Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 657 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

Sant ~n—ee ge Eee = Sr . ~ ~ - te a . — . ~ ine «s. . + an - 7 ot er ee . _ ~«_* - ; 3 nt > 45 10 Warbling William. tampering with her [’ve been playing with fire. She isn’t simply the affected, paint-bedaubed being I hadimagined. She is Leonard’s strongest ally, and fully as shrewd and unscrupulous as her chief. I would give more than a pretty penny to penetrate her secret, No doubt the re- sult would startle me.” Harry came in, after a time, and together they discussed the events of the evening. ‘“*“T’ve seen her out walking with Brown sev- eral times lately!” the boy declared. ‘Only yesteaday evening they were strolling up and down under those very trees,” **She knew Brown had no very kindly feelings toward me, and I suppose she’s been leading him on to make this attempt, Leonard’s blow at us in the mines wasn’t better planned, You see, if Brown had killed me, she could have been in no way held responsible for the deed. Her natural fright would have seemed a sufficient cause for her clinging to me in a hysterical way and hampering my movements; and besides there was little likelihood that any one would see the affair and be able to refute any stories they might tell about it, m‘' Yes, it was a shrewd plot; and if the Kicker hadn’t hoisted too much poison on board before tackling me, the chances are great that it would have succeeded, I suppose his courage was a little shaky, and he thought to brace it up with a heavy jag of liquid lightning, and inadvert- ently took more than he could easily carry, I’ve heard it said there is only one case known where whisky ever benefited anybody; and that was when an Irish well-digger got so full he couldn’t go into a well, which caved in, a few minutes after he otherwise would have descended. This adds the second case to the brilliant record,” He was regaining his equanimity, and his cheery joviality began again to bubble to the surface, | ** As [ve before remarked: [f I could convert the barmaid from the evil of ber ways I’d like to add her to my detective staff. She would make @ splendid acquisition. It couldn’t be done, though, Her honesty isn’t equal to the strain,” He looked questioningly at his revolvers, as he drew them out and began to refill the chambers, ** How that was done rather gets me, I’ve al- ways boasted that there wasn’t a_ pickpocket alive who could go through my clothing without my knowledge. Yet it’s as evident as can be that Miss Fulton extracted these weapons, re- moved the charges, and then returned them, and I know nothing of when or how she did it,” ‘Which also goes to show that she knew nich would attack you this evening,” the boy ad, **No doubt, my boy, she’s had some sort of understanding with Brown, or has said some- thing to induce him to attack me when he did, f only wish I knew the whole secret of it.” There seemed no way of laying this secret bare, however, and after some further talk they descended to the bar-room, where the usual crowd was already gathering. Ware kept aclose watch for the Kicker, be- lieving that that individual would not tamely submit to the ignominious drubbing he had re- eeived, but would attempt, in some way, to get even, He also feared the barmaid might hatch some other plot to retrieve the failure of the evening. Up to the hour for the commencement of the performance, however, nothing occurred to arouse his suspicions, The singing of the first ballad had scarcely ended, when a boisterous commotion was heard at the street door, and a moment later Sam Brown strode into the saloon at the head of a procession of intoxicated cronies, “There he is!” he bawled, pointing a dirty forefinger at the Warbler, who was bowing bis acknowledgment of the applause with which the song had been received. ‘'Down the dog! That’s the chap what tried to kill me this even- in’! ~ Don’t let ’im git away frum ye!” CHAPTER XIII, THE TROUBLE IN THE SALOON, ** Down ’im! down ’im!” the Kicker continued to roar, as the startled crowd commenced to surge and rise from the benches, ‘‘ Lay ’im out stiffer’n a salted mackerel.” The confusion and panic produced by the en- trance of the yelling horde of intoxicated ruf- fians can scarcely be described, As they whipped eut their weapons in response to the commands of the Kicker, a wild scramble for the doors and windows took place, in which benches were over- turned, and men sprawled and rolled in howling and cursing heaps, The coolest man in the room, apperenny was the Warbler, Notamuscle of his face seemed to change, yet a hot light glowed in his eyes which boded ill to whoever pressed him too closely. Amid it all Brown and his men pressed steadi- ly forward, spreading out as much as possible, for the evident purpose of hemming the detective in and effectually preventing his escape, ‘What is it you want, gentlemen?’ the Warbler asked, serenely, bowing politely as he placed his hands on his weapons in the pockets of his coat. ‘‘There is no necessity for kicking up sucharow, You will always find me at the old stand. I suppose, though, the Kicker feels called on to maintain his reputation!” ° ‘‘ You'll feel the Kicker’s heels purty tol’able quick, now, I kin tell ye!” Brown snarled, level- ing and discharging his heavy pistol. is intense rage caused his hand to tremble, and the ball flew wide of the mark, Then, with a lightning-like movement, the Warbler hurled one of his weapons at Brown’s head, the aim being so true that the burly scoundrel dropped in his tracks like a slain ox, This was replied to by a chorus of yells and a volley of shots. But Warbling William was not there to receive the leaden compliment, Af- ter hurling the revolver he vaulted like an athlete into the wing of the stage, and the pistol balls swept harmlessly over the place he had just va- cated, Harry Cavendish was in the little wing, hav- ing gone there to be ready for his part in the performance, When the detective noticed him, he shouted: “Quick! Follow me! Don’t let the drunken fools see you!” Then he smashed a rear window with a heavy kick, and leaped into the alley that ran along the rear of the building. When the detective disappeared from the stage with such astonishing celerity, the reckless mob scrambled forward, apparently certain he could not now escape them. The boy was about to rush through the window after the detective, but their sudden appearance disconcerted him, and he crouched in an angle of the wall, draw- ing over himself a piece of cloth which chanced to be lying near. Fortunately the smashed window drew the attention of the men, and through it they streamed, without casting a glance at the point where the boy lay concealed. The detective had been waiting near the build- ing for his boy pard, but he now drew further back into the shadows, and narrowly watched the men as they ran here and there in a blind and aimless search. On several occasions they came within a few feet of his hiding-place, but the shadows were so dense they could scarcely have discovered him without stumbling bodily against him. in the course of a few minutes the Kicker himself appeared, having partially recovered from the effects of the blow. This was the sig- nal for a recommencement of the search, which the Kicker now led in person. But the result was the same as before. The Warbler could be nowhere discovered. After an hour of useless beating and thrash- ing among the black shadows they retired to the saloon to soothe their ruffled feelings with copi- ous libations, When the sounds emanating from their re- treat began to assumea jovial character, Ware left his place of concealment and crept up to the walls of the building. “Strange what has become of Harry!” he muttered, as he strained his ears to catch the drift of the talk, “lt can’t be they have mur- dered the boy. If they have, Brown will pay dearly for this night’s frolic!” His anxiety finally became so great that he crept back into the wing through the broken window; and creeping on his hands and knees thoroughly explored the gloomy place. He found the cloth beneath which Harry bad con- cealed himself, but not a trace did he find of the y. Failing in this he worked a hole in the wing with the blade of his pocket-knife, and for a long time watched and listened to the carousings of the drunken wretches, Shelby Tanner, smiling and affable as usual, was pouring out the fiery liquor with a lavish hand, apparently receiving no money therefor from any one, **Leonard is atthe bottom of this outrage,” Ware gritted, as he noted this fact. ‘* Tanner, as his tool and agent, is standing all the expense to-night. I wonder how much Brown has re- ceived for this attempt to domeup? These ef- forts to put me out of the way prove one thing, anyhow; and that is that !m worrying Leonard a great deal, even if [’'m not accomplishing yest eS — much, They show, too, that Lewis Cavendish is alive. Hither that, or ’m close on proof that he was murdered by Leonard.” He fidgeted uneasily as the talk failed to re- veal anything of Harry. ‘*] wonder where the boy can be?” he ques- tioned again and again. ‘ I’m positive he didn’t follow me out of the window, as I told him to!” Not knowing what to do, and determined not to leave the place until he had gained some de- finite information, he hitched slowly and can- tiously backward and again descended into the alley. Here he called softly, and receiving ne reply, made his way to the street in front of the saloon. Some of the Kicker’s men, hilarious from fre- quent potations, were beginning to leave, and to avoid these he retreated to the shadows of the buildings opposite, From this point he watched for another hour; and was fast thinking of leaving, when he saw Leonard enter the saloon. At this he again crossed the street, and peered into the room, The last of the revelers had de- parted, and Leonard was leaning over the bar, whispering confidentially to Tanner. The detective was trying to devise some plan by which he could bear what was said, when Tanner advanced and locked the door. At this, Ware hastened to the broken window in the rear, but on arriving there he found Tan- ner blocking itin such a way that he knew he could never get in, ‘*Shut out,” he growled, ‘‘and I would have given a hundred dollars to hear what those ras- cals are going to talk about.” CHAPTER XIV. HARRY’S ADVENTURES, As the howling mob rushed by in pursuit of the detective, Harry Cavendish crouched tremb- lingly beneath the concealing cloth, fearing to breathe lest he should betray bis whereabouts to the bloodthirsty wretches. He had a sublime confidence in the ability of his friend to take care of himself, and thought only of his own safety, When the lastof the mob had streamed into the alley, he cast back the cloth and was about to rise; but he drew back in an affrighted way as he heard the tramp of heavy feet and the loud voice of Sam Brown, The latter stumbled through the wing, swear- ing horribly and endeavoring to wipe away the blood which half-covered his face. He was fol- lowed by Shelby Tanner; who seemed equally indignant and excited. When they had passed, and no further sounds were heard in the saloon, the boy again cast off the cloth which bad so well served him, and crept to the end of the wing looking out upon the stage. The saloon was deserted; and fearing he could not make his way from the place by the rear alley, he darted into the big room with the intention of going out at the front door. He ran quickly forward to this, and was hor- ror-stricken to find it locked. Even the windows, which had been hoisted by the frightened habitues of the place in their efforts to escape, were closed and barred. ‘*Tanner, half-believing that the Warbler had not left the building, had taken this precaution to le his escape should be yet within the walls. The lighted chandeliers made the room almost as light as day, and Harry realized that should any of the crowd chance to return all hope of getting away unseen would be at an end, For an instant he hesitated, not knowing which way to turn. Then he darted bebind and under the bar. The place was filled with a strange assort- ment of old bottles, rags, paper, and all the odds and ends that collect in a drinking den, ‘Just the thing!” he whispered, as he drew some of the bottles about him and tucked the mass of rags and paper around and over his erson. ‘* They’ll never think of looking for me flows How I’m ever to get out, though, I don’t know,” He had concealed himself none too soon, for just then he heard Tanner re-enter the room ' talking to some cronies. Their words showed that Ware had effected bis escape, ‘* Look the buildin’ over,” Tanner commanded. “Tf he ain’t in hyer, he’s got clean away. Sing’lar how he broke loose frum you fellers, after you had him cinched so tight. It was about as slick a trick as I ever see, ‘“ We didn’t think of him turnin’ circus actor!” one of them growled, as they began the search, This order to examine the room seemed franght with new peril to the boy, who had been so prematurely congratulating himself on the security of his position, But the explorers did comicbooks Je - —— Yor: . ~ — +o A hal et rane st yy ne Ps © < pram it? AL & t 4 a) ‘ - P * WG UE ' + i 4 . Je: a —. = Ys . Ps a . ~% - s ~ ] f ey! Aff ; t Un ; ‘ } fi Reel nee