Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 628 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

4. take a long time, but we will get there. I have sworn that he shall be avenged, and I will keep my vow!” ““Good for you! That is just what I expected of you. You will attend the funeral?’ ** Most assuredly.” “Keep your eyes open and see who is around,’ ‘** Trust me for that.” **T know that I can do so. hand for the same purpose,” That afternoon thefuneral took place. It was largely attended, especially by detectives and others who had known Billy well. It was a funeral that made Skinny, the lean partner, feel pre Sad as the occasion was, he could not elp glorying in the fact that Billy was having ** just a boss send-off.” At the same time the grief of the thin partner was genuine and intense, and he wept continu- ously. It need not be said that the same was the case with the mother, Skinny’s mother was with her, but no words could comfort her. Tae carriagos of several rich families were in attendance, containing persons for whom Billy had rendered service that could never be repaid in full, No need to name them all. The detectives who were present had an eye open in every direction, and made mental note of every known face they saw. This was their best—their only chance, and they must make the most of it. A splendid resting-place had been selected for the much-loved Billy, and he was laid away with all the respect that could have been shown a teed person. No need to dwell longer upon the sad occasion. A few days later a handsome stone marked the spot, upon which were these words: Others will be on ‘* Erected in memory of WILLIAM WESTON (Broadway Billy), One of the best, truest, bravest, most generous and most promising boys of New York City; by his friends, as a mark of their sincere regard.”’ CHAPTER IV, ‘“‘HERE’S A STATE OF THINGS.” SEVEN men were seated ina room that was locked and barred. But they were not prisoners. The locks and bars were on the inside, and the men were there of choice. It was not a large room, but it was well fur- nished and appointed, and had the appearance of a club-room on a small scale. The men were seated around a table on which were wines, open boxes of cigars, and cards, They were playing, smoking and talking, and evidently enjoying the fleeting hour. But why the bolts and bars? Let us give the men a little closer attention. One, who had the air of command ahout him, was a man about forty po of age, of power- ful build, wearing a full beard. e was rather good-looking than otherwise, and was well and tastefully dressed. He was an easy and fluent talker, educated, and from his manner was clearly used to good society. The others were less favored in the respects named, Their ages ranged from twenty-five to forty-five, and most of them were kard-featured. That is to say, the unmistakable stamp of the criminal was upon them. This was more prominent with the older ones than with the younger. A game at cards had just been ended, and the individual first described was leaning back in his chair, and laughing heartily as he lighted a fresh cigar. ‘* That is the third time I have won,” he re- marked. ‘‘ What is the trouble with the rest of you? You do not seem to‘ get there’ at all to- night. Ha, ha, ha!” “We will get there, though, Captain Iron- grip,” returned one of the others in rathera dissa‘isfied tone, ‘‘an’ don’t ye forgit it, We'll see how it will go the next round,” “It is no uso, Crackers,” the first speaker, still langhing, rejoined; ‘‘ this is my night, and there is no use bucking against me, I guess we'd better stop. I do not want to win from you, anyhow,” It was a peculiar name, “ Crackers,” but so the name was called. He was never found without crackers in his pockets, and was always munching upon them. His connie declared that he never ate anything else. Hence his nickname. “We won't bave it that way,” Crackers stout- Broadway Billy’s Dead Act. lv declared; ‘‘ we want satisfaction out o’ you, captain, an’ we’re bound ter have it,” ‘* Well, if vou are determined, we will proceed, but it will be sure loss to you, I feel itin my bones,” ‘* We'll take our chances on that, out, Mousey.” This was the nickname of another of the band, Mousey was a young man of say twenty- five. He looked older, and his face was thin and wan, the result of his career of late hours, drinking, and the rest of the round of dissips- tion. He was called by that pretty name on ac- count of his deftness at ‘-ket-picking. Not that mice are at all expert in that line, bat they are generally conceded to be crafty and cunning in their depredatiuns., Mousey took the cards and began to shuffle them, preparatory for another battle with the magic pasteboards, as they are sometimes c?lled. ‘** We will have just this one game more,” fur- ther observed Captain Iron-grip, ‘‘ and then we will come to a little business that we hav; on hand, Some of you know whatI mean. Let them run, Mousey.” ** All right,” agreed another of the players, who was known as ‘ Short-legs, ‘‘ let it be jest as you say, captain; you are the boss,” The game progressed, but the talking did not cease, ‘* By the way,” Captain Iron-grip presently observed, ‘‘ I have had the pleasure of attending a funeral since I have seen any of you.” ‘That is a new way ter have pleasure, I must say,” one of the Seven laughingly re- marked, ‘“*T have an idee that I was at th’ same fune- ral,” put in Short-legs. ** That so?” from the captain. sé Yes,” - ‘* Well, whose was it? I did not see you there.” ‘* You mebby seen me, but you didn’t know me, You don’t s’pose that I’d went there with- out a disguise,do you? No, sir. Why, them long-noses would ‘a’ spotted me in no time.” ‘* But what funeral are you talking about?’ the captain persisted. ‘** Why, th’ funeral o’ that little terror, Broad- way Billy. ‘What, has he been found?” some of the others exclaimed, ‘** Yes, the body has turned up,” informed the captain, ** and that is the funeral to which I re- ferred,” ‘* [ thought so,” chuckled Short-legs, ‘* Why didn’t ye tell us about it?’ demanded the others, ‘Why don’t ye read th’ papers?” was the counter-questior. ** I didn’t think that chunk o’ meat would ever come up,” another remarked. ‘* No, ner me,” agreed the sullen Crackers, “fer it was about th’ surest work o’ th’ kind that Iever had ahand in. That weight orter ’a’ kept the body down there till th’ day o’ resurrection, or even longer.” ‘* Crabs has done it,” theorized Mousey. “Tt don’t matter what done it,” Short-legs summed up, “* that boy is forever out 0’ th’ way, an’ we have one less detective terror to buck against,” ** Right you are,” ‘* Bat, be ye sure it was him?” “There is nota rarticle of doubt about the matter,” decided the captain. ‘‘ We know that the lad died sure enough, and his friends and relatives know that he is not only dead, but de- cently buried. Of course the manner of his tak- ing, off is a mystery to them, and so it ever will Deal ’em At this point Crackers sprung up with a loud imprecation, dashed his cards down upon the table, and declared that he would never play another hand, He had lost another game. Again Captain Iron-grip lay back in his chair and laughed, ; Crackers was not the right sort of person to play at cards, If he won he was forever boast-~ ing of it, and if he lost he could not hold his temper. He was ever at the extreme, one way or the other, A t deal of laughing and joking followed, in neither of which Crackers took any part, and when it had in a measure subsided the captain looked at his watch and his manner changed from gay to serious, Throwing aside his nearly finished cigar, he rose from his chair, saying: ‘Well, we have had enough of this: now to business. Turn down the lights and come into the other room,” The manner of all the aud they rose to obey. others changed, too, The lights were lowered, as directed, and the commander led the way to one end of the room where he opened a door, and they all entere into the apartment described in the first chapter of our story. These men were the Sworn Seven. The chief took bis seat upon one of the black- covered stools, and the others followed his ex- ample. Red light blazed from the hideous chandelier, and the room was the same as it has been de- scribed. No alteration had taken place inis arrangement, Captain Iron-grip took his sword from its place in the floor, raised it, and in deep tones demanded: ‘*Has the League of the Sworn Seven been true since last we met?” ‘** ‘We have been true!” was the response, ‘“‘And ye are still steadfast to our purposes and oaths?” ‘We are,” ‘Tt is well,” The sword was lowered, and placed point to the floor, the chief using it as a rest for his bands, crossing them on the hilt. ‘* Men of the Seven,” he then addressed them, ‘some of you know for what purpose we are here, To the others I will now explain the work we have in hand, To-morrow the new ocean steamship, the Ocean Queen, is expected to ar- rive in New York Bay. On board of her are two persons in whom we have aninterest. These persons area lady and her promised husband. We need have nothing to do with their names, When the big steamer arrives at Sandy Hook, a steam pleasure-yacht will meet her, and these persons will leave the steamer and get aboard the latter craft. Are you paying attention?” 64 Yes.” ‘* With these passengers on board, the pleasure- key will steam up the bay, keeping close to he Long Island shore on entering the Narrows, and afterward, At a point between the Nar- rows and another about opposite the Robbins Reef Light, a tug will be met. Signals will be exchanged, and everything will appear all right. As they come nearer, however, the tug will sig- nal again, and will attempt to cross the bow of the yacht. The latter will warn the tug to hold its former course. Confusion will arise, The acht will attempt to get out of the way, but er captain, instead of belping matters, will, in his confusion, place his craft right across the bow of the on-coming tug. There will be a crash, and thechances are that the yacht will be cut in twain,” ‘* How in blazes do you know all that?” de- manded one of the listeners, in the greatest amazement, ‘** Because it is our business to know it,” was the quiet answer. ‘‘ We are to be the principal actors in the tragedy.” sé Whew my ‘*Pay attention further: The lady will be rescued, but her lover will be drowned, Do you understand this?” ** We do,” came the answer from those who had had previous knowledge of the matter. ‘* Two of you will happen to be near her when the crash comes, and it will be your business to see that no harm comes to her. Two more of you will see to it that the man goes down, The other two will be aboard the tug. And right here and now I will appoint you to your several sts, Pe rhis was quickly done, ‘The regular employees of the yacht and tug are to know nothing about this little plot,” the captain went on, ‘‘ except the men at the wheels, and they will be paid well for their service. No danger from them will follow, for they will stand in fear of the hangman,‘you see. The others must take their chances,” “It is bound to work,” asserted Short-legs, rubbing bis hands at the prospect of the excite- ment, ‘*It must be made to work,” the chief sternly ordered. ‘‘Much depends upon the success of the scheme. If one of you fails to do his part, let him beware of me. But, to go on, you can all swim, and assoon as you reach the shore ou must disappear, I wil] take charge of the ady as soon as you leave her safe on dry ground. When—” “Captain,” interrupted one of the Seven, ‘there is one weak point in that, as you have laid it out.” ** What is that?” Iron-grip asked. ** If you won't consider me takin’ too much up- on myself,I’ll give you a point to consider on. “Go right ahead, Whalebone,” the captain invited; ‘‘ we want the best plans we can make up for our guidance in this matter,” | : “a,