Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 639 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

ei ee ~< * : ‘ , é a ' ” : , a. | . ‘si Ae a Tate Or. —- < ive ® z 2 a . ? sf f La ' « Z . 7 ; r ; % tan, & ik i, | , a ‘ A 4 ye a - ae. 7 * a _— . PS >. 4 = - > +e “We have the power of making inquiries.” ‘True; but we should waste time in trying to get around alone.” ‘* Just as you say; you know best. Well, I » tryst that our guide will prove a veritable Kit CH.% on,” and the young lady smiled brightly apon Saul. Mr. Enonbridge was fit for nothing but a comfortable bed, but he would listen to no argu- ments which would lead to unnecessary separa- ticn from his unfortunate son. He was deter- mined to go abead, and go they did, By Saul’s advice they took a street-car to Causeway street—the travelers had no money to pay carriage-hire—and then took the Fitch- burg Railroad for Union Square station, in Somerville. The young guide knew that pris- oners were often taken at once to the East Cam- bridge jail, but he gave heed to Enonbridge’s assertion that Ralph was still in Somerville, and led the way to the Bow street police-sta- tion, - _ -— e ~-- {i.e Se —~e = Sunrise Saul. zealous supporter of the Enonbridge cause. Ralph’s wite was a woman who just suited Saul, and the young boys, James and Ralph, junior, were handsome and polite. It was a fine family, and Saul became anxious to help them all he could, ‘*] will tell the story,” said Ralph’s wife, ‘* and show you that there is something wrong, My husband is no thief, and I say that there is a plot against him. I only wish I knew the plotter!” . CHAPTER X. JOCKWAY’S REMARKABLE KEVELATION. THE account of the embezzlement charged agaipst Ralph Enonbridge need not be given here in detail. He had held a position of trust, which included the keeping of one set of ac- count-books, When the crash came it was found that these books had been juggled with, certain recent entries showing clumsy changes This building was not the most imposing or | as to figures. are of the law’s strongholds, but neither this Cash was also missing, It was the claim of act nor the close proximity of the church on | the defense that this had been taken by burg- Summer street, saved Enonbridge from a fit of trembling as he beheld its walls. They entered. A little conversation developed the fact that Ralph was there, and his father and Emmie were allowed to see him without delay. Their coming was no surprise to him, and he advanced eagerly to meet them, Poor old Mr. Enonbridge, weak and trembling, folded him in bis arms. ‘*My boy!—my poor boy!” he murmured, in a shaking voice. ‘* Not poor, while I have your love and confi- dence in my hour of trouble!” declared Ralph, his own voice far from steady. **T know you are innocent!” **T am; I swear it!” ‘*But you are in imprisonment,” ‘‘T have failed to get bail.” ‘How much is asked?” ‘‘ Five thousand dollars.” ‘‘ Just Heaven!” To one of Mr. Enonbridge’s means, the sum ‘was as much a barrier as though it had been ‘ten times as mucb. “Have no fear—justice and right will tri- umph!” the prisoner declared. ‘They must; they must. And the But, come, Ralpb, here is your niece, ‘Take your first look at her!” He stepped back, and the younger persons greeted each other affectionately, Owing to th: fact that Emmie had been reared in the West, they never had met before. ‘* Pretty as a peach!” asserted Ralph, assum- ing an air of lightness, ‘* but I don’t see much resemblance to our line of Enonbridges,” Emmie’s mother had been James Enonbridge’s sister, and she had married a distant relative of the same name, Hence, their daughter was doubly an Enonbridge. A leng consultation took place, and the chances were discussed, and means of relief considered. Ralph, who, instead of being a boy, as his father called him, was a man of twenty-eight years, had a wife and two sons, but the former was an invalid, and the latter were, of course, too young to be more than an expense at this crisis, And Ralph had money neither Jfor luxuries nor for necessities, He was a man of remarkably pleasing ap- arance. His features were not exactly regu- ar, but they were bold, manly and strong; and he gave every evidence of being an earnest, in- telligent person, After a long interview, the visitors returned to where Sunrise Saul awaited them. James Enonbridge’s face was downcast. ‘We will all go to Ralph’s house,” he re- marked, ‘* Do you need the boy longer?” asked Emmie. “Saul? Yes; he’s to remain right with us un- til we reach some conclusion.” | ““Unele Ralph’s wife may not have room for m, . ‘* Tt don’t take but one chair more.” Mr. Enonbridge showed a trace of resent- ment, and Emmie hastened to a *“*T was thinking of to-night. By all means, let us have himalong. I am not sure but he’s re fit ane 5" forces donnoe a of us.” é smi in her pec easant wa upon the youth, who good-naturedly enaneued- “IT am no general, but you may command me while I am at your service.” | Ralph’s home was on Quincy street, and to that place Saul led the wav. By the time he had been in the house half an hour, he wasa will! mmie, mie, * no chance should lars, but there was nothing to show that burg- lars had been in the store. The prosecution claimed that Ralph had deliberately taken the money, before the hour of closing, and supported their assertion with the fact that an envelope which bore Ralph’s name had been found near the money-drawer, the next day, with ten one- dollar bills in it, It seemed to have been left by the thief, by accident, As Ralph closed the store, and the proprietor opened it mornings, and each had a key, and BO ere els:e did haye one, it looked bad for alph. Mrs. Enonbridge maintained that there was a conspiracy. The envelope with the money in it was, in her sight, one item of evidence; the clumsy tamper- ing with the books was another; and there were other slight points which do not require pro- longed attention, ‘*But Ralph is the victim of a deliberate plot!” declared Mrs, Enonbridge, stoutly. ‘* What sort of a man is his employer?” asked Saul, thoughtfully. ‘** An upright, just man.” ‘* Who else in the store could have done it?” ‘* Nobody, for there were only two keys, as I have before said.” . Dia Ralph ever give his key to any one?” ‘* You live alone in this house, don’t you?” sé Yes.” ‘‘Any one ever appear curious about the key q” ‘ No.” , ‘“*What theory are you working upon?” in- quired Mr. Enonbridge. ‘*Tll show you presently,” Saul replied, and then continued his questions, ‘‘ Do you -often have company over night?” ‘* No; I may say that we never do, During the last year we have had company over night but once,” ** Who were here then?” | ‘*Two gentlemen irom the West, friends of Miss Emmie.” ‘* Mr. Hardy and his friend,” added Emmie, ‘** Did yon know them in the West?” ‘*T knew Mr. a His friend, Mr. Brown, I met but once. Both lived in Denver.” ‘* What sort of men were they?” ‘** The very best. They were members of lead- ing families, and quiet, unassuming men, Didn’t you think so, aunt?” ‘* Yes,” Ralph’s wife readily replied. ‘That settles that,” decided Mr. Enonbridge. ‘*T don’t know whether it does or not,” quiet- ly returned Saul, ‘‘ We have got to proceed on some certain line, and to investigate some one; or else admit that Ralph is guilty. As we don’t want to do this, let us look more closely to Hardy and Brown, I presume, Mrs, Enonbridge, that they had the freedom of your house while here?” sé Yes.” ‘“And it is possible that they could get at Ralph’s keys?” « ‘* Yes, but—” ** This is a waste of ‘time!” remonstrated Em- mie. ‘‘Mr. Hardy is above suspicion, and I feel sure it is the same with his friend. Let us not throw any chance away by thinking of this trivial matter.” ‘* Well, it’s your affair, not mine,” Saul re- marked. ‘* Poor Ralph!” sighed Enonbridge, ** You are right, Saul,” eee observed Em- neglected. I am afraid I have not a good business head, Proceed with your questions, by all means,” ‘“How long agu were Hardy and Brown here?” ** About two months.” ‘You say there were small sums missing from the money-drawer before the crash came, When did these losses begin?” ‘* Five weeks ago,” ‘* ‘Where are Hardy and Brown now?” ** They left for Europe at once,” ** Are you sure?” ‘“* They said they were going, and we have had no reason to doubt the statement,” Mrs, EKnon- bridge returned. Saul was silent, Men who were in Europe could not very well enter a business place in Somerville, and rifle the money-drawer. Ap- pearances indicated that he was on the wron track. Emmie vouched for Hardy. It seem absurd to suspect the men, ‘* If we abandon that line of reasoning, what can we give our attention to?’ he asked. It was a question easier asked than answered, Ever since Ralph’s arrest be and his wife had been puzzling themselves over the inquiry: Who couldhave executed the plot against him! They bad found no answer in the past, and none was found now. Conversation went on for an hour, but it was all tono purpose, The fact remained that Ralph was in the worst kind of a fix, but no light was shed upon the case, Of course Mr, Enonbridge and Emmie were to stay where they were, but Saul declined an invitation todo the same. It was necessary for him to go to bis own home, which was in Bos- ton. At Mr. Enonbridge’s earnest request, however, he promised to get a substitute to go on the train the next day, and return to his new friends, ! He then left the house, walked down Somer- ville avenue, through Union Square, and down Webster avenue to the Fitchburg Station. He was just in time co catch a train, and soon had a seat. After the start was made some one slouched along and sat down beside him, ‘* Hullo, younker! that you?’ growled a deep voice, i Saul looked up in surprise and saw Buck Jockway. , ** So yowre here?” ‘“ Young feller, I be,” the miner agreed, **T didn’t know that you had business out here.” ‘‘Hum! Wal, you kin see I did, The first thing I did when I reached Boston was ter put Ab Plunket on his feet, That critter is a limp rag, but ’tain’t Montana style ter see even a dog go ter pieces fur want 0’ due bracin’ o’ the back- bone, Plunk had but a speck o’ money, so, b’ Judas! I put aside my disgust fur him, an’ cashed over enough to kerry him through.” “You are generous.” ‘“‘No, I ain’t; I didn’t do it with good grac but jest ’cause he’s down. ‘* Did he ask you for the money?” ‘“No. Say, d’yes’pose I’d wait ter be asked when I seen a feller-critter in need?” ‘*I consider you deserving of credit, but we ee the point. So you’ve been to Somer- ville Eccentric Jockway paused to grate his strong teeth before he replied. p ¥ eB remember what I tol’ ye on the train, oy ** About your visit East?” ‘cc Yes,” ‘You said you were here to be avenged upon some man. ‘Yes, b’Judas! that’s it; and that’s what I’m a-drivin’ at now. I heerd that my man was livin’ on Prospect street, an’ thar I went, but I. got more news than man. Hardy bas moved from Prospect street ter Salem street, Boston,” “* Who has moved?” cried Saul. ‘i man,’ ** W hat’s his name?” ‘* Arad Boyne.” ‘‘That wasn’t what you called him,” ‘‘Oh! he. seemed ter hev dropped that name when he came East—nobody knows his ree’l name, I reckon, Sence he come hyar he’s called hisself Hardy, I’ve found out.”. ‘* From the West?” ‘From Denver.” Saul’s composure was somewhat shaken, Hardy concerning whom he had been } with the Enonpridges had also been from Den- ver. 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