Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 516 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

— © eR SE ew ae - — : — on 14 Tartar Tim. ‘“Wal, skeercely; but it stan’s ter reason that “twas her.” ‘* Well, this ring was stolen from me!” Phil’s eyes opened widely. “Tt was ?”” “Yes. Three weeks ago lI lost a quantity of jew- elry while traveling. and this amethyst ring was one -of the lot. I would like to know how that Miss Blazer —if that is her name—come by it.” Stella spoke with all the severity she was capable of, and with increasing excitement, while Five P ‘yr Phil sprung to his feet and waved his cap ‘wildly. + aw did she git it? How covld she git it? Fax is fax, arnd they’re stubborn things. That woman couldn’t git it but one way, arnd that was ter steal it. Ain’t a bit surprised ter hear it o’ Miss Blazer. A marn may smile arnd be a villain still, arnd that’s the kind o’ a chap &fe is.” ‘My boy, I wouid like to go to Miss Sykes’s with ou,”’ ‘ ‘Great ginger! do it! Yes, come on. Go over arnd see Lunkhead, the Crew-slayer, arnd Low- creature Gorgeous!”’ ** Who in the world are they?” ‘*B’loved contemporaries o’ Charley Mann arnd Jawer in the Dark. Come over arnd see my Me- nagerie.”’ Stella did not venture to go until she had received an explanation of these mysterious remarks; then the note for Mr. Maudston was left on the table, and she went out with Phil as an escort, She recog- nized the fact that he wasa boy to be trusted, or she might not have ventured near the ‘‘House of Freaks.”’ The place was son reached. Betty received them at the door with machine-like decorum, and in the same systematic style ushered them into Miss Sykes’s presence. Once there Phil introduced Stella, and the old lady received her very kindly. ‘“You will excuse me, miss,’”’ she said in a few moments, ‘tif Ispeak to Philip Henry on a matter ot business?’’ ‘* Certainly,”’ Stella replied. “Thanks. Philip, Miss Frazer has been here for a ring.” Aha! So it reely was hern?” and Phil’s eyes twinkled. ‘She admitted it, hey?’’ ‘Ob, yes; and came to. get it. She described it minutely. It seems that she had it in her pocket, and must bave lost it by removing her handkerchief, y told her you would return it to her.” ‘*Can’t do it, Miss Sykes.”’ ‘‘ Why not?” the old lady asked, in surprise. *’OCause Miss Blazer is a pestiferous critter—I mean, a female desperado. She’s a thief, mum! She stole that ring, mum! Thar is the reel owner.”’ He pointed to Stella, while Miss Sykes held up her hands in profound dismay. ‘* Miss Frazer a thief /’’ she ejaculated. ‘Looks like it, arnd tharis no knowin’ whar her depravity will bring us ef sie ain’t brungup. Great ginger! she may steal Lunkhead, the Crew-slayer, or the ballots that the female want-ter-be-voters in- tend ter hev framed fur trophies ”’ 4 oat: seems incredible!’ and Miss Sykes looked ‘dazed. ‘* A man may smile arnd be a villain still, so why not a woman arnd a orator? Miss Blazer advocates ‘woman's rights, arnd I reckon she thinks stealin’ is one on ’em.”’ Miss Sykes turned to Stellaand asked for an ex- lanation, and t e girl related how her jewels had been lost, keeping back only those later develop- si which Mr. Brown had directed her to keep ‘secret. All of Miss Sykes’s faith in the Frazer woman van- ished. Phil’s mnpollene’, but practical arguments had nearly demolished the temple of delusion, and though, as Stella frankly stated, it was possible that the champion of woman’s rights might have*come honestly by the ring, no one was inclined to regard ‘this as a fact. . However this might be, all agreed that Miss Frazer ought to be investigated by a detective. Phil noticed that as Miss Sykes grew calmer she observed Stella very attentively, and the more she looked the more she seemed interested, or impressed by something. pay she grew actually agitated. ‘* My dear,” she said, abruptly, ““{ did not under- stand your name.”’ * 1t is Fielding—Stella Fielding,” the girl replied. Miss Sykes started perceptibly. ** Where do you live?’’ she asked. Stella named the town. ‘**T never heard of the place before; but, if you will net think me unduly inquisitive, may I ask your father’s name?” F s Certainly,” Stella answered. “It is Allan Field- ng.’ ‘*And your mother?” faintly iqnuired the old lady. ‘Her Christian name is Agatha. Before her mar- riage her surname was Templeton.”’ A brief silence followed, but Stella, whose curiosity had been aroused, was looking at Miss Sykes, and was rather alarmed by the old lady’s manner, Her face had lost color; her expression was peculiar, and her hands trembled perceptibly. * | trust that you are not ill,” said Stella, quickly. ‘*No, child, Iam not.’’ Miss Sykes spoke in-a low, faint voice, but at once made an effort, and more firmly added: * Not ill, but surprised. I have made a discovery.” ‘Indeed! May I ask what?’ viegs a You, Stella Fielding, are my grand- niece !” Almost total silence followed the assertion. Five Points Phil whispered something which sounded like, ‘Great ginger!’ but he did not venture to speak aloud. Stella was looking at Miss Sykes in bewilderment. ‘*T donot wonder that you are surprised,”’ Miss Sykes added, “for I am, myself, amazed. What must it be to you, who probably never heard of me?’’ ‘*T never did.”’ ‘‘T told them never to mention my name. Yet your mother, Agatha Templeton, is my niece—I sup- pose she.is yet living?’ ** She is, Miss Sykes.”’ The latter sighed deeply. ‘*How the past, which seemed to be buried under a mountain’s weight, comes baek tome! I thought it was all gone, and in the atmosphere of my hew life it almost seemed that I had forgotten the old life. Yetican never forget it, with its lights and shadows. The human heart may be made anew if the circumstances are right, but it needs only a breath of the old fire to start the blood to flowing as of yore. But never mind this. You are like your mother, child; very much like your mother.” ‘*So Lam told.” ‘*It was this resemblance which first led me to ee identity. Stella,[ ama lonely old wo- man, ould you mind spending a few hours with me, some day, when I send for you?”’ ‘** I should be pleased to do so.”’ ‘Then I will send Philip Henry over. To-day I scarcely have—have time—to talk,”’ This was an evasion; Miss Sykes wanted time to recover her composure, and to fully decide on her line of conduct. ; Stella arose to go. ‘*Don’t t’ar yerself away ontil you’ve see’d our belongin’s arnd ’tachments,”’ advised Phil. ‘* Take a look at Jawer in the Dark, arnd Lunkhead, the Crew-slayer.”’ ‘*He means Joan of Arc, and Tancred, the Crusa- der,” explained Miss Sykes, rallying and smiling. Stella was accordingly shown this important department of the ** Menagerie,’’ much to her won- der, after which she left the house. At her request Five Points Phil agreed to keep the ring for awhile, and he declared that he would take particular pains to keep it from Miss Frazer. CHAPTER XVI. GATHERING IN THE GANG. THREE persons were walking along Avenue A. They were Brown, the detective, Five Points Phil and Tim Thistle. The leader’s face bore a deter- mined expression, and the boys were equally in earnest, ‘* We’re ’most there,’ said the Tartar. ‘Yes, and in about ten minutes I expect to have Mr. Tip Hizgins in custody,” Brown replied. ‘‘Hez it ever ’curred ter you that some o’ the rest o’ the gang may be thar?’’ Phil asked, “There 28 a chance of that,” ‘*In which case, you’d wish yer had some hercu- lean brass-button gents ter back ye up, 'stead 0’ two infants like Tim arnd me.”’ “T worsted Tim Higgins once,’’ declared Tim Thistle, somewhat vexed at being called an ** infant,”’ ** Yes, and captured Jed Jackley,’’ Brown added. ** Arnd.scooped in Cap'n Tiger—leastways, dogged him ter his home base,”’ Phil supplemented. ‘“*T rank Tim equal toa man,” said Brown, smiling good-humoredly, *‘and you and I are not to be sneezed at, Phil. But I don’t anticipate trouble.”’ They now reached a low, dingy house, and the de- tective rung the dilapida'ed bell. This brought a dilapidated-looking servant girl, to whom Brown stated that they were friends of Mr. Higgins, and wished to see him. They were directed to the ** second floor, rear.”’ Brown knocked at the designated door; a voice bade them enter; they obeyed. They saw a low, but wide room in which asingle man sat at the table with a halt-filled whisky-bottle beside him. This was not Higgins, but it was no stranger to Tim, be- ing Briggs, Higgins’s assistant at the saloon, The Tartar whispered to Brown, revealing the man’s identity. ** Where’s Tip?’* the detective asked. ‘Gone out fur a minute, but Il come back d’reckly. Set down an’ be miser’ble. Step up ter the bottle an’ hev some fodder. Whisky’s free ez water. Help erself ter chairs—excuse me fur sayin’ it, but I’m tired an’ can’t git up.”’ Mr, Briggs looked at them dully, and it was clear that he was engaged in his old pastime of getting intoxicated. *Hev some fluid?” he added. “Thanks, but I’ve just had a dose,” Brown eva- sively replied. ‘*So’ve L.”’ Briggs asserted; *‘hev had sev’ral on ’em. Goin’ ter hev sev’ral more. Gents, you may not b’lieve it, but my legs is drunk, nt oe fack! General, my legs is intemp’rate; they will git fullan’ wobble. Now I never git full, but when my legs do, I'm helpless. Can’t stan’up when my legs wobble, kin I?’ ‘Certainly not,” Brown replied. “Course I can't. My legs an’ I'll quirril some day. They won’t support me, my legs won’t; an’ I need ter be s’ported. Legs like mine is a nuisance, fur when they wobble, I fal¥. I'd like ter swap my legs off, but nobody ‘Ii take ’em, I’ve got ter stic ter my legs, an’ my legs ter me. Result, my legs will take another drink. Azonizin’ly dry,my legs be.” He raised the bottle and held it to his mouth, while a large quantity of the liquor gurgled down his throat. His queer words and ways made both Tim and Phil smile, but Briggs -himself was a vile wretch who was killing himself with whisky. ‘*ah!’’ he added, with a deep breath; “ that’s the stuff! My legs feel refreshed. My legs is good , judges o’ liquor—kin tell jest how much p’ison is in a whisky-glass jest by the smell. Powerful on the smell, my legs be; but they «ill wobble—”’ He paused, and all his eloquence suddenly depart- ed. A second door of the room had opened, and Tip Higgins entered. His coming startled Briggs, who had been orvered not to drink, but for once Higgins was not thinking of his associate’s weak- ness. He was looking at the visitors, and bis face assumed an alarmed expre.sion as he recognized Tim. Brown stepped quickly forward. ‘Higgins. you are my prisoner,’’ he said, quietly. The burglar made a quick turn and leap, trying to retrace his steps, but Brown caught him by the shoulder and whirled him around. ** Don’t do it!’ he coolly exclaimed. Higgins jerked a revolver from his pocket and drew back the hammer, his eyes blazing. One sweep of Brown’s fist sent the weapon spin- ning across the room, ‘*T tell you, don’t do it!" repeated the detective, with unfailing nonchalance. Higgins stood still and glared at the speaker. ‘‘T am here to arrest youin the name of the law, Higgins,’ Brown resumed, ‘‘Now don’t try any more tricks.”’ Higgins, however, suddenly found his tongue, “Help, hyar! This way, men! Help!” The door was suddenly flung wide open, and two men sprung.out, Then they, too, came to a halt, surprised at what they saw. The detective was an- other surprised person—very disagreeably surprised. He regretted now that he had not given more thought to Five Points Phil’s suggestion; they had found more of the gang than he expected, just _as Phil had hinted, and he now saw three men, besides drunken Abe Briggs, opposed to him. His situation was precarious, and he might never leave the house alive. His mind acted quickly in this emergency. With a quick spring be gained Higgins’s side, pushed him against the wall, twined around him like a serpent for a moment, and then—Higgins was handcuffed! It had been done with almost incredible quick- ness, but the detective had had long years of expe- rience. Then the rage of the other men broke out. They realized the situation fully, and their hands were suddenly plunged into their pockets; but Brown was before them. He faced them, and a revolver glittered in each hand. ‘*Don’t dare to draw a weapon!” be thundered. “T am a detective, and I'll shoot you if you resist. Molest me, and you will get all the fight you want!”’ “Right ye be!’”’ echoed a sharp voice. ‘It’s me- silf is hyar, too, an’ I’m on de shoot!” The speaker was Tim Thistle. He had secured Higgins s fallen revolver, and now took his stand be- side Brown, ready for action. There was no revol- ver for Five Points Phil, but he caught up Briggs’s bottle and flourished it wildly. ** Count me in likewise, bv ginger! I've got a wee- pon, arnd it’s loaded. Don't know o’ a weepon that'll knock out more men than a pestiferous whisky-bottle. Assooredly not!’’ Perhaps this army looked formidable to the Pete Tl at any rate, they suddenly abandoned their 4 the rear windows. There was a broad balcony out- side, and. as they were but one “ story ”’ above the ground, it flashed upon the detective that they in- tended to jump off, and make good their escape. ‘‘ Catch them!” he cried, springing forward. One of the fugitives safely passed the window, but just as the second fellow tried to follow, Brown seized him. Tim and Phil darted out upon the balcony. Just as they reached it the rovgh gaye a leap and shot over. The rear yard was below, and the distance made it uncertain whether he would land with sound limbs or broken ones. ** Whoop!”’ It was a cry from Tim Thistle, and showed a de- gree of excitement very unusual to his calm nature. As he spoke he laid one band on the balcony railing and vaulted over after the fugitive. Phil was but an instant bebind—both had taken the risky leap with reckless bravery. The burglar had gone down in safety—arisen— started to flee—but pose then Tim Thistle dropped upon his shoulders like a young catamount. Both fell, and the burgier was a good deal shaken up. Realizing the need of action, however, he staggered to his feet. As he did.so both Tim and Phil leaped upon him, The big fellow uttered a roar of rage and tried to shake them off. He was in danger, and it made him exceedingly angry to be stopped by two boys, He thought to fling them away like ripe fruit, but they clung like burrs. He tried to strike them, but they nimbly dodged. Then Phil tripped him, and they went down in a heap. A rough-and-tumble combat took place on the ground, and arms and legs flew about so profusely that it was hard to tell which was which. From out this confused knot the voice of Five Points Phil arose ever and anon. , “Surrender. ye pestiferous critter! Give it ter him, Tim! No quarter ter burglars! Wade in, Tim! Want ter run away, do ye, Mister Burglar? Want ter shirk the contrack with the State, do ye? Go it, Tim!” Suddenly the burelar ceased fighting. He was panting like a hard-run dog, ¥en Let up, ye scoundrels!” he gasped, “ T’ll cave. tup! They did not “let up’ in the least. however. Both had provided themselves with cords, and they pro ing scheme. Wheeling, they made a rush for © ' :