Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 561: Deadwood Dick — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

eee 5 ; - 7 \ ; ae | Paes ah 4 . J « ‘ - + a . + * 10° al Deadwood Dick in Boston. I, too, must leave Boston, for it is worth my life and liberty to remain here,longer. You shall go with me, Gilbert, and together we ought to be able to outwit these bloodhounds of the law. I wish Jack were here.” The old saying, that thedevil’s always around, when you're talking about him, had it’s exem- plification, in this mstance, for there came a resounding knock npon the door. Mrs. Glenroy hastened to open the door, and Jack Brady, covered with snow, entered. He looked ugly enough to eat some one, which was, perhaps, owing to the fact that he was nearly frozen, from exposure to the raging elements of the now bitter night. ‘““Why, Jack, is it you?’ Mrs. Brady ex- claimed. ‘* Yes, it?s me; what of me ain’t froze stiffer than an iceberg,” he growled. ‘‘ Where have you been at this late hour?” ‘*‘ Out to see that caged pet of yourn,” was the savage response. ‘Well, what is the result?” ‘‘ A discovery you won’t appreciate, I fancy. The bird has flown!” ‘“ What ?” And Mrs. Glenroy sunk back on the sofa, trembling with terror. ‘* As I tell you, he has escaped. I went to the old farm-house, to make sure all was right, and he was gone!” ‘*Then the detective was right,” the gullty woman moaned. ‘‘ What detective—what do you mean?” Jack demanded, curiously. In reply, Mrs. Glenroy explained how she had received the decoy letter, and then related her experience on the Common, ‘““So-ho! That's the way of it, eh?’ Brady ob- served. ‘‘ Well, then, that may account for how the old man made his escape. Are you sure you killed the fellow, Gil?” ‘Yes. He was dead, for I placed my hand over his heart, and its beating had stopped.” ‘* Well, it won’t make much difference about one man, for, unless I’m greatly mistaken, there are half a dozen working on the case. You say one oa your chums followedhim? Where did he 0 to ** To the Revere House,” ‘It’s my opinion the fellow was Richard Bris- tol, the detective,” Mrs. Glenroy said. ‘‘If so, my daughter Cora is most likely at the Revere House also.” et you'll go and pay her a call?” Jack sage , with a sneer. ‘* Well, no, I foes not,” Mrs. Glenroy re- plied. “yf fancy I’d hardlv meet witha pleasant reception. Cora was always like the old man, anyhow.” ere was a brief silence, and then Brady looked bs mons ‘‘Oh! [have forgotten something,” he said, taking a paper from his pocket and handing it to his sister. ‘‘ I found that on top of the trap- door in the floor of the old farm-house. Read it! Mrs, Glenroy did so, the look of abject terror returning to her features, - No need to repeat what the paper contained, for the message was the same as that of the document Rats had delivered to Deadwood Dick. When she had finished the perusal, the world- ly woman sunk back faint. ; ‘* Yes, he’s free, and will strike for vengeance,” she gasped. ‘‘ He will never leave the trail un- til his revenge is accomplished. Oh, Jack! Jack! what is to be done?” The woman’s terror was pitiable. ‘** There’s only one thing to be done!” Jack re- ied. ‘* We’re ina devilish bad hole, and the only thing for us todo is to get out of Boston, and as far away from it as possible. If we don’t aided and abetted by the detectives, Cool wi make it mighty hot for us!” | ‘*T know it! I know it! I’ve no doubt that at this minute every railway station in Boston is watched, to guard against our departure. Even this place is doubtless under close surveillance, since the detective knew I was quartered here, or he would not have sent the decoy letter!” Jack Brady nodded his head, grimly. He had been more or less a criminal all his life, but had always succeeded in avoiding im- prisonment, He was well aware, however, that the police were patiently et aor time until they could get a case against , Strong enough to send him to State’s Prison. _ At heart he was an arrant coward, and to him the word prison was a synonym of terror. ‘** Yes, I shouldn't wonder if you are right,” he growled. ‘‘I feel it in my bones that we are in a cursed bad fix. Still, l hardly believe there - are enough of these detectives to guard every iy . $ cee nn nen e nnn nnn enema eae er rr TT (rrr ETE ES avenue of exit, There are steamers running daily from here to Portland. If we could strike there, and get into Canada, we could laugh at our enemies.” “True, | had not thought of that. But will not the outgoing steamers be watched?” ‘‘[ hardly think so, and, yet, there is no tell- ing. If Calvin Cool was released by the detec- tives, and they are working hand in hand, it is morally sure they will leave no stone unturned to secure our capture. ** Now, look here, Mag. Business is business. If we get you and ourselves out of this scrape, have you got money enough to see us through, regardless of what the expense may be?” ‘‘ Yes. I haveenough, I guess. I’ve made a snug sum the year in stock speculation.” “Very well. es idea has just struck me. Your husband, rge Glenroy, has a small steam launch, has he not?” sé Yes.” ** Now, why couldn’t we make our escape in that as far as Portland?” ‘*T have already thought of that, but it is out of the question. You know George and I are parted, and he wouldn’t Jet me have his launch, as he calis it, under any consideration.” ‘* But, can’t we somehow fix it soas to get pos- session of the little craft without his knowledge?” ‘“*T reckon maybe | can fix it!” Gil spoke up, **for I’m as anxious to get out of Boston as either of you. After killing the detective, 'd never know a minute’s rest, in this place, for fear of being run in on the charge of murder.” ‘* Well, go ahead!” Jack Brady urged, eagerly. ‘* Let’s hear all about it.” Glenroy went on: ‘The old man ain’t in the city, He started for New York this morning on business of some sort, I don’t know just exactly what.” ‘* Where is the launch?” ‘* Lying at ber dock, near the Charleston Navy Yard, unless she’s shifted quarters within a few days.” ‘** 'Who’s on board her?” ‘* Only the captain, Mose Gunner, and the en- ineer, and the nigger cook. They stay aboard er, ’til she’s tied up for winter quarters.” ‘*Then she has no crew?” “No, Dad discharged ’em all in October. Don’t need much of acrew to run up to Portland if the weather tempers down, and I guess it will by morning.” ~4 ** But do vou Lal you can get the boat?” **Shouldn’t wotder. Dad told old Mose the other day, that any time I wanted totakea trip, and brought a written order from him, it would be all right.” “* By Jove! then we’re all bunki-dori!” Brady declared, ‘* But we can’t get away to-night.” ‘* Certainly not. It will take the better part of to-morrow to get things in ship-shape for the trip. Coal and provisions will have to be laid in, and a few men shipped, for there’s no tellin what kind of weather we may encounter, an the Emily is a headstrong craft to handle, in a rough sea,” ‘* When do you think you can have her ready for a start?” ‘* By to-morrow, sunset; but then, I don’t know as old Mose would pull out at night—most likely not. But we could all go aboard under cover of darkness, and be ready for a start at break of day.” ‘* Dear me! it’s a terrible long time to wait,” Mrs. Glenroy said, nervously, ‘‘ We may all be put under arrest before that time.” ‘*Oh! I guess not, You can instruct the Jew to say you have moved away, and not to admit any one but us,” ‘** But Gilbert, you bave not got the necessary order from your father.” Gilbert smiled. ‘** That don’t matter,” was the cool reply. ‘ i can manufacture one, I have got some of dad’ private letter-heads, which he uses only when he makes out ial orders, and I can counterfeit his handwriting so that he would not know it from bis own,’ ‘* Ab! then we are all right,” Jack said, evi- dently relieved of a great deal of anxiety. ‘‘ You will see to it, to-morrow, that everything is got in readiness” . Well then, I'll keep an eye out around this neighborhood, and see that Mag is not molest- ‘* I shall have to have money to stock up the yacht with,” Gil reminded. ‘t We’ll need plenty of coal and provisions.” ‘You shall nave that,” Mrs. Glenroy said, a well-filled purse from her pocket. ** Will a hundred dollars do?” Yes, that will be plenty, Ireckon. I'll go | \ } 1a* f ww.) ws ‘ a . 1 P wie = over to Charlestown, the first thing in the morn- ing, and have her run up to Tudor’s wharf, for coal, and let her stay there. I guess I won’t have much trouble getting things together.” ‘* Well, go ahead, and be sure you get men whom you can trust, and who know how to handle the boat in any kind of weather,” Mrs. Glenroy advised, ‘“‘If you run across a neat- looking colored boy, engage him, as I and Gerty may need some one to wait upon us.” ° ilbert promised to do so, and then he and Brady took their departure. Locking the door after them, and turning down the light in the parlor, Mrs. Glenroy sought an adjoining sleeping apartment, and re- tired for the night. It was not until full a half-hour afterward, that the dusky figure of a man emerged from behind the sofa, where he had been concealed! Stealing to the rear end of the room, he softly raised a window, and in, | out upon the roof of an extension of the building, from whence it was an easy matter to drop to the ground, and inacouple of minutes the eavesdropper, who-q-" was none other than Silly Jake, had vanished in tbe swirling blizzard! CHAPTER Xf. DEADWOOD DICK PLAYS IT CUNNING. Ir was the morning after the occurrence of the events last narrated. The storm abated and the sun shone down upon the snow-covered earth, with almost spring-like warmth. People who had been eagerly forming pleasant anticipations of the first sleigh-ride of the sea- son were doomed to disappointment, for the snow began to melt rapidly, and ‘‘ Old Probs” prophesied a spell of pleasant weather. Three rsons sat in the reading-room of the Revere House, engages in conversation, at an early hour of the morning. They were Deadwood Dick, Silly Jake, and Rats, the boy sleuth. Silly Jake bad just been recounting his eaves- dropping experience, to his two companions, giving in detail all that be had overheard, ‘‘ Jake, you’re a trump!” Dick asserted, heart- ily, ‘* and both you and Rats deserve the warm- est praise. You two have done more toward bringing matters to a focus than I have, myself, aT thank you for it. It but remains for me to sail in, and handle the ‘round-up,’ as they say out West,” | ‘Are you goin’ to make) any arrests before the boat leaves?” Rats asked. ‘‘No, I think not. I prefer to make the arrests on board the launch, just before we reach Portland. It can be done much more easily than here. I shall notify the chief of police that we are coming, and he will have officers on hand to take the prisoners into custody.” “Do you expect to go along on the yacht?” ‘* Yes—as a sailor, but in disguise. and work x ou in, too! ‘* How about me?’ asked Silly Jake. ‘I know the Emily from stem to stern,” ‘‘T guess we shall have to leave you behind,” Dick replied. ‘‘ It would be next to impossible to so disguise you that your step-mothe” would not recognize you, and, of course, if y: 1 were recognized, my plans would be all knocked in the head. No, Jake, you must remain behind; but, before we go, you shall receive a substantial reward for your services. You and Rats can remain around the hotel and amuse yourselves as you like until my return.” he detective then donned his overcoat and left, directing his footsteps toward Mose Mumb’s pawnshop, in Hanover street. Not that he intended to visit the establish- ment, but he wanted to see if anything unusual was going on there. He kept on the opposite side of the street from the shop, and, as he appreached it, surveyed tbe second story searchingly. He had expected to see Mrs. Glenroy or ber daughter sitting at the window, but they were not there. | ‘‘ Humph! they’re keeping themselves out of sight pretty well. Well, let them. I shall nab them, all the same, but prefer to do it in Port- land, as they will bave no opportunity to get bail there, which they could perhaps do in Bos- ton. Mrs. Glenroy has money, and could pur chase straw-bail here. ‘Let me see; Before it is too late, today, I must get out a warrant for the arrest of Gil Glenroy for forgery and grand larceny, and one each for Mrs. Glenroy and Brady for kidnap- ping, with intent to murder. These, with. my Western warrants, which Miss Cora gave me, will cover the whole bill.” | Thus musing, Dick was about to leave the vicinity, when he felt a hand drop on his sboul- cd. , \ 4 “~ “ oa é bed : , ( 4 ? ‘ . - " ‘ : L 3 ‘ ‘ — >. « @ ; O | aa | gl! a ‘ . ‘ 4 a \ | . > - aa — _ = | = Ly» \ a » . I shall try. 5 * 2 . 4