Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 726 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

y al —— a - — . - SAMS ese RT ee eT Se Lp a POL a eH, .y we” FU 7 ; ; i* . f ' & ro Pop Pes ; \ ; ing bis reply to Montague, *‘ but it is 14 him, I will see Robert and his sister, at once, I don’t know as they will allow me to act in their behalf, but I feel sure I can help them out, The Brown Sport and Van D2cker must be arrested on the charge of attempting my life. I don’t suppose the Pennsylvanian had any band in it, but it will do no barm to infer that be did. With these men locked up, and kept away from reporters, they can’t spread the story of the Elliston financial weakness,” ‘* An’ there'll be time ter see ef the oil dairy has got down ter biz.” ** Do it, mister; do it!” Dennis spoke with excitement, and Tracer rose. ‘*Tll go to the banker’s house, at once,” ** May I go ’long, too?” ** Tf you wish.” **'m wid you!” Dennis cried, gleefully. CHAPTER XVI. DENNIS SERVES TWO MASTERS. Two hours later, when a train left Jersey City on the Pennsylvania Railroad, there was among the passengers a gray-bearded man of impressive appearance, his gentleman had a history as a business man. He had made a large fortune in oil, thanks to the product of William Penn’s once silvan land. Many years’ experience in that line had made bim an expert, : Now he had retired from business, He bad purchased a short-distance ticket be- fore starting; a ticket which took him only to the first stop of any'importance. At the latter station be alighted and hurried to the office, ** Ticket for Oil Gutter, Penn. !” he directed. It was given iim, and he returned to his old seat in the train. If this traveler was off on sucha journey, why did he take such a peculiar way of buying his ticket? Was there any reason why this expert in oil did not want his destination erat Did be fear that, if he purchased his ticket at New York, or Jersey City, the fact might by some chance become known and do barm? Important must be the errand of a man who would take such extreme caution, While the oil-expert was being whirled along in his car, Mr. Roland G, Montague walked up the steps of a Madison avenue bouse, On the door-plate was the name, fancifully inscribed, of Carlisle Elliston, The Brown Sport was about to ring when the door was 4 Np by the uniformed black boy. **I wish to see Robert Elliston,” the caller ex- plained, **T am sorry, sir, but he is not able to receive any one,” ** Not able?” “No, sir. Perhaps you have not heard of the accident?” ** What accident?” ‘While riding, this morning, Mr. and Miss Elliston were thrown from their carriage, and both were severely injured.” Montague grew suspicious. '“ How did that happen?” ** The horse was frightened, turned suddenly, and threw both out, sir,” | ‘** But I will not irritate them—” “* Miss Elliston is in a state of coma, sir—I think that is what the doctor called it—and Mr, Robert is suffering severely from sprains and bruises,” “* A trick,” thought the cunning adventurer; ** they e to beat me off by a dodge as thin as boarding-house soup.” Then he said aloud: **T should be happy to console Robert. Pray tell him I am here.” ‘* There comes the doctor, sir; I will ask him,” A professional-looking man descended the stairs. “ This Spans sir, has called to see Mr. El- liston,” the servant explained. ‘‘ Would you advise that he go up?” ** Sorry, sir,” the physician returned, address- uite out of the question. Mr, Elliston is suffering from sprains and shock, and it would be hazardous for him to receive callers. I am going away for half an hour, and sball return with a second physician, and remain here until my patients are better. While I should be glad to accommo- date Mr. Elliston’s friend, I must decidedly re- fuse to let him see any caller.” The Brown Sport knew there was no such thing as appealing from that verdict, and he ac-, cepted the situation with outward composure, but was far from being convinced. “*T don’t believe there has been any accident,” he thought, as he left the house. ~ 2s t As ee Dennis Duff the Brown Sport’s Kid. A patrolman was advancing with slow and | directions and cautions, and then told himtogo ™ stately steps, and when the physician was out of | and look for Tom Tracer. the way, Roland accosted him. ** What do you know about the accident to the Ellis ons, officer?’ he asked, courteously. ‘* Bad!” was the reply. ‘‘I helped them into the house,” ** Ah! did you?’ Do you consider their injuries severe?” ‘‘Very., Miss Elliston had to be carried, and her brother was but little better off,” ** Did they get bruised?” “ Yes, badly.” The officer twirled his club and looked wise, Really, be knew nothing about any bruises, but he was rather proud of having been of service to wealthy people, and was inclined to make his case strong. Montague gave it up and walked away thoughtfully. He was not wholly satisfied, but all this evidence was not to be defied, He went down-town and to Vandervere Van Decker’s room, ‘* What! is it settled, so soon?” the Pennsylva- nian asked. ‘* No; it’s not settled, and that’s not the worst of it. Fate, or deep design, has played a trick _— us that makes our cards look doubt- u Montague then told of the latest develop- ments, Van Decker was not a man of nerve, and it was lucky for his steadfastness that he did not share the Brown Sport’s suspicions, He was not deep enough, himself, to believe that any artifice so cunning could be played. **Tt’ll all be right,” be averred. ‘‘ All we have ter do is ter wait a bit, anyhow. Even if they was shammin’, they can’t keep it up no great length o’ time. We're bound ter win.” ‘*What if Tom Tracer is after us?” ‘*Say, that chap makes my blood cold!” Van Decker confessed, ‘‘ He’s got an eve like an ag ; we ain’t got no such men at Oil Gutter as im. ‘*He is about the city, as usual, to-day, and Water Bill bas not come to make a report.” ** Prob’ly he ain’t got a whack at the constable —at the detective, I mean, yit.” ‘Tf I knew where he lived I'd go there. It is somewhere in Jersey City, but I don’t know where, I always thought Water Bill wasa man of his word, but he don’t seem to be,” **T guess it’s all right.” ' ‘*Guesses don’t count, Tom Tracer troubles me, However, I have a scheme to get points on him, and if the device works well, I mey yet know whetber he is in our way or not, h! here comes ‘peo ig nd There had been a knock at the door, and when he meee the applicant enter, Dennis Duff ap- ared, ‘* So it’s you,” greeted Montague. ‘‘ You are prompt.” ‘* I got your word from the messenger, an’ jest ut myself inter my hat ar’ trundled over here,” nnis returned, with all the coolness possible, ‘* Boy, you have served me well in the past, but I never have tested the extent of your in- genuity. How sbarp are you, anyhow?’ ‘*Sure, all the Ballyragget stock are sharp as a,needie’s point!” ‘*Can you act a part you don’t feel?” és Eh?” ‘*Can you pretend to be friendly with a man when you are not?” ‘“* Guess I could, at a pinch,” ‘* And detective work—could you do that?” **T might try, boss,” ‘“* Well, see here! Chance introduced you to Tom Tracer when he raided Purgatory Coop. Are you still in bis good graces?” ‘* He ain’t said otherwise,” ‘Good! I am afraid of that man—I confess it—and I want to knowright away if he is really dangerous, He raided the thimble-riggers, and must be piping that gang, Now, by making some talk about them, and hinting at new things to be discovered, can’t you keep near Tracer, give an idea you are shrewd and useful, and see what you can worm out of him? He knows you have served me, | think. Youand I will pretend to have quarreled ; you will be bitter against me, and wish to get revenge. See? Then he will be likely to show his hand, if he means mischief against me,” Dennis declared that the plan was good, and worth trying. He expressed a wish to give Montague “a boost,” and said he thought oe could get into Tracer’s good graces, if that man was not too opinionated to accept such help. All this was regarded as indicating wisdom on the boy’s part, and he was directed to make the venture, The Brown Sport gave him numerous TL Ss sree ——— | i SS - steneense | Dennis obeyed. When he reached the lower hall, be saw a letteron the table, and, as a cas- ual glance showed it was addressed to Van Decker, be paused and looked closely at the re- turn-address in the corner. Some idea seemed to enter his mind, for he nodded several times in succession, Then he went out and rejoined Tracerat once. His story was told in a short time, and he was so amused over the fact that he was expected to humbug the detective, that it lost nothing ip the telling. Then he spoke of the letter in the ball, ‘* That letter was from Oil Gutter, Penn,,” he explained, ‘‘an’ writ by P. P. Lang, attorne: - at-law, Now, wo’t is Vandevere Van D., get- tin’ letters from a lawyer, there, fer, ef the El- dora io kerosene-lamp is dead bu’sted?” ‘*] catch your idea, Dennis. 1’m glad wesent the expert to the land of William Penn.” ‘* But, can’t we git a hip-lock on Van Van, right here?” sé How ” ‘¢]’ve gota plan. Mrs, Biddy Mulcahey, she’s a-doin’ Van’s washin’ now; an’ this is the day fer it ter be carried bome. Whycan’t we decoy Van away, an’ then let Molly McGinnis carry the wash? Molly kin read writin’ faster than Salvator kin run, an’ she could about size up Van’s epistle in a brace o’ shakes,” ‘¢ But the letter is in the hall,” ‘* Give the kerosene-man time ter read it, an’ then decoy bim away, There’s only two stum- blin’-blocks in the way: Van may keep it in his ocket, an’ Molly may not git inter bis room; but it ought ter be tried. Is it a go?” Three hours later Dennis and the detective were in the same room, when Molly walked calmly into their presence. ‘* What luck?’ Dennis asked, eagerly . ‘“‘Sure, you don’t expect a descerdant of the McGinnises o’ Ballyragget to get left, do you’s?” she airily returned, It’s meself has done all you toll me. Ive delivered the wash in Mr, Oil Gutter’s room, an’ I’ve read the letter.” ‘* What does it say?” ‘‘ First, I don’t believe Van owns one-tenth part ave the kerosene farm, but he’s advised to buy! Sure, the lawyer told him the well was sure to flow big, an’ advised him to try an’ buy Elliston out, no matter at what cost.” “Glory, Bridget Jane!” Dennis cried. ‘The hen is on!” CHAPTER XVII. fF AN ENGAGEMENT WELL KEPT. THe Brown Sport could bardly curb bis im- eae during the twenty-four hours that fol- owed, but his apprebensions were allayed somewbat by @ report from Dennis that he had succeeded ingtalking with Tom Tracer; that the latter bad asked many — about Van Decker, Cal Garland and Jake Dowling, but bad referred to Montague only casually, and then only as a possible ally of Van Decker and the thimble-riggers in some vague scheme, All this seemed to show that the detective was far wide of the mark, and the Brown Sport felt easier in mind, but be was too world-wise to be- lieve indications implicitly. Anxious to win the Elliston game before news of any kind should go forth from Oil Gutter, he wrote to Robert urging an interview the next day, and received a reply before night. tt was to the effect that, though far from well, he would see Montague and Van Decker that evening, at bis home, ‘‘ We may decide to concede a point, if you will do the same,” Robert added, and the schemers built fresh hopes on the sentence. The appointment was kept, | They found Robert in his bolstered up in an easy-cbair with pillows, an looking pale and languid. For a moment fresh doubts came to Montague. Why sbould a strong young man be so upset, even if he bad been in an accident? The Brown Sport had seen men smile and look bright when suffering from broken legs and a lacerated head, But business made bim forget his doubts, J Van Decker paused to condole with the inva- lid in his usual clumsy way, but they soon came to business, ‘‘T wish to request a new line of settlement,” observed Robert, wearily. What?” “rf I forfeit my share in the Eldorado Oil Company, utterly, will you consent to let me drop out, and bond yourselves never to adver- tise the concern with my name attached, or use — my name in any way?” rivate room, . “ - . > « ae , . 4 ‘ a at, ’ . yn a Sy - . ss a ee “th ~~ » «7 Ne en gee, : — * —~- Ske OR , Sew, ~ »-te* : _ 7 . ~ * 7 = , > 3 * +. - ’ : x. ee VE) Ca (eee " icbooks.com oan ee