Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 701 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

12 ‘What did you do with the last model?” came across tie table. ‘* What model?” ‘‘Why, the one we set such a store on. You know “what became of it, and you sit there and tell me that ‘you got nothing but three little diamonds. What «lid you get for the bit of machinery, Baldy?”’ Jasper, red in the face a moment before, was now white. His lips quivered, andif he had spoken on ‘he spur of the moment he would have stuttered. ‘Look here.”’ said he, when he had taken breath. ' ““The model don’t bezin toset off what you have taken for your sbare.”’ * Ha, you took it, then? I thought so!” “Yes, I took it,’ cried Paget ‘I had to dosome- thing to catch up with you. And now you've hid- «ten him in order to rake in all the profits.”’ Simon Sharp fell back in his chair aud gazed cool- dy at his partner. ; ‘Don’t you intend to tell me where he is?’ asked Paget. “Wait awhile. We're watched, Isay.” ‘‘Do you think I would go and give away his hid- ing place to the police?” broke in Jasper. ** You want to haveal) the money, but by heavens, you shall not! Ill have my share ornone atall Turee small diamonds and a model which I lost! Think of it.”’ ‘‘That model was a fortune,” quietly remarked Simon. ‘* Never mind it now; it’s gone. You won’t share the new secret with me, eh? All right.” ‘ Baldy’? Paget sprung up and pushed back his ehair. ‘* What are you going to do?” asked Simon. ‘fll see you later,” was the answer, and the next moment Simon ie was alone, his companion having rushed from the place. ——_- — CHAPTER AIV. A MESSAGE FROM THE CAGED BIRD. EaGerR to find a clew to his young friend Jerry, Photograh Phil was constantly on the alert. He was confident that the Jersey boy had fallen Hack into the clittches of Simon Sharp, and thought that by discovering that worthy’s nest he would find out sometbing concerning Jerry. At the same time he was anxious to know the new hiding place of the model-maker, who could not be any other person than Thomas Jump. He knew that he had been taken from Sarah Sackett’s house by Simon Sharp, but what had become of him? ‘This was a puzzle. The young detective was on the Bowery the night after nis escape from Jasper Paget’s web, thanks to "‘fatsy Holcomb, whom he bad not seen since their separation on the street, and had his eyes open for dis quarry. He intended to wa'ch the Bowery awhile, in hopes that Simon Sharp would show up, or that Mr. Paget would walk into view and give him something to do. Eagerly did he scrutinize every face that came in sight, but the ones he wanted to see did not gratify him. Photograph Fred had taken a position where he was sure he would see everybudy out under the Bowery lamps, and at the same time be bidden him- self from public gaze. He had been there some time when he accidentally discovered that he was being rather closely watched by a woman, who seemed afraid to approach him, The longer Fred covertly regarded the woman the more he became convinced that this was the case, and having made up his mind to this effect, he went toward her and -urprised her by his presence. “Aare you Photograph Fred?” asked the woman, when she found herself confronted by the Camera Sharp. ‘*That’s what I'm called sometimes.”’ ‘*T thought so, but I wasn’t sure,’ she replied. ‘*Tt wouldn’t do for me to make a mistake, and if “dpi Photograph Fred, you’re the very person [’ve been looking for. But don’t let us converse here. I'm out on important business, and it won’t do to be picked up together.”’ Fred conducted the woman, who was about forty, witha thin face, which at one time must have been good looking, to a spot where they gould converse without much danger of being seen, and turning upon her, suddenly demanded that she state her er- rand without delay. ‘*Tam Polly Ping,’’ she said. ‘* You’ve never seen me before, but that don’t matter. I’m interested in a friend of yours. I helped him out of a trap once before, but he’s in again, and this time is pretty well secured, I fancy.” OE sg mean Jerry, don’t you?” eagerly inquired red. ‘Yes, he’s told me his name, and thatisit. In order to convince you that I’m all O. K., you will look at this from the boy himself.”’ Polly Ping produced a bit of folded paper, which the young detective quickly seized and opened. Bending toward the light, he read as follows: * Dear Frep: Iam back in Simon Sharp’s trap. I was out for a time, as you may have discovered, but here I am once more, tighter than before. The woman who released me the other time finds that she cannot repeat the trick without outside help. I have a good deal of news for you. for I have figured out Simon Sharp toa demonstration. The bearer of this note, which I hand to her by means of the crack under the door, will tell you where I am and give you allthe assistance in her power. You can trust erineverything for she doesn’t like a hair that grows on Simon Sharp’s head. Come to my rescue as quickly as you can, for we have no time to lose. Meantime, keep one eye open for the rascals them- selves. JERRY.”’ Photograph Fred read the note the second time tay he looked up into the waiting face of Mrs. ing. ‘You don’t like Simon Sharp?” he said. ‘* Like him? I should say I don’t! The rascal de- serves a life term behind the bars of Sing Sing, and I'd like to nelp him thither, if possible.”’ ** Well, you’re doing your share of the good work,” smiled the detective. ‘Please to tell me what you know about Jerry’s situation.” This the woman was eager to do, and the Camera Sharp listened to the details as they fell from her tongue. She gave Fred an exact cescription of the house in which the Jersey boy was a prisoner, and said that if Simon had not secured the dour with a lock which she knew nothing about, she would not be telling him about the matter, for she would have rescued Jerry herself, ‘‘T jive in the house with a sister of mine,’’ con- tinued Poliy Ping. ‘‘We have long known that Simon and his partner were crooked. They go out cent ee and come back flush; then the money ies.”” ‘Don’t they ever quarrel?’ “ Bless you, yes; but it never means anything much, We've heard them accuse each other of nearly every crime on the books, and once Simon’s partner threatened to hand him over to the police.” ‘‘ What did Simon say to that?” ‘‘Oh. he just laughed and told him to go ahead. Of course the partner did nothing of the kind, and the next day they were as good friends as ever.” When the interview had come toa close, Photo- graph Fred and Mrs, Ping went out upon the street, the woman having previously given him the number of the house, and a few moments later they had separated, ‘he young shadow was confident that he had found a true clew to the whereabouts of the Jersey boy, and he resolved fo rescue him at once, He watched Polly Ping out of sight, and then walked slowly up the Bowery. When he came to a certain door which was shut, he turned the knob and went in. ‘Goodness, huw you frightened me!” exclaimed a voice, as the figure of Old Hawkbill emerged from the shadows of the place. Fred followed the old fellow back to his little pri- vate room. ‘* What have you done since I saw you?” he asked. *“Tve picked up something. The stolen model was put up by the thief, just as I thought it would be.” ‘‘Pawned eh?” cried the young sbaip. ‘‘That’sa good thing, Did you get to see it?” ‘‘Of course I did,’’ griuned old Jacob. ‘ That’s what I went out for.” ‘‘ It is the same one you lost?”’ “The same one, The fellow who put it up was a well-known burglar. I have dealt with him, He did not know what he had till he got out of m place. The model is safe where be left it, for he will never redeem it. It will convict ‘Baldy’ Paget, thoughif the matter gets into court I might not cut.a very fine figure in the case, ha, ha!”’ ‘*Don’t let that bother you, Jacob.”’ replied the boy. ‘ Keep an eye on the model, and don’t let it get away from you.” “Tll watch it like a hawk,’ answered the old scamp, who saw a small bonanza in the business be- Sap ca “It won’t get away; trust me for that, OY. Fred sallied out again. and after a short run came near the number which Polly Ping had given him. It thrilled him to know that he was close to Jerry Jump, the Jersey boy, who had been caught for the second time by Simon woe ney trap. As he looked at the house, and especially at the window which he knew, from the woman’s description, was in the boy prisoner’s room, he was seized with a desire to rush up the steps. and at once begin the work of rescue, but good judy ment held him back, While he looked at the house, the figure of Polly Pirg came out, and the dark eyes of the woman looked all around. Fred saw at once that she was on the alert, and was anxious fo see some one— probably him—and he immediately went forward and presented himself. . ‘So you’re here?” cried Polly, out of breath, for the boy had startled her. ‘‘ You can’t do anything now. for Simon Sharp is at home.” “Is he with Jerry?” “Yes, He dropped in awhile ago.” ‘* By himself?” ** By himself. has happened that he doesn't like. ‘Can't Il go in, avyhow—say, pleaded Fred. P. lly Ping hesitated for a moment. “You might do that,” she said slowly. “ We've ot to be very cautious, for Simon Sharp knows hat I don’t like him. He more than suspects that I helped the boy out the other time, though he basn’t paid me a visit to say so.” Photograph Fred glided toward the house, and then slipped inside, followed by Mrs. Ping, who dodged in ahead of him, and led the way up-stairs. “Tn there,’ said the woman, pointing to a door which was closed, and Fred felt his pulses tingle with eagerness. They went oa to Mrs. Ping’s apartment, and the boy shadow took a chair. In a moment Polly’s sister came in and reported that Simon Sharp was standing in the hall with fire in his eye. “What if he should come in here?” cried Polly, getting pale, The words were hardly out of the woman's mouth ere oh sounded on the ears of all, and the latch clicked. In an instant Fred sprung behind a table which stood near the wall and dropped to the floor. He’s in bad humor. Something 99 to your room?” Sh | Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp. a \ The two women had to face the man who made his appearance, and sure enough he had “fire in his eye ’ ms Look here, madam,” he began, singlin Polly. ‘‘Can’t you attend to your own affairs?” Polly mes angular figure seemed to increase in stature, and she stepped forward, taking ,ood care to keep between the tabie and Simon Sharp. ‘‘ What have I done?”’ she demanded. “You meddled with my affairs.” ‘‘TIn what way ?”’ Polly wanted to get a confession out of Simon, and one which Photograph Fred could hear. ‘‘T don’t intend to particularize,” was the adroit reply} ‘but you know what I mean.” ‘That Ilet the boy out,eh?” smiled the woman, Simon colored. ‘‘By the way, what right have you to keep him under lock and key?’ she went on. ‘‘ Who is that boy, Simon Sharp?” “That, Mrs. Ping, is none of your business.” The boy sharp heard the two women laugh deri- sively in concert. ‘‘Just as you say, Mr. Sharp,’’ Polly said. “TI don’t like one hairon your head, and I never will.” * Don’t earry your dislike any further. If the bo is let out again ai turn on you like a lion, and you’ wish you had never seen Simon Sharp of Sharper- ville. Keep your hands off! I give you fair warn- ing! Iam dangerous!” and shaking bis fist at the sisters. he turned and tramped out with rage written all over his red face. CHAPTER XV} IN THE NICK OF TIME. No sooner had Simo: Sharp vanished than Photo- graph Fred made bis appearance from his retreat, and said that he was ready to go to Jerry’s resctfe. It was agreed, however, to wait until the seamp had left the vicinity, and Polly’s sister went below to see whether he had done this, In a jittle time the woman came back and reported that nothing could be seen of Simon, and the reseu- ers sallied from the room and went to the door of Simon’s apartments. Of course they found it fastened, and when they knocked in a gentle manner to attract Jerry’s atten- tion, they could get no een: Photograph Fred placed his lips against the door and called his friend’s name; but the only response he received was silence, as before. ‘*Something’s wrong in there,’”’ remarked the Camera. Sharp, falling back and looking at the speechless women. Polly Ping struck the door with her bare knuckles, saying: “That rascal is capable of doing anything, I should not be surprised if he’s murdered the boy, If he hasn’t, why don’t Jerry answer u-?” The boy-shadow stepped back and looked at the door, as if mentally calculating how much power would be required to force it open, for his blood was up, and he more than half believed that Jerry Jump was in a situation which needed a decisive change. “Call in the police,’ suggested Polly Ping’s sister. ‘This is my ease, not theirs,’’ returned Fred. “I could have gone to them long ago but would not, No, I won’t call them in now.”’ He went up to the door once more, but his raps elicited no response. ‘* Bring me a hatchet,’’ he said, glancing over his shoulder. ‘* That looks like business,’’ exclaimed Polly, dart- ing ns, and a moment Jater she came back with the 1a’ chet. ‘“You'll get the credit for this work till he knows better,’’ smiled the boy addressing Mrs. Ping. “T’m willing totake it, so go ahead. I don’t like a hair on Simon Sharp’s skull and he knowsit. Cut a8 door to pieces, only get at Jerry 45 800N as pos- sible.” An instant iater the hatchet was at work and the knob was attacked with such vehemence that it soon yielded and in a short time the door was at Fred's mercy. The two women watched the stairs that led down to the sidewalk in order to alarm the boy should either Simon Sharp or Jasper Paget make their appearance; but er did not come. The broken door was pushed in when the hatchet had done its work, and Fred sprung into the room. He found it dark, but he drew a match across the nearest wall and turned on the gas. ‘Merciful heavens!’’ cried Polly Ping. afraid of it all the time.” Fred had already discovered the sight which had drawn this exclamation from the horrified woman, and in an instant he was bending over the white face of Jerry Jump as it was exposed by the light. ‘The Jersey boy sat in a chair near the table, with his head bent back against the top of the seat,and a ghastly look on his face. His eyes were wild and starting, and his hun’s rested on/the arms of the chair with ropes at the wrists, showing that he was bound in the chair beyond all possibility of freeing himself. Simon Sharp was going to make sure of his prisoner this time, . “He isn’t dead, thank beaven!’’ exclaimed Fred from the chair. ‘* The scamp did not finish his job if he intended to put Jerry out of the way. There’s life enough here to beat the gang yet.” It did not take Fred long to use his knife on the cords, and, assisted by the two women, he carried Jerry across the hall to Polly’s bed, on which he de- osited his burden, telling the sisters to bring him ack to consciousness while he went back and took a look through the spider’s web. Fred found in one corner a trunk which was locked, but he pried it open with the hatchet. The out “TIT was - ° | . “ - a! 7 4 ) J y . ——~ = J ae chooks -.) 7 % 7 onl | ’ . ee . agg