Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 521 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

SS eee ‘‘T say, mister, could you give a fellow a match?” rung out a cheery voice at this moment and the young man was confronted by a boy who held a delicate cigar between his weather- browned fingers, ‘* A match is it? I guess you might as well have asked me for a thousand dollars.” ‘*¢ Bu’sted, eh?’ The lounger was going through his pockets for the match, and the boy who was rather good- looking and sharp eyed, was watching him with a good deal of curiosity. At last, from one corner of the last pocket searched, a broken match was produced. ** Js that the lay-out?” asked the urchin witha surprised grin. ‘*That is the last of a fortune,” was the sad rejoinder. | ** Jewhillikens! you don’t remark that, do you?” — ‘* Gospel was never truer.” The boy came closer, and the humor, until then. visible in his eyes, gradually faded out. He was interested. A. summer day.had just ‘gone, and a night, an in with storm, was closing around New York. The lamps on the Battery had been lighted, and the rain which had increased could be seen on their glasses, ‘**T guess you wouldn’t like to tell me anything about how the fortune dwindled away to a broken, match?” resumed the Loy. ‘‘Il am Dick Sly, sometimes called Dodger Dick, and one name suits me as well as the other.” ‘What do you do?” asked the young man. ‘Oh, Pm a wharf Jack-o’-all-trades. Some- times I help the cops when they want work of a particular nature done, and sometimes I do lit- tle jobs for Mother Sturgeon who took me when my real mother died, ou don’t seem to b’long to New York?” ‘*T do not and I wish I had never seen the city,” answered the young man, and then he looked through the pattering rain toward the waters of the bay, and the boy saw his hands shut as if impalled by some powerful resolution. ‘*T don’t see why I should tell you my story,” he went on, returning to Dodger Dick, ‘ But I need not keep it back, for the telling cannot harm me.” ‘* Just as you like,” the boy remarked “Oh, well, it won’t take leng, and the rain won't hurt us under this tree. My name is An- gus Brandon. I came to this city three months ago to enter a business house owned, in part, by an uncle, I hada fortune, not very large, but still a fortune, coming to me, but [ -wanted to lead a business life, 1 was not here long when I became acquainted with a young man who called himself Ejlroy Surface, He had a friend censiderably older, named Daniel Despard. met them accidentally in this very Park, one day after business hours, I[ can see now that, on their part, the encounter was not so acci- dental, I rather liked young Surface, but Des- pard never obtained my confidence. [ was thrown much into the young man’s company; we took in the city together, meeting here and there his friends. Step by step, although I knew it not, | was drawn deeper into the net, ‘‘One night I went back tothe store, how I know not, IL entered the private office; opened the safe, and showed Elroy Surface its contents, ‘The next morning the firm discovered that ten thousand dollars had been taken. They put de- tectives on the trail, and I was suddenly con- fronted by my uncle andcharged with burglary. What could | say? The safe held certain papers of mine worth the amount taken from the drawers. [| threw them at my relative’s feet, and they were accepted. I was driven from the house. Shelter was refused me under bis roof from that hour, and I went forth to be watched by sleepless eyes, and to know no peace of soul. After my disgrace Elroy Surface and Daniel Despard disappeared. My uncle dismissed his detectives, but some-how-or-other I have been bled ever since.” » “ By whom?” asked Dodger Dick. ‘- Sometimes by a woman, at other times by a man, J found employment further up town, but the leeches found me, and I had to buy their silence, What is the use of fighting a fate like this, Dodger Dick?’ cred Brandon. ‘** 1 would rise and retrieve the past, but the accursed toils the two villains threw about me render it im- possible. The black-mailers have let me alone for a few days, for I have been penniless, and some of thess benches have been my bed. on’t you wish I had not told my story “No,” exclaimed the wharf spy detective prompuly, ‘*] wouldn’t have mi hearing it or a good deal. You haven’t thought of any- thing desperate, I hope?” 7 ‘ ; é i 5 , Dodger eee ae ee s -. eo wet o* ~ m ‘ 4 a “ Dic — —-c—=w- ———-——-- Again the look toward the water that broke, lamp-lit, against the pier. ‘* You need not mind answering me!” cried Dick, interpreting the glance. ‘Let us get away from here.” The young man gave the boy a look of curi- osity. ‘* ve faced rain before,” he remarked with a smile, ‘*Sohavel. [Pveslept in it on the wharves; but, that is neither nere nor there, We'll go and get our supper.” ‘* ‘lo Mother Sturgeon’s, as you call her?” asked Brandon, ‘* No, at Nell’s boarding house.” ** Who is Nell?” ** You shall see.” Angus Brandon put in no remonstrance, but signified his willingness to follow the boy. ‘* I might as well have another square meal,” he murmured. ‘‘Idon’t intend to throw myself on the charity of this boy. [I’m at the end of the string, and the world has no further use for Angus Brandon.” Dodger Dick led the young man rapidly through the Park and into the net-work of gas- lit streets beyond. Brandon more than once had occasion to men- tally praise his nimbleness, and he wondered whither he was being led. When Dick halted, it was before an old and plain frame, five stories high, with old-fashioned windows with many broken panes, Loud and boisterous laughter, mingled with the rattle of dishes came from the interior. ‘* Nell boards here,” smiled the boy, casting a glance into Brandon’s face. ‘* We'll be likely to find her in at this moment, too, Ah! here we are, Nobody will know you, sir, so come with me. Dodger Dick led the way into the house, and usbered Brandon into a large room occupied by several tables, at which people were disposing of supper, he scene was animating, and the boarders were not choice in attire nor language. Without stopping, Dick continued to the end of the room, where he found a stand just large enough for two, He and Brandon took posses- sion of the chairs which were unoccupied. Presently a young girl of eighteen came out of the kitchen beyond with a tray, and nodded to Dick as she passed. “That is Nell,” whispered Dick across the table, Brandon fixed his eyes on the girl, who had a willowy figure, a graceful step, and a sweetly winning face, When she came back Dodger Dick motioned to her and introduced Brandon, adding with a smile that they would like to have two of the best sup- pers the house could afford, ‘* She’ll do a little extra for us,” laughed the Dodger, ‘**‘ Newspaper Nell is worth her weight in gold, and my figures run her up to about twenty-five thousand dollars, Whew! think of that, Mr. Brandon!” rs Newspaper Nell you call her?” observed the young man. ‘*'Yes. She sells the early afternoon papers, and turns many an honest penny in that way. After ber stock is sold she gets her supper bere for waiting on the table. Ah! here she comes with a booming supper, just what we want, eb, Mr. Brandon?” The next moment the girl set her tray ona round stool near by and began to place the various Cishes before the waiting pair. While engaged at this she leaned toward Dodger Dick, and said in low tones: ‘*1 was watched again to-day and by the same man.” ‘‘[ wish I had seen him,” exclaimed the Dodger, flushing indignantly. ‘‘ Did he follow you, Nell?” ** Not far,” replied the girl with a smile. ‘I ave him the slip, as 1 know how, and he was eft in the lurch, ha, ha!” **Tll be around to-morrow. Maybe he'll show up again,” spoke Dick, ‘‘ 1 want to see this fel- low, Nelly.” At this moment the door down the room open- ed, and a man came in. ‘*Great Jove!” cried Brandon. Dan Despard at last!” Dodger Dick looked at the new-comer, and so did Newspaper Nell. . ‘*Thatis the man who watched me,” whis- pered the girl to Dick, losing some color. “* He is the villain to whom I owe my ruin!” added Brandon, with eyes in a blaze, 3 nr his chair back. ‘‘I always said that I would pay him back on sight, and now—” ‘* Not here, Mr. Brandon. J won’t have it!” ‘‘ Yonder is k’s Best Dodge. | — - man’s. and Dodger Dick caught the youn t that wrist before he could leave his seat. ‘ fellow have all the rope he wants while he ye-. If he is Dan Despard, and the ~ mains bere, person who has been watching Nell, 1 will say that I have been tracking him for ten days, and for a crime that will rid New York of his pres- ence. Hecame here for a purpose; let us wait and see what itis. Eat your supper, Mr. Bran- don. Iam going to enjoy mine if the man i’ve been looking for is within twenty icet of me. | Daniel Despard, eh? I wonder bhiw names he has had in his lifetime?” By this time the man who had come bad many found a seat at the table, and Newspaper Nell. immediately took his order, How his keen black eyes watched the girl as she moved off, and with what impatience the regarded the door till she reappeared with h supper. Angus Brandon threw furtive glances at the man. ‘+l wonder what’s become of bis partner, Elroy Surface? [ want to live now! I intend to get even with those two city tigers, and this boy detective, Dodger Dick will help me.” At that very moment, strange’ to say, the thoughts of the Dodger were following in the same channel. CHAPTER IT. OLD FOES MEET, Tae Dodger appeared to enjoy his supper, but Brandon did not, He was continually sending furtive glances at the man called Dan Despard, and those glances were full of hate and threatened retribution, Despard never took, his eyes from Newspaper Neli when the girl was in sight, He watched her as a fox watches a hare from the mouth of his den; but at the same time he paid some attention to the meal which had been set before bim. Nell was fully aware of the espionage of the cool black eyes; but she did not choose to let the watcher know that she suspected him, Despard was in no hurry to finish his sup- per. ‘The Dodger and Brandon beat him though, but kept their seats, for in passing out they would have to brush the city sharp and invite recognition. ‘¢‘Tet him finish,” whispered Dodger Dick. ‘‘He has not seen us. Nell is the only person he looks at, and that is fora purpose. He is finishing now. Nell’s hands of course!” ’ Despard seemed to linger in the place, but, when he had emptied his second cu):, no excuse fora longer stay could be found, and he re- luctantly left his chair. The Dodger and his friend saw him leave the room. ‘‘ Now!” cried the wharf spy. ‘ Let us see what becomes of this fellow.” Despard led the two a hasty chase to the side-. walk where be was joined by a woman who occupied a carriage a few feet paix? “Aha! look at that /” exclaimed the Dodger. ‘My old friend is not alone to-night. Itisa chance which I cannot afford to miss, k here, Mr. Brandon. Meet me under the tree, you know which «n°, in i atte:y Park in two hours. It has quit rainimg, and you won’t get wet.” The carriage which Dan Despard had entered. was moving off, and, before Brandon could. answer, the Dodger bounded away and almost immediately vanished. ‘“‘T have two hours on my hands,” muttered the young man, ‘‘ What shall I do? I believe I will go back and drink another cup of coffee,” The following moment he re-entered the dining room, pow not very much rushed, and proceeded to the little table at one end. Newspaper Nell saw him re-enter and when he sat down she was at his side. tones. ‘He struck a trail,” replied Brandon, “The trail of the man who got supper kere! What will you have, sir?” , ‘¢ A cup of coffee.” Angus Brandon did not care so much for the coffee as i did for a chance to enter into conversation with Newspaper Nell. The name and something about the-girl, he » e-won- | dered how the Dodger first picked up acquain- could not tell what, attracted him. tance -with her, and whether they had. been friends very long. Then his thoughts would advert to Dan pard, the man whom he had not seen since. - the fatal night when bis fortune and good name. Des | 900 EGOMIG ‘> No! another cup of coffee, from | ‘‘Where is Dick?” asked the girl in low id. ane