Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 569 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

‘must center his attention. 14 a ee we em woman fixed her gaze, and Ben knew where he He saw three or four boxes near the edge of the pier, and he glided forward and concealed himself behind one of them. Then he cautiously watched to see what | would come next. The deck of the schooner lay open to his ob- servation, and he could see a single man loung- ing about. The woman must have seen him, too, but she moderated her pace until she barely moved, and seemed reluctant to go on. All this served to make the schooner seem mysterious and suspicivus, ‘inally she advanced suddenly, and, as the unknown man moved nearer to her, addressed certain words to him which the boy did not hear. The sailor answered, and they spoke several times, Then he turned away, evidently to call some one else. The woman in brown kept her place, while Brooklyn Ben watched eagerly to see the next sign of life on the mysterious craft, He was not long kept waiting. The sailor had called to some one in the cabin, and another man now appeared. Brooklyn Ben grew excited as he recognized the leader of the gang he had met in the Rivington street house. Surely he was on the right track. “The captain” advanced and spoke to the woman, and then the gang-plank was run out aud she was helped to the deck, ‘‘T spose they'll all go to the cabin now, and shut me off,” muttered the young spy. He was mistaken, The captain may have had his motives for not wanting any one in thecabin, certain it is that the woman in brown did not go below. She was given aseaton deck, and the captain remained talking with her, There was no sign of Exlon Blair, and this looked as though there was some flaw in the arrangement, It was growing dark, and the watcher was impatient to see something done before his eye- si ht became useless, le was not kept waiting much longer. He heard quick steps on the pier, and, beimg afraid of discovery, wedged himself into even smaller space. The unknown passed by without any stop, and then Brooklyn Ben, looking out once more, saw Exlon Blair going on board the mys- terious schooner. He reached the deck; the woman in brown started up; and then they shook hands cordially. ‘“The crisis has come, and if I was only there I could hear something,” thought Ben. ‘‘If I stay here I’mof no use at all. It’s mighty risky, but Pm going to make a try to hear what they ‘say. The captain, the woman in browp and Blair were the only persons on deck, arid they were all talking together. Then, if ever, was the time to reach the side of the schooner unseen. Ben glided quickly across the pier, directly to- ward the gang-plank, which, he saw, might yet be of use to him. Resting at the angle it did there was a space beneath, and it was the only hiding-place near tbe vessel. He gained the desired position, and then peered cautiously at the trioon deck, They were still talking busily. ‘Hor my part,” the captain was saying, ‘I think our friend, Blair, is very lucky to have such a charming friend as I now see before me— yourself,” ‘‘T am too unhappy to care for compliments,” Don’t let your heart be _ the girl sighed. ‘* Nonsense ! troubled. "8 ee aa help it,” + hat ear young lady, you must help it,” er ‘fe going to lente tvaxnon's.” i ** And go where?” ‘*T don’t know.” tomarry Blair. You have found out our secrets, Mr. Brodby bowed very low. not telling the truth, my man. You had better AS and now I don’t mind saying that you are just ‘‘ They tell me you have been sent from the | come to time, for I have a dead sure case against — oe i the person we need. When we sail, go with us | police-station,” added Damon in a low, but | Chester. He is said to bave passed the night of WR es as our stewardess—and Blair’s wife.” steady voice. the assault in the house of Alfred Marsh, and so ‘ | 4 ‘Oh! it would frighten me to death!” ex- claimed the girl. ‘‘Do you mean the fighting?” ‘6 Yes.” ‘Then put your heart at rest, for I don’t think there will be any fighting. We are not going to cruise the sea like Captain Kidd, and attack everybody we find. Quite the contrary, We shall try to capture only one vessel. e have our minds on a certain merchant-ship which is a eT ees nl Oe ee Rag r “Tee eT Pe oe - Brooklyn Ben. put into another port I have in mind. Her cargo will make us all rich, and then we shall Saga vee! at once and forever from public view. Now you marry Blair and Bo along with us, and i abs you my word of honor you shall see no ghting. nderstand?” Brooklyn Ben understood, whether the wo- man in brown did or not. The character of “the captain” and his followers was at once made clear; they actually aspired to commit ean and that, too, only a few miles from New York Harbor. Ben was dumfounded. He had not thought of such a thing; he could hardly credit it even now; but he knew that a bold stroke often succeeds where success seems impossible. Wild as the scheme was, luck might favor it. ‘‘T am terribly afraid,” said the girl. ‘¢ Recollect,” urged Blair, ‘‘that if you go to sea you leave all other troubles behind.” ‘‘"And enter upon a glorious life,” added the captain. ‘*You may fail, and be captured.” ‘Tn that case we will swear you were a pris- oner among us. Eh, Blair?” ‘¢ Just so,” Exlon agreed. ‘*¢ Come, consent!” ‘¢ How long can I have to decide?” “That is for you and Blair to settle., We shall not sail until a week later.” | ‘‘ Let me talk with her,” added Blair. ‘Do so, and, in the meanwhile, I will see that no spy is skulking around. We have neglected to watch.” He moved toward the gang-plank, and the boy listener made a dive for cover. Partially dropping between the pier and the schooner, be crouched silently under the | apoB irk The captain lonked sharply around, while Brooklyn Ben anxiously awaited the result. CHAPTER XVII. THE DETECTIVE’S HOUR OF TRIUMPH. Tue clock in Franklin Damon’s house struck ten o'clock. Just then there was a call for Ben Hamlin, but Ben was nof there to answer. Jules Lefranc bad to volunteer in his place, and the physician gave him a sealed note, ‘‘ Take this to the police-station, and give it to the officer in charge,” he directed, Jules did the errand as quickly as possible. He founi a sergeant at the desk, and that of- ficer, opening the letter, read as follows: ‘‘Pranklin Damon is conscious, and I think you may safely talk with him oo enough to learn the particulars of the assault, have asked nothing, and he has explained nothing, but bis mind is clear. Come if you wish, but make the interview short and simple. His case is very peculiar, and his strength remarkable for one thus injured, but he must not be irritated or fatigued.”’ To this wes signed the name of the attending physician. The sergeant turned to a subordinate, ‘¢+Ts Detective Sloan about?” ‘*T haven’t seen him, sir.” ‘‘ Then Brodby must go.” He ealled that officer, gave him due directions, and sent bim off with franc, Mr. Brodby was in high spirits. He bad not forgotten how Sloan had snubbed him; the slight still rankled; and he was already anticipating the pleasure he would feel when be could ‘‘ crow” over the detective, as he mentally expressed it. Damon’s house was soon reached, and Mr, Brodby’s name was sent to the physician. The latter came out, repeated his cautions, and then, having duly notified Damon ushered the officer into the room, The wounded man lay upon the bed. His face was pale, and his head bound in cloths, but his eyes were clear and intelligent, and he did not then look like a desperately ill man. ‘‘ Mr, Damon, this is Mr. Brodby,” said the **T have, sir.” “ Had I known offit I should have vetoed the whole idea, but since you are here, I will see you. What do you want?’ ‘We have been—a--trying to find the —who injured you,” stammered Brodby, did not feel at ease, ‘* Have you found him?” ** No, sir.” ‘* Have you any clew!” man who - }. Am at ————— -+-—— eee ee ee SF ote ear? wo eee gee le ae te tee + —~ae me ee re ene 4 : “ No.” ‘‘ How was it done?” **T can’t tell you.” “Do you mean that you were asleep?” “No; I was awake.” ‘If you will tell me about it,” said Brodby, somewhat bewildered, ‘* I will write down your statement,” ‘‘T have no statement to make,” ‘*T don’t understand, sir.” : ‘“‘T will try to make myself plain, I havo nothing tosay. It is my wish that the police abandon all efforts to find the man who assault- ed me, and let the matter drop outof sight for- ever, If they insist upon continuing their efforts they will have to work alone; I decline to have them in any way. If the guilty person is brougbt before meTI shall refuse to recognize him, I will not say another word in regard to the case, now or in the future, Tell your superiors this, and say to them, my advice is that they let the case alone. Doctor, I wish to be alone now.” The physician had already risen. Calm as Damon was he knew that conversation would exhaust him, and that he had saidenough. The medical man opened the door, and actually shoved poor, bewildered Brodby out of the room. The latter bad lost his head completely in his surprise, ‘Ts the mancrazy?” he whispered, ‘His mind is as clear as yours or mine,” re- sti the doctor. ‘* More than that I cannot say: am as much bewildered as you are, Good day!” And Brodby stood alone in the hall, He went slowly down the stairs, Just as he reached the Juwer ball Lefranc opened the outer door and three men entered. The first was Detective Sloan; the second was a stranger; the third was Ned Chester. Brodby was not pleased to see the detective, then, and he was oing out without a word when Sloan stopped im, ‘‘One moment, Brodby. I have just come from the station, and have a note for you.” " He gave it to the policeman, who read as fol- ows: **Report to Mr, Sloan whatever you have learned, and hold yourself subject to his orders.” It was another bitter dose, but the sergeant’s name was signed and there was no help for it. Sloan nodded to Lefranc. ‘*Show us into the parlor, and attend upon us, I have something to say.” | Jules bad changed color when he saw Sloan and Ned together, and be was now convinced tbat Ned was a prisoner, His worst fears were confirmed. A short time before he bad noticed that Lois was gone from the house, and he had suspected; trouble. He was now sure that the Bey had fallen. The five men entered the par- or. “Jules,” brusquely continued the detective, ‘tell usall about Mr. Chester’s visit, here the night that Franklin Damon was injured.” Lefranc was frightened, but he had enough of the stubborn element in his composition to be true to Ned, ; ‘‘T don’t know anything about such a thing,” he stoutly replied. ‘Don’t lie, Jules.” ‘‘T am not lying.” ‘‘What a foolish fellow! I shall begin to think you, too, are guilty, I bave arrested Mr, Chester on charge of having tried to kill Damon, Will you be a witness, or a fellow-prisoner of the accused Sloan spoke very sharply, but Jules, though alarmed, was firm, ‘J don’t know anything at all about it,” he answered, ‘‘ How transparent we are when we lie!” quoth the detective, rolling bis eyes up toward the ceiling. ‘* Any child would know that you were he did—a there, as I can prove; and when he returned his coat was torn, as though in a struggle. I can also prove that he was here and talked with you.” ‘1 didn’t see him!” persisted Lefranc. Sloan smiled coldly. ‘We will let it drop,” he observed, and then turned to Mr. Brodby and added: ‘ Officer, what statement did nklin Damon make to. part of it. During the night he left — Seni ta eo ———uas ee ee eee you?’ ‘‘ He refused to make any.” ‘“ How?” yikes 7 “He wouldn’t say a word.” \ oes) ‘‘ The dickens!” ejaculated Sloan, in surprise. — Y aa ‘He told me tosay tothe police thatitwas = = fj his wish to bave the matter dropped; and if $j ‘‘Not to my knowledge, sir.” ‘“‘ When you catch him you may let me know,” “Thank you—that is, yes, sir, but, sir, I have called to have you tell me who he is,” ‘*T can’t tell you,” ‘‘ Didn’t you recognize him?” due here one week hence. We shall meet her at a safe distance off Sandy Hook. She will be wholly unprepared, for nobody looks for so-called ' Se > pirates around New York at thisday, I believe he we shall capture her without a blow being struck, ¥ Once she is ours We shall turn her nose back, and ‘* Nonsense, again! 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