Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 671 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

ee ~~” et | Ss | Jed heard the door locked, for the night evidently, and lost sight of the men as they had entered a room on the left of the hall, “T may gather some information before I qui this trap,” thought the boy. “If they don’t suspect my presence here I may no6 be dis- turbed at ail, If Ll am discovered thero will be a scene not down on the bills.” By this time a light had been struck in the room below, and Jed, leaning over the banisters heard the men eho had come, ‘* What did I tell you?” exclaimed Webb Wel- don, ‘‘Thoe ‘personal’ means time. He wants to put us off while bis detective bunts for a clew, Captain Catchem is yet at fault, though men of his kind are liable to strike a lead at any time. I won’t be held back any longer, I can’t afford it. llosearich wifeif ido. If Ll can’t makea showing of wealth within twenty-four bours I[ am out.” The younger member of the firm spoke hotly. “] owa that his reply does not come up to my expectations,” said the voice of Nc ttingham. **T should say not, I shail tighten the screws, Mark Murchison shall deal with us within the time | have mentioned or the gameis up for him. Here! | hold im my hand the club that brains him.” Eager to see down into the room through the transom above thedoor Jed leaned heavily on the banisters which suddenly rewarded his eazverness with a cracking noise, The heart of the boy detective stood still again. If*the conspirators should discover him he was lost; there was no doubt of that, ** What wasthat?’ asked Webb Weldon. * Nothing.” **T won’t say that, because it sounded like the breaking of the banister in the hall,” **Pish! who’s there to break it?’ and Not- tingham laughed at his companion’s fears. uring this time Jed did not move. He stood amid pitcby darkness wondering what would be the next move and how it would affect him. Presently the room door opened and in the light that poured into the hall the boy saw the face of Webb Weldon. The conspirator looked up, trying to follow the steps to the top, and making out the banister as best he could.. But fortunately for Jed the shadows where he stood had not been touched by the light and he felt comparatively safe. rere ec nn eee LLL LLLLLBL LL LLL LL LLLLLLLBBLLADB LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL tt att ttt tt i I tN Jersey Jed, the Boy Hustler, a down-stairs, and, in all probability, have broken his neck. ‘** | thought I was right awhile ago!” he cried, when he found his tongue, and leaning forward he thrust his lucifer into Jed’s face and stared at the boy detective. ** This is better than finding a gold-mine!” he went on, suddenly dashing the match to the floor and seizing Jed before he could move, | ‘** Come down-stairs, boy, I want to show you fo somebody there.” Of course in the iron-like grip of Webb Wel- don the Jersey boy could not move, He was held as though in a vise, and in this condition was escorted down-stairs and into tho room where Mr. Nottingham had lit a cigar. ‘* Here’s something new!” exclaimed Weldon, leading Jed forward, while Nottingham un- crossed his legs, which he had Jifted upon the table, and stared at the boy with an involuntary oath of surprises ** Where did you catch thatfish?”’ he asked, ** At the head of the stairs,” ** Alone?” ‘* Yes, and obligingly waiting for me. Don’t you recognize him?” ‘* Stand bim out there in the light. So.” Jed stood the man’s scrutiny with unruffied composure though the leer of triumph in the dark eyes maddened him. ‘Who Is he?’ asked Nottingham, looking at Weldon. **'The boy we’ve talked about—tbe fellow who wouldn’t tell what he pretended he knew be- cause an Old chap he didn’t like wanted the in- formation. In other words, this is the Jeffreys rat,” ‘*Obo!” laughed Nottingham. ‘‘ [ see plainly now, What were you after up-stairs, boy?” Jed drew back and straightened in the light, ‘*T guess a fellow has aright to look after his own affairs!” he said, **'To be sure,” drawled Nottincham, twisting the ends of his mustache. ‘‘ But you mustn’t look after those affairs to the detriment of ours,” ‘“That’s it exactly,” chimed in Weldon, ‘* Take a chair, boy.” As Jed manifested no eagerness to obey this command, the young conspirator sprung fiercely forward and forced him into a chair near the table. ‘* This is serious!” cried Weldon as he executed the circumstances, cooped up as he» was and completely in their power. After their astonishment had subsided in a degree they laughed in Jed’s face, but this did not daunt him, ‘*Tl’d like to know how you're going to get at those documents,” exclaimed Nottingham, ‘* Knowing where they are is one thing, getting them is quite another,” Jed realized the force of these words, He knew that Holdfast & Co, would never de- liver up the papers he desired, that they were he club held over Mark Murchison’s bead, and that soft words would not advance his cause with two villains, ‘*What’'ll you give for them?’ suddenly asked Webb Weldon. His voice had a derisive sneer, Jed made no reply, ‘‘They’re in the market,” continued tho young sport, “‘Open your heart, boy, and make us an offer,” ‘“You know [I can’t buy them,” was the an- swer, “ You know that [ haven’t anything like the suin you wal [am not Mark Murchi- son,” ‘*And you thank heaven you are not, eh?’ **{T do!” cried Jed prompily. ‘I wouldn't be that man for all the wealth he possesses!” ‘*We needn’t prolong this interview,” said Nottingham, coolly crossing his legs again. ‘* What will you do if we let you go?” ‘*‘7’ll continue to fight for my rights,” “Plucky!” laughed Nick, giancing at his companion. ‘* You came to this house to look for the documents you speak of?” ‘* Frankly, I did.” ‘ But you did not find them?” *T did not.” ‘Do you think they’re here?” ‘¢ Where the vultures are the spoil is generally found,” ‘‘ By Jupiter, good!” burst forth Nottingham, striking the table in his glee, Webb WelRon frowned. ‘‘ Wedon’t seek a quarrel with a boy,” Nick went on. ‘Turn him loose, Webb.” ‘Turn him loose?’ echoed Weldon falling back. ‘'In the name of common sense, are you mad?” ‘‘Not exactly, I hope. I know what I’m about. The boy knows that the moment he h **Come back, There’s nothing in the house, | the work. ‘‘ You’ve been playing spy. You | moves against us the documents will pass for- " fool!” exclaimed Nottingham, ‘ This isn’t play- | are against us, and there ’s no telling what sort | ever beyond recovery. That moment will set- ti ing the last hand against the gold-bug up-| of compact exists between you and the man you") tlethe whole matter... Mr..Jeffreys..is.no.fool. town.” hated so years ago.” Turn him loose, T say.” | E To Jed’s relief Weldon drew back into the “If you mean Mark Murchison know that I Weldon’s look of amazement had become a t} | room and closed the door, haven’t changed my opinion of him!” was the } stare. b ‘**1’m not so sure that no one is in the house | quick retort, accompanied by a look which em- ‘‘T’j] do it myself,” continued Nottingham, d _ but ourselves,” the boy heard himsay. ‘‘If we| pbasized the boy’s declaration. ‘The great | rising and taking Jed’s arm, ‘‘ Come, boy. V are found out now the jig is up, and all my | wrong isstill unrighted, and, what is more, if | There’s mercy among vultures, as you shall little up-town scheme will amount to nothing,” you men bad a grain of mercy Or sympathy in | learnjby nod err ophigt ti “Does Lola demand that you shall show so} your hearts you would help to right it.” He was leading Jed toward the door when w much wealth?” , The two men exchanged glances and laughed, | Weldon, with a face white from rage, sprung h ‘**No, but her father does.. I’ve spoiled the ‘‘We’ro looking after matters that concern | forward and arrested him. di deal between the girl and a young fellow of | our welfare,” returned Webb Weldon. “Tsay no!’ he hoarsely cried, clutching Not- ge whom she really seems to think a good deal; ‘‘T know you are,” answered Jed, alluding to | tingham’s arm, and for a moment restraining c) but her father rather likes me, and my story | the young man’s wife-hunting. ‘‘ You are | him in the center of the room, that by a certain death I will be worth one| playing two games at once, but you can’t win The face that Nick turned toward his partner ix hundred thousarfd has quite caught the old fish. both.” in rascality was fierce and menacing, That’s the fix d’m_ in. Once a member of the| ‘! Why can’t I?” “Stand back!” he cried, ‘This is my move Lewis family and I am feathered for life. And ‘‘ Because justice won't let you.” and I assume the responsibility.” so are you, Nick, no matter how soon Murchi- ‘¢ Hear him!” laughed Weldon turning to bis Cowed by bis miep and words, Weldon shrunk son’s thousands slip through our fingers.” companion. ‘‘ He talks as though he expects to | away, muttering @ Savage curse, and Jed was v This speech contained a piece of news for the | balk us. Where’s your motber, boy?” led into the hail, : al boy On the staircase. He now knew the name ‘* Where you will never find ber if you wait ‘Let this be the last time,” said Nottingham oO of the family which Webb Weldon expected to | until I betray her to you!” to the boy. ‘“ You can’t win the battle. It is tl enter by means of a display of wealth which he ‘* Insolent, eh?” impossible, If you keep up the game it will end v had forced from Mark Murchison, ‘Come, that won't do!” cried Nottingham | disastrously for you, and that when you least ¥v ‘* You ‘rascals don’t deserve to succeed in any- | catching Weldon’s sleeve as he started toward | expect. Goto work, Youare stout and active, J thing!” mentally exclaimed Jed. ‘I never saw | Jed with clinched hands and flushed face. Your hands are strong and your head clear, )} such a precious pair of villains.” “We've got tosilence him. We can’t let him | Take my advice. Help your mother, boy, but ** Go up-stairs and get the box,” said the voice | go. This isthe Jersey boy and be knows too | don’t try to accomplish that which can’t be of Nottingham, ‘‘ We’ll look over the papers | much already.” done.” and write the last letter.” ‘** Nobody proposed to release him,” answered Nottingham had by. this time opened the door The Coor opened again, and Jed saw a figure | Nottingham. ‘I know just how dangerous he | and Jed could see the light of the street lamps at the foot of the staircase before he could stir. | is to our interests, Captain Catchem has | beyond. : mn Bl Webb Weldon, young, active and as strong as | secured his services—” He looked up into the man’s face and caught & a lion, was coming up! ‘‘ Never!” interrupted Jed. ‘I am in no | bis eye but made no promises, ' Seemingly, there was no escape. man’s pay, I obey orders from no one,” “Safety lies in discretion, Don’t lose your tl Jed, however, drew back and pressed himself ‘Then, in the name of heaven, what is your | head. Goodnight.” And be was pushed from rey inst the wall above, It was all he could do, | mission?” the house and the doorshut with a bang behind re) for should he seek refuge in the room on his ‘*It is this: I seek to vindicate the honor of | bim. F , right he would be found, for Weldon wouid | our family. I want the papers. which can do Jed for a moment stood on the sidewalk ina k doubtless look for the box with a light. that,and those papers were taken from Mark | dazed or bewildered manner, | He could hardly n With his heart in his throat the Je sey boy | Murchison six yearsago and are now in your | realize that be had escaped without injury from st waited for the junior member of Holdfast & Co, | hands. Don’t look at me as though they were | the clutches of Holdfast & Co., and the most OW Webb Weldon came on, and at the head of | not. I know they are! surprising thin of all was that the firm itself, or fi the flight struck a match, whose light, flashing ——— one of its members at least, had voluntafily re- a3 up in an instant, revealed the statue-like figure CHAPTER VII. leased him, > : 3 against the wall! UNLOOKED-FOR LUCK. The reader, therefore, can imagine Jed’s feel- ares he young man fell back as though he had THE bravery of Jed, the boy detective, | ings while he stood jn front of the vultures’ nest a been confronted by a ghost. If he had recoiled | amazed the two crooks. They did not expect | with the events we have just described fresh ia - a little further he would have fallen headlong } him to exhibit such an amount of courage under | his mind. > LOND BES Sy en eg nS ae A Se ee eo ee Comic exele) cS. cor :