Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 569 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

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Ned looked the crowd over carefully, and then watched both doors, taking care to see every one who came in, Ben shivered as he looked at the desveradoes around him, and’ thought, What if Ned had | ritably demanded been concerned in the Damon assault, and was | whole affair.” there to meet his partner in crime? CHAPTER VI. ON THE TRAIL. SEVERAL minutes passed without any change in the situation. The unknown men drank, smoked and played cards at the tables, while Ned watched the doors and Sloan sat very much like a man of marble. He had ordered a glass of beer, and sat slowly drinking it as though he had no greater object in life just then. Perhaps half an hour had passed when Ned suddenly showed new interest. He was looking toward one of the doors when Ben saw him start ana then rise, The boy looked toward the door. A flashily- dressed man had just entered. Evidently he was no stranger to the place, for he did not look around with any curiosity. He made his way to a table, rapped upon it to attract attention, and then held up one finger as a signal. . A glass of beer was brought, i Ned Chester was still upon his feet and watch- ing the new-comer, but the latter did not heed him. Ben studied Ned’s face for further clews, but obtained none. Suddenly the sailor walked forward and sat down beside the flashy man, That person look- ed at him without any appearance of recogni- tion. Ned uttered some words, which, of course, Ben did not hear. The flashy man bowed and $miled pleasantly. Then Ned’s manner grew more earnest, and he spoke rapidly. Whatever he had to say evidently held the unknown’s at- tention, for he watched the speaker closely. All this puzzled Brooklyn Ben still more. He had supposed that Ned had come to meet some one whom he knew, but the,men had met as en- tire strangers. Were they really such, or only playing a part? Ben did not like the flashy man. LEither that person had very poor judgment as to wearing apparel, and a deceptive face, or he was not a good citizen, He looked like asharper, and Ben was ready to believe him a gambler, * confi- dence man,” or something of that kihd. The disguised detective remained as indiffer- ent, outwardly, as ever. Ned continued speaking, over his companion’s face, He frowned, and seemed to find something unpleasant in the sub- ject. When he had a chance to speak he did so with evident curtness. It was at this moment that two men near Bin began a conversation which the latter found ie4erosting. * Who is that with Exlon Blair?” asked one, ** Don’t know him,” was the reply. ‘* He looks like a sailor.” 4 / **Some blockhead Exlon is planning to pluck, **Exlon don’t look pleased, I rather suspect that the sailor is saying something which our friend don’t like.” ‘* Possibly you are right,” ‘‘T wouldn’t mind seeing he usually has such good luck. Whatever is he is really annoyed now. Perhaps the up sailor has been plucked, and has found out who | “away up the Bowery, and Sloan was following did it,” Ben saw that the men were looking directly at Ned, and there could they referred. The flashy man was more plainly revealed. He was named Exlion Blair, and it was plain that he was some sort of a gery ‘* Fine company for Ned Chester to be in!” thought Ben. ‘“ I always s’posed he was a right sort of chap, but he don’t seem to run with others of that sort, Wonder what his busi- ness is with Blair?” | | | | “room was crowded, and the long bar was doing | ly. Blair was angry about something. | | | \° | | | | | boy and a change came | lair finally aroused. example. Blair catch a Tartar, | | be no question to whom ; the double pursuit was resumed. The latter and Ned were still talking earnest- | : / a a) ~ * , rte PF : RN’, It | dilapitated door; but there was no sign of any showed in his expression and manner, and his | of the men who had preceded him. pleasant. Ben stood in doubt and uneasiness. He was Ben grew anxious to overhear what they were surprised to know that Ned would go there with saying, and determined to gratify that wish. Blair. The latter had said that he lived on Riv- He left his chair and moved nearer to the two | ington street, but this alley was certainly not men by a circuitous route, and then sat down | that street or any other. near them, taking care not to look directly at [t looked like a dangerous place. For a mo- them at all. ment Ben hesitated, but he remembered Sloan He was able to hear fairly well then. Ned | and determined to go on. That was the only was speaking. way to see the end of the affair. ‘‘There is no use of denial,” he declared; ‘‘ I Quickly he moved along the alley, ever ready am sure that you have it, and as it is now use- | to flee at any sign of danger. When he reached less to all, I ask you to refund it without more | the old door he saw that the alley led somewhat talk.” further, and ended in a nest of old wooden shan- ‘‘T have nothing to refund,” answered Blair, ties. He kept on fora few feet and then again ‘** Have you given it back?” halted. The darkness and the character of the ‘*T never had it to give back,” place dainpened his detectlve ardor. * Why will you persist in saying this?” ir- At that moment a band was unexpectedly ed. ‘I tell you, I saw the | laid upon his arm. He barely avoided a cry of alarm, but Sloan’s well-known voice reassured him, ‘‘ Who are you?” the detective asked, “Tm a boy.” ‘‘ What are you doing here?” “ Looking around.” ‘* What is your object?” ** Curiosity.” ‘‘T should say so! Ben Hamlin, you have fol- lowed me all the way from Brooklyn,” ‘‘Good gracious!” ejaculated the boy, ‘*Pon’t be alarmed; [ am not sure‘but you and I may yet be friends. How is your courage?” ‘** Good!” was the prompt reply. ‘‘-You know as well as I do that Ned Chester and another man—” ‘¢ Bxlon Blair.” “ Ah! is that his name? I did not know. Whe is he?” ‘T don’t know; I only caught.the name.” ‘‘Never mind. We can’t va to talk on that point, and you know so much already that I am going to trust you further. Blair, and Chester have gone into one of these rookeries, and the former has turned the key upon us. Now, I want to go in, too, but I can’t do it. The only means of entrance is by the window up there, and only a boy can climb to that point. How 1s it, young man, will you go in through the window, descend, unlock the door and admit me? Dare you risk the danger? CHAPTER VII. BEN FINDS DANGEROUS COMPANY. BROOKLYN BEN’S reply was ready. “ Just tell me what to do, and l’J] do it,+he answered. ‘* But there will be danger,” ‘¢ What danger?” ‘* That I don’t know, But Iam convinced that whoever live in that hcuse are not honest per- sons. I hope that when you get in you cen find your way to the door, unlock it and Jet me in without being seen, but there is no certuiuty of that; you may run right upon an enemy, I give you fair warning, and it is for you to de- cide.” ss rl go,” ** All right, my boy; | ‘* You didn’t see me,” * What?” * You are mistaken in the person.” ‘‘T¢ took you a long while to think up that lie!” ‘* Be careful, sir,” warned Blair, angrily. ‘‘ Be careful, yourself!” retorted Ned. ‘* You are not dealing with a man whom you can trifle with, and have learned to hoe my own row. how to deal with all sorts of men, better come to time at once.” ‘* Suppose I refuse?” ‘* Then I shall go to the police.” ‘*Gently, my young friend. Js there no other story to tell the police®\ Franklin Damon was | nearly murdered last night. Who did it?” = yay leaned forward and looked keenly at ved. ‘*T don’t know,” the sailor answered. ‘“Who would gain by his death? His Who is his heir? You! Who quarreled him? You !” ** What of it?” iss ere J] a policeman, I would shadow you, sir. Nonsense!” replied Ned, with perceptible ir- ritation. ‘“There are worse things than my small of- fense, as you may find when an arrest is made for the assault.” ** You talk rubbish,” Ned retorted. ** Perhaps.” ‘That don’t answer me, what I asked for?” Blair’s face assumed a speculative look. ‘* What’s it worth ?”” he asked. ‘One hundred dollars,” ‘* Make it five-——” ‘* Not a cent over one hundred!” Ned spoke with emphasis not to be mistaken, ani Blair plainly saw how foolish it would be to urge him further. The sharper leaned back in his chair and seemed to meditate. Brooklyn Ben had a pair of keen eyes, and he was almost sure that there was mischief in Blair’s mind. ‘‘ T’d as soon trust a rattlesnake as biw,” the thought. I’ve seen as much wild life as you have, L know You had heir. with | Will you refund I plory in your ecurage,. and I don’t think there will be any trouble. t: me show you how to getup. Here is a wooden waste-water-pipe, and if you are a good climber you can ascend to the roof of the lower shanty. Once there, the window of the big one will be within your reach.” ‘‘The big one,” as Sloan called it, was an old- fashioned hres-epry house, It had kept pace with time; it was ugly, dilapidated and rickety: but looked as though it might give shelter to. quite a colony of human beings, such as they were, Ben lostno time. He grasped the water-spout and began to climb, What would have been impossible to Sloan was not very difficult to Ben, He went up steadily, and soon reached the roof of the lower building. In front of bim was the window, with nothing visible beyond but darkness, It was not a nleasant prospect to enter, but be was somewhat proud of bemg asked to aid Sloan. and would not retreat. He tried tie window: it raised easily, and as the room he- yond seemed vacant, be entered. A slight col- lision with a chair gave him momentary alarm, but he decided that the sound bad not been heard, Moving forward with all possible cau- tion he passed into the hell, but misfortune came to him abruptly. } He found bimself then in the grasp of a man, and all his struggles were in vain, He was dragged into still another room, wheres he saw that his captor was a ragged, dirt-covered old man, The latter questioned him sharply, ‘*T suppose that half a loaf is better than none,” he observed, ‘‘Come to my room and we will soon settle it.” ‘* Where do you live ?” **On Rivington street.” ‘¢ 7’!]1 go at once,” Ned arose, and Blair promptly followed his The temporary cloud seemed to have ssed away, and peace to have been restored, ut Brooklyn Ben felt an uneasiness from which Ned was free. In the boy’s opinion Exlon Blair was not a man to be trusted, and be was afraid that Ned would not be safe while in such com- ny. The two men arose and started for the side door, while the disguised detective walked toward the front entrance, Ben was more eager than ever t> see the end of the affair, and he fol- lowed Ned and Blair. When he reached the strret they were moving a few yards in their rear, As there was no other way to do, Ben fell in behind Sloan, and Rivington street was soon reached, and the foremost men turned to the rigbt. n went the procession several moments, and then Blair and Ned turned and entered anar- row passage at one side, Sloan quickened his pace and followed, but when Ben arrived at the corner, he halted. He saw a long, gloomy-looking alley, which was only poorly lighted by a single, dilapitated lamp in an a lantern-like box by an equally ) : - . : ‘ ’ ,) ° . a ee ae GG eng