Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 726 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

Dennis Duff, the Brown Sport’s Kid. around the pipe there was an irregularity of the bricks which gave him an idea, He proceeded to disconnect the pipe, and one of the bricks which had rested upon it fell down, He borrowed Tracer’s club, and found could pry them away without much trou- e. ‘“‘The mortar was no good,” he commented, “‘though I’ve heerd they made good mortar in old days, ginerally. This don’t prove it.” here was now an opening big enough to admit the body of a man, and he held the lantern up and scanned the interior, _“ Bay, boss!” he exclaimed, ‘we kin go up like monkeys, Things was fixed here fer the chimney-sweep. There’s cross-pieces o’ iron bars, an’ it won’t be no work at all, Whoop!” Tom Tracer had been too busily engaged in watching the men below, who were about ready for their bonfire, to give much heed to his young ally’s operations, but this low-spoken, but jubilant, revelation fully aroused bim, ** Is this really so?” ‘**Sure!” ‘* Is the chimney big enough to let me up?” ** Sure, ag’in!” “Dennis, your head is a good many years older than your body.” “ain't got no gray hairs, or flies, boss, Now, jest let us hustle. We want ter git on that rcof in about two shakes of a mule’s north- west heel,” ‘*Hold a little, my friend. I must remain here uptil there is no danger that the enemy will follow. If we both desert this loft they will soon know it, and jump ourclaim; astep whica would give them a big advantage. Go you up, Dennis, and see what the situation is, See if there is anyway to get down from the roof, if once we go out there.” és Tm on ! Dennis made for the chimney, and was soon as- cending, He never had acted the chimney-sweep, and knew but little about the place, but now found the odor anything but pleasant. Natural- ly bad, the air was filled with soot by bis own movements, and he could not avoid sn2ezing. “Tl soil me clothes, too,” be muttered, in serio-comic vein, ‘* Hullo! w’ot’s that?” One of the bricks near him loosened and fell. CHAPTER XV. WATER BILL KEEPS HIS WORD, For a moment Dennis thought be was caught ina bad trap. The fallen brick had connected with the iron rod he had seized last, in his ascent, More than that, it had fallon in a bed of soot, and the stuff floated up so he could not breathe with comfort for several seconds, His chief worry was about tbe condition of the chimney, however, and when he was able to te he found to his relief ‘that the bar was still firm, He resumed bis way and reach- ed the top, Then it was easy to drop to the roof, The top of the building was nearly flat, and he now hada view of the surrounding area, but nowhere could he see any person mov- ing, nor was there any inhabited building near at hand, as far as he could see, ed was no perceptible way of giving the alarm, Convinced that they would have to depend upon their own efforts, he made a hurried examina- tion, The old rookery was not high, consider- ing its number of floors, but was sufficiently so to make a leap for safety far too hazardous to be considered. No fire-escape was to be expect- ed, and there was none, Only one chance could he find. A stout pipe for water extended down from the eaves, and when he had tested it, he felt sure he could slide down in safety. But how about Tom Tracer? The latter weighed down well, and there was reason to doubt that the pipe would hold him, eturning to the chimney Dennis was about to go down and rejoin Tracer when he heard a scrambling inside and saw the detective ascend- ing. Under the latter’s weight the whole struc- ture showed on of going to pieces, but he came up in safety aud soon stood beside his ally. © De house has been fired!” be announced, ““Speezin’ cats! Then their nibses is in earn- st, be they?” The match has been applied, and the old _ building undoubtedly is doomed, As ill said, it will burn with a rush, I kept at my post as long as possible, and then beat a retreat, Bill again tried to move me, but I res- olutely refused to surrender. They saw the Water | 13 folly of talk, and, determined to silence me, ap- plied the match,” The detective had spoken rapidly. ‘*Hope they’ll singe all their whiskers off!” averred Dennis, ‘* What are our chances of escape?” Tracer’s aid led the way to the water-spout, and the former quickly tested it. ‘*Go down!” he directed. ‘‘ Ill hold fast to the top, which will add somewhat to its secur- ity. Dennis obeyed promptly. His companion en- abled him to get a strong and steady start, and down went Dennis in the best of shape, He was both light and strong, and he scored a victory. He shook his head doubtfully as be saw Tom repare to follow. Would it bear the strain? bere had been no shaking before, but it was to be tried severely now. A fall from the top might mean death, he detective swung himself around carefully and began the descent. Really, he expected a fall as soon as all his weight was trusted to the spout, and it did creak and tremble, He was not disposed to flounder around in mid-air long, not having the skill of a boy; and he promptly | allowed himself to slide as fast as possible and not run fresh risks. While he went he could hear sounds inside which proved that the fire had already gained strong headway. Probably Bill and Cal had opened the duors, creating a current of air which fanned the hun- flames. A 4 an Glory St. Patrick!” Dennis uttered the unique exclamation joy- fully as his leader’s feet touched the ground, ‘*Chafed and splinter-pierced, a trifle, but still in the ring!” Tracer coolly observe ‘* An’ where are Bill Mud an’ Cal McGinty? Still inside, an’ ketched with their shoes un- shined an’ untied. Sure, they'll niver win a race ef any other horse is in it!” ‘* The flames must soon break out, and I have some bustling to do. I am unarmed, and Bill and Cal are well heeled and ripe for business, I want to arrest them, and the only way is to get help. We can’t defy their revolvers, Come with me! We must find police and firemen,” In the mean while the waterman and bis ally were on the lower floor, At first they expected their coveted prey to succumb and come down, but when the floor above becamea roaring vault of fire which no one could defy, they looked at each other blankly. ‘“Kin it be he will let himself be burnt up?” asked Water Bill, wonderingly, ‘‘The idea is wild; no man would be such a fool. You told me he could not break through to the roof, but that’s just what he has done. You can depend on that.” ‘* We'll see!” The waterman ran outside, secured a long ladder, raised it and mounted to the roof. There, his belief seemed to be confirmed; there was no break in the roof. He thought of the chimney, though not with seriousness, but when - cee: over the top, the fierce heat diove him ck, He descended and rejoined Cal, > The man is dead!” he announced. “I know t! Garland looked bewildered, but failed to Sag the theory, impossible as it seemed to im. At that moment the flames burst out and the ery of ‘‘ Fire!” soon sounded froma vessel, Bill and Cal retreated toadistance. After awhile the firemen came with a rush, but too late to save the old shell. It was ablaze from end to end, and doomed, The incendiaries went forward and joined the crowd, They wanted to see if Tom Tracer was there, and believed themselves sharp enough to see, and yet remain unseen, if he was alive, This, Bill did not regard as possible. For some time this fond belief received no check, but just as the waterman decided that the detective had gone to ruin with the building, some one put a hand familiarly on his arm, He turned, and then stood aghast. Tom Tracer was beside him!” “* A lively blaze, William!” remarked the man from 5g Seabee calmly. Water Bill was chless. ‘I live in New York,” added the detective; “but as you hang cut on this side of the river, perhaps you can inform me on one point: Un- der the laws of New Jersey, what is the num- ber of years im d on a man who commits sie when human life is endangered there- y Tbe river-thief had nothing to say, and he made a move toescape in the crowd, ‘‘One moment,” Tracer requested. ‘‘ Let me intrcduce you to my friend. Mr. Nipper. He. is a detective, and has very taking ways!” Tom deftly grasped ove of Bill’s arms, and, a moment later, the stern-looking man face- tiously referred to as ‘‘ Mr. Nipper’’ had ad- justed bandcuffs to Bill’s wrists. Cal Garland was under waich, too, and was arrested at about the same time. Both men slept under police surveillance, thet night. In due time Dennis and Tracer crossed the river together. When they mosrates the for- mer went home and retired, is sleep was not of the best, for he passed through a new, but imaginary, set of adventures, in dreamland, but he awoke feeling fully himself. He found Molly McGinnis already at the house, and she took oc- casion to speak with him privately as soon as possible. ‘*Did you’s she asked, ‘‘ Niver the wan!” Dennis replied, falling in- to bis broadest dialect; ‘‘that is, not anny as was after bein’ fit fer a disciple ave Brian Boroihme. Sure, the toimes have gone out ave — since great Brian was king ave Ireland, e mother says sv, an’ she ought ter know, fer there’s niver a rock or tree in Ballyragget she don’t know an’ be on speakin’ terms with, Mary, I’m obliged ter say all was serene last night. a I’ve done some detective work !” have any adventure last night?” ‘* You hev? Goaway!” ‘‘T mean it. I tried to find you, last night, to tell yeabout it, but I couldn’t see you nowhere. To-day is goin’ ter settle things between the Brown Sport an’ the Ellistons.” ‘“*It is? ‘““So I heerd Montague say. I spied on him an’ Van Decker, an’ got paid fer my trouble”. ‘* Wot’s up?” “The Brown Sport said Tom Tracer was pipin’ bim, an’ must be in Robert Elliston’s em- ploy, an’ the fact that Robert was makin’ such a fight showed that he was gittin’ dangerous, So the Brown Sport tol] Van Decker they would call on Robert an’ bis sister this forenoon, an’ two things must be done before night: Robert must buy out Van Decker’s share in the Eldora- do Oil Company, an’ Irene Elliston must marry the Brown Sport.” “Wal, b’jinks! that jigger bas got gall that ’ll weigh twenty-one ounces ter the pound!” Den- nis exclaimed. ‘*Ob! they say Robert an’ Irene dassent re- fuse, for ef the whole truth was out it would ruin the Ellistons, in a money way, an’ that would kill feeble old Colonel Elliston, Robert an’ Irene would part witb all their money before yielding an inch, but they can’t bear to see their old father suffer.” ‘‘ An’ matters are goin’ ter be pushed to a crisis, right off, kerslap?” at Ny \ “Mary Katherine, I think I have business with Thomas J. Tracer, immediate, Farewell, Miss McGinnis!” | Dennis hastened down the street, and had soon ured the story into the detective’s ears. ‘We've got ter go right to the rescue!” he ““Whatcan wedo? Montagueand Van Decker are bound to bleed the Ellistons by means of the worthless oil-plant, and the brother and sister evicently object to having them arrested for blackmail, as that would make all public, and bring it to old Colonel Ellieton’s ears. I don’t know how to help them.” ‘*Can’t somebody else buy the kerosene pond?” ‘** You forget that it is worthless,” *“T ain’t so sure o’ that, lt suddintly comes back ter me that I bheerd sore o’ the thimble- riggers say—I don’t jest remember who—that old Van Decker’s oil farm was valuable, and he refused a good sum for it out there,” Dennis paused, meditated, and then his face suddenly grew eager and he exclaimed: ‘Say, mister, w’ot ef Van Decker is playin’ a deep game?” ‘“ You bave an idea, What is it?” ‘¢ What’sall this commotion over the Eldorado oil barrel fer, anyhow! Of course Roland G. Montague’s game is plain, but mebbe there’s more to it, What ef that oil biz has suddenly panned out rich?” Tracer started, and then slowly replied: ‘‘ While this hardly seems likely, your idea is worth thinking about, Young Elliston ought to have advices right from headquarters in Oil Gutter.” ‘‘ But the Brown Sport won’t give bim tire,” ‘‘He must, aud shall. He has had a clear road thus far, but it is time for some one to block ~ sue