Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 559 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

‘*Stop! stop!” added Jack, without any clear idea of what be would doif the order was obeyed. A heavy hand fell upon the boy’s arm, and he turned to find himself in the grasp of a police- man, ‘* What's all this racket about?” sternly de- manded the officer, ‘** Be you crazy, or what be you yellin’ about?” “Stop him!” Jack cried. “Stop who?” ** The man in the boat.” ** Rubbish !” The policeman shook his prisoner roughly. “Tt hain’t me!” exclaimed Jack. ‘* That chap isrunnin’ away. Stop him !” Heckley and the boatman were still looking at the scene on shore, and the boy pointed directly toward them, but the patrolman’s heart proved obdurate. ‘‘Come, now!” he replied, ‘‘none o’ your sky- larkin’. I’ve seen the likes of ye afore. Want ter git me into a scrape, don’t ye? Want me sent up in the goat deestrick, eh?” The boat was still receding, and Jack became a trifle sullen. He thrust his hands into his pockets, and curtly answered; ““[ thought "twas your place ter arrest scamps?”’ ‘“ So ’tis, an’ I guess I'll take you in.” ‘You was mighty careful not ter take him!” **See here—none o’ yer impudence!” and the blue-coat gave him another shake. ‘*I know boys, an’ I know that man—” **’'You do know him?” ** Certain, I do.” ** What d’ye know about him?” “I know he goes out with Phelim Crowley nigh about ivery day in his boat—Phelim was waitin’ for him to-day. I don’t know the man’s name, but he’s a Western miner, an’ he’s taken a fancy to the water, so he goes boatin’ now an’ then. A perfick gentleman, an’ free wid his money. Don’t tell me heisascamp! I know who the scamp is!” He gave Jack another shake—lighter, this time, for Jack’s aggressive mood was past, So was the chance to do anything in the cause of justice. The boat had left a wide gap behind it, and Jack settled down stoically; no use to say anything more. ‘Ef he’s sech a high-toned gent [ ain’t got no more ter co Lemme go, will ye?” *“* [ don’t know whether I ought ter or not,” quoth the officer, twirling his club, ‘* You boys are up ter all kinds o’ tricks, an’ I think ‘twould be a ood idee ter run some of yez in,” ** Allow me ter observe that boys hey ter ex- ist, Mister Officer, an’ you can’t keep ’em in a bat-box nor a show-case. We must hey room ter sling out our arms an’legs. We need plent o’ oxygen an’ hide-yer-gin, or whatever you walt ’em; but.a boy who isa boy will never cut up rough. Fack, sure’s you live, an’ I hope ye b’lieve me. Let’s be jolly. Never say die!” The patrolman smiled. He was not a hard man, and this whimsical address amused him, He released Jack’s arm, hit him a playful blow with his club, and exclaimed: ** Be off, wid yez!” And then he walked serenely away with the martial step peculiar to the guardians of the ace. Jack looked meditatively at the boat. It was now well out on the river, and moving up- stream. Strong as hisimpressions had been a short time before, be was now inclined to think that he might have been mistaken. If Heckley intended to leave the city hy would, J ick thought, be more ore to go south than north. MGreover, the patrolman had said that Heck- ley had been in the habitof going out frequent- ly in the boat with Crowley, and the quickness with which they got away indicated that the latter had actually been waiting for the miner. “‘ It may be all right,” thought Jack, « Any- way, he’s out o’ my reach fur now, an’ all [ kin do is ter go back.” He went back. Night wasnt far away, and he determined to return to the vicinity of Heck- ley’s Office and wait to see if there were further Geveement. This time bis patience was re. warded; he had waited an hour and a half when te miner returned and went quietly to his ce. Jack had come to a wise decision while wait- ing. He had decided that no officer would ar- rest Heckley until he had more proof to offer, Hituer he must get such proof, or go to Police Headquarters, lay the case before sheen, and let them take action as they saw fit, He had already decided what to do. ‘ T’ll go an’ tell G. W. Grimm that he needn’t on watch, ter-night, an’ then I°l] see how things work ter-morrer.” ——o = 89 . —_— _= = -_ —_— 4 - —_—— — = a Harlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective. li With this decision he started up-town. day. Cordova seemed to have got the better of He was nearing Grimm’s residence when he | his illness, and, except that he was paler than suddenly heard some one call behind him. He turned around, and saw two men hurrying af- ter him, He recognized one at once—it was Pedro, The second man was as dark as he, and looked to be a Spaniard, also. Pedro came up hurriedly and shook bis hand, and then turned to his companion, said a few unintelligible words, and made several gestures nearly as obscure. 1t was intended as an intro- duction, however, and was duly acknowledged. Then the second man spoke, He was a friend of Pedro before mentioned, and could make him- self understood in English by a quick-witted person, but his English was so bad that no at- tempt is made here to produce it exactly. Onl one peculiarity—bis short sentences—is retained. ‘‘fam named Lopez. Iam a, Spaniard, and the friend of Pedro. Pedro no speak the Eng- lish language; I speak for him.” ** What does Pedro want?” asked Jack. ‘* Pedro is afraid for his master. He fears his master will be robbed, Whatdo you think of Neil Dickerman?” ‘* You tell Pedro that I wouldn’t bet a second- hand postage-stamp on Dick.” “How?” asked Lopez, with a puzzled look. **T don’t like him.” This reply was translated to Pedro, who first rubbed his hands together with satisfacticn, and then looked very grave. ‘* Ts he honest?” continued Lopez. ‘‘ Is he deal- ing right with Edward Cordova? Is the Royal Bonanza Mine safe?” ‘‘ Now you stump me,” ‘“*Eh?” questioned Lopez, more puzzled than ever, ‘*T don’t know how it is, nor what kind o’ a chap Neil Dick is, nor whether the Royal Bonan- za is safe; but I admit I don’t like the looks.” ‘* ‘You think it is a swindle?” ‘Yes, but bear in mind that I’m only a boy. T don’t want ter be too previous. I hope it is all right.” ‘* Pedro is in despair. He thinks his master will be ruined. Cordova has been warned, but he will not hear. When he saw the Governor of [daho he was worried, but now he is ill and says he will wait. Hehas paid Heckley much money, Will Heckley run away with it?” Pedro could not understand the speakers, but his gaze never wandered from their faces. First one and then the other was regarded, and his anxiety was striking and painful. His devotion to his master’s interests was something pleasant to see. If Corduva had been as alert, careful and energetic as Pedro, he would never have put out so much money without knowing posi- tively that it was safe, “You're askin’ me more’n I can tell,” Jack answered. ‘‘ Ef 1 was Cordova, though, I’d see the perleece right away an’ find out ef the man is solid, an’ ef he ain’t, ’d make moves to get my money back.” his was translated to Pedro, and his reply conveyed through the same channel. It was in the form of an ejaculation. ** How can I make my master see as I do?” * That’s a conundrum,” Jack declared. ‘Pedro doubts Dickerman,” pursued Lopez, ‘and he thinks Anderson as bad as the others, = asked me to watch Anderson. I have done it. *'W hat luck?” ** No luck.” ** He’s a high-flyer.” ‘*T dogged him,” continued Lopez. ‘ He went to a house on —— street, where, a boy told me, a doctor lived. He stayed half an hour. en he came out I followed him again. He went many blocks, and then met Dickerman. He ave Dickerman a small, blue bottle. Then they sepsrated, and Anderson went home. I had found out nothing,” “Wal, the long an’ short on’t is, Cordova’s only safe way is ter see either the perleece mag- nates or a good lawyer, an’ hev this matter looked inter. Let him go alone, not on Neil Dickerman’s advice.” And there the interview ended. Pedro had obtained no consolation, and the matter seemed narrowed down toone point, If he could per- suade the Brazilian to take the advice Jack eit last given the truth would soon be known; but if Cordova persisted in believing in Diekerman Simply because he was his cousin, he would have to take whatever consequences followed. Leaving the Spaniards, Jack went to 'G. W. rimm and informed him that he need not watch Heckley. What would be the good of it, mune they could not stop him, if he tried to es- The boy went to the office as usual the next * usual, was in fair health and spirits. Every- thing moved on as usual. Dickerman came in at twelve o’clock, and he and Cordova took lunch outside, Barring a slight restraint, they seemed to have renewed their old confidence. Harlem Jack was disgusted. When the day’s work was closed, however, Pedro conducted him into the parlor, and to the large “cuckoo” clock. Pointing to the charac- ters ‘‘1X,” he made a series of gestures and wound up by placing one finger upon his lips, ‘*D’ye mean,” asked Jack, after a pause, ‘that you want me ter come hyar on the sly, ati nine o’clock this evenin’?” Pedro nodded violently. CHAPTER XIII. ANOTHER FINANCIER. JACK was puzzled. He knew, of course, that the Spaniard could not have understood his question, despite the ready and emphatic an- swer, but he was quite sure that he had inter- preted the signs rightly. Assuming that Pedro wanted him to come secretly to the house at nine o’clock, what did he want? There were but two ways to answer this ques- tion. Either Lopez must be pruduced as an in- terpreter, or the Harlem boy must come accord- ing to invitation and settle the question by ex- perience, ** All right,” he agreed; ‘* T’ll be here,” Again Pedro nodded emphatically. Then he eo be to the clock once more and touched the 4c yee ‘* Nine, sharp Jes’ so,” Jack agreed, Pedro laid his finger on his lip, ‘‘Keep mum, you mean. All right, Pedro.” The Spaniard nodded and smiled, and as the matter seemed settled, Jack went bis way. His first idea was to call and see if Heckley was at the office, but he settled this point with a ges- ture of disgust, and went home, instead. That evening he did not go out until the time drew near to see Pedro again. ' During the intervening time he had done some careful meditating, but without result. Pedro wanted him at the house at nine o’clock, It was to be a secret visit. What did this indicate? Clearly, if he bad anything to tell he would have called in Lopez as interpreter. That was not it, yet-—what else could it be? That was what Jack wanted to know, but he had ar- rived at no conclusion when he left home, He went directly to Cordova’s house. He did not know how he was to be admitted, and was wondering how Pedro would keep the secret, when Pedro, himself, settled the first act. in the train of circumstances. The Spaniard appeared at the basement-door, bis finger upon his lips, and motioned Jack to enter. The latter obeyed. The gas was burning dimly in the ball, but no third person was visible. Pedro did some more motioning, and indicated that Jack was to re- move his sboes. This began to look es though something serious was ahead, and the boy hesi- tated. He did not like the idea of any such stealthy work. A moment later he remembered Pedro's posi- tion in the house; remembered bow completely he was trusted by Cordova; and determined to see the matter out. Accordingly, he removed his shoes, Pedro then conducted him up-stairs, Both stepped softly, and there was no noise and no detection. Tbe Spaniard ted the way to the parlor, It will be remembered that Cordova’s office was what iscommonly called the *‘ beck parlor.” These rooms were arranged so tbat they could made into one if desired; in other words, were connected by folding-doors. On the par- lor side, these doors were now concealed by @ heavy curtain of brown cloth, ornamented with gold-work in intricate pattern. With another gesture to call for caution, Pedro moved the curtain and motioned Jack to follow him to the recess it left behind it. This: done, Jack made a discovery, The connectin doors were a trifle ajar, and a view of Cordova’s. office was voucbsafed, He saw the Brazilian sitting by his desk. Then he turned to Pedro. The Spaniard dropped the curtain again and went through a series of motions. Every motion was earnestly made, and his face was expressive of great anxiety. What he intended to convey was uncertain: Jack understood only apart. He did understand that Pedro wished him to hide bebind the curtain, and see ang , * a Bake Ye oii rh *. wal Pe ae = Le ee rete is ‘ Tg rot ® es ; ay Se, th * y LEA ALT p ‘ i a ae Y oi ns, hk rt OF i rae i org nk, . ‘7 ay a ; . vi ™ € \icbooks