Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 645 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

ve _ <<a _? 2 burned with a fire which, by rights, should have gone out years before. The ‘**‘ Wizard. Cobbler,” as the old man was often called, had many visitors besides those who brought work to bis hammer. He had a certain room to which he took such customers, and the world at large was not permitted to see what took place beyond its thresbold. The lights of New York were flashing in every direction one night, when a man, who did not appear at home in the clothes he wore, tripped down the steps leading to the cobbler’s den, and disappeared beyond its door, Old Penrod’s eyes got a sudden glitter the moment he saw his caller. He was _ in the act of pegging a shoe, but the uplifted bammer fell without delivering the blow intended, and he seemed to study his caller with a curious smile. “Don’t you think I look myself in these feathers?’ laughed the visitor, as he glanced at his garb. ‘*T don’t think you do, quite,” answered Pen- rod. ‘* But it’s noneo’ my business, you know.” By this time the man bad taken possession of a backless chair which stood near the old man’s work-beuch, He was about forty. His figure was well- shaped, and, aside from the clothes he wore, which were rather uncouth and undoubtedly a disguise, he was somewhat of a gentleman; that is, he would look so in other clothes, at least, ‘‘Have you got anything for me?’ demanded the caller. ‘* Not much,” was the reply. ‘* A little, then?” Yen,” ‘‘ That is better than nothing.” Old Penrod rose and locked the door by slip- ing a bolt; then be led his visitor to a room yack of his bench, All this time the black eyes of the night visi- tor were fixed upon the Wizard, They fol- lowed his every movement, and when they saw the old man cross the room and unlock an old- fashioned iron safe seemingly imbedded in the wall, they appear to glitter, At length Penrod came back to his visitor with a flat package in his band, ‘* It isn’t much, and perhaps it won’t do you much good,” said he, The other put out his hand, ‘*Let me see it,” be replied, with eagerness, **T can’t tell until Pve done that, you know.” The cobbler hesitated. ‘* You want your money first, eh?’ exclaimed the man. ‘‘ I can be independent in this matter if I choose to. I don’t need to pay for informa- tion before I get it.” Old Penrod tbrust the package into the caller’s hands, ‘* Td like to know who said anything about money,” heexclaimed, ‘‘ There! you have what [have picked up. It may be valuable to you, and if you pay liberally for it, other prizes may follow.” The man with the dark eyes opened the par- celand glanced over its contents. These con- sisted of several documents covered with writ- ing, and all seemed to pessess a certain interest to the examiner, ‘Where did you get these?” he queried. ‘* That is my business,” grinned Old Penrod, ‘What are they worth? ‘* Not a great deal,” responded the man, ecare- lessly, but at once took some bills from: his waist- coat and handed them to Penrod, who counted them over and found fifty dollars in bis hand. He looked disappoined. **No more?’ with a swift glance at the visi- tor. ‘** Great Ceasar! do you want to rob me?” ‘* No, but I want fair pay.” For half g second the two men looked strange- ly at one another with the sickly light of the cobbler’s lamp on their faces. ‘* Pair pay, eb? ejaculated the stranger, ‘I think you've got it. You don’t know what these papers are worth to me.” ‘** No; but I know the ri-ks I ran in getting them.” ** Risks?” The man appeared to repeat the word with an incredulous smile, ‘*f said risks!” exclaimed Old Penrod, with emphasis. ‘“*If you think. you can do as well ombetter, you’re welcome to try. I’m sure don’t covet the job,” and, leaning forward and lowering his voice, he added: ‘‘ 1 don’t want to look through iron diamonds in my old age. Yes, I say, if you think you can do as well, you’re welcome to try.” ‘‘T didn’t mean to underrate your services,” was the answer, ‘*T merely meant that these Kit, the Pavement Sharp. papers are not worth as much to me as others might be,” ‘Tl understand. The rest will come in time, I’m on the right track.” ‘* When can vou have them?” ‘¢T can’t say.” ‘¢ By to-morrow night?” “T will try.” ‘* Who is helping you?” Abe Penrod drew back like u snail into his shell, **Can’t | have a secret or two?” he queried, with a grin, Yes, a dozen if you want them! But, Ill keep what I’ve got,”.and the speaker hid the documents in his bosom, Then he took two more bills from his pocket, and added them to the sum he had already given the -old man, and, buttoning his coat to the chin, he was again at the door of the cob- bler’s den, ‘* Pll come back to-morrow night,” said he; ‘do your best. I want the missing links. There’s a cool thousand in it for you, Philip,” ‘* And a million for the Prince of Gotham— eh?” laughed the cobbler. ‘*That is none of your business,” was the prompt retort of the Prince, ‘‘Stand by me and you'll not have to cobble any more, Good- night, now. Remember! [ want the other papers,” and the visitor vanished. ‘* The coolest rascal in New York!” exclaimed he, ‘‘A thousand for me, but a million for him! Ob, 1 know you, Oliver Owlet! You are the Prince of Gotham to some, but to me you are the Prince of Scamps, I wonder what the boy thinks, now?” Penrod had hardly spoken thus to himself when the door flew open, and an agile boy of seventeen appeare’ with eagerness iri his eyes, ‘** Where is he?” exclaimed the lad, ** Just gon2; but, don’t bein a burry. I want to know what you think,” ‘* Not now, Pop Phil!” was the response, ‘‘I don’t want to lose sight of him.” ‘* But you can stop long enough to give an opinion, and then catch bim.” ‘‘No, I say; not now,” and, springing away the boy vanished. The cobbler went back to bis bench and took up his unfinished job. **Pve set a young ferret after you, Mr. Owlet,” he chuckled between strokes, and Keen Kit won’t lose sight of you for a moment, Oliver. Kit and I will make more than a thou- sand out of this game, You're right, Oliver, I won’t need to cobble much longer!” : Meanwhile, out among the lights and shadows of the streets, Keen Kit was following this Owlet—the boy ferret in pursuit of a villain. CHAPTER II. THE FLY IN THE WEB, Mr. OW.ET glided along with considerable youthfulness in his step. Every now and then he chuckled over something that seemed to do him good, Had he caught sight of the alert boy upon his trail, he might have changed both his course and his gait; but, be was oblivious to the espi- onage, and kept on, unsuspicious that he was followed. ) At last Kit could follow him no longer, for the Prince disappeared beyond the door of an old-fashioned house. Tbe boy stopped and looked at the structure, ‘“You needn’t tell m@ that you live there, Prince Oliver!” laughed Kit, ‘‘ your feathers are too fine for such a nest. But, you havea motive for entering the old house, and I’d like to know what it 1s.” The Pavement Sharp concluded to wait a few minutes for Owlet’s reappearance, He scarcely dared hope for that, but at the end of ten min- utes, to his joy, the door opened, and a man, who did not much resemble the Prince at first sight, came out, ‘“ A change of costume, [ see!” exclaimed Kit who at once ‘tumbled to’ the metamorphosis. ‘*Prince Oliver is himself once more. He bad an eye for business when he came to Pop Philip in the slouchy garb. Now, he will fry his other fish, and I’m right on hand when there is a fry on the menu!” ; Oliver Owlet turned the first corner, and just beyond it he nearly ran up against a man who was apparently waiting for some one. This individua] was more youthful looking than the Prince. He was almost dudisbly attired, and when the two had recognized each other with a smile, they walked off together. **'W hat did you do?’ asked the younger, with- in hearing of the sharp-eared boy who risked a ae deal in getting close enough to catch their words, ** Not very much, Leon, but secured another link,” was the response ** Did the old fellow want tosell high?” ‘*'Yes, I paid him a good price, too,” ‘* Not enough to bankrupt us, though?” ‘Of course not!” All this time a young girl was eying these two with a good deal of suspicion. She was barely past seventeen, and she wore the clothes of a working girl. In features she was strikingly bandsome; her figure was grace itself, and about her, in an indescribable way, there lurked a look of sadness and deep aix- lety. Keen Kit accidentally caught sight of this youpg woman, and it did not take him long to see that she was watchihge the two men who were interesting him at that moment, He had never seen the girl before, though of late he had thought that the mysterious scheme which Owlet was playing was against some in- nocent or helpless person, most likely one of the gentle sex. All at once the Prince and his companion en- tered a 2, store, The girl drew close, asif fearful of losing sight of the precious pair, and in doing so she passed the boy, Their eyes met, ‘** Dun’t go too close; they may see you,” said Kit, touching her arm, *What do you know?” exclaimed the girl, changing color in the lamplight. ‘*More than you think,” replied the boy at a venture, ‘* Who are you?” It was not Kit’s intention to betray his mis- a nor his connection with the Wizard Cob- er. ‘Don’t I look just what I am—a street Arab?” he laughed, He got a closer look for his answer. ‘You may be that, but, I don’t think you are like the most of them,” was the response, spoken in most earnest tones, and then the gir] sent a swift glance toward the cigar store. ** You will not tell me that you were not watch- ing those two men?” Kit thought he saw his opportunity. ‘*T will not,” was his reply. ‘‘ You were watching them also?” ‘““T was! The girl recoiled with an exclamation of sur- prise on her lips, for at that moment Prince Owlet and kis companion had emerged from the shop and: were looking straight at the two shadowers. Keen Kit felt the hot blood mount to his temples. He saw the deep-set eyes of Owlet, and the bright, covetous ones of his comrade, as all regarded the girl with intense interest and power. Suddenly Owlet stepped forward, ‘**See here, child! Dve got some news for you,” said he, still looking at the girl, ‘* For me?” asked the girl though she did not move, ‘*'Yes, for you.” “You don’t want to tell her in that gamin’s presence!” broke in Leon, scowling at the boy, ‘*Gamiv, am I?” cried Kit, measuring Leon from head to foot in a contemptuous manner. “That’s what I said, I guess I speak fair English.” And as he spoke he raised the light rattan cane he carried, but the movement did not dis- concert the young Pavement Sharp. Before she could restrain her new acquain- tance, the girl saw him bound forward, and ipa twinkling Teon’s cane was jerked from his girp and thrown half-way across the street. ‘**Did you ever see such impudence, Oliver?” exclaimed Leon with a glance at his companion. . Nall like to soil my hands with a street rat; ut— ‘“Don’t fool with him!” interrupted the Prince. ‘' Floy is going “with us, and we won't have any scene with the gutter-snipe.” At the same time Owlet, who was near enough, seized the girl’s arm, but she jerked backward with an emphasis that broke his grip, and suc- cessfully eluded his effort to take her, while Kit, whose ire was now fully aroused, was ready for an encounter with Leon; but the young man de- cided not to push the sudden introduction, and, walking into the street, he recovered his cane, to the taunting laugh of several persons who had witnessed the scene, “* Come, Floy!” resumed Owlet. ‘ You want to hear the news I’ve got. [ know you do,” ‘* No!” was the firm answer. ‘“*Tve heard enough already. Tell me where my brother is 7