Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 686 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

a we ey. <7 as _ LO wiu, but I have my doubts about it! If Mr. Alleged Penn wins, he will most likely pay you off in the crooked stuff like Reed gave you once before, They are pals.” ‘* T don’t think he will, a mistake anyhow.” ** Well, look out for yourself; I wouldn’t like to take your chances, However, you are your own boss, If you will gamble, you mustn’t kick if you get skinned. Those fellows are a lot of sbarpers. Of that I have abundant roof,” Thus the interview terminated. Reed must havemade CHAPTER XII. THE DETECTIVE HAS AN OFFER, THE history of the following weok may be riven in few words, Deadwood Dick, Jr., con- fined his efforts exclusively to the case with which the inspector had made him acquainted after hisarrival in New York, and the result was satisfactory, There was actually a surfeit of swindlers— ‘*‘ sawdust’ men, bunco-steerers and the like— on the police list of prisoners, and all had been put there by the Western detective prince, His success was phenomenal, for his captures included many of the best-known and most dan- gerous ** crooks in the metropolis, The regular detectives viewed bim with mixed envy and admiration, which was not without a measure of awe, During all this time Bristol did not see Peter Penn. He bad labored with the old man, and bestowed warnings and good advice upon bim, but all to no purpose. Seeing that he was deaf to reason, Dick simply stepped back and let the misguided old granger travel along his crooked way. Dick, however, expected to see him again when he was well plucked. Once, during the week, Billy Bucket chanced upon the old man from Kansas, Penn had spoken with considerable caution, or had tried to, but the pertinacious boy bad learned all be wished, The last sum of money invested on the races by Peter had been a dead loss, His alleged son —according to the latter’s statement—had put it on the wrong horse, and it had gone to join the senior Penn’s other vanished dollars, Despite this, the Kansan had not been wholly cleaned out, He had some reason left, and, on the whole, had not done badly for one laboring under such a delusion, As for “Jimmy,” he still avoided meeting Mrs, Penn, and was supposed to be out of town a good deal, Hesaw Peter only by happening up- on the latter about town, and, at each meeting, he bled the farmer for a few additional dollars, Penn’s credulity was surprising. On the seventh day after his last call at Dead- wood Dick’s office the latter arrested a celebrated ‘*sawdust ” operator and landed him at Police Headquarters, He was also able to assure the inspector that, in a short time, he expected to have Sam Slater in the toils. The latter was working a game, aud Dick only awaited its consummation to secure positive proof and arresi the shrewdest of all the crooks, Leaving Headquarters, Bristol started up- town. He bad nearly reached Washington Square when he heard a racket on a street run- ning at right angles with that he was traveling. Then around the corner came a maddened horse i a cab attached, but with nodriver on the ox. A woman’s cry sounded from the vehicle, Dick thought quickly, and acted in the same way. As the horse turned the corner the detective seized the rein and threw all his strength into the effort to check the frightened animal, The struggle was sharp, but brief; the horse re- ceived emphatic evidence that he was in the oe of a master, and was brought to a stand- still. A patrolman burried up and took him in charge, while Dick opened the cab door, The vebicle had one occupant only, but that one was no stranger to the rescuer, ‘* Zara!” he exclaimed, It was, indeed, the Gypsy fortune-teller! She was agitated, but a orief effort enabled her to recover self-possession, ‘* So Lowe my life to you, Mr. Bristol?’ she returned, with a charming smile. “TT interfered with your journey,” Dick ad- mitted, quietly. ‘You put it mildly, but all brave men are modest, Ob! how my heart does throb!” She pressed her hand to her bosom, but her appearance did not indicate any great disturb- ™ -- » : >: ad 7 at “ — + Se ta. —_-- roy tj eh me ae — . Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer. ee ‘* You will be well inashort time,” he re- plied. ‘“Tam afraid to continue my journey alone, for Lam subject to heart trouble. May I—dare l ask you to sacrifice your interests, and see me safely home?” Dick was not deceived in the least, but it oc- curred to him that he could do worse than to go with her, Ona former occasion she bad shown remarkable knowledge of him, As he was not a believer in any kind of humbug, it followed that she had some previous knowledge of him. Here was a possible chance to learn some- thing of value, hence he at once decided to go along. At this juncture the driver, who had been thrown from the box, came up, and he again took charge. Dick entered the cab, and the journey was resumed, Conversation was in a commonplace vein until the Gypsy’s apartment was reached, : Zara then smiled entrancingly upon her es- cort. ‘IT consider you the saver of my life, Mr. Bristol!” she declared, “ [ never did a better piece of work,” respond- ed the detective, with due gravity. ‘*‘A most fascinating lady remains to charm the world.” Sho gave bim a tender glance. ‘““Tf I only knew you were sincere!” she sighed. ** Ask any of your friends!” * My friends! Lam almost without friends, some having proved false, and others being un- der a cloud,’ She hesitated, and then suddenly asked: + Mr, Bristol, I am tempted to confide in | ‘* T shall feel honored if you do.” ** Do you wonder how I happened to know so much about you when you called upon me at my office?” ‘*You were well informed,” Dick acknowl- edged. “ ‘* How is Peter Penn getting on?” ‘* T have not seen him lately.” ** What about his son?” ‘* Perhaps you can tell—I can’t.” ‘*T told old Penn that the claimant was no kin of his, and, if he had believed me, he would have been money in pocket, Yet, | was sorry for what I ssid in less thana day after 1 gave the facts away. really, a gentleman known as Handsome Hal, and a friend of mine, with me we were iaterrupted by a ring of the ae [ had another caller, and that cajler was al. ‘* Indeed !” ‘* { should rot bave given Hal away had I not been piqued just then, and when we made up I was sorry for what I had said. All the same, Hal is no son of old Peter’s, nor is the man in Sing Sing, either.” ‘* Strikes me you are still on the give-away,” ‘* Hal has thrown up the sponge.’ ‘* After getting all of Penn’s money?” **No; Sawdust Sam has played him false!” and Zara’s eyes flashed, *‘ Is he willing to tell all he knows?” ‘*‘ He has left New York, He bas been in with Slater, Reed and fhe rest, though not half so bad; but Slater has grown ugly, and it was to avoid trouble that Hal took a quiet skip. I am thinking of going to join him, but before I go, I have a debt to pay. Slater made New York too hot for Hal; I will now put Slater on the coals!” Zara’s eyes flashed vindictively, and Dead- wood Dick realized that he was on the road to discoveries, j ‘*¢ | shall be pleased to hear what youcan tell,” he returned, “You shall hear all, is in Slater’s bands!” ** Sure?” ‘* Dead sure! Slater has worked the whole plot, and all the trouble is owing to him. Before Peter was lured East, his son was captured and The real Jimmy Penn : imprisoned by Slater.” Imprisoned where?” ‘*[ am not sure where he is now, but I know where he was,” ‘** Where was that?” ‘In a den on Wooster street, known as ‘ Tip- ton’s.’ I was never there, and know no more about it; but [ think young Penn is stil) there, Now, I have told all { am aware of, and it de- pends on you to do the rest. As adetective, you will know how.” Dick had watched Zara closely while she spoke, and was convinced that she told the truth, Her manner was frank and honest. He thanked her cordially, and prepared to go, ‘ * ance there, * Shall I see you again?” A] ! - =" e , f . « Od ne ; + os S ’ % Fa. : we" ea) - 3 ae Phas d rckh a ee eee Chie reo Ack’, rt hy ee di 2 a >» at 7 or ae * ae Po bs ee rf a 4 Sat - ; a re SP meme aT Oh x , —s é Be P = es ~ eae — OF te Sem i ae . yee? NOR agente” Game’ ST ae a The alleged Jimmy Penn is,, When old Penn was. Pais / As the Gypsy asked this question, her gaze rested upon Bristol tenderly, He could not fail to read it. ‘Pll call around and report the result,” he promised, ‘** Ah! but I am thinking of leaving New York.” ‘“To join Handsome Hal?” ‘* He bas invited me, but Iam tired of being an ally of crgoks, If an honest man should show a preference for me, [ would remain here, I re- alize tbat the wife of such a man must be hap- , pier than a mere fortune-teller. To the kind of a man I have mentioned I would be faithful to the end!” The whole battery of her eyes was turned upon him, but Dick was not influenced. Hand- some and brilliant as she was, he knew that she , had been the associate of criminals. The less he had to do with her, the better. Assuming a light air, be made answer: ‘Why not reform Hal? There is some decent material in him; just reform the man, and you will get along swimimingly.™. | She Zara’s face clouded. ie had a passing fancy for Dick, and was disappointed; but she was a woman whose heart was not of the kind to break, The detective bade her good-by in a way with which she could find no fault, and then took his departure, , Returning to his office he found a note from an old acquaintance, which read as follows: ‘‘Mr. Bristrou:—I have changed my mind again. My son ain’t been seen in some days, and, as he wouldn’t never come nigh my wife, she says he ain't our son, I reckon she is right, and that I’m a fool. Can I engage you to take charge of the whole business? Peter PENN.” Dick smiled sarcastically. ‘After seeing Billy Bucket, I may call on Penn,” he observed, QHAPTER XIII. RUNNING THEM DOWN. DEADWOOD Dick did not lose any time in looking up his boy detective. * Billy, you know the ropes in Wooster street, I take it.” **T ought ter, boss,” | ‘“Know a place called ‘ Tipton’s? ” ‘You bet!” “* Whats ita saloon?’ eo oe een ‘* No; sort of a tenement-house, but wid some roonis to let. Reg’lar dive, though.” ‘* Guide me there!” ‘*D’ye mean it, boss?” cc Sure ” ‘* What’s up?” - The detective prince then gave an account of his visit to Zara, and the result thereof. The story put Mr, Bucket in great good humor, . ‘* Whoop!” be cried; *‘ the kinks are crawlin’ out. Jest you foller my lead, an’ we'll scoop de whole gang. We kin first summon an officer ter help us, an’ then, while he’s on de way, we will raid Tip’s. Come on!” This programme was carried out, oo Aman A messen- ger was sent to request police aid; then Dick — and Billy set ont for their destination. ‘‘We are goin’ ter nab de whole lot, sure!” declared the boy. So to Wooster street they went. This was not the most savory neighborhood in New York, It was a region to be avoided, especially by people who did not ** know the ropes.” The place to which Billy piloted Dick was in the worst part of the whole street. ‘The neigh- borhood was filthy, and the denizens were of the lowest character, which flock together in bad neighborhoods in large cities, It was a battered “‘shebang,” years old in age, but formerly the residence of one of th first families of Gotham, | The first floor was now occupied by a business concern, The second was where Billy conducted Dick, A rap at a door bronght no answer, but three successive raps did, for a grim-faced old | woman appeared, \ She seemed to recognize Billy. ‘“Why, Billy Bucket!” was her greeting, ‘‘Tt’s me,mom. Got any rooms to rent?” ‘To be sure. Does the gentleman want one?” sé Hea do,” ‘‘ Then, come right in.” So they entered. ‘ : Up the long flight of stairs they went, until they reached the third floor, when they entered a small, ill-smelling kitchen, . o% ‘Take a seat,” directed the old_janitress, ‘What kind of a room do you want, Billy?” “it isn’t for me; my friend is the chap, I told 0 ila \ } * - : : § , P . oA . ** ek f pk tea As " i ve * ‘ ae ri Ip * . ‘Yt | AYA ks Ping o? | 1 @ . _—" x Lies. Ss ~ oh ‘ 4 . ’ > va id _ a tM a — ) — prising the elements — ee eae ee ee ° 8 ‘ ~~ — oo pat ony ee iP. 4 eal oe a@ vie * oy ey ii Ft ~*~ 7 ee ee : ‘ / ® > ‘ . ‘ ty 4 - wf - So» ! § — P “~ 7 : Fon eT * =-