skinny,” are working hard and saving their money toward buying a corner stand they still have in view. Billy’s aim and end in life is to become a self-made man, “That boodle 0’ mine,” he declares, “* will keep. an’ if I git tooken off ir my youth an’ beauty by th’ pesky measles, or somethin’ else, it'll be handy fer my mom ter draw on in her old age. What I’m aimin’ fer is ter become a self-made man o’ wealth. Soon’s me an’ Skinny gits started in biz I intend ter branch out inter th’ detective field. an’ then you bet I'll make myself known ter Inspector Br— Hello! here’s a job. Shine, sir? Shine? T'llshine em u so slick ye’ll think they're patent leather, Sbine?” And so, full of business and ambition, we take our leave of him, keep it. THE END. *.°