Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 583 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

=" 2 oF ee mee ee ee ' - —— ee : ° a ESSENSE Cs LN ‘* We'd be surer ef you ’"d give us enough ter | run the growler, an’, mebbe, we’d remember more,” the second har d young man suggested, Phil produced a twenty-five-cent piece, SOR oy ye that ef you'll talk ter the p’int.” ‘* Wal, we see Mat Solace come out.” “ But, befor e—jest afore?” ‘ Nobody except them dat went away in de ca ‘* What! was there somebody went away ina cab?” 6s Yes. ” ** Tell me all about it, will ye?” ‘* Wal, ye see de cab waited ’round de corner half an hour, fur I seen itdere. Finally a bloke came out of*de house, went around de corner, an’ den de cab drove to de door, Dey br ought aut a bundle an’ put it in—” ‘A bundle? What bundle? was inter it?” ‘** How do [ know? Dere was a gossamer over it, an’ twas a big bundle—near as big as you are. Dey put it in de cab, got ia demselves an’ drove away. Dat’s all.” The narrator of this story wag a very **tough ” young man, but Phil felt tuat he was to be depended upon. He had an air of truth- fulness just then, ‘* Which way did they go?” ‘* Up dar.” The languid rough inclined one thumb to indi- cate ‘** Did ye know the cabman?” ss Naw. 7 ‘* What lookin’ critters were they with the cab?” ‘* Didn’t get a good look at dem who went into de house, but de one who sta yed in de cab was a sport. Ho was youngish, an’ had a red mus- tache, turned up at de ends, an’ a tall white hat which he wore over wan eye, I heerd dem call him Percy, or St. Percy, or somet’ing of dat sort.” ‘* What!” cried Rex. sé Eh?” ‘** They called him what?” “St. Percy, or somet’ing like it. I seen de same bloke wid Mat Solace dis afternoon.” Rex and Phil exchanged glances; they were surprised at last. ‘* Where'd ye see ’em?”’ Phil asked. The tough young man mentioned a saloon of the better class a few blocks away, ‘* What was they doin’ thar?” ** Talkin’,” ‘* What erbout?” ‘* How do [ know? ? Dey seemed very earnest about somet’ing, an’ dat’s all I know.” ‘*My b’loved corntemporary, I'd give a good bit ter know the name o’ that cabman, or the number o’ the cab, or whar they driv ter,” . “* Wal, I don’t know anyting about it, Vd raise on me price ef I did, an’ sell de secret, but Vm pumped dry.” Once more Phil believed fully in what the ‘tough young man said, and he handed over the twenty-five cents, and he and, Rex retreated to the door of the tenement- house, ‘* What do you make of it, Phil?” anxiously asked the Pride of the Sixth Ward. ** Mat Solace is intér it,” “I believe you. As for St. Percy, of course ou remember the dishonest fellow who tried to ribe me to sell out to Sam Upperly. This man was he. Now, Id like to know what Solace I’mean, what . and St. Percy want of Ella.” Kiv en astute Phil looked perplexed. ‘Can’t make it out,” he admitted. “It can't bea blow at me, Phil, for it don’t affect me, YOu see. ? +s No.” The sie detective paused, shut one eye and azed steadily at the rain for a few moments. Then he added in a firm, stubborn manner: ‘* Rex, old boy, when T heerd that Ella was gone I said it was all along o’ the fam’ly mys- try. Isay sonow, Ef Solace is inter it—arnd it seems he is—why, then, he’s up ter the myst’ry, tow,” “This seems very strange,” said Rex, in be- wilderment. ‘* My frien’, when you’ve b’en in the detective biz ez =oac z I hev, you won’t never be s’prised,”’ answered Phil, as though he were a centenarian. “This is a most pestiferous funny world, b ginger! But this ain’t ter the p’int. The a absorbin’ question is, How be we goin’ ter find Ella?” ” Raab) don’t know where she has been taken?” oO. ‘** Nor have we any quick way of tracing the course of the cab?’ ** Assooredly not.” “Then I should say that our best way was to — ee SC _—..;. I O01]fTCC OO aaa oy» Wrestling I Rex. move directly against St. Percy. Find him, and we may also find Ella.” ‘Now you talk right ter the p'int. D’ye know whar St. Percy Fives?” On West Twelfth street, I think, He was to move there, anyway. But that isn’t his principal resort.” Rex then mentioned a rather low hotel, which was well known to Phil as the resort of ques- tionable characters. ‘*Hol’ on a bit—thar may be somethin’ in that. The place you speak on ain’t over arnd above high up in the social scale, arnd it wouldn’t s’ prise me ef they could be hired ter take ina pris’ner. Seehyar, you jest slide over ter Mat Solace’s saloon on the sly arnd see ef he is thar, arnd I'll go ter the hotel. Then you come on arnd meet me nigh the hotel—say one block below—arnd ef neither on us hez a clew, we'll take a squint at West Twelfth street.” Rex readily agreed to all this, and then they provided themselves with umbrellas and set out. Phil went directly to the hotel, but did not enter until he had looked the place over. It was one of those small, rusty, old-fashioned buildings which, when used as a hotel, never fail to impress the beholder unfavor ably, apd he knew that it was no better than it looked. Its patrons were flashy young men who were either knaves or fools. In the last class may be in- cluded the young man about town who means | to be respectable, but thinks that he cannot enjoy life without being a meteor in the world. ‘ailing to see anything unusual, Phil finally sauntered into the bar-room, He did not attract attention, for there were others of his age pres- ent, Luckily, too, there were enough in all so that he could hide bimself among “them, as it were, St. Percy was not there. He satisfied himself on that point, and then moved to the door of the reading-room. Still he was unsuccessful. Retreating a few steps he resolved to wait at least half an Oa but as he did so he suddenly paused at sight of a man who came down the stairs. It was St. Percy, at last! CHAPTER XV. PROMPT WORK. THE impression at once flashed upon Five Points Phil that St. Percy had just comme from Ella. He had left Baxter street in the cab with her, and here he now was at the hotel, coming from the upper part. Just about time enough had been given him to convey her there, place her in some room and then descend to the bar- room. Whatever Mr. St, Percy had done, he was now in a perfectly cool frame of mind. He joined the crowd at the bar, shook hands with two flushy fellows, and then asked them to drink. The three leaned upon the bar and began to talk briskly. Phil listened to these birds of prey for awhile, but, failing to get any points, decided to go out. Rex must by that time be at hand, and it would be well to confer with his ally. ‘‘He went, and found Rex waiting at the corner. The latter had been to Solace’s saloon, The great man was there, but Rex had seen no sign to indicate anything ‘out of the usual course of events. Phil told what he had discovered, and mentioned bis vague impression that Ella was then in the hotel. ** How can we settle it?” Rex asked. ‘*Thar’s only one way,” ‘What is that?” ** Bribery !” ‘* To bribe some one inside, eh?” ‘‘ Assooredly. This hotel is a pestiferous tough place, arnd all the folks in it are tough. Now, of course' they hev servants thar, arnd it strikes me that the female servants—” Phil suddenly paused, They were near a side-entrance to the botel, and at that moment a young woman came out. Phil, accustomed to read people at a glance, saw that she was poorly dressed and had that certain air which indelibly marks the average servant. ‘* Believing that be saw one of the girls em- ployed in the place, he hastened forward and accosted her just as sbe was moving away. ‘*Beg yer pardon, miss,” he said, genially, “ but kin I speak with yer?’ ‘* No, you can’t!” was the curt reply. 66 Wait a bit; don’t be too flippy. i mean no harm, arnd I'm ready ter portor what ! want ter know, cash on the nailf® Irresistible argument! He had often seen the power of money illustrated; he saw it once more, The girl paused. ‘‘ What do ye want ter know?” she asked. ‘* What small girl was jest took up-stairs?” Phil asked the question as confidently as though all had been settled, and be was reward- ed by a start and a quick glance e from the girl. Her reply was not so favorable, however, “What're ye talkin’ about? she sharply asked, ‘The small girl Gerald St. Percy took up thar—her name is Hilla.” ‘‘ Well, what about her?” the servant asked, after a pause. ‘* Where hev they put her?” ‘*Takes money ter find out,” was the pert reply. Phil slipped a coin into her hand. ‘¢ Will that do it?” ‘Bet yer life! St, Percy has jest taken a small girl up there, an’ her name is Ella, She's locked inter a room by herself,” ‘My good frien’, what’s St. Percy’s game?” Don’t know. ‘All I do know is what I’ve told you. The girl is eryin’—I suspected from the first that ’twas a bad piece of work.” ‘*‘ Assooredly! See hyar, Maggie—is that yer name?” ‘* Noi: eiliz.” J Wal, Liz, I want ter rescoo thart small gir], right off, uick. 7 ‘ All rigbt; doit.” ‘* Will you belp me?” ‘No, I wor’t. S’pose P’dlose my place for sech a kid as you be? You ain’t a man, an’ you ain't wis ter look at.” *%: Don’t be too flippy, Liz; it ain’t my fault ef you hev mernoperlized all the good looks o’ this crowd.” Phil answered with unfailing good-humor, and bis compliment was not thrown away. The girl was pleased, and she revealed the fact in her expression. ‘Give me a dollar, an’ Ill go up an’ bring the kid down,” she suddenly said, ‘s Bring bor first, arnd then you shall hev two dollars,” Phil shrew dly amended, too wise to pay in advance. ‘* Done!” was the prompt reply, and Liz turn- ed and re-entered the house, Phil and Rex exchanged glances, ‘Will she do it?” the latter asked. ‘*Now you puzzle me, my !’loved corntem- porary. Either she means ter, or else she pro- oses ter bring the memy out arna betray us, Str ‘ikes me she is honist, but a marn may smile arnd be a villain still.” Their doubts were soon solved; barely five minutes had passed when Liz reappeared, and —Ella was with her. The childj[gave a cry of joy, and flew to meet Rex, while Phil gravely shook Liz’s hand, ‘You're a good ’un!” he aftirmed; ‘‘ you be, by ginger! Ef I’s six or seven year older, arnd cial lookin’, I'd court you with matrimonial in- tent. Sure e7, you’s alive! Hyar’s yer fee. But won’t they find ye out?” Liz ave her head a toss. ‘‘T sha’n’t go back. They give me notice a week ago, an’ as they don’t owe me anything, I won't go nigh them agin. Um off—good-by!” She gave ber hand to Phil, and then hurried away down the street. Phil turned quickly to his companions. ‘6 Come on!” he exclaimed. ‘‘We want ter slide away from hyar like lightnin’ skatin’ on a rreased rainbow. f thart sportin’ gent should diskiver us thar would be the wu’st kind of a naatifes ous diffikilty.” ‘‘ We can take a car here for home,” observed Rex, holding to Ella’ s hand, “We'll talk o’ thart when a few blocks away.” The young detective had no more to say until they were at a safe distance. Then he abruptly added: ‘* My frien’, take my advice, arnd don’t take Ella back ter Baxter street. She's got inemies, arnd they’re arter her hot. The best way is ter put her in another refuge fur awhile,” db | know of no place.” ** I do.” ** Where?” ‘‘Solomon Richmore’s. He’s the gent, ef you remember, thart I once saved from pestiferous scamps, arnd the one who ‘took me out o’ the utter, schooled me, arnd made me a marn oO’ eisure, so ter say. We'll take ber ter him,” The idea pe oni Rex, and though Ella was at first doubtful, Phil’s persuasion soon satisfied her. She agreed, and they went to Richmore’s. It was a plain ‘old bouse on Houston street, but Richmore was a man who did not care for show. Phil rung the bell, and as the master of 4 * Rel ’ oi ichooks.com