Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 516 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

Tartar Tim. 1S: = ee | te + ee ** Keep it in your pocket!’ said Miss Sykes, quick ly. ‘‘I don’t want charge of any other person’s val- uables, after the visit of those terrible burglars. ct it for her, yourself.” ** Assooredly.’ * Philip,” suddenly continued Miss Sykes, “ what our opinion of Miss Frazer?”’ he boy looked at her sharply. * Ain’t you kinder gota dim idee o’ what I think on her?”’ “You have certainly spoken against her,” the old lady replied, with a faint smile, ‘‘even though you have never been definite.” “Tll be def’nate now, assooredly. I think that high-strung female is a fraud arnd swindler, I spect that the money she gits from you stays right iu her pocket, but whetherit does or not she’s swindlin’ you systematic. Sois Seth Mudstone. Neither on ‘’em cares a cent fur you—it’s yer money. They’re blood-suckers, they be; arnd you give ter them o’ yer money while the poor o’ New York goes hungry arnd cold!”’ Phil was speaking very earnestly, and his right hand waved widely in the air. He was very muchin earnest. ‘‘Miss Svkes,’’ he went on, ‘“‘ef thar is a good, honest soul livin’, you’re her; but you’re ‘lowin’ yer- self ter be imposed on by cut-throats, T’other day Miss Blazer got a check outer ye fur ter pay fur hev- in’ a lot o’ ballots ape so that women folkses, even ef they couldn’t vote, could hev one framed arnd hung up in their parlor. Yes, arnd whil+ you was writin’ it, the sewin’-women o’ New York was makin’ shirts fur nothin’, or a trifle up’ards, a dozen. Mum, [ b’lieve them women would ruther hev a bar- rel o’ flour, or a ton 0’ coal, than the pootiest-framed ballot ever printed. I do, by ginger!” The young orator came to a stop, but remained with his right arm outstretched, as though he were ointing to the unfortunate creatures whose cause 16 Was espousing. Miss Sykes looked startled, and gazed at Phil as though a new Demosthenes had suddenly been dis- covered, She had heard that which might well startle her, and though it was contrary to all her old ideas, something told her that there was truth in the whole that he had said, “*T have not looked at it in this light,”’ said she, in great bewilderment. **It's the true light—it assooredly is. Look now, arnd don’t let them pestiferous critters victimize ye any longer.” oi ze you think Mr. Maudston a swindler, too?”’ sé re) bb | is ‘**Then I have given away a good dealof money to evil persons,” ‘** You'll never find a better time nor this ter stop, mum,” *T am more than half inclined to think you are right. Of late these two persons have worried me, Their bickerings in my presence are like—like—”’ ‘*Two buzzards fightin’ fur a wounded sheep.” “The simile is not a bad one, I think. Yes, I am ay of them, and—well, I will see about them be- fore | make out another check,”’ ‘Glory arnd ch°win’ gum! now you please me,.”’ ‘‘Tor now we will dismiss the subject, however, I have an errand for you to do; I want a note car- ried to Mr. Maudston. Don’t be afraid; there is no check init. Go, and, if you get a chance, enter the house, look around, and teli me your impression of his household.” “Ill size things up ef I kin. Anyhow,I know Mudstone is the kind 0’ a critter who smiles arnd is a villain still.”’ Phil received the note and started for Maudston’s, Another sensation was about to occur, CHAPTER XIV. TIM THISTLE’S DISCOVERY. Jep JACKLEY looked at the Tartar as though anxi- ous to fall upon bim and tear the boy to pieces. ‘*Youngster, you don’t know what ye’re talkin’ about!” he said, with his ugliest scowl. Wal, Pm talkin’ jest de same,” Tim answered. ‘You'd call a p’licemen ter ’rest me, would ye?”’ “That’s jest what [ll do ef you don’t go wid me an’ make a clean breast ave it. Ef you'll turn State’s ividence, all right; ef not, I'll call de officer.” *You’re a bold young game-cock ter stand alone with me in this room, an’ say that, Why, ef I’s ter fall on ye. I could t’ar ye all ter pieces,” Tim Thistle deliberately drew a revolver. ‘* Hyar’s an article I picked up in yer room—think it was Cap’n Tiger 8. har is six cartridges in de cylinder: ef I’s ter p’int it at yez, an’ sorter pull de trigger—" “ Hol’ on!” cried Jackley. “Turn that durned thing t’other way. We ain’t quirriled, hey we?” ‘* Not yit.” ‘ “Give me time ter think, Jed did think. To do him justice, his common sense—as well as a desire to be revenged on Pal- grave—had all the time told him that his most sensi- ble way was to turn informer at once, ** Put up_ yer barker!” he suddenly directed. “I ain't doin’ it ‘cause you say so, but I'll tell the hull ry.” Tim’s face brightened. I know a detictive by de name ave Brown. Will ye go ter him first?” Don't car’ who I go ter. ef it’s the Mayor o’ Weehawken. Lead the way, Hop 0’ my Thumb, an’ I'll foller.”’ They went down-stairs, and the Tartar led the 4 straight to Irving Place. nally they pa before a certain house, and when a servant answered his ring, Tim asked to see “‘ Detective Brown.” That gentleman chanced to be et home, and they were soon in his presence. He NN ts es —_— did not know either of them, and looked at them in- quiringly, but Jed’s sense of the absurd suddenly ound vent in words. ‘Mister, look at me. I’m a poor, weak critter, in the iron grasp o’ that Hercules monster!”’ =e pointed toward Tim, and a grim smile moved iis lips. ‘* How so?” Brown asked. ‘Ask him! I’m only a pris’ner. is)’ “You ain’t, by criminy!’’ retorted Tim, Brown, I take it ye don’t know me?” ‘*No, Idon’t, my Jad,.”’ “I've see'd you often, down’round P’lice Head- quarters, an’ ilsewhar, But, niver mind. Dere’s a man come ter turn State’s evidence, in de burglary at de Sykes house.”’ ‘**Zactly, squire,’ added Jed. ‘This infant will give ye partic'lars, an’ I'll sw'ar ter them.”’ Detective Brown peroeired that there was some- thing more than idle talk in this, and he proceeded to question them. The result was that he learned everything which Tim Thistle could tell, and all that Jackley saw fit to reveal. How much he kept back there was no way of telling. When all was said, Brown’s information amounted to this: There was an organized band of burglars in New York, of which the leader was one Leonidas Palgrave, alias Captain Tiger. Among other rob- beries, this band had done the “job” at Miss Dorothea Sykes’s, a fortnight before. Who Captain Tiger was, not one of his followers knew. This was very interesting matter for Brown. It would be no mean feather in his crown to reveal the Sykes burglars, While if he could expose Captain Tiger, it would be still greater glory. Jackley frank- ly gave Tim Thistle what credit he deserved, and pan promised to remember the lad's brave ef- orts. When he had learned all he took the two out to make sworn statements, and then Tartar wag al- lowed to go. He wended his way, however, feeling well satisfied. ‘* Wonder what Five Points Phil will say to dat fur a detective job?’’ he muttered, as he strode along. ‘“sHe’s done siv’ral ave thim, an’ now I kin mate him. Hello!” It was no ordinary matter that had brought the last ejaculation from Tim’s lips. He had reached Clinton Place, and was about to cross it when he was stopped by a passing street-car. As it went over the crossing, he mechanically looked up. Then it was that he utt»red the above-recorded exclamation. On the rear platform of the car stood Palgrave, the burglar captain, Instantly Tim Thistle made a resolution—if such a thing was possible, he would follow this man until he learned just who he was. He began the pursuit by trotting along on the side- walk, but this mode of pursuit was soon made un- necessary. Palgrave sprung from the car, ascended He’s the Law, he ** Mr, moment, and then produced a key and entered. ‘‘Nuther home o’ his’n!"? muttered the Tartar, The idea was strong in Tim’s mind that Palgrave was in disguise, and that he had only entered this house to change his identity. Such, too, was the natural inference to bs drawn from what Jed Jack- ley had told him, So it now became his cue to hover near until Palgrave came out and, recognizing bim by form, face or manner, follow him once more, This he determined to do. He was beset with a fear that Captain Tiger would carefully survey the street from the windows of his room, and thereby recognize his young pursuer. This troubled Tim. How was the danger to be averted? He looked about for a good hiding-place, but saw none to his liking. pee banly he did see something which gave him an ea. A young Italian had just entered the street, bear- ing a hand-organ, and was preparing to deluge the block in music, He was somewhat slow abont it, and, before he had begun, Tim's hand fell upon his arm, ** Boss, I'll give yez twinty-five cents to let me play dat instrument here,” he said. ee ie looked ia mnbeeh ou joke-a me,”’ he said. “Not _a joke; I mean business, by ariminy!’’ de- clared the Tartar, rly. . Why you want-a play?” Never mind, Jest you take de quarter, hy me de hand-organ yer coat an’ cap, an’ say nothin’,”’ He dis layed the silver coin ostentatiously, and the Italian yielded. He agreed to the proposal, promising to be near and on the watch so that, at a motion from Tim, he could take the musical instru- ment back. This signal, of course, was_to be given when Captain Tiger came out, though Tim did not explain this. he Italian’s coat wag too large for him, but it together with the hat, made a eapital disguise, and he felt confident that Palgrave would not recognize him, even he was on the watch for possible danger. Having fully made his preparations, he crossed the street and began playing. While disguised Tim Thistle played the borrowed instrument he watched the house sharply, but se- cretly, for signs of the burglar captain. Would he succeed or fail? This was the all-ab- sorbing question in his mind, but his manner did not once betray the fact that he was anything more than he seemed to be, and ke was determined to give the people of that block a deal of music or their money, if Palgrave was long in coming out. The Tartar was as persistent as an Indian on the Mr. Brown, detective, called upon Mr. Bainbridge, A @ ‘Well, how goes the battle?’ the latter asked. ‘** As well as | could expect,’’ Brown replied. ** Any new clew?”’ “Yes, and no, Perhaps I should say, nothing that you would recognize as a clew, but I am moving on, , and only time is needed to complete the work.’ | ‘*Have you seen that alleged ‘importer’ of dia- monds?” “I have investigated him, and am convinced that he is the ally of thieves.” ‘** Well, Brown, prosecute the case with all possible zeal; there is morein it than money. I have learned that Stella Fielding relied upon the money to be ob- tained for her jewels to pay off the mortgage on her father’s farm and I have no doubt that it would be a death-blow to him to have the jewels irrevocably lost, Find them, and I'll pay you—even if your bill is as large as the value of the P hid That dear gir! and her old father must not suffer,”’ Mr. Bainbridge’s voice was far from steady as he ke, ‘*lt sometimes happens,” observed Brown, ‘that. such a case as this is far-reaching in its results. Sup- pose that lightning strikes those of high rank?” ** What do you mean?” “There is no knowing who may prove to be impli- cated. Men high in worldly position are not always proof against investigation. It may be so now,” ‘‘It makes no difference, Mr. Brown. If such men have sinned, let them pay the penalty.” loyer, and your orders ‘ go. en do you expect to finish the. ‘* You are my em i: ** Very ood, case?’’ ‘* Perhaps, before the end of the next day.” ‘* Better still. I dare say you don’t want to reveal our cise now, but I advise you to investigate the rter,’ thoroughly." ogus ‘im less of consequences?” +s Rega ‘* Yes,” “Allright; [lldoit. You may expect the finale very soon, for 1 don’t mind saying that I know the Some minor points are to be whole case already, Sites 1 will gather in my game, investigated, and high and low.” ‘Excellent! Remember what you work for— Stella Fielding and the old homestead—and show the guilty no mercy.” ‘All right, Mr. Bainbridge. The end is near!” CHA PTER XV. MISS SYKES JS AGITATED, Five Pornts Pain made his way to Seth Maud-- ston’s residence. He was by no means sure bow he would be received, for he was well aware that Maud- ston hated him to an extreme, but it was probable that, as Miss Sykes’s messenger, he would have no trouble with the high official of the A. P. C. C, ¢ the house Maudston was not in, arlor to wait for there, and points,” let When he reache and the boy was shown to the him. A pretty young lady was sitting Phil, remembering that he was to get” the steps of an adjacent house, looked about fora | no time go to waste. “Fine day, miss.” ‘It is, indeed.”’ ‘Should s’pose you’d be out fur a spin in the Park, or a-lookin’ at the style on Fifth avenoo,”’ Stella Fielding—for the pretty young lady was she —looked at the boy more attentively. His remark had been a peculiar one, considering they were strangers, but as she marked his quaint, humorous face it seemed eee. ‘“We can’t all drive in Central Park,” she an- swered. * 'T would over-crowd it,’’ Phil seriously replied, and then, without a change of countenance, he ab- ruptly continued: *‘ Be you int’rested in cats?” tella smiled, for to her, the question seemed ag: eccentric as it was unexpected. “IT bardly know; [ like them well enough.” * B’long ter the A. P. C. C.?" ‘*What in the world is that?” “Association fur the Preventive o’ Cruelty ter- Cats, «You'd orter know ef you live hyar, cornsid- erin’ Mr, Mudstone is High Grand Master o’ Catdom, or whatever they call his orfice.” “Iwas not aware that my uncle was connected with any such society.” “No? That’s queer; it assooredly is, my b'loved contemporary—I mean, miss. Mr, Modstone, he’s a big toad in the puddle; he certainly is? Fax is fax, arnd they’re stubborn.”’ Phil’s eccentric mind took a new turn and he be- gan to fumble in his pocket. “1 obsarve that ye’re wearin’ dimunts. Now, I own a few bushel 0’ vallyble gems, though I don’t. know one from another. ‘Low me ter inquiré the take-nickel name 0’ this. arnd its vally. Women- folks is good jedges 0’ gems, bein’ gems their- ves. swith this bit of delicate flattery Phil placed in Stella’s hand the ring he had found upon the floor at Miss Sykes’s immediately after Miss Frazer's de- rture. His only okses was to get the opinion of one he believed would be an expert—he bad little faith in Miss Svkes’s judgment in such matters—and. the result rather surprised him. Stella looked at the mng—started—looked at it more closely—and then turned her gaze upon Phil a “4 ere did Mi get this?’ she demanded. ‘** Found it on the floor arter Miss Blazer went.” ‘*What floor? Who is Miss Blazer?” Phil saw by her manner that he had aroused some kind of a storm, but he made the explanation most matter-of-fact way, not forgetting to give the Frazer woman a shot as he did go. ** Are you sure that she dropped the ning?” Stella: asked. ‘*Couldn’t been nobody else, assooredly.” “ Still, you are not ph EOomicboo