Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 618 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

+ f ow ; eee King, and the telegram he had received from Little Rock. ‘‘I hope to learn something of importance to-night, when I meet this man, Moore.” ‘“ Would it not be best to arrest the cuss at once, and be done with et?” suggested Charley _ Clincher. ‘*By no means!” Dick replied. ‘That, you see, would be literally sealing your sister's fate, in case she is alive. The only thing is to keep an eye on these fellows and follow them, | think they will remain at the hotel for a spell yet, for, according to your own report, Moore is afraid of showing himself, fearful of being snapped up by officers of the law. From the con- versation you overheard, I judge that the ruffian, Boggs, has been hired to assassinate your father. So it behooves you all to keep in the house as closely as circumstances will permit. In my present disguise of Bill Hill, I am unsuspected, and can do more thus than though I were in any way assisted by any of you.” ‘** By the thunderin’ j eramity! ve a mind to o down ter thet hotel and tread thet cuss inter ust!’ the elder Mr. Clincher declared, with de- cided vindictiveness, ** Now, dad, jest hold yer hosses, or darned ef I don’t lick yer myself!” the junior Mr, Clincher protested. ‘ You let ther detective hev his own way, an’ you kin bet yer boots he’ll fetch things around right. He’s no slouch, even in his socks, an’ he’s biz cl’ar to the spinal mennungittus, an’ ef ary harm comes to him, you stack yer reds on et thar’ll be a raisin’ meet hyar in yer willage o’ Cincernatter. An’ when ther Bull-dorg from Butte City do declaim a thing, ther ain't a sen- ator as durst gainsay et!” ‘*My son, I’m proud o’ ye!” Mr, Clincher of Cincinnati averred, patting his offspring on the shoulder. ‘* [ allus knew you’d make yer mark in the world, an’ ef ye go inter hogs, you’ll soon be as rich as yer olddad, You shall hev yer way, too. The detective shall hey bis way, an’ I'l] bet a hundred bar’ls o’ side-pork he wins.” Diuner over, and Dick having nothing to occupy his attention until night, cards were in- troduced and socially played until dusk, Then, bidding the Clinehers adieu, the detective be- took himseltagethe direction of the Palace Hotel on foot, preferring walking to riding. He had Mot got three rods from the house, however, when the Bull-dog came running after ith an utterance singularly between a la bark, ‘* Hold yup, thar!” howled. ‘* Come back, Suthin iciportant has happened!” Then, he turned, d strode back, after a ludicrods fashio Bick following, ‘* What is it?’ he demanded, as he sauntered into thd parlor. ‘‘Telegram! Messenger jist left it, after yer t o the house!” the Bull-dog replied, Old Clineh sitting in his arm-chair, pal- lid in iten¢ agitated Cora w Mw and evidently very much % The Bul , gn 3 wee op the sofa. ; were like fire, Dick todk the telegram to the gas-light, and read the following: 4; | x eee Fh CINNATI, November 1. “ Japez CLINCHER, SIR: “ Your daught@ ho | ) is dead, Her offspring, a boy, isin the hands of a Kentucky family, to whom, unfortunately, I Had to mortgage him. He is a beautiful. youngste® and you. t wish to redeem him, The price is tw thousatid dollars. If you want him for that p communi¢ate, (with cash, in a package ) with Dun Donald, Go ‘on, Ky., but make no attempt to snd out d es, under penalty of the child’s death.» \ a Aime, “KE. M, . ‘& as per “P.S. If you wish to enter intovt telegraph instantly to Mr. Donald, as ‘above, but I warp you not to trv to come any aie’ bu ss. It won't work, I’m off for Europe, whither my De pUby will bring the money. mm Be retary.” nsaction, CHAPTER VII. DICK TAKES NO WATER IN HIs! Dick handed the telegram back to the Bull- ted as much!” he said. ‘‘ Nothing in it. A mere bluff, for sake of gaining money, hg can dopend upon it, and after that notice, 11 stake my reputation your sister is still alive, and the child, too. So pay no attention to that telegram.” ‘‘] am seriously afraid that my daughter is dead! old Jabez groaned “*T don’t believe anything of the sort!” Dick replied. ‘‘It strikes me more forcibly, now, than ever that sheis alive, ‘‘Sodornt worry in the least, concerning this telegram, for I feel Deadwood Dick Jr. in Cincinnati. certain there is nothinginit, I will see Moore and King,.to-night, and if I learn anything of consequence, will let you know, by early tele- phone, to-morrow,” Then, Dick once more took bis departure. By the time he reached the Palace Hotel, it was quite seven o’clock, and he found King awaiting him in the hote! office. ‘“Ah! you are punctual I see!” that worthy said. ‘* Come and have something, and then we will go up-stairs and see my friend Moore. Nice sort of fellow, you see, but a trifle under the weather, just at present.” So they repaired to the bar, and Dick took a cigar, while Mr. King, of Arkansaw, indulged in a liberal drink of whisky. They then went up-stairs, and the detective soon found himself in the presence of Ezra Moore, to whom he was introduced. After a chat, cards were produced, together with poker chips, and a three-handed game was begun. The luck was all in Dick’s favor, and before he had been seated an hour, he had scooped in upward of a hundred dollars. Neither of the other two players seemed to enjoy this, as could be judged by their exchange of glances, which we’e anything but friendly. ‘It strikes me,” King remarked, after he bad lost another twenty dollars, *‘ that you know more about this game, sir, than you claimed to me!” Dick smiled. ‘* T believe poker is not so much a game of science,” he answered, ‘‘as it is of luck, and I seem to have a pretty good run of luck to-night, it is true.” ‘*T snould say so. In fact, ve an idea that you are a professional card-sharp, and never saw Arkansas.” “Sir!” Dick cried, rising, with assumed in- dignation, ‘I did not come here to be insulted, but at your own invitation, to play a suciable ame. As that seems, now, out of the question, think I had better retire.” “T don’t know about that!” Moore cried, springing to the door, locking it, and putting the key in his pocket. Then, turning to his col- league, he added: ‘* By my soul, King, I believe the fellow is a spy—a detective!” <ing eyed Dick a moment, in silence, but with a savage glitter in his baleful eyes. “Tf I were sure of that I’d bu’st his infernal head for him!” he declared, vindictively. Dick laughed, pleasantly. ‘*You do me an unexpected honor,” he ob- served. ‘* However, | bardly appreciate being shut in, like a common criminal, so if you will have the condescension to unlock that door, you will not only save yourselves trouble, but dam- age to the door, in the bargain, whieh no doubt you would be called upon to pay for.” All this was said pleasantly enough, but in a tone that had menace in it. The two partners in crime once more ex- changed inquiring glances. Just what to make of tbe man who stood coolly before them, they did not seem able to decide. Well,” King finally said, ‘I will tell you what I will do with you, sir! I bavé a sus- picion, like my companion, that you came here to spy upon us, for dishonorable purposes, and if I thought sure you did, it would be the worse for you, and don’t forget that, We are not men who like to have our private business pried into by spies. Promise me to say nothing of this affair—that, during our residence at this h you keep clear of it, and last but not least, réfund the money you have won, and we will permit you to go, Promise this, by all you hoff sacred!” ‘‘T promise nothing!” Dick returned, :dogged- ly. “I’m not that sort of a bair-pin, and the sooner you know it the more congenial you will find it for yeur personal safety, Open that door!” And into the detective’s hands leaped sud- denly a pair of revolvers, that bad a decidedly dangerous look. Captain King uttered a savage grow], ** You dare not shoot!” he snarled, ‘* Better not dare me!” Dick retorted. ‘* Men whose lives have been spent on the far frontier are not prone to taking dares—especially, not from forgers, and scoundrels, in general! Will you open the door, Mr. King!” King turned to Moore. ‘*Give me the key,” he directed. ‘* It is not befitting our honor, as gentlemen, to longer harbor this desperado,” Moore instantly gave up the key, a frightened look upon his none to ruddy face. ; _ ia F} 73 rT ped! a —_— eae, King arose aud opened the door. ‘* Now, then git!” be ordered, “and look well that you keep away from this hotel, for if I get. a drop on you, your name is Denis! We Arkan- sas gentlemen are not in the babit of being bullied by cowboys!” ‘“Glad to hear it,” Dick smilingly replied, ‘and should it ever ba your lot to meander beyond the raging Missouri, no doubt you will find plenty of opportunity for securing sanguin- ary satisfaction. If you two rascals are ty pical specimens of Arkansas gentlemen, I deem it an honor that Arkansas does not claim me asa citizen. Good evening, gentlemen!” 'y And, with asuave bow, the Prince of Detec- tives withdrew from the room, and left the hotel His first work was to make a reconnoissance to- ascertain Low many exits there were from the hotel, by which escape might be effected, and. having satisfied himself in this respect, he stood at the corner of Fifth and Vine, in meditation, when he received a hearty slap on the shoulder, and wheeling, found himself in the serene pres- ence of the Bull-dog from Butte, ‘‘The blazes!’ Dick ejaculated. ‘* What are- you doing here? Thought I told you to stay in the house?” ‘* The Bull-dog gave a sniff of disgust. “Did, bey? Buh! what d’ye take me forf Do I look a shiverin’ sky-terrur, what war fetched up on ther parler sofer? Not much} [’'m ther Bull-dorg from Butte, an’ ther only one 0’ ther breed they’ve got out thet way, as- kiu fight!” -- ‘‘ But, what are you doing here? It’s nearly midnight, you see!” ‘“ Midnight? Hub! why, man alive, thet’s ther very hour I allers howl. Ther’ ain’t no half-ways bull-dorg as goes prowlin’ around earlier’n that, or the dog-ketcbers w’u’d gobble him up, fer sure. Ye see, I bad a kinder rotten idear that mebbe, ye had got inter some complercated defickelty, and then, sez I, ef ther’s a musical festival goin’ on down thet way, I’m. goin’ ter be on hand ter howl wi’ ther chair, How is things?” “Ob! no par icular developments yet,” Dick replied, and related his experience in Moore's room. “The gol-durned sneakin’ coyotes!” the Bull- dog snorted, in supreme disgust. “I’ve a mind ter waltz up thar, and skulp ’em alive.” ‘Nonsense. That could do no gocd, But, I'll tell you what you. may do. Stand here on the corner, a few minutes and keep an eye on the front and side entrances to the hotel. If you see either King or Moore, or both, leave the hotel, take the trail, and don't giveit up. Tl not be gone long.” ‘“ Which way you goin’?” ; ‘“To Police Headquarters. This hotel must not remain unwatched & Minute, for the two- rascals will make a break, as soon as they im- agine themselves, safe in doing so. I will get a couple of detectives, for night duty, as_we shall. need our energies for the day work. It is only b ssiobens for I have no doubt we bave as cunning a pair of scoundrels to deal with as you can scare up in the West!” “ All right, steer abead, pard, and I'll keep. my blizzard eye out fer squalls!” the Bull-dog, assured, grimly. CHAPTER VIII. SECURING ‘‘suUBS,” So Dick took leave of tbe Bull-dog from Butte, and sought a neighboring drug-store,’ ‘*Can you direct me,” he asked, after purchas- ing a cigar, ‘‘so that, I can quickly and easily find Police Headquarters?” ‘* Police court is at Ninth street and Central: avenue, Do you wish to go by cars ‘“No, by cab, That will be much the quick- est, I presume?” | “Yes, from bere it will be.” ‘Have you a telephone, by which I could’ make verbal communication?” — ‘We have, but, if youare in any hurry, I think you will find it advantageous to go in per-- after tbis mee Pi oe the telephone company is not very noted for being exped in ‘hte teanaaction of business, At least I have. not found them so, and being night clerk, here, | I have frequent occasion to use the 7pbone.” “Thank you, no doubt youareright. Iam, very much obliged to you,” Dick then left the store, and hiring & cab, was: soon at Police Headquarters, and in the presence: of the night captain, an astute looking mam with an eagle eye, son, for, Dick introduced himself by presenting his, card, and exposing his shield. ; vbw | : rf 4 irae 4 a CcOomicboo constant shadowing that we can hope for itious: ks.co Uday iY’ - : L} . * ' aS 1 ‘i . a Ss ; 7 vg fen « : 4 ‘ ‘ raph se Pe Bs ’ | I uh} yieslt y | Sey om os"