Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 516 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

Tartar Tim. trouble; and he at once took more interest in the matter than was to be expected of a stranger. ‘*T would like to put a friend of mine—one of Byrnes’s inen—on the trail,” he said. ‘*My uncle requested that the matter be left to his friend.” ‘*May I ask his name?” ‘* Certainly; it is Derriby.” ‘*T don’t know him.” **‘ Mr. Maudston says he is very shrewd.” “6 Yes, ” Harry answered absently, and did not press his point, but he determined to mention it to Maudston, on his return, He had taken a deep interest in the robbery, partly because it was so mysterious, but principally because he had also taken an interest in Stella. He suspected that she was poor; that the loss of the jewels wasa severe blow; and he resolved that she should have them back, if possible. In due time Maudston returned. Hehad been called adhe | on business, by a note from a friend, but had attended to it and come back. He knew Shelby by sight and seemed pleased to see him, and wrote out an answer to Elbert Bainbridge’s note with evident care. He was glad to oblige his pe ana though rather surprised at being consulted. hen this was done Harry referred to the jewel-robbery. ‘* A mysterious affair,” he added. ‘* At present, yes,” replied Maudston, ‘‘ Now,” continued the young man, lightly, ** you know the proteeon of a lawyer and de- tective areatrifle alike. I feel an interest in this case. I know of oneof the detectives in the city—one attached to Inspector Byrnes’s staff— and this man, to oblige me, will take hold of the case on the no-success-no-pay plan. Are you willing he should do it?” Maudston’s bland expression had faded per- ceptibly. ‘‘ The work is being well attended to now,” he said, almost rudely. ‘‘ But my man is one of the best of New York detectives.” ‘*So is the detective who is already at work. Two such men are not needed—my man assures me that he has a definite theory, and will soon _ recover the jewels.” *‘ Do you know what his theory is?” ‘* No,” was the curt reply. Three pairs of eyes were fixed upon Maudston with some surprise. He was rude when, it seemed, he should be grateful. ‘*T never heard of Derriby, the detective,” said Harry, mildly. ‘* How do you know that he is my man?” Maudston was so perceptibly displeased that Shelby hesitated, but Stella frankly stated that it was she who had told the visitor about Der- riby. Her uncle shot her a glance anything but friendly, and then coldly added: ‘‘Derriby is the man, and I prefer that he con- tinue in the case, I know him to be as shrewd as any detective in New York, and I am not going to depose him just ashe has secured a clew. We will not mention another man,” A thin coating of politeness spread over the last sentences did not serve to make them less than ungracious, but Stella, who had flushed with mortification, spoke bravely and thanked Shelby for his kind interest. She nearly healed the wound to his pride, and when he shortly after arose to go, and Mr. Maudston gave him an indifferent invitation to call again, he looked at Stella before answering. In his opinion her eyes silently said, ‘‘ Come!” and his decision was made. Maudston might be surly, but Stella was not; she was charming. e promised to call, and then took his de- parture. When he was gone Maudston read Miss Field- ing a lecture on the evils of being too confi- dential ‘‘ with a stranger.” He tried to speak pleasantly, but there was 4 ring to his voice which told the girl that she had offended him erat Shelby went home and gave the letter to Mr. Bainbridge, Next came his report concerning Stella, and it was far more enthusiastic than the uncle had dared hope. It delighted bim, and he saw ground for hope that his little artifice would bear rich fruit. , Harry, however, had something more on his mind, and he wound up by giving an account of the lost jewels, ‘ Bainbridge was interested from the first; in- deed, his rapt attention and sympathy were so evident that the younger man was surprised, Not a word of the story was lost by Bainbridge. ‘This is odd, very odd!” he declared. ‘‘It is also very mysterious, and I feel sure that the ? ip. oe we - +i ¥ re + e : Vs os. aS . ' \ PE pate ERE i 8 ype: LE EL RSS, loss is a serious one to Miss Fielding. Harry, I am interested in her, and, by Jove! I am not going to bave the jewels permanently lost through a bungling nobody of a detective. My boy, en- gage your capable man, keep shady, and the mystery shall be solved!” CHAPTER IX, WHAT BURGLARS DID, FivE PoInts PHIL arose early in the morn- ing and prepared to go to Miss Sykes’s, to be- gin his service there. Before his departure he and Tim Thistle held a further consultation. Tim felt sore places as an effect of tumb- ling down-stairs at Tip Higgins’s, and this in- creased his zeal to bring the gang to justice. Due inquiry had established the fact that Pal- grave hadaroomin the house next to them, and the Tartar proposed to settle down to busi- ness and watch for the man until he appeared, In case he did not come at all, Jed Jackley could be ‘‘ shadowed.” Both Phil and Tim were of the opinion that Higgins and Briggs were likely to keep carefully out of sight until they thought the danger had passed. Phil left his young friend sitting grimly at the window. ‘‘Tt’ll be dull as de blazes,” observed Tim, ‘but I kin stand it, I reckon.” ‘Or set it.” 66 Yes,” ‘You won’t lose nothin’ by it, ef I size the biz correctly. I b’lieve you’re onter the track o’ big game—B. J. G game, so ter speak. Pal- grave’s out’ard respectability don’t go fur noth- in’ —a marn may smile, and be a villain still. Hunt him down, arnd you land a weighty fish,” ‘¢ 'm goin’ ter land de varmint!” Tim firmly asserted. ‘I’mnotsure but I's cut out fura ray gy though Pl niver sarve in de goat istrick, as you insinerated. I think a job in de City Hall,or P’lice Headquarters, would suit me.” ‘*Great ginger! ye ain’t got half bay-winder enough on yer stummick!” said Phil, laughing. ‘* You'd be a right good marn in the goat dees- strick, cause you're a good runner.” ‘*T ain’t ketchin’ “spine now; the game I’m af- ter is men, an’ ye’ll see me git dem, too!” the Tartar stoutly replied. Leaving him in this mood, Phil went to Nine- teenth street to Miss Sykes’s house. Miss Sykes received her new employee kindly and talked with him half an hour before men- tioning business. She wished to study him at- tentively. Now, the good old soul was as unso- phisticated as a child, but she flattered herself that she wasan accurate judge of human nature and her judgment told her that Five Points Phil was an honest, worthy lad. In this she was right, Of her Cerner in the case of Miss Frazer, of the I. W. R. L., and others, the least said the best for good Miss Sykes. Phil thought that the character of the ‘‘ House of Freaks” bade fair to be kept well up when, at his first work he was asked into the next room to pronounce on the case of a brindled cat which, in Lis mistress’s opinion, was threatened with typhoid fever, or something equally danger- ous. Preserving his gravity well, Phil made a care- ful examination, particularly of the patient’s tongue and temperature, and was able to assure Miss Sykes that Hannibal—the cat—was not in danger; a statement that relieved her greatly. “Although,” she added, ‘!I do not value him as highly as some of the others. e aint got the clarsic beauty o’ Jawer in the Dark, nur the kingly dignity o’ Jamkhead, the Crew-slayer,” Phil gravely answered. ‘* You mean Tancred, the Crusader,” corrected Miss Sykes. ‘** Assooredly, Arnd how is Charley Maun arnd Low-creature Gorgeous?” ‘* Both well,” said their mistress, smiling, *‘ but ou will have to look in the record-book and in- form yourself a little better as to their names.” ‘Will Jook over the roster thoroughly soon. Say, ef ’s you, ’d make the rear o’ this man- sion more tighter.” ‘‘The present arrangement is for the conveni- ence of my-four-footed friends,” ‘‘Somebody’s two-footed friends may amble in, ef you don’t look out. The buildin’ opera- tions op’site gives a cl’ar road fur house-break- ers, ez you kin see. You can’t trust a bighway- man a rod, mum. Fax is fax, arnd they’re stubborn.” Miss Sykes had occasion to remember this warning vividly afterward, but it soon passed from her mind at the time, Phil’s first day passed rather monotonously. wice he went out on errands and at times he worked about the house, but the labor bade fair ~~ aa eo ~ > tba it i bs a - — Momey to be too insignificant to give variety. He wish ed that Maudston and Miss Frazer would happen in, so that he could see the latter wield her spiked cane to the great danger of her enemy, but they did not come. That night Phil retired early and, being sleepy was soon unconscious of all around him, He did not awaken as peacefully as he fell asleep. Some hours passed—how many he did not know—when he suddenly became conscious, His eyes opened at once, and, impressed with the idea that something was wrong, he tried to rise at the same moment. He did not succeed. Some strong opposing influence flung him back on the pillow. ‘*Hang the boy! he’s knocked the sponge away!” exclaimed a rough voice. Phil saw two burly men beside him, and one now grasped him by the throat. ‘‘Run a gag into his mouth!” this person or- dered, ‘* Never mind the sponge; we'll tie him ? Phil had no trouble to understand the situation. The odor of chloroform was in the room, these men were masked; and it was clear that they were villains on some lawless errand, Hestrug- gled with all his power, but the men first stuffed gine of a towel into his mouth as a gag, and then ound him hand and foot. He was powerless against such odds, and had to submit. He could only use his eyes, and, as the men were masked, this did but little good. Testing the cords, they then left the room carefully. Five Points Phil lay and listened. He knew that burglars were on the scene, and hoped that they would come to grief, but did not expect it, As his room was near the top of the house, it was likely that Miss Sykes and Betty had first been silenced. He heard the burglars move outside; heard the stairs creak under their feet as they went down; and then the sounds were transferred to the room where Miss Sykes passed her time dur- ing the day. Phil listened more attentively. In this room was Miss Sykes’s safe—a dilapidated old thing, which did not look capable of defying ony Oe lar. ould they open that? Clink ! clink It was the sound of metal against metal. They were really at work on the ate: Clink! clank! The sound of their efforts irritated Phil beyond measure, but he could not stopit. The clink- clink went on for nearly half an hour—then abruptly cedsed. ‘The pestiferous critters hev got it open!” thought the boy. There was no more of the previous sound, but other noises in the room below were audible for several minutes. Then they ceased, and death- like sileuce fell over the house, Clearly, the burglars had finished their work and gone. ‘‘T tol’ Miss Sykes ter make things secure at the rear,” Phil thought, ‘‘ but ’twa’n’t done. Great ginger! I don’t like this. It’s mernoto- nous, sprawlin’ hyar on my back like a turned- over turtle. Assooredly!” It grew more monotonous before relief came, and every member and bone in his body seemed running a race to see which could ache the hara- est, but footsteps were finally to be heard—they grew nearer--the door opened--and Betty enter- ed, bearing a light. , ‘Here you are,” she said, deliberately. Phil tried to talk but, naturally, could not with the gag in his mouth. ‘‘T will let you loose,” added Betty, calmly. She set down the lamp with such moderation that the impatient boy expected to see her stop and trim the wick, and then proceeded to re- lease him with as much machine-like delibera- tion as though it were the most common thing in life to be tied up by burglars, Pbil’s tongue moved the moment it had a chance, thcugh his speech was thick, owing to his cramped jaws. ‘‘ Hev they gone?” ‘Do you mean the burglars?” ‘Yes, yes; 0’ course.” “They have gone,” was the calm reply. ** Anybody hurt? **No; though they chloroformed me and Miss Sykes, which was not right.” ‘* Hev ye called the p’lice?” ‘*'W hich policeman?” ‘‘On! great ginger arnd blind hosses! what’s the use o’ talkin’ ter you! Hyar, Betty, skip: I warnter make my twilight.’ Git out quick, in great Ceesar’s name!” ; Betty went, though without baste or excite- ment, Phil dressed hurriedly and ran down- stairs. Voices were audible in Miss Sykes’s liv- ing room, and, entering there, he found her and ° icboo fast ee ay gat Ree, . “yt! a ’ com + a Al ee