Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 686 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

- ~ | | | 0 COE SION a es ~~ -,sS . . 4 : - 3 : = > ; I did not have to go into voyant revelations. | his son in a minute.” atrance. I located ‘* At Sing Sing?” Yon ‘*[ presume, since you are so clever, you can guess at the number of bis cell?” ‘Yes, I can.” ‘* Then name it!” ‘‘ Wor my price, Mr. Bristol, I will.” ‘¢ And what is your price?” ‘* Wifty dollars!” ‘You willnot getitfrom' me! Ill not be worked for aninnocent. If you choose to tell me, as you Claim you can, I will give you ten dollars.” ‘* Very well. **T will investigate the matter. company me to the prison?” ‘*T haven’t the time.”’ **Very well. If I find young Penn there, I will return and give you your money,” Mme, Zara laugbed scornfully. ‘*I thought so!” she declared. ‘* You were trying to gain information for nothing. But, sir, Zura was too smart for you. A Gypsy for shrewdness! When you advance the money I will take you into the presence of Mr. Penn junior, but not before, ou have your choice —Jimmy Penn can be found atacost of ten dollars, Do you want to pay that price for him?” Dick deliberated a few minutes, during which Zara watched him like a hawk. She knew he doubted her; she, by some man- ner of means, knew that he wasa detective; and now, after all her coolness, she began to fear him as only sucha woman can fear her superiors. But, with the cunning of her race, she still clung on with desperation, If Deadwood Dick yielded, she would win; if not, she lost—mayhap more than the money, ‘*Pve aproposition to make. IfI pay you double the price you ask, will you go with me te the prison and point out Jimmy Penn?” was Dick’s demand, és No!” “Why not?” **T have good reasons,” **'You dare not tell them!” **Maybe not. At any rate, I do not propose to, You can, accordingly, do as you see fit,” ‘*T shall see fit to act without you, madame!” was the detective’s prompt rejdinder, and he at once took his leave, ; The cell is Number Sixteen!” Will you ac- CHAPTER XI. AN OBSTINATE PENN IN SING SING, On his arrival at his office, the detective found Billy Bucket there, bright as a button. ‘Well, Billy, how are you feeling?” Dick cheerfully asked, ** Like a lord! DP’ve sold out my saloon and chain, and am a different kid. good, ain’t it?” ‘* Yes, first rate,” “Then, too, ve made a discovery,” Billy stick That's added, r ror. Rel in what ne: reckon | know where old Penn’s son is.” $ arma : Where?” tn aie h! show ye, ef ye will come with me, Ef I ain’t off my base, this chap aire ree feller.” Here Billy produced an extract from a news- paper, It read as follows: ‘The case of James Penn was to-day definitely settled, ani he will sojourn at Sing Sing for two and six monts to come. That the sentence dusto his recent employers’ inter- cessions, and his previous good character while with them. He declined to tell anything of his early life, and seemed Overwhelmed by the sentence,” ‘*Where did you get this, Billy?’ demanded ‘Dick ad g las ever. me Ah! Mr. Bristol, are } it is claimed I YPM cas * “Out of an old paper which I happened to | f pick Of _D’ye think it is the same chap?” “Tt looks that way. We will soon find out. ae, we will try Inspector Byrnes.” 10 to Police Headquarters they went. E Byrnes was in, urbane, erret-eyed and ; you around again?” was his cheerful greeting. a $ ana pots ong) Pm pag Hide information, # 40rer a ou ta ure j ivi to ambitious ttle: ‘ in giving it rT By all a I want to hear of a certain Jamés Penn. wh Fenn, w : d, has been sent to Sing Sing.” Oy . ‘The Inspector reflected a moment, “ Yes; he is there,” | For forgery» yi hb . ‘ ! Ph i vibe . ie) oe atin fs 5 oe oy \ “ae Ys _. cot y ~ de Ak ¢ ¥@ whe ae Sad Tae ~*~ “ -—. ———— we - a ihe yo" F “a 2 a. Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer. “That was what he was convicted of, I be- lieve.” t I want a pass to see bim, Can you arrange it? ‘*[ think so,” the inspector replied. He then referred toa book. ‘* That is correct, He was sent there, and is there at the present time,” ‘Do you know, sir, what his antecedents were?” ‘*No. He refused to give them when on trial, according to this record, and [ have no other means of knowing.” ‘**T would like to see and talk with him,” **’You shall.” Turning to his desk, the chief. wrote rapidly for a few moments, and then handed the paper to Dick, ‘* This pass will admit you,” he remarked. Deadwood Dick extended his ehanks, and then left the place, ‘* Billy,” the detective said, addressing his boy ally, ‘‘ lam off for Sing Sing, to see this other Penn.” ~** May I go too?” “Tf you wish,” So to Sing Sing they went, Once there Dick showed his pass to the keeper, who at once in- vited him in with marked courtesy. ‘‘ Let me see your badge, Mr, Bristol. 1f as represented, you are welcome,” Dick exposed his Government detective badge, ‘Correct, You want to see young Penn?” ** Tf he is bere.’ **Oh! he’s here fast enough!” ‘* How is he as a prisoner?” ‘One of our best. He gives us no trouble whatever,” ‘**I would like to see him,” So Dick was conducted to the young man’s cell, and admitted. The prisoner certainly did resemble the man who had presented himself as Penn, Junior, in New York; but whether he was of Peter's line was not yet settled, There was scarcely a no- ticeable differenee, except the prison clothes, between the two Jimmys, ‘* This is the man?” the keeper said. **Are you James Penn?’ Dick asked. sé I am,” ** Son of Peter Penn?” ‘Yos,: tir!?? : ** Would you like to see some of your family?” ‘No, sir; not in this fix,” was the quick re- ye ‘* Jimmy Penn, are you guilty?’ The unfortunate young man shook his head, ‘No; I am not! I hada good position, but my great greed for money got the better of my judgment, and [ went to betting—on races, poker, faro—everything!” ‘* Not a wise thing to do,” ‘‘{ invested in all the open-and-shut games in the city, and here you find me!” ‘* Who pat you here, Mr, Penn?” Young Penn was not at first inclined to say. His prison experience seemed to have sharpened py ey rie id you ever do a forgery?’ * Revie: in my life,” ance ‘* Did you ever commit crime of any kind?” ‘* Never! I defy you to prove that I am even a confederate of any crook inthecountry. True it is, I was convicted, but it was a false charge, and a most unjust conviction.” ‘* Your time is short here,” The prisoner smiled bitterly, ‘* Plainly, you were never in such a fix.” “Tf you had friends, could not your innocence be established, even now?” ** No; the chain of evidence was too strong. It would have ruined any one, But I was inno- cent!” ‘* Well, I am sorry for you, and hope to help you. Keep up good spirits, Until I see your ather, I can give you no better satisfaction,” Penn started abruptly, ‘My father?” be exclaimed. ‘* What do you tr 4 My father is dead!” ‘You said you were the son of Peter Penn.” ‘ I am. +p 7 bi he live in Kansas?” Oo maiter;” and the prisoner looked Deadwood Dick suspiciously. | ‘ ‘Young man, you can trust me freely, If you are the James Penn I want to find, prove means, Well, what is your mis- ‘*{ know your game!” cried the prisoner, ¢ Dick. ‘' You want to trap me, but not a word will I say.” ‘Very well, Mr, Penn. While I might be able to help you out, you don’t seem inclined to be helped.’ ‘*No; Idonot, I was convicted on a false - . ’ i —ea* * owt ; , a ORs ma ; = % ’ ~ we ee | charge, and [ am not the man to be used now, I'll die first.” ‘* There is no further use of talking with you, then?” ‘** None!” ‘* You don’t want to see your father?” a) No ”? ‘* Nor your mother?” sé No }” ‘*Do you have any friends whom I can see?” a) No!” There was a dogged, sullen manner about the prisoner which showed him very set in his way, Thoroughly disgusted, Dick turned and left the cell, ‘Well, what d’ye make of him?” asked the keeper. ‘Give it up.” ‘* Penn, or not?” ‘Penn, yes; but an obstinate one. Whether he is the particular Penn whom I want, I can’t say.” ‘Think he is guilty?” **T do not, on the whole,” ‘** Are you his friend?’ ‘*No more than yours; I never saw him be- fore,” Then the detective and pard took the oppor- tunity to discuss the situation. ‘* Ye won't git nothin’ out o’ that feller!” Billy declared. | ‘* Looks so, sure,” ‘¢ He’s stubborn as a mule,” **Do you see any likeness to Peter Penn?” ‘‘No, Don’t b’lieve his dad, Peter, is the Peter we know. The feller seems savage as a meat-ax, too,” ‘¢ Prison life has done it—with a touch of in- justice linked in, perhaps, I believe he is inno- cent, Old Penn must gee him,” So back to New York they went, only to have an encuunter in the depot. Billy suddenly caught Dick’s arm, ‘* Sawdust Sam!” he exclaimed, The detective looked and beheld the man; but Mr, Slater got in motion immediately, and made for the street. ‘* After him!” cried Dick to Billy. But nimble as was the gamin, the crook got away among the crowd and out of the depot, After all, there was no great loss, and they let him go. They could have done no more than trace him to his den, Dick went home aud went to ted, and made out a good night’s vials He expected Peter Penn at his office, the following day, and he was not disappointed, Peter appeared, but did not look very frankly in Dick’s face, ‘‘ Mr. Penn,” the detective announced, “ I’ve been to Sing Sing on business concerning the James Penn there.” Peter moved uneasily, ** Hope ye had good luck?” ‘* He is rather a puzzler.” ‘¢ You have seen him then?” yt OSs but he was as contrary as a hog on ‘* Did he claim to be my son?” ‘* Yes, but he didn’t want to see you, he said, pace be feels sore about something relating to e past. ‘* T don’t believe he is my son. I allow that the other feller is,” and Penn looked somewhat embarrassed, — ‘Have you seen him lately?” Dick coolly asked. ‘* Yes, this morning. We met at the Hoff- man House, and I gave him some money to in~ vest for me on the races at Clifton, He won for me yesterday.” Deadwood Dick heard this without surprise, for the old man’s downcast look bad previously told a good deal. He quietly replied: ‘¢ Let’s see the color of the money, I'll bet ssed several of it's the bogus stuff again!” ‘* Not much, et ain’t, Tve the bills already, and no one kicks about ’em, Even ef the money ain’t square, et passes fer the genuine, Here’s one o’ the bills, Look at et ef ye like. You'll find et Al, ny took the note, and examined it min- utely. ; He was something of an expert in the line of detecting bogus money, and concluded that this particular bill was good, ee ‘* Well, what’s yer jedgment?” Mr, Penn in- quired in triumph. ‘‘ Ain’t et all right? | ‘‘Tt appears so, How much money did ou give this chap to invest for you on the races?” . bs ‘“Two hundred dollars, He said he bada might just as well make two thou- — ‘cinch,’ and | sand as not.” ‘* Yes, I suppose so, ~ ’ ‘ ‘ 1 - ‘ 4 Z £2 FA" » ah 7 P ‘ ; 4 . i ’ A : y . > 7 . ie i“ ye MR 4 . ‘ Ge. ' . ) PRE: btn: Ra es a GAN bal te “igonaich ye . Ve. > : = Sf aye ver? Well, I hope you will * — ‘7? r j j ~ 5 y +e ‘a 3 pe