Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 569 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

ok adit wes mortar between the bricks was soft, but he had used his eyes when the wall was going up, and knew that the work was poorly done, None of the bricklayers had been masons, and they had worked clumsily and used more mortar than was necessary. This was in Ben’s favor, Having found one particular brick, he gave all his attention to dislodging it. He removed all the mortar possible, and then began to pry it toward him, carefully using the point of the trowel first on one side, and then on the other. For a long time there was no perceptible movement of the brick, but be kept at work stubbornly. It was the one chance, and could not be neglected, ‘ve seen something of life and adventure,” observed Ned, ‘‘and I don’t think ’m a coward, but I object to this way of going out of the world. JT never harmed a buman being in my life out of willfulness, and my anger burns strong against these villains And to think that we can never bring them to justice.” Ren saw that Ned had too little faith in the at- tempt to escape to keep his mind on the work. ‘“| wonder you came here,” the boy answered. ‘‘T was trapped.” ‘* Who did it?” ‘Never mind.” Ned answered with considerable irritation. shat was a short silence, and then he abruptly added: ‘“‘By the way, how in the world did you get here, Ben?” ‘Perhaps I flew,” was the ready reply, for Ben did not propose to give confidence where none was given him. Ned hardly noticed the reply; his mind was back again with the desperadoes. Ten minutes passed, and then Ben turned quietly around and a proached his companion. ‘* See what you call that,” he said. Chester held out his hand, and some heavy substance was laid in it. ‘ What's this?” he asked, quickly. ‘‘ A brick! Ben, you don’t mean tosay—” “T'mean to say I’ve got one brick from the wall.” Ned sprung to his feet. ‘‘ And Lhave been sitting here like a dunce. Boy, you have taught me a lesson; there is al- ways hope while there is life. Lam ashamed of myself—and I a sailor, too! One brick out? Why, that means escape, The worst is over, and we certainly can break through now. Give mie the trowel.” Down on his knees went the young man, and he attacked the wall as vigorously as he dared. As he had said, the worst was over, The re- moval of the first brick left a hole which weak- ened the hold of the other bricks, and with only soft mortar in the way their chances looked far brighter. He worked systematically, and dis- lodged the bricks one after another. At the end of half an hour he had made an opening en- tirely through the wall, and fresh air came in most agreeably. Progress became rapid, and they aes had an open way. They crawled through, and were clear of the living tomb. Not yet were they at liberty, however; they were in the cellar, and Ned’s previous observa- tions had shown him that there was only one way out. This was up the stairs—up to where their enemies reigned and ruled, The situation was discussed, and it was agreed that there was only one way to act; they must go on, and meet whatever dangers were in the way, and Ned freely admitted that such danger was great. | The only thing in their favor was the fact that the hour was growing late; the deSperadoes might be asleep. en did not think it best to mention Detective Sloan, but he wondered what bad become of him. He had, of course, grown tired of waiting long before. Had he left the vicinity, or made an effort to enter? ‘We'll go on,” said Chester, ‘and trust to luck. Are you ready, Ben?” “s Yes.” “Then follow me,” They crept up the rickety stairs. At the top they paused and listened: No sound reached their ears. Ned ne AL pare the door, All was dark and silent beyond. He turned and whispered to Ben. “T think they have gone to bed, and as I be- lieve I have an idea where the door is, we will creep carefully forward and find our way out. Be very careful not to run upon a cbuir, or any other piece of furniture that will makea ra; ket.” Ben answered tersely, and then Ned led the Brooklyn Ben. way once more. Along the floor they stole lightly, but it was old and uneven, and some of the boards creaked under their feet. Ned thought that he was using all possible caution, but*there was one thing for which he was not pee He had his hands held well forward, ut there was a trap for his feet which his hands did not find. Suddenly his toe struck against some object. He pitched forward and fell beavily. The obstacle which had prostrated him stirred suddenly, and revezled itself as a man. This person started up with a wild exclama- ion. Brooklyn Ben was startled, but it occurred to him that the only hope now lay in haste, He sprung forward, e heard a stir on all sides of him, and knew that a number of men had been ar on the floor, The door must be oF could interfere. What had become of Ned he did not know, but he ran forward, Another moment and he collided with some one, and then a pair of human arms closed tenaciously around him. CHAPTER XII. A COMPANION UNDER THE TABLE. BROOKLYN BEN bounded like a wild animal inasnare. He was not in the least of a coward- ly nature, and he hoped by prompt action to re- gain bis liberty. He made the effort, but one painful truth was soon forced upon bim; his captor was stronger than he, and struggling was of no avail. “ Get a light!” ordered a commanding voice, “‘T don’t know what all this racket is about, but I will know or tear down the old house. Hang it! the very blue ruin seems let loose to-night. Hurry up that light!” \, ‘‘Can’t find the lamp,” responded a voice. “Tt’s in the next room,” explained another found and passed before an. ‘Go for it at once.” Ben braced himself for another effort. He must get away before the light was produced, or not at all, Suddenly he moved, With an agile twist and squirm he escaped his captor’s hold, and then moved away. He had lost all idea of direction, and, as the sequel proved, went wrong. He had gone but a few paces when he found himself in a corner, and nearly fell over a table, He paused irresolutely. At that moment a light flamed up in the next room. Discovery was near at hand. He acted upon first impulse, and, having discovered that the table was covered with a cloth which fell nearly to the floor, promptly crawled under it. “‘ Hurry up with the light!” ordered the leader of the gang. Ben changed his position slightly and his hand was pee’ upon a shoe. he shre at once moved. Ben recoiled; be was not the only oc- cupant of this hiding-place; there was another person under the table. ‘The boy was startled, but no time was given him to investigate. The lamp was brought into the room. It was a miserable, dirt-covered af- fair which gave only a faint light; so faint that when Ben tried to make out who his immediate companion was, he could see nothing but the outline of a human form. The dim light could not overcome the protecting cloth. ““ Now, then, what is the racket?” demanded the captain. ‘Have we an interloper here?” e held the lamp well up and _ looked around. He saw four men besides himself, and all were of his party. ; “ Are one of you on a drunken spree?” he sternly deunntaalt Every man hastened to proclaim kis inno- cence. “Then I don’t see— Ha! the outer door is open. We have had another infernal spy in pore, A he has got away. By Judas! that is ad! He hastened. to the door and looked out, but saw notbing. He reclosed it, turned the key and removed it. “This place is getting too hot for us; I believe the police are on our game, and we can’t wal them all up, &S8 we did in the case of those two young fools. What has happened here, anyway?” His men began to explain all that they knew, but that was very little. In the meanwhile Ben made another effort to learn more about his companion under the table, but ‘the attempt was not a success. He could only make out that he was larger than Ned Chester, which did away with the hope that a friend mightbe near. But perhaps even an un- known would prove an ally; the man would not hide thus unless he was opposed to the lawless inmates of the house. Ben found no pleasure in his company, how- ever: that mass of flesh wedged into the corner did not impress him as being favorable to him, ‘‘ It’s clear that this place is no louger a refuge for us,” said fhe captain, ‘* but Ill,be hanged if T am going to be driven out to-night. We'll go to sleep again.” . ‘‘ Hadn’t we better search the house?” asked Uriah. ‘Tt may be just as well. You and Benson go ahead. Look in every corner, and don’t let even wey escape you. If you find anybody, bring j m to me dead or alive—I don’t care which,” Away went the searchers, while the captain continued to growl to his followers. Brooklyn Ben could see their faces, and he did his best to impress them upon his mind. “T hope this ain’t so bad as it seems,” the captain said. “If the beaks gets after us we may pull up at the Tombs any time, and our great scheme will go to the dogs, Zounds! it will be a happy day to me when I hear the water lapping the keel of our good vessel,” “The jingle of gold will not be harsh music,” added one of the men. “Right you are! Ha! won’t New York shake from the Battery to Spuyten Duyvil wben our daring scheme comes off. T tell you, lads, it will be the sensation of the generation, Little do these common-herd dummies of to-day dream that the spirit of old exists among them, and that the heroes of the future are plodding amon them day by day, setting the snare. al ha! ‘¢We may get into our own snare, Cap.” ‘‘No, we won't; not while I steer the concern —but we won't talk of it now.” Uriah and his companion finally returned and reported that thay could find no sign of inter- lopers—they had not been fo the cellar—and there the captain let the matter rest. Advanc- ing the hopeful opinion that the intruders had probably been thieves, he put out the light and they lay down again. Ben wondered what would be the end of the affair, His position was most peculiar. He was not only in the midst of bis enemies, but he had a strange companion in bis adventure. Who: was the man under the table? He had not stir- red for a long time—possibly he had gone to sleep. Several minutes passed; the outlaws began to breathe heavily. Then the unknown stirred, hand laid upon bis arm, What wascoming? Was the mana friend or and Ben felt a a foe? “ Be still!” whispered a voice. ‘‘ Don’t waken those fellows,” Ben remained silent, ba ‘Who are you, boy?” pursued his companion. “ Just now, I haven’t any name.” ‘“‘ Did it use to be ‘ Ben? ” és Ha \”? “Softly, my lad; softly. 1am your ally; the man who sent you in here. | ‘“‘ Detective Sloan!” ‘Well, I don’t know as there is any good in een ha, | it. You have my secret, and I hope you wil i ‘Next thing is for us to get out of bere. 1 take it that those men would kill us as quick as they would a rat, and we need to be careful. Hear my plan: They have locked the door and taken aie the key, so our only way is to go up- stairs and escape by the window through which you—and I, afterward—entered. We must cross this floor as still as ghosts. Do you under- stand?” “Yes.” «Then crawl out of here cautiously, and let us try our luck at once.” : Ben moved, With all the care possible he made his way beyond the table, and Sloan fol- lowed. Thus far there was no alarm, The next step would be attended with great danger. Gould they cross the floor without arousing their enemies? Sloan let no time go to waste, but pressed Ben’s arm and directed him to follow. They started for the door, | It seemed to Ben chat he made a good deal of noise, but he did bis best. Small, indeed, was his faith, He expected to see the outlaws start up and stop him. The suspense was keenly painful. His life hung poised in the balance, The door grew nearer, however. Foot by foot they went on. A little further and the goal would be gained—but would the enemy | ive them time? 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