Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 583 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

‘He ain’t, eh? Well, there’s two opinions as to that, He heard what we said—” Pfeffer stopped short, as though afraid that he was now going to say too much. His own conduct was of great importance to Phil. The two men had said nothing whatever that need worry them if there Was no guilty secret in the case. Pratt was not worried; Pfeffer was, The inference was plain. The young detective saw that his captor had recovered his wits, and was not likely to commit further indiscretion, so he came to the point, ‘**T ain’t an artom o’ idee what all this pestifer- ous row is about,” be observed, ‘‘ but ef you'll remove yer hand from my garment Ill perdooce a letter tl hev.” ‘A letter?” “« Assooredly.” ‘*For whom?” ‘Pur one D, Haskins.”’ ‘‘Tamhe. Give it to me at once,” ‘¢ Wait a trifle,” Phil coolly replied, ‘I’m a outh thart al’ays means ter do his dooty, arnd want ter be sure. Arter bein’ yanked around by my garment as I hev b’en, I’m sorter timid. A marn may smile and be a villgin still. Com- modore,” to Pratt, ‘* is this bere harndsome marn D. Haskins, Esquire?” ‘‘That’s him,” said Pratt, smiling. ‘‘Then h’yar’s yer letter, general. ter be sure, fur I was tol ter be so. arud they’re stubborn things.” Pfeffer received the letter and began reading it, while Phil stepped forward and began talking with the old carpenter. The latter hoe had set down as a even honest, and somewhat simple old man, who was just the opposite of Pfetfer— or Haskins, to give the latter his true name, Pratt seemed as innocent of evil intentious as a child. While Phil talked with him he kept secret watch upon Haskins, to see how he liked his let- ter. It did not please him, if the frown which soon gathered on his face was any criterion. Phil had not expected thatit would. Mr. Short had asked the man to leave the city, which was not likely to please his ally. Haskins finally crushed the letter in his hand, and then redirected his gaze to Phil. ** Are you a friend of Short’s?” he asked, sus- pieiously, ‘© Assooredly.” ‘¢ Where do you live?” ‘¢ Wherever | kin tie up best.” “Why did you stop foliten to us, when you came in her?” ‘*T didn’t,” Phil boldly replied. ‘*Don’t lie, boy!” ‘* Assooredly not!” ‘‘T say that you listened; that you are a spy.” Phil composedly hooked his thumbs into the arm-holes of his vest, cocked his head on one side and nodded to his accuser. . ‘*Ef you know so much more erbout my af- fairs than [ do, why don’t ye tell the story?” he asked, “Why do ye arsk questions 0’ me?” ‘Impuderce will not save you.” “Why, now, Haskins,” said Pratt, mildly, **T don’t see the need o’ so much talk. What's the boy done? Suppose he did listen?—I ain’t said nothin’ to be ashamed on.” ‘* You don’t understand,” replied Haskins. ‘6 T guess I don’t.” ‘* Thart critter does,” declared Phil, indicat- ing Haskins. ** He’s an encyclo—velocipede o’ fax arnd fancies—mostly fancies, hat he don’t know wouldn’t make more nor ten thou- sand volumes, by ginger! Pestiferous wise, you be, Whaskins, and right flippy, too,” ‘* You shall go with me to Short.” “* Assoredly, Mashkins,” “Tf he says you are all right, ve no more to say.” x Course not, Flashkins.” ‘* See here, don’t you murder my name,” ‘YT won't, Splasbkins.” The man gave his young opponent a most malevolent glance, but dared not take revenge while Pratt was around. He mentally vowed that when he got him outside, however, their quarrel should be settled. Phil read what was passing in his mind, but showed no inclination to avoid going out, He had plans, as well as the man, and he felt amply able to take care of himself, op ter lsoter Fadel Blusbikis.” see ye ag’in, ing nd then they went out. Be we closed the front dour of the panes atter them, and then arn ace towar T tha bar. turned a white, angry “Pvea mind to throttle you!” he bissed. ‘¢Wharfore?” coolly asked Phil. T’s bound Fax is fax, Rex. Wrestling’ ‘* Because of your impudence.” ‘¢ Mister, b’ar one thing in yer mind, or right close to it. Our ‘’quaintance opened by your takin’ me by the collar o’ my garment, arnd the scruff o’ my neck, arnd shakin’, arnd slammin’ me ‘round ez though I was a tough piece 0’ steak thort must be pounded afore bein’ cooked. "Member it, my b’loved corntemporary? Now I admit I hev a rayther lively tongue when it’s stirred up, but I never use it rough on folks who behave right. When you shook me ez though I was a rat, it sorter riled me, ye see.” ‘“That’s all very well,” Haskins sullenly re- plied, ‘* but [ am not to be blinded.” “ What d’ye mean by that?” **T recognize an enemy in you.” ‘‘Great ginger! you don’t say so! Why?” Haskins did uot answer, but, after looking suspiciously at the boy for several moments, turned abruptl away. ‘‘ (“ome with me!” he directed. to Short,” They started off briskly, each with his mind “We will go busy. Phil had no intention of visiting Mr. Short. He believed that he had struck the trail inthe ease already, and that he had only to follow up Short and Haskins to learn why the latter had stolen certain articles from Mrs, Aus- tin’s trunk, What Haskins and Pratt had said about some ancient, honorable family had impressed him deeply. He was now anxious to have a talk with Pratt, whom he recognized to be an honest man, and discover all that he could about this unknown family. For the present, his chief desire was to get away from Haskins, and as they proceeded he watched for a chance. Haskins, anticipating something of the kind, did his share of watching, and looked sharply to see that Phil did not escape. If both had paid more attention to their sur- roundings, it would have been better for them, They were in a part of the city where, at that hour of the night, the safest way was to ** keep an eye out” for general danger, for a pedestrian was liable to come to grief if he went along heedlessly, Phil and Haskins did not take such precau- tions, and they came to grief. They were passing a dark alley when several men suddenly sprung out; violent hands were laid upon the passers; and ina moment more they were whirled into the alley in a way far from gentle, The darkness closed around them, as though to forever hide them from sight, CHAPTER XI. ACTIVE PHIL, Purw was not at all disposed to submit to such usage. He struggled, and he tried to cry out, but one effort was as useless as the other, At the start one of the men bad clapped his hand over the oung detective’s mouth, and strong arms now held im tight. He fought hard to escape, but the attempt was a failure. The alley was so dark that he could see noth- ing whatever, but he found himself carried back several yards and then borne through a door- way into what seemed a small, rear house. Still all was dark. ‘‘Take the boy into the next room!” said an authoritative voice, . Phil tried to speak—to say that he would like a voice in this matter—but once more be tried in vain. His captor marched into the next room, still holding him fast. , ‘Strike a light!” he said, to some invisible person, The direction was obeyed only after some fumbling end blundering about of the second man. Then light was obtained, and a kerosene lamp on the table partially dispelled the dark- ness. Phil was suddenly released, but a revolver was as suddenly thrust close to his face ‘¢ Be silent!” ordered the man who held it, Phil looked at the revolver, and then at the man, ‘“T'm mum as the statoo o’ a dumb marn!” he answered, very prompt , ‘‘ Sit down in that chair!” ‘* Assooredly !” Phil sat down obediently, ‘“‘Now keep your place there, You will not be hurt if you bebave, but you must know that we mean business. Try to run away, or make a cry for help, and I will knock you over as quick would a mad dog,” ‘* Thart’s all right, my b’loved corntemporary, but I'd like ter arsk what all this uproar means, Why be I sot upon arnd captervated like con- as 9 cs eg spirator ag’in’ the legal gover’munt? Why be you so flippy with me?” ** Tt’s not you.” ** Not me? Then who be I?” “*T mean that you are onty here because you were with that man. He was the one we want- ed, but you were alang, so we took you, too,” ‘‘Ruther, I sbould say, Fax is fax, arnd they’re stubborn things. Wal, ef you don’t want nie, why not let me out ag’in?” ‘**To go to the police!” ‘Not any. I ain’t in love with yer other wris*ner, arnd I don't keer ter help bis battles, vest open the door arnd I'll scoot like a hotel waiter arter a tip.” “You'll stay bere; and that will do for talk, Say no more.’ * But, yer see I’m in a hurry—” ‘‘T don’t cave if you are. Be silent!” The man suddenly thrust his revolver for- ward, while a most forbidding scowl appeared upon his face. He was a coarse, brutal-looking fellow, and Phil decided that it would not do to trifle with him. He was wholly mystified by what had occurred. Why bad the assault been made? If the only motive was plunder, why hadn’t he and Haskins been searched in the yard? It would be more in the fashion of the city rough to beat them senseless, rob and leave them in the dark alley, Five Points Phil was shrewd enough to sus- pect that there was more in this case than a simple robbery. He was rather glad that Haskins, not himself, wus the person aimed at,” Half an hour passed. By that time Phil had become uneasy. He tried to talk with his euards, The effort was a failure; he was stern- ly ordered to be silent. Another half-hour assed, Then the door opened and a third man entered the room. He looked sharply at Phil. and then beckoned one of the boy’s captors aside. They talked in low tones for some time, occasionally glancing at Phil, and then the third man came forward and sat down near the prisoner. ‘** Boy,” he said, abruptly, ‘* who are you?” ‘‘Name Tom Jones,” was the terse reply, for Phil was getting annoyed by the delay, ‘* Where do you live?” ‘‘Number 840 Mott street.” returned Phil, without a blush, though well aware there was no such number, “Do vou live with Haskins?” ‘Dol? Wal, I guess not /” ‘“- You were with him to-night.” ** Assooredly.” ‘“‘ What do you know of hini?” *¢ Nothin’ good.” ‘“ What do you know that is bad?” ‘“¢ Nothin’.” ‘Take care, boy! You had better not make me your enemy.” “y mean jest what I say; I know nothin’ erbout the man. Ye see, another feller hired me ter take a letter ter him—ter Haskins—arnd I tu’k it, arnd I was doin’ my level best when you fellers dropped onter me arnd smote me hip arnd thigh, arnd rolled me over in the mud arnd sot on me, arnd—” ‘That will do. I don’t believe you.” ‘“My story costs some price, whether yo h’lieve it or not—three fur a quarter; five per cent, off ter the trade.” Phil spoke with all the outward cheerfulness imaginable, ef see yowre a deep one,” growled his ques- tioner, ‘‘Can’t be over five foot six deep, nohow, owin’ ter the limited dimensions 0’ my stature.” ‘“T am now convinced that you are Haskins's ally; your way of talking proves it.” “(reat ginger! what kin I say, anyhow? Strikes me you're hard ter suit,” ‘‘T am easily suited and, knowing you to be his ally, I shall hold fast to you. You stay here as a prisoner until you see fit to talk.” ‘Oh! say, now, mister, don’t be hard on an or’fin!” implored Phil, with mock solemnity, You don’t look like sech a hard-hearted critter as all that. What?’ve I done ter ruffle yer ane Can’t you take my word arnd lemme 0 ‘“You will not go one inch until you bave concluded to tell all that vou know about Has- kins—and have done so, Boys, throw him into the pen, If he gets tifed, and wants to speak out, he dan rap on the door; otherwise he will stay there until the end of the world.” ‘ Which end?” Phil coolly asked. There was no answer to this question, and was hustled out of the room into the This proved to be another, but smaller, eon