Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 618 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

me OD Ea EES oP en ., * 3 « ¢ f = Sees o’clock, an’ heered some one perambulatin’ about the parlor hyer. I got up, slid inter my clothes, and waltzed out here, to see who it was—an’I drew a prize. I see, dark as it was, that et was a burglar, and | immegetly went fer him fer all I was wu’th, an’ we hed _ alively tussle, I kin tell you. 1 finally got a terrific whack over the head, and that’s the last [ remember,” ‘‘ Don’t remember being carved up, eh?” “No. I haven't got the slightest recker- leckshun of it.” ‘Well, do youremember what kind of a _ lookin’ man it was who assaulted you?” f ‘* No—that is, not enuff so I could describe him. Ef I was ever to see him ag’in, tho’, I could pick him out.”’ ‘Do you remember if he was short and ~ stout?” » .+ ** Yes, he was just that.” “Then, I know him. It was Boggs, the - man ’who was conversing with Cap King, in the bar of the Palace Hotel, and there can be no doubt that a job was put up to kill’ you. I have already telephoned the police to look out for Boggs. Have you lost any money?” Clincher felt for his pocketbook. ‘* By thunder, yes. My wallet is gone!” ‘*Tfow much was in it?” ‘‘Nearly a thousand dollars. My gold watch and chain is missin’, too! I’ve been both robbed and murdered.” ‘Not quite murdered,” Dick returned, “but you had aclose call for it.” ** What's to be did?” It was the Bull-dog who asked this. ‘*] don’t know,” Dic replied, ‘‘ except to leave the Boggs matter to the police for in- vestigation. We shall have all we can do to look after the other case. And that reminds me, we’d better be getting down-town. Stin- son and Blackman go off duty at seven, and we must be at our post. Miss Cora can look after your father’s welfare better than either of us, no doubt.” _ ‘**Who aire Stinson and Blackman?” de- manded Mr. Clincher. Dick briefly explained. ‘Good! Clincher commented. ‘I see you've nothing left undone, and I’m glad of It. D’ye think them skunks will try to - sneak away from the hotel?” * Yes—if they see a chance.” _ *'Then you’ve made arrangements ter foller ther cusses?” ~ “Yes. Unless my plans miscarry, we'll be close onto their heels.” Yer kin bet we will!” emphatically de- - clared Clincher, Jr. ‘‘An’ ef ye heer ther + howl of a college-educated butl-dorg any- _ whar within a hundred mile o’ heer, ye kin _ put et down that we’ve won the pot.” | “Go et, boys—go et, my sons!” old _ Clincher said, tears filling his eyes—‘‘ for _ ye’r’ both like sons to me, darned ef ye ain’t, _ An’ if ye need money, or want a hand in a _ fracas, jest work the wires, and old Clincher will be thar, ef et takes a leg.” Dick and the Bull-dog set out for down- _ town in the Clincher carriage. _ ‘TI didn’t want you or your sister to be - alarmed,” Dick said, en route, ‘‘ but your | father has had a mighty close call. Only _ for his wonderful vitality, he’d have been in need of a wooden overcoat, ere now.” _ The Bull-dog looked anxious, - ‘Yedon’t reckon he’s likely to croak, do Pye?” __ “ He ain’t the kind as dies easy, as he said. Do you know, however, whether he has got his will made or not?” _ The Bull dog smiled. | **¥es, It was made yesterday afternoon, | before I jiined ye in therevenin’. I sug- oh 3 gested it, and ther old man consented.” _ **Good idea. Then the sharks at the hotel _,._- won’t have a chance to get.a finger in the pie, even if es father should pop off,” The Bull-dog grinned. | “Narya finger! I happen to hev an idea | Pe yt mtd fe | d Vv 7 ] a) 4 s ua - wt . a yvryAy » i... [a ot tee te a « ows ~ BF, be <t a7 t* r) 47 . aw ON ie FG, 1% | bf x * « ma) * - inv . * ' ‘ “ . ul . state it aan Za oe —. > ca, 5, nad . Ps i 4 , ‘ a - : e A “at a) ; we Pe“, 9 é ‘% ‘ ~ ../ a _ oe cts a i= 7 , - é "N —~—e : Oe ee i or two, ef I hev spent most o’ my life ’mong’ wolves, coyotes an’ rattlesnakes, an’ occa- sional turkey-buzzards. Thar be some ana- miles ain’t as smart asa thoroughbred bull- dorg.” “You're right, there,” Dick admitted. “From what [ have seen of you, Mr. Clincher, I see no reason why you should underrate yourself,” ‘*Oh! Um nothin’ buta howlin’ bull-dorg!” Clincher declared, with a shrug; ‘‘ but, wher I mbe I ginerally make myself heard fer a mile.” They were soon at Fifth and Vine, where they alighted. It was not quite seven A. M., by Dick’s watch; nevertheless, Stinson and Blackman, the detectives, were nowhere to be found. “This is a rum go!” Dick growled. ‘“Them chaps were not to go off duty until seven, and it’s not seven yet, by a jugful.” ‘‘ Ef they’ve desarted, they orter be strung up,” the Bull dog asseverated. Just then, a bootblack approached, ‘Be either you fellers Bristol?” he asked. ‘I’m the man!” Dick replied. ‘* Why do you inquire, my boy?” ‘‘ Because I’ve got a letter fer ye. Jimmy Stinson give it to me, an’ sed 1 was ter watch fer a hack wi’ two fellers, one having a bali- dog face. Guess yer friends is after the persimmons. ” Dick seized the extended letter, in nervous haste, and tore it open, to read: ‘* DETECTIVE BRISTOL: — “They’ve gone, and we’re after ’em. Come to Covington, Ky., and wait for news at the Ashbrook Hotel. We will wire you, as soon as we know any- thing definite. STINSON AND BLACKMAN,” CHAPTER X., | MR. PETER PEPPER. “WELL,” Dick said, ‘‘ we shall have to vamose the camp.” He then showed the letter to the Bull-dog, with the additional question: ‘“ iver been over there?” ‘‘No. ’Spose we’d better tackle it, eh?” ““T see no other way. Ii would like to knowy how long they’ve been gone, how- ever.” He then recalled the bootblack. ** When did you receive this note?” he de- manied. ‘‘ Want yer boots shined?” asked Johnny, with a business twinkle in hiseye. ‘ Be- cause, ye know, boss, bizness is bizness, an’ a feller’s tongue sometimes cleaves ter ther roof 0’ his mouth ontil his muscles git exer- cise.”’ ‘‘ Well, you young rascal,” Dick ejaculat- ed.“ ‘‘ You deserve to be beaten. You’ll make a fit subject for the workhouse.” ‘*Bin thar already,’’ was the laconic an- swer. ‘‘ Shine ’em, boss?” “* Yes, go ahead, if that’ll open your mouth. We may be able to make some money for you, if you show less impudence and more wit.” ‘‘ Td fire the durned cuss inter the sewer,” the Bull-dog growled. ‘*You’d find thet purty hard,” the boot- black retorted. ‘‘I ain't but fifteen, but ’m tough, as any o’ ther gang kin tell ye. I've been in three prize-fights an’ two walkin’- matches, an’ never got beat yet.” ‘* Waal, you ruther make me how!!” the Bull-dog returned, in disgust, while Dick laughed heartily. ‘What is your name, my boy?” he in- quired. The bootblack gave a sardonic grin. ‘*Give it up,” he said. ‘‘I was bornin a snowstorm, and never hed the pleasure of seein’ my lad and mam. Allus had an ideer I was the offshoot of a marquis or a duke, or suthin’ o° that sort.” rowled the Bull-dog. ‘“*You look et,” | ‘More likely ye war born of a hoss-thief.” “They christened me Peter Pepper, whar : ~ a “ ‘op . ) 9 ~ ’ A ~ . : 4 of ° 7 wm 2 = At a <- 4 iw’ u . ee “ > be Sick ~ > BS a : : @'F) | + : ‘ oy ~ ; f - a) o > t } ‘ « 4 oy . , c ri Se aS weal 1 ; Pa) ; is . oe “4 ie. “3 rN Sh yes Fle Teak” * Ay - * 4 3 te , ~ at | o> a An} 4 nl # va ce 4 * ™ - 4 ; iw WAL - fg an # r -. 2a * a; a LP at ~" ~~ comicbooks.com OT Nt. EI a I a - ‘ ne a . mad I was fetched up,” the bootblack continued, =—™ ignoring the junior Clincher, while he pol- ished away at the boots. | ‘“ Well, go ahead and tell us when you got tne letter,” Dick commanded. Mak ‘“‘ Five, this mornin’.” : ‘Do you know how they went after they left here?” | _ ‘Well, no, not’zactly, Reckon, tho’, they lit out fer der ’spension bridge.” ** Do begs know Covington?” “Dol? Well, 1 kinder reckon! My aunt lives there, and there’s where I gits my Sun- day feed.” it Mr. Peter Pepper had finished Dick's boots. ‘*Shine up my friend’s,” Dick directed. Peter regarded the Bull-dog with a sullen scowl. “Dunno as I orter,” he demurred. <‘ He’s too mighty gocd of an opinion of hisself,” at which the man from Butte was forced to laugh. ‘‘Thet kind orter have a medal,” he said. ‘‘ Ef he’d go West he’d make his fortune.” ‘* Not a-polishin’ these Saratogas!” With which caustic remark, Peter began renovating Clincher’s somewhat oversized boots, When the job was finished, Dick gave Mr. Pepper a half-dollar and said: ‘“Go get me a hack, and if you wish to accompany us, your pay will be four times that a day.” ‘‘ Shall I take the box along?” ‘No. Come, now, get a move on you!” Pepper darted away like a flash. | ‘Sharp lad!” Dick observed. : 7 ‘“‘He’d hang out about a day in Butte ae | City!” the Bull-dog asseverated. ‘‘Ther remainin’ six would be devoted to his mem- ory.” | Mr. Peter Pepper was assuredly a spry lad, Peta for in less than five minutes he was back 3 with a hack, and poked his head out of the door, with the remark: ‘“‘ Here we are, boss. Corral the dorg, git in, an’ tell me whar ter take yer. I’m a flea, ae an’ skip lively.” The two men entered the hack. “Covington,” Dick ordered, ‘‘and the i Ashbrook Hotel.” LY Lge But the hack did not start; some one a tapped at_the door. gots HS) Ne ‘* May I see you?” a voice inquired. ae Dick opened the door, and got out into the» presence of the elder Mr, Maxwell. saw you standing here, and, after a sharp | study of you, I 0 pe you.” ‘‘Well?” Dick said, interrogatively. | ‘You are a friend of Mr. Jabez Clincher?” Yes.” “Will you convey to Mr. Clincher my es ‘‘My dear sir,” the gentleman said, ‘J . sincere regrets for our very recent unpleasant- oF ness?” Ty ‘‘ When I have time, sir, At present my | time is occupied.” | oC! ae ‘Certainly. And, please say that he was — At, right. The man he was looking for was er here, but under an assumed name, have gone—this morning at five o’clock—and c left me an unpaid bill. When they came ‘sag here I thought they were gentlemen. I have 3 : found, to my sorrow, that they were rogues,” ae PB was registered as Morris?” eee &< Tes.” , oe : ‘‘| know that. He was Moore. And his ai ia Mi companion?” 4 f WERE] ‘* Cook.” oige Ae od » Dick made a memorandum of this. ‘‘TDo you know where they went?” | met a ‘‘From all I can hear—I had a talk with Mr. Stinson, who told me who you were— they are off into Kentucky.” | ‘Yes, that’s correct. Is there anything — more you can give me?” | es, ‘‘No—yes! Here is an envelope. The | re > -_—. & nv ’ 4.238! a” > post-mark is Newport, Kentucky. It was sa 2 ee lia found in their room!” | | ig ‘Ts it an important case ge ee | ‘nh Geen ; a ' 4t- 4 af wa” - “— 7 4 pany Oe : » PFs hs i ' . : % » eure ror fe . 4% « @« ‘? . WN c. ‘ ) . - , av poe _ . ee oe me & w . ds ey a". ¥ / : * we, ." > ys ag “ e> the > - Vipak, ~ae ha hn Ae fig a y =” : . x 4a ‘ 4: . ‘ ' ‘ : <4 * £ “fee ’ ; eae = © ») They psp), aa e ia . * » “ -Pomitg oe : : - ~~ + «