Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 608 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

~ 12 “Now, Mr. Manly,” proceeded the banker. Dan looked at Dick, and he hesitated. He saw that the young fellow was worked up to the highest itch of excitement, and though, as the reader nows, the diamonds were not ia the black sachel when it fell into Dick’s hands, the latter had never examined the receptacle, and he supposed that they were still there and in the possession of the men who had robbed his bedroom, ‘Go on, sir,’’ said the banker. Dan, with another commiserating glance at Dick, continued: ‘* The diamonds were ina black sachel, but—I took them out before [ went to bed,” ‘* What?’ cried Dick, starting up. “Sit down, Dick. You are as nervous asa girl,” observed his father, ‘** Waith, he’s nervouser than a gurl,”’ commented Norah. ‘That is, some grurls.”’ “I took the diamonds out of the black sachel be- fore I went to bed, and put them in a gafe place,”’ ** Where?” asked Dick, eagerly. ‘No matter. They were out of the reach of thieves, at all events, and, Mr. Scott, here they As he spoke, he Crew a small flat leather case from asecret pocket insile his shirt, and laid it on the table, keeping his hand upon it, however. ‘*How many are there?’ asked the banker, with his eyes on the letter before him. “*T will count them to you,” said Dan. “ThankHeaven!” ejaculated Dick, fervently. “What for, Dick? You seem to be in a very ateful state of mind about something,’’ observed is father, with a smile. Dan, who knew the cause of the young fellow’s thankfulness, deliberately counted the stones upon e. sheet of white paper on the table, where they looked anytbing but brilliant, resembling pieces of dirty gum arabic more than anything else, as uncut diamonds have a way of doing. ‘*One, two,’’ counted Dan, going on until he had reached forty-two. ‘*There they are, sir. The exact tally. Forty- two stones, of different sizes, worth asum total of ten thousand dollars, or thereabouts. And I am only too glad to get rid of them,” The banker pulled the paper toward him, and carefully counted the stones twice over himself, Then he wrapped them carefully in the white paper, wrapped that again in another sheet of white paper, putting the whole into a large envelope, which he proceeded to secure all around with sealing-wax stamping it with bis seal-ring, which he remov from his finger for the purpose, replacing it careful- ly at the conclusion of the operation, Dan Manly, Dick, and Norah watched him > cunts f and cne of the three at least felt that he would rather see those stones in his father’s possession than have a for.une for himself. ‘*IT suppose you want a receipt?’’ observed the or pont o last, as he held the sealed envelope in his eft hand. ‘* Yes, I suppose I had better have one,” answered an. ‘- Faith, it’s meself that *ud want a sealed and soigned receipt fer ’ach wan uv thim lovely sbtones,” remarked Nora, sotto <0ce. The banker, still holding the diamonds, carefully wrote an acknowledgment of their receipt, and told Norah to witness his signature. This involved a great expenditure of ink on Norah’s part, but her name, ‘‘ Norah O’Connor,” in bold letters that were by farthe most striking objects on the paper, was xed at last, and Dan folded the paper and put it in the secret pocket from which he had taken the diamonds. ‘* Good-morning, Mr. Scott,” he said, as he moved toward the door. **Good-morning, sir. When do you return to New York?’ asked the banker. ~ Not until to-morrow.” “Well, convey my respects to Miss Bulger, and tell her that I will take every care of her property.” * Very well, sir.”’ The detective paused at the sofa upon which poor Dick sat, and giving the young man his hand, whis- pered softly: ‘*Dick, you had better trust meentirely, There is a check of yours out that must be got back.” “What? Do you--’’ commenced Dick, falterinzly. *T certainly do know all about it, know who holds it, and | know that if you will confide in me, we shall be able to obtain it, and save you from—”’ “Yes, yes—I know. Do not say that word. I was mad with worry when Isignedit. I hardly realized that it was forgery. I—’’ * To-morrow morning, in my room at the Ameri- can Hotel, at nine o’clock. You know where it is,”’ interrupted the detective, putting a significant in- flection upon the last sentence which made the * young man wince, The banker who was kneeling in front of his iron gafe in a cornerof the room, looked over to the detective, and he said no more, but nodding once more to Dick and Norah, left the house. In another minute the diamonds were safely de- posited in the safe, and Mr. tcott, standing up, asked Dick how he felt. “Very much better, father, thank you.” “That is well. Now, litten. I want you to— Norah, I have nothing for you to do just now.” Norah was listening intently to the banker, who just mow became aware of thefact. She took the hint and went down stairs tothekitchen. The banker continued: ‘“*I donot care about taking these stones during banking hours, and at the same time I do not want them in the house all night,’’. . ce be Yea.” The Pitcher Detective’s Foil. | ** About nine o’clock this evening when it will be quite dark, I want you to take the package to the a and put it in box E, in the big vault.’ “ es be) “You see, [have reason to suppose that these diamonds have been watched ever since they left New York by parties who would not hesitate to murder me if they thought I was carrying them about my person.” Dick shuddered, as he thought what might have been the consequences if his father had interfered with Slicker Walker when the latter was after the pack sachel in that very house but a little time ‘You are right, father. It would not be safe for ou. ** No, I do not think it would,” agreed the banker, “When shall I take the stones?”’ ‘They are safe enough where they are until it is time for you to take them in theevening. Come over here and I will show you the combination of the lock.” “Why can’t you open it yourself when you want to give me the diamonds?” ‘* Because I may not be here at the time, for one thing. Besides, I think my son is thoroughly de- serving of his father’s confidence.” Dick hung his head, How sincerely he wished he was. ‘Well, father, let it be as yousay. I will try and be worthy of your trust in this matter, at least,” he ee * All right, Dick, my boy. Comeand look at this,” was his father’s response. Mr. Scott was in a par- ticularly gocd humor now that he had got the affair of Mrs. Bbulger’s diamonds off his mind. Besides, he loved his son, and he felt grieved over his weak state, He knelt down in front of the safe, and with his finzers on the knob, explained the combination, moving the knob as he did so, ‘*Piace it thus, you see, Dick.” ss Yes.” Whose face was that at the open window—a face in which evil tendencies were so plainly written that one could tell it for that of a man at enmity with the law atagiance? The face had been cautiously brought above the level of the window-sill, its owner standing on the roof of asummer kitchen, outside, and the eyes under the heavy brows were watching everything in the room just as Mr. Scott, the banker, knelt down in front of the safe. The face was that of Slicker Walker. When the banker began to explain the combina- tion of the safe to his son, the eyes of the eaves- dropper glistened. He listen eagerly to Mr. Sco‘t’s next words: ‘* Having put the two 2’s in a line, you makes four turns to the right to the 4, three to the left to the 1,a turn to the left again, two to the right, and—there it is.”’ The door swung _— and the eager glance of Slicker rested upon the small inner drawer in which the diamonds were placed, and which, indeed, the banker pointed out to his son as their hiding-place. ** Do you understand it, Dick?’’ ‘*T am not quite sure, father.” “ Weil, I'll do it over again for you, then.” Accordingly the banker went over the combina- tion again andagain. Then Dick tried it success- fully, and assured his father that he remembered “All right, then. Well, come in here a little be- fore nine and get the diamonds, and take them to the bank. It is possible that I may be here, If so I can give them to you. Otherwise, you know the combination and can take them yourself.” “Very well, father.” ** And, now, lie down on that sofa, and rest your- self till lunch time. You don’t look well. I’m afraid that fellow who gave you the crack on the head, hurt you more than we thought. You are as white as a ghost. And yet I suppose if there was a base-ball match this afternoon you would want to go, eh?” Dick smiled faintly. ** I dare say, father.” “Ah! Well, itis a good thing that there is not a game to-day, so you can just lie still.” Slicker, at the window, listened attentively to the conversation, while a triumphant grin lighted up his countenance, Suddenly, Mr. Scott who had turned around from the sofa upon which Dick had thrown himself, look- ed full in the face of Slicker. The latter was so much astonished that he could only return Mr. Scott’s astounded stare, and for perhaps half a minute neither made any movem nt, Then the banker walked slowly to his table, his eyes riveted upon those of Slicaer, who still hung to the window-sill, supporting himself upon tbe sloping roof of the kitchen, Mr. Scott put his handin a drawer in the table, and withdrawing it with a quick motion, presented a pistol at the evil face at the window and pulled the trigger. But too late! Slicker divined his intention as his hand stole to the drawer, and ere the shot could be = he had ducked his head below the window- sill. “What is that, father?” cried Dick, springing to his feet in bewilderment. For answer the banker fired another shot ata large broad-brimmed hat that was just in sight at the window with the effect of the hat disappearing as if some one had pulled the string. **Whatis it? What is it?’ asked Dick, eagerly. ** Who is it?” ‘1 don’t know what it is now, but I know what it s00n will be—a dead rascal,’’ answered the banker, * 7 > -« . , - os, L-s - > on ‘ae > ; : ign). 4 ves. Lo a oe ae Ve i ee , mt ies = ry, ’ oe hae RM Ral OS SRR ae, “Fy , fe? ; os ara as, pistol in hand, he‘rushed toward the win- ow. ‘‘ Stop, father, stop!” implored Dick, as he seized his father by the arm, and held him back. ‘Let go of my arm, Dick! Confound it! Do you suppose I will allow a fellow to break into my room before my very eyes?”’ He tore himself from his son’s grasp, and reached the window just in time to see a burly figure slide all of a heap down the sloping roof and drop to the ground. “There he goes!” yelled the banker, in a frenzy, as he blazed away again, But Slicker had reached_the fence at the end of the yard by this time, ard clearing it at a bound, waved his broad-brimmed hat in defiance at the bad banker, and ran around the corner out of sight. ‘Well, confound his impudence!”’ muttered Mr, Scott, as he removed the empty cartridges from his revolver, and carefully tilling the three empty cham- bers, replaced the weapon in the drawer. CHAPTER AII. A DOUBLE PLAY. Wuen the incoming train threatened Dan and Dr. Horne with a death from which there was ep- arently no ng tam ip the detective, for the first time, elt a tremor that was as near fear as that weakness ever reached him, As for Dr. Horne, now that he saw certain death, he prepared. to meet it as became aman. There was a good deal of solid stuff in the doctor. Thomp! thump! thump! Clang! clang! Already the locomotive had reached the trestle, The engineer had just caught sight of the two figures on the bridge in the rain and wind, and push- ing the lever hard down, reversed his engine and whistled for brakes, The train on the other track had gathered up in speed, and was running smoothly on, the engineer having no iiea of the tragedy about to take place on the track | y its side. Hasti!y ‘an looked through the gloom to where the red tuzht on the last car shone luridly through the rain far away on the bridge. Thump! thump! thump! Clang! clang! The locomotive, though its speed was considerably reduced by the efforts of the engineer and brake- men, aided by the air-brake, that was on full strength, was getting very close. ‘‘Only one thing to do!’’ shouted Dan, into the ear of the doctor. ** What is it?’’ “To drop into the river. Better to take our chances of drowning than be crushed to death under the wheels. Follow me!” Quickly he Jet himself down between two of tke ties, intending to drop into the roaring waters thirty feet below, when to his joy, he found that his feet had found a resting-place just under the ties. There was no time for talk. The engine was s0 near that he could feel its hot breath, as the steam hissed from the cylinders on either side. He seized the doctor by ‘he ankles and pulled him down, all in a heap, between the ties. Hardly had he done so when the heavy train rumbled over their heads, so close that they could have = their hands up and touched thefaxles as it assed. . Dr. Horne and Dan lay clasped in each other’s arms on a support of some kind that waved to and fro under their weicht, and that might, for anything they we tell, fall with them into the river at any moment. What an interminable length the train seemed to be, as it ran along over their heads! They could see the reflection of the light from the windows— for it was a passenger train from New York- strik- ing the wet sides of the freight on the cther track, and they even heard the voices of pass: ngers, as the bustle incidental to a journey’s end put everybody in the cars on the alert. With the exception of the engineer and fireman, robably no one in all that long train knew that two Sanen beings had been forced to dr: p from the trestle to almost certain death on that stormy night within a few feet of hundreds who were unable to give them the slightest assistance. The little resting-place that Dan and the doctor has so fortunately found was notbing more than a plank that had been hung by chains below by work men to enable them to repair the trestle, and which they had not taken the trouble to remove on the completion of their task. : No sooner had the train passed than Dan sprung up from the wabbly plank, and holding to the ties, assisted his companion to a solid place of safety. ‘Follow me!’ said a voice almost in his ear, as he regained the trestle and stretched himself. The rain had grodually become less violent, and there were general indications that the worst of the storm was over, with perbaps a fine summer day te follow. Still it was too Cark to distinguish anything a few yards away, for the sky was covered with thick, black clouds. and if there were any stars, they were hidden away as effectively as if they had been cov- ered by a pall. Dain coma just see that two men stood on the trestle, and that both, like himseif and Dr. Horn were enveloped in large rubber-coats; but one o them wore a broad-brimmed soft felt hat, that he knew at once was only to be seen upon the head of one manin Albany, that man being Sam Walker, alias Slicker. , ’ ‘Walk on. We will foliow you,” answered the detective. briefly, as he took the band of the doctor, and gave him an admoonitory pull, Not another word was exchaiged. Slicker and ~~ oF 1 ty Tat Ye ~ = A . P Pp ba UJ r «* ‘a ¢ » . . fe - ~ ' eole = 5% « ~ s > ‘ : 7 : ee | A =F . ya yy by - a ! =a \ | . — ‘ : Ld US? |= Y Any 7 ‘Oo. cae _. 7 - “* patie - ‘. Pg 4 ¥ ss. ‘- = oe = & Ky ab ee! ps am ae FF “an r i “ os . e ‘2 FI in P .com - : - , nd ? rr * ~