Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 583 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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Wrestling Rex. 11 CHAPTER XIII. SOMETHING STARTLING, WHEN Phil reached the carpenter’s house he experienced a disappointment. Pratt was not at bome, he and his wife had gone into the country for two or three days. There was only one thing to do; to wait until they returned. The events of the following thirty-six hours may be briefly told. The burial of Mrs, Austin took place, an event less mournful than might have been expected when she died. Generous hearts furnished money to defray the necessary expense. Rex gave something from money earned by wrestling; the Tofflings put in the »roceeds of more than one umbrella mendec in heir rooms; and other poor persons gave their raite; but by far the largest sum was brought by Phil. Over a year before, when he was a ragged street-boy, he had had the good fortune to aid a entleman named Solomon Richmore, and win is gratitude, This gentleman had sent Phil to school, and was preparing him fora business career, When he heard of Mrs. Austin’s case he promptly filled out a check, and it was this gift that came in so timely. Little Ella remained with the Tofflings, and would do so permanently, unless her relatives could be found. Willis Landerson rallied from his injuries and left the tenement-house. Five Points Phil once passed the head of the alley where he and Haskins had been captured, but saw no one he knew. He did not investi- gate closely, hoping that Haskins was still held prisoner there, and would be kept as such for awhile, The young detective had learned that Short, the man who had sent him to Haskins, alias Pfeffer, with a letter, was a real estate broker, among other things. This, however, did not help the boy, and he anxiously awaited the car- penter’s return. The evening following the day of Mrs, Aus- tin’s funeral was one of rain, It set in just be- fore dark, and soon settled down for a rainy evening. Rain in the city is nearly always dreary, except when it comes to cool the air of a sultry day. Rex, standing at the window and looking out at the drizzle which fell upon the rough street, and upon the wretched buildings around, thought that the evening was a fit successor of the day. Then, as on a former occasion, he was looking for Five Points Phil, who had been invited to pass the evening in Toffling’s rooms, Phil soon eee but the evening was not what they ex- pected. The first departure from the programme was when another visitor arrived. This was Mat- thew Solace, and he came unifvited. Noone wasglad to see him. True, he was Wrestling Rex’s ‘ bucker,” but, as has been folks will be keerless an’ set em up with the ti down; the water will rot the cloth, an’ thar wi be work fur me,” He rubbed his hands, and then took up the morning paper. ‘* A very close guess they made this time,” he added. ‘‘lowe Old Prob thanks, ‘ Threaten- ing weather, followed by heavy local rains,’ he says here. Well, it has rained, ain’t it? Now, yesterday, he said—” Mr. Toffling was looking for the paper, anx- ious to read further predictions, but Solace broke in. ‘* Rex, I came to see you.” ** Indeed!” “Yes, I’ve had a visit from Sam Upperly’s backers,” ‘* Anything new?” ‘They want the match declared off.” Rex’s face lighted up with pleasure, ‘‘ What’s the reason of that, sir?” ‘*Scared, I believe.” Rex laughed lightly. ‘* Well, I am pertectly willing to have the match declared off.” ‘“Zam not!” Solace declared, sharply. 4s No?” ‘*No, sir; it would ruin me. Every man, woman and child in the Sixth Ward knows me, They know me as a sporting man; as the patron of all amusements; as backer of this, that, or the other person; and they put great faith in me. When I walk the street lam pointed out and people say, ‘ There goes honest Mat Solace!’ They call me lucky, too; what I take hold of turns out a success. To bavea match declared aif would be a severe blow tome, See?” Rex did not see; the argument was not plain. ‘“Mr. Solace, Id like to get out of that match,” he said, earnestly. ‘* What! are you scared, too?” ‘* Not by a pestiferous sight!” indignantly in- terrupted Phi. who had been sitting very quiet, but Rex asked him with a gesture to be silent, ra = Sap think so, Mr. Solace, I will wrestle Sam Upperly, or any other boy of my age, in rivate,” ‘* Bah!” growled Solace, with a good deal of meaning in the ejaculation. Then he added: “This ‘ private’ wrestling, and the like, is all rubbish, Dve got my money upon you to down Upperly regularly, and I wantit done, Main- tain your title of the Sixth Ward Pride.” “Tl @o as I’ve agreed, but it’s my last match.” . * As you will.” ‘* Pd rather lay pavements than to be in sport- ing life, so called.” Solace’s round, red face flushed. ‘That isn’t very complimentary to me, but we will let it pass, I come to tell you that Up- perly’s backers were scared, and caution you not to listen to thers if they approach you. The match must and shall come off in due form.” His manner was very belligerent and ugly for Five Points Phil abruptly rose. ‘“‘Mrs. Toffling, mum,” he said, earnestly, “Td like you ter make inquiries right awa arnd see of she is in any other pusson’s room, It. stan’s ter reason thart she ain’t, arnd I’ve got. an idee, Ef it’s right, the sooner I Jight out the better.” ‘** What do you mean—” ‘** Don’t stop ter arsk, ef you please. Look in all the other rooms; inquire through the house; stir things up in gin’ral; arnd when you’ve done your work Lill do mine. Go, quick!’ Phil’s manner was new to Mrs. Toffling, and it forced her to obey. She hurried from the room, The big rickety old house was a sort of bee- hive, so full was it of tenants, but out of the whole lot there were only three families who could possibly bave taken Ella in, She was a shy child, and would not go among strangers. Umbrella Eph went to her room. She had been in bed, but was now nowhere in the room, By the time he had finished his examination his wife returned, ** I can’t find her!” she exclaimed, ‘Course you can’t!” Phil replied, ‘* Didn’t expeck you could. My b’loved corntemporaries, Ella bas been stolen!” CHAPTER XIV, A CLEW TO THE KIDNAPPERS, PHIW’s assertion did not fall upon unbelieving ears. The same fear had been in the minds of all, though none of the others had been so posi- tive as Phil. “Stolen!” echoed Mrs, Toffling. ** Assooredly.” ‘‘ But why should any one steal her?” “Money inter it!” pronounced Phil, wisely nodding his head, ‘*Do you mean for ransom?” ‘‘No, I don’t.” Strange you don’t ketch on. Whose premises was lately burglariously en- tered?” ‘You refer to how Mrs. Austin’s trunk: was robbed, I suppose.” ss I do ” ‘* And do you think this was done by the same parties?” ‘** Nothin’ shorter,” The Tofflings gazed blankly at Phil. They had not the knowledge of the under-current of city life that he had, old as they were, and it et nature, rather than years, that took the ead, ‘(Tm afraid Phil is right,” coincided Rex. ‘‘ Wax is fax,arnd they’re stubborn things,” Phil continued. ‘‘I want ter shout in yer ears in a whisper that Ella is more o’ a gum-drop than you think on. Remember the time, care and patience Pfeffer tuk ter rob the urunk! Don’t thart show thart the Austins was o’ some importance? Now Ella is peng I tell ye, my b’loved corntemporaries, we'll be s’prised when we git all the p’ints in this case, arnd we'll hev ’em ef our suspender-buttons hold on—we seen, neither Rex nor Umbrella Eph thought | a gpeat man, but Rex was less surprised than | will, by ginger! Arnd you'll find some big-bugs wellof him. He might bea great man in the! Mf. Toffling and his wife. He already under- | inter it, too; a marn may smile and be a villain Sixth Ward, but he was no favorite with our | stood Solace quite well. still, Come, Rex!” friends, They were obliged to treat him civilly, how- ever, while he and Rex had business dealings, and he was received politely, ‘A very cosy party you make,” observed Mr. Solace, with his most genial smile. ‘‘ We are poor, but happy,” replied Mrs. Tof- fling. ‘There are many such persons in the Sixth Ward.” “They are poor, certainly,” ‘“Why not happy?” ‘‘Some of them are, but those who never get ** Just as you say, sir,” he replied. ** And you will try to win?” as Yes,” Rex spoke somewhat sharply. Solace was looking at him in a way which recalled Gerald St. Perey’s attempt to bribe him to “throw” tne match, and Rex wanted it distinctly under- stood that he should wrestle to win, ‘*Gooi!” So saying Solace arose. ‘‘T have business elsewhere, and must leave Koay he explained. ‘* Drop in when you can, ex, His friend was ready to follow, but Umbrella Eph caught his arm, ‘* Where be ve goin’, boy?” he asked, “Ter find Ella!” ‘* But whar’ll ye look?” ‘** We'll look the hull pestiferous city through. I don’t jestly know where, but ef we don’t bit it lirst-off, we'll win inthe end. Come on, Rex!” , This time there was no effort made to stop them), and they hastened down the stairs, Phil knew what he was about, He argued that, as the kidnappers had not been gone long, some one might be around who had seen them f enough to eat and wear can hardly be ha py.” He went out, and for some time there was | go. ‘They don’t stir around,” declared Bninoe: silence in the room, The Tofflings bad never When they reached the street it was dismal *‘Now, the people of the Sixth Ward are m liked Matthew any too well, but their latest | enough. Rain was still falling, and the few children, as it were. I love them, and they gate impression was the poorest of all. Still, they | passers-by burried on with their umbrellas heid up to me as a good genius, I hope they willone | were not inclined to give aM Open opinion | far down Over their eyes—if they were rich day send me to Congress.” just then, and as Rex and Phil had nothing to’ enough to own an umbrella—and seemed to This was Solace’s ambition. He hoped to use say. there were no comments upon the great ; think only of themselves, his liquor saloon as a Starting-place, and the | man. Phil placed his reliance on. the occupants of voters of the Sixth Ward as a Spring-board, Mrs. Toffling arose and left the room. | doorways. It would be oddif such persons were and vault into the Washington Capitol at one Orphaned Ella had been put to bed, but it oc- | not to be found. Doorways are often the um- bound, curred to the good woman that the child might | brellas of the poor. “When you git thar,” said Mr. Toffling, | be awake and in sorrow. Using his eyes quickly and successfully, Phil briskly, ‘‘ LT“ hope you will let me mend yer um- Umbrella Eph picked up the last three news- | Crossed the street, with Rex at his heels, Two > brella.” papers and sat down to read the weather pre- | very hard-looking young men stood in the shel- : “Twill, Eph.” dictions, while the boys spoke in low tones. ter of a battered old door, chewing tobacco vig- oi I'll do it wal,” Mrs. Toffling suddenly re-entsred the room, orously. ; . | ‘Maybe I have one that needs mending now, ‘* Has Ella been liere?” she asked, ‘‘ Hallo, gents!” said Phil. ‘aa Pll bring it around,” promised Solace, remem- Eph raised his head in surprise. ‘‘ Hallo, yerself!” ee bering Eph was a voter. ‘“* Here!” he echoed. ‘Why, of course not, ‘““Did ye jest see a man come out o’ that: “ ** Do so.” What do you mean? You look skart. Hev | house?” ? ‘*T shall need it in the rain.” ou—” ‘“‘ Naw,” was the surly reply. “This rain is glorious!” said Eph, with en- ‘* Ella is gone; she isn’t in bed!” the old lady “Sure?” . eke thusiasm, ‘It will bring out the umbrellas; | anxiously replied, ‘¢ Dead sure,” ‘. io rat: cbooks