Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 581 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

ee $e = ---<- Se ee —_— © 46. _ . . . a i a lA gt eS a ° - * — me a) “This isthe gentleman you wanttotasx. er to Jersey, is it, Steely?’ wheezed Mat. * This is the gentleman.”’ *“*‘ How are you going to take him?” **Oh, Isuppose we shall have to submit him to the inconvenience of a rope and gag. Iam sorry to be compelled to adopt such extreme measures, but his turbulent manner renders it necessary.”’ ** You villain!’’ shouted the banker, ‘* What's that?” exclaimed Steely, savugely, half- drawing his dirk-knife. ‘**Keep cool, my boy, keep cool!’’ wheezed Mat. ** Hara words never broke any bones.” “You're right,”’ answered Steely, replacing his knife. ‘Iwasa fool to notice him. *Of course you were. But—see here. I have something better than rope tofasten him, What do you think of these?’’ Mat hale a pair of nickel-plated handcuffs, and held them toward Steely. “Hold the lantern a minute, and turn the lights on them, so that I can show you how they work,”’ continued the old man. Steely took the lantern, and Mat opened the hand- cuffs and held them in the light. ** Ain’t they pretty?” ‘* Yes, very good. Where did you get them?” . **Oh, I always keep such things handy. One never knows when they may be useful.”’ ‘** That’s true.” ** Yes, suppose you get in a tight place with some fellow, and you are afraid that he may give you trouble, why— Look out for that lantern. It has a ‘habits of falling apart. It’s pretty old. Take both hands toit.”’ ‘How do you mean. How can it fall apart?”’ asked Steely, as he put boih hands to it. ‘Like a flash Mat snapped the handcuffs around the other’s two wrists, which were close together, as be held the lantern. A fearful oath from Steely Williams. a sudden twist of Nai’s foot, and the discomfited villain lay at full length on the cellar floor. ‘**What do you mean by this?’ shrieked Steely. ** What is your game?” ‘“A game that I have won!’ came back the an- swer, in clear, manly tones, as Mat threw off his big cloak and slouch hat, and turned the lantern full upon his own face, ** What!” howled Steely. peteine up his manacled handsin horror. ‘‘Impossible! It cannot be—” ‘*Excuse me, but it 1s. Double-Curve Dan, at your service, CHAPTER XVI. A HOME RUN FOR THE PITCHER-DETECTIVE. ‘* Dan!” cried Mr, Hetherington, and grasping the hand of the young pitcher. ** Who would bave ex- pected you to be here?” ‘* Never mind thatnow. Hera is a revolver anda handy billy. 1 had to be careful, or these wretches would have stopped my game. I got information that you were here, andI came on alone, though I expeot Con is somewhere in the neighborhood. We came on horseback, and Con had some trouble in managing his horse. So I left him to come along as well as he could, for I was impatient-to get here.”’ ‘“‘Dan, how can I ever repay you?” ** We won't talk about that now. I want to get you out of this quickly. 1 don’t know how many of the gang are about.”’ ‘What about this fellow?” asked the banker pointing to Steely Williams, who had arisen and was leaning against the wall by the side of the door, Dan Manly turned the light of his lantern upon him, as he said: “We will leave him here for the present. Get over bere, Steely, away from the door.”’ Steely obeyed stllenly, and Dan opened the door for himself and the banker to pass out, As he did so somebody struck him a blow in the chest that staggered him, and Bill Cranch’s voice elled: sie Not this trip, Mr. Double-Curve Dan. I got onto ou from the first, but I just thought I’d wait to see bow far you would go.” As he spoke he sprung at Dan’s throat, and the two men were at once locked in deadly embrace, Cranch had the advantage of size and strength, but Dan was as pine as an eel, and soon twisted himself out of the other’s grasp. Standing at the foot of the steps holding a pe that shed a strong lizht all over the cellar, was Ma Mullins. He did not seem to be at all excited, but just waited coolly to see the result of the contest, All this cee place ia much less time than it occu- to tellit. Pithe banker sprung forward to help Dan, and at the same instant Steely raised his hands and brought down his handcuffs on Mr. Hetherington’s shoulders missing his head by little more than a hair’s breath. *“‘Ourse these handcuffs!’? howled Steely. ‘Id soon fit you if I had my hands free, Mag, in the name of the Order, I ask you to he'p mef The woman put the lamp on the steps and in her usual unconcerned manner, slipped up behind the banker and struck him a blow with her handy billy that stretched him senseless at ber feet. Cranch had by this time got Dan in a firm grip again, and was holding him down in a corner, where the young detective was absolutely helpless. “I , crack his skull with that handy billy,” commanded Steely. ‘Then I'll feel in his ets fora key to these bracelets. I suppose he has one about him somewhere.” The woman walked over to the corner where the two men were struggling apparently with the amiable intention of carrying out Steely’s instruc- tions, when a big stone came flying down the stairs IO vO ne ease ee ee eee | Double-Curve Dan. -—_—— =e and striking her full on the back between the shoulders, doubled her uP like a jack-knife,”’ ‘‘Arrah! now, ye spalpeen, | thought as I c'n’d fetch yez,” cried a cheerful voice, and Con Joyce jumped into the cellar. bill Cranch in surprise, released Dan for an instant, and the young man sprung to his feet. “Oho! Muster Dan! Isthat yeself? Och, begorra Iain’t had so much divarsion since I left the ould sod. Git out, ye dhirty spalpeen,’’ he added, as he fired a shot from a revolver so close to Biliy the Buffer’s head as to make that gentleman drop to the floor in a hurry. ‘Throw up your hands, Cranch. The game is up,’ commanded Dan sternly, as he took another pair of handcuffs from his pocket. Bill Cranch hesitated, and then, flying at Dan again threw him down. ‘“ Now, shoot, if you want to,” he yelled to Con. ‘“*“Not by a durned soight. Faith, I’d jist as loikely to be hittin’ the wreng wan, d’ye moind.” **Look out. Look out! Watch him, Con,” cried Dan, breathlessly, ay he rolled over and over in his struggle with Cranch, but managed to see what was going on, notwithstanding, ‘Watch what? I don’t understand yez.” returned Con, bewildered, as_he still sought an opportunity to put a bullet into Billy the Buffer without injuring the young detective. Shut yer mouth,”’ putin Cranch, as he managed to get his knuckles into Dan’s throat, nearly strang- ling him. ~*~ A noise on the steps made Con turn. Och! Begorra! That murtherin’ villain is gettin’ away. Well, now. kim right back.” He fired a shot, but the only result was a mocking laugh from Steely Williams, who had reached the top of the steps, and was just disappearing through the trap into the kitchen, ‘* He's gone, begorra!”’ exclaimed Con. ‘* No, be isn’t,”’ shouted a voice in the kitchen. There was a scuffle overhead, followed by a heavy fall. Then two young men came running down the steps. Dick Worth and Lionel Lacey! In an instant they bad thrown themselves upon Cranch, and forced him to release his hold upon the young detective. In another instant the big rufian was wearing a air of handcuffs, and after being disarmed, was eft, with Steely Williams, whose dirk and other weapons had also been removed, in the cellar. The door was carefully barred and locked, and everybody save the two ruffilans went into the kitchen, Mag Mullins, who was not dangerously hurt. was allowed to come up too, but Dan puta pair of handcuffs on her wrists to make sure of her. **What, mynheer—you here?’ exclaimed Dan, as he entered the kitchen. : *Yaw! I thought I would come,” returned the Dutchman, stolidly. - He was sitting ina big arm-chair, his short clay . pipe in full blast, and a large navy revolver in his 1and, ready for business. ‘**We told mynheer where we were going,” ex- plained Lionel. We had just, heard from Con where this man Wilfred Noel—or Steely Williams, as I un- derstand he calls himself—was likely to be, and we creme to have some fun, Dick Worth has a bone to pick with him, I believe.’’ ‘* Yaw, so I yust come along.” ‘Well, I'm very glad to see you,” said Dan, heartily The tale is nearly told. Steely Williams, alias Wilfred Noel, was placed in the Tombs to await his trial for the murder of young Robert Hetherington. The career of the risoner was laid bare, and it was shown that he had committed several burglaries besides those at the bank. He was tried and sentenced to be hanged. but died three days before the time fixed for his execution. The physicians said pneumonia, but there are eyed who believe that he managed to smuggle poison into his cell by the aid of some of his pals who were allowed to see him. He died in the night, before the death-watch could summon assistance. Bill Cranch and Mag Mullins were both sentenced to terms in Sine Sing Prison for their part in the abduction of Mr, Hetherington, pecific No other s crimes could be traced to either, but the authorities will keep them under surveillance ac the expiration of their sentences. - Mynheer Van der Straten and Lionel Lacey are great friends. Whenever the schooner De Ruyter is n New York Harbor, Lionel spends a large portion of his time aboard, Perhaps the pright eyes of Lisa Van der Straten have something to do-with the young man’s constant visits. Dick Worth left the New Yorks after the death of Wilfred Noel. It turned out that the latter was his cousin, and that the fact of his being the son of Dick’s father’s sister was the cause of his delin- uencies in the club being so leniently treated by the captain. Bad as Wilfred Noel was, the ties of relationship were strong, and Dick felt as if he could not play in the club any longer after the terrible cir- Ae te a with which it was now associated in his mind, The valuable papers and money stolen from the Hetherington bank were all recovered, being found in Mag Mullins'’s capacious pocket. The lawsuit involving the right of Ada to so much valuable property in New York was won by her, and she is BOR one of the richest young-women in the metropo- Double-Curve Dan 8 8 ball occasionally, though he is not Reauiaciy Lei Bn to a club. He has done much valuable work for the Secret Ser- 15 vice since he hunted down the murde er of young Hetherington and brought a notorious critninal to znenioe at the same time. He plays ball as » pas- ime, but feels thac the real business of his life Nes in sterner channels. He is a constant and welcome guest at the house of Robert Hetherington, Esq., and the proud banker looks not unkindly upon the evident regard felt by his daughter Ada for the brave young detective. There will be a wedding On Murray Hil) before long, and the high contracting parties wil) be Miss Ada Hetherington, ‘daughter of Robert Hetherington, a and Mr. Daniel Manly. ‘There is a handsome monument above a quiet grave in Woodlawn Cemetery,in which sleeps all \hatis mortal of a bright young boy, cut down in the flush of youth by a coward’s band, |. nscribed on the white marble is simply the name of Robert Hetherington, with the dates of his birth and death, but many who look at the grave and read the in- scription could tell the story so well known in New York, that the death of the lad was promptly and terribly avenged by the manly young detective. Double-Curve Dan. Beadle's Half-Dime Library. BY GEORGE C, JENKS, 485 Git Thar Owney the Unknown. 492 Git Thar Owney’s Pledge. 5618 The Demon Doctor. BY OAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR, OU. 8S. A, 191 Ruffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker; or, The Doomed 194 Buffalo Bills Bet; or, The Gambler Guide. BY W. J. HAMILTON, 68 The Red Brotherhood ; or, The Twelve Avengers. 66 +m i Handy; or, A Life fora Life. 72 Ma om W eatern, the Texan Ranger. 887 Ben Bird, the Cave King; or, Big Pete’s Scoop. “* BY FRANK DUMONT. 120 The Branded Hand; or, The Man of Mystery. 127 Wild-Fire, the Boas of the Road. 140 Blue Blazes; or, The Break o’ Day Boys of Rosky Bar, 171 Ebony Dany or, The Rival Leagues. 185 Evil Eye; or, The Vultures of the Rio Grande, BY CAPT. MARK WILTON, 256 Young Kentuck?: or, The Red Lasso. 270 Blizzard Ben; or, The Riot at Keno Camp, 246 Josh, the Boy Tenderfvot. BY BRACEBRIDGE NEMYNG. oe plans deeb yy ys off the yomite. ia ¢ Captain o e or, ival A 101 Jack Narkaway in New ‘Seek, i wer BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER, 15 The Sea-Cat; or, The Witch of Darien. 29 The Dumb Page; or, The Doge’s Daughter, 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. 150 Lance and Lasso; or, The Children of the Chaco, 1564 The Sword Munters; or, The Land of the Elephant Riders, 159 ghe wate Captain ; or, Skipper Jabez Coffin’s Crulse to the n % ar Sea. 800 e Boy Bedoutna; or, The Brot!era of the Plumed Lan 214 W olfeane, the Robber of the Rhine. 249 Milo Romer, the Animal King; or, The Round the World 265 The Tiger T The League of the Jungle. © mer; or, e Black lek. the Bivens Rider. vr 9 we 1 805 California Joe's War Trail. BY EDWARD 8, ELLIS. 6 Bill Biddon, a by. a 8 Seth Jones; or, The Captives of the Frontier, 10 Nat Todd 21 The Frontier Angel. 08 The Boy Minera; or, The Enchanted Island, 82 The Hunted Hunter; or, The Strange Horseman, 254 The Halt-Bloods or, The Panther of the Plains, 1 The Muge Hunter; or, The Steam Prairie Man. or, The Fate of the Sloux Captive, BY J, C. COWDRICK. 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. 869 Shasta, the told King 3 or, For Seven Years Dead. 420 Zhe Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a ame. 424 Cibuta Johny; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar., 439 Bandy Sam, the Street Scout. 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. A490 Breedway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. £06 Redlight Ralph, the Prince of the Road. 514 Broadway Billy’sa Boodle. : 524 The Engineer Detective 586 Broadway Billy’s ‘ Difiikilty.” BY PHILIP 8. WARNE, 67 Patent-Leather Joe: or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer 175 Oaprain Arizona; or, Patent-Leather Joe's Big Game. 198 Captain Mask; or, Patent-Leather Joe's Defeat, 219 Despard, the Duellat; or, The Mountain Vomplires. h Boy}; or, The Dwarf’s Revenge. ornado}3 or, The Outcasts of the Glen, ingo; or, the Queer Pard, 8B BSS Little Oh-my e or, Caught in His Own Trap, 401 Little Shoo-Fly a or, A Race for a Raneh, 408 Li reeches? or, Old Jumbo’s Curse. 481 Little Ah Sing or, The Curse of Blood, i 1 Colorado Kate. A Tale of the alines, 480 Three Jolly Parda, 51 im Gladden's De . 52 he Jolly Parda to the Rescue. / A New Issue Every Tuesday- The Half- Library i» for sale by at! newsdealevs five cents per copy, or sent by mail on recelpt of six cents vach. BEADLE AND ADAMB, Publishers, 98 William Sireet, New York, ' VO cS DMIGE