Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 726 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

not been seen 4g Shas emerged from a closet which had been barely large enough to shelter him. The office-tenant laughed: ** So you’re not smothered?” ** Almost.” ‘Then you’ve bad a double escape,” ‘* The first was narrow, anyhow. If I had not chancel to look out into the ball just as that lank countryman was advancing, I should have been caught here,” ** But would he have been the wiser?” ** His running-mate would,” ** Shaw?” ‘“*Shaw, nothing! His name is Roland Mon- tague, and if I am not away off, he is a rascal. He is called the Brown Sport, and is a big gun at the races, and a man about town, Square as a die, most people say, and the police have no charge against bim, but the doubts I always have felt grow big. I have wondered how one so green as Van Decker would play any game on New Yorkers, but it’s a different matter if ‘the Brown Sport trots with him in double-har- ness,” ‘* You feel sure of your grip?” ** Yes; but I shall ask no more of you, Dave. Montague is suspicious. Their visit to you was but a blind; as soon as Montague heard I had been pumping Van, through you, he tumbled in a degree, as | should bave known he would, bad I known he was in the game.” ‘* See what it is to be Tom Tracer, Headquar- ters detective!” exclaimed Dave, smiling. — corn “om Tracer has work to do before he will ‘be onto this game,” replied the man who had ‘The scheme is a deep Thank come from the closet, one, or Montague would not be in it, fortune! he did not see me bere.” ** What will you do, if I am out of it?” P ae detective meditated; then replied thought- ully: ‘* There is a boy over on Greenwich street who is known as the Brown Sport’s Kid, because he does errands for that person, I am going to see that boy. I think he and [ can be useful to each other.” AOk Tt CHAPTER V. THE BAIT AND THE HOOK, ‘APPLES! Fresh-laid apple-es! Oranges! North-pole orange-es! Ancient fruit of all kinds!” The speaker was Dennis Duff, and his voice was pitched ina cracked treble as he stole up behind a girl who carried a basket on her arm, In the basket was a variety in the way of fruit. The girl was Molly McGinnis. She and the bas- ket were old companions; she had sold fruit in the lower partof the city for years, finding cus- tomers among business men, ‘ She turned quickly as she beard the youth’s mischievous words, ‘**Ah! be off wid you, Denny!” she retorted, ** You’re loike a hen that cackles when she ain’t laid no egg.” ‘‘T know some bad eggs,” Dennis suggested. ‘* There is such, an’ I pity your mother for it,. whin sbe’s taken so much pains with her son.” ** Mrs, McGinnis Says sons are easy ter raise, but girls are no good, ‘* Strange you bang around thim, so much.” ‘Sure, an’ I’m a missioner, an’ I know who needs reformin’,” ' ‘* Yes, an’ you know it’s easier ter repent fer Others than fer yerself.” ‘*T know them as needs it the most. But le’s 9 fightin’, Molly; here comes a biped who’s as full as a royal duke, an’ you may be able ter sell some dilapidated fruit. Port yer helm, boss, or you may run inter a lamp-post an’ take a wheel off yer carriage.” A man was advancing toward them, and he did seem to be under the influence of strong drink or some other kind of spirits, for bis man- ner was hilarious, He had bis hat off, and was making absurd gestures as be walked. Nevertheless, he was not so intoxicated as Dennis had indicated, for he walked straight enough. It was evening of the day last referred to, and Dennis and Molly had been alone on the street, as far as could be seen, until the wanderer made bis eypearence. ‘Hi! Molly,” the Duoffer suddenly added, “‘that jim-jam student ain’t no stranger, It’s ' ; Van W hat’s-bis-name Van Decker,” ry it is, sure.” Sell him a Havaneer apple, or Greenland apple. ‘Go in, Miss McGinnis; make money while the gas shines,” The man from Oil Gutter was accosted promptly. : “ Aprles sir?” inquired the girl. ‘‘ Apples | an’ oranges? All kinds o’ fresh fruit! Buy some, sir Van Decker squared himself away and took a good look at the speaker. ‘* Wal, now, what’s this? Peddlin’ the stuffin a basket the size of a thimble, be you? Why, I’ve taken a two-hoss load down ter old Steve Martin’s store, afore pow, an’ never yelled like that over them, nutber.” ** Won’t you buy, sir?” ‘* Ts it reg’lar city style ter do it?” ‘* All the fast young men buy,” Dennis, pinching Molly’s arm slyly. ‘““They do? Then, by migbty! give me a bushel—no; you ain’t gota peck, Never mind; here’s a dollar—take it an’ be happy. Darn the fruit! I don’t want it. Fact is,” added Mr. insinuated a good time, an’ I'll do it ef I bu’st my gallus- buttons all off. Il paint the town yarler.” **Red, you mean,” ‘Ts that it? Wal, red, then. Anyhow, I’m out fer a bender, an’ don’t you forget it. W hoop!” The Pennsylvanian flourished his hat in mid- air, and shuffled bis beavy boots about in a clumsy attempt at dancing. **See bere, colonel,” observed Dennis, ‘‘ ef you whoop things up in that style, you'll get pulled in,” ‘** Pulled in where?” ‘“* Arrested.” ‘“Tbunder! An’ I’ve only jest begun my spree. I won’t yell ag’in.” ** Wot would the Brown Sport sey, ter see ye now?” **Bub, if you hev any benevolence in yer ~ bere don’t let Roland G, Montague know on this! He would lick me like sin; Ido b’lieve he would, Keep it dark sonny, fer I must see life, an’ he ain’t willin’,s Here’s a dollar. Take it, an’ don’t let on ter Montague!” Dennis calmly pocketed tbe bribe. ‘* You'd better go home, now,” he advised. ‘* Not much,” ‘** But you'll fall afoul o’ thieves,” ‘“Say, do you s’pore there is a chap in New York who cculd get the best o’ me?” ‘* Only about a million on ’em.” ** A million who could fool me ?” ts Yes.” ‘* Bub, ef you was a man I’d lick you fer that, but I only pity yer ignorance: you don’t know Van Van Decker. Hullo! somebody else is a- comin’,” Molly had gone her way with her basket, bound for the western terminus of the East River Bridge, and only the countryman and Dennis saw the approach of two men who came from the direction of Broadway. They were cheap-looking persons, wbo tried to make con- siderable show at small expense, but had a rakish air which spoke distinctly to Dennis, ‘‘Lucky I’m with this gent, or he might get buncoed,” the Duffer thought. The strangers looked bard at Van Decker, and then one of them suddenly advanced and held out his band, **Why, how are you, Mr. Van Decker?” he exclaimed. ‘“* How-de-do! How-de-do!” returned the Penn- sylvauian, shaking the other’s hand warmly, “I rn es ye, but I'm glad ter see ye, by osb! ‘*'You are the Brown Sport’s friend.” ‘“* Right you be!” ‘** So are we,” ai ** Good! I knew I ought ter be glad ter see e, ** We met you and Montague in a saloon, but there was a crowd, and I ilare say you don’t re- member us. My name is Garland. My friend is Jake Dowling. Where is the Brown Sport?” ** Duuno where he is,” ‘**[’m sorry, for we could aye him a sight well worth seeing: something on does men in New York have seen up todate. The whole city will be wild over it in a week, and Montague would appreciate the honor of being among the first. here is nothing a New Yorker likes more than to get ahead of his million-and-a-balf of neigh- bors.” ‘* There’s a bait!” thought Dennis. ‘You don’t say!” exclaimed Van Decker, ** What is it?” ** Mermaids!” se Eh?” ** Seven mermaids have been captured in the South Sea, among the rocks of Tataolboy Island, near Weweropem Point. We have arranged a big tank where they can disport themselves, and there they stay, combing their bair, admiring themselves in looking-glasses, and singing siren songs.” Van Decker, confidentially, ‘‘ I am out ter bev | Dennis Duff, the Brown Sport’s Kid. The agent from Oil Gutter always had sup- that mermaids were myths, but was ashamed to confess it, ‘* Wal, now, that’s clever,” be asserted; ** what does it cost ter see this show?” ‘* No price will be charged until the doors are regularly opened to the public. Just now, onl a few of the men about town are admitted, That's why I wanted the Brown Sport.” ‘*Say, let me in as his deputy, will ye?” ** We-el, I don’t know about that.” ** Why not?” ‘* We were to let in only ‘ the boys.’” **)’m one op ’em. I’m from Oil Gutter, the smartest town in Pennsylvany. Yes, sir; an’ I know a reason why that town is goin’ ter hev a boon, You bet! You see, [’m a strong per- sonal friend o’ the Brown Sport, too, an’ one o’ the boys. Id like ter see that show, mister!” Ven Decker was eager, and the stranger smiled slyly as he saw the countryman was on the book, In the mean while, both men had seen an ob- stacle to the success of their plans in the shape of Dennis Duff. Van Decker was green, but ore look at Montague’s Kid was enough to show that he was keen and experienced, If Calvin Garland and Jake Dowling had known the Duffer they would not have tried to tamper with, bim; as it was, while Garland talked to Van Decker, Dowling gave attention to Dennis and offered him a dollar to take a message to Har- lem. Negotiations were at this point when the Pennsylvanian succeeded in getting Garland’s consent to conduct him to the mermaids, but the former broke in: ‘* Don’t serd the youngsteraway! I want bim along to see the fun. Bub, you go with me!” Cal and Jake looked disappointed, but Dennis was equal to the emergency, He saw that Van Decker was bound to go to the lair of the alleged mermaids, and that no one but the Brown Sport could stophim. Since be was going, anyhow, it certainly would be best fora companion to be with him, The Duffer saw just what part he must play, and what im- pression he must make on the sbarpers; so he secretly pulled Jake’s sleeve and whispered: ‘*Say, boss, give us dat dollar, an’! kin be jest as mum in this section asin Harlem. See?” His eegerness, and the ‘“‘tough” air he as sumed, swept the man’s doubts away ; he thought the boy was one who had the making of a ras- calin bis young head, and would never betray other rascals if paid to keep quiet. It was formally settled that he should be one of the party, and the four moved away n ward. Dennis was well aware that Van Decker was in the bands of some sort of bunco men, but the victim’s own obstinacy stood in the way of res- cue, Even if saved by appealing to a policeman it would do no good; he was bound to be plucked by somebody before morning. On the other hand, Dennis bad no great liking for the Penn- sylvanian, and thought a lesson would do him The sharpers finally paused in front of a house, whose reputation the Duffer knew to be bad. It bad been raided twice by the police, to bis knowledge, but bad gone along unmolested dur~ ing the previous year, If there was any species of evil-doing unknown to the house, Dennis knew not what it was, “Purgatory Coop,” Dennis bad once named it when talking with other boys, and the name clung to it. They entered, After ascending the stairs they entered a square room, where three otber men were found to be presen Cal introduced Van Decker to all, and them said with perfect gravity: ‘We are going in to see CHAPTER VI. 4 VAN DECKER LEARNS A NEW TRICK. ‘‘ THe mermaids are not to be seen just now,” was the ready reply. » ““ Why not?” ‘They are asleep.” ‘‘ Wake them up.” ‘Can't do it for an bour, yet. I will, then, You are notin a rush, are you, Cal? Sit down and make yourself comfortable.” ‘‘ Can we see the mermaids in an hour?’ ** Sure!” ‘“* How is it, stranger?” The last question was asked of Van Decker, and though he was eager to see the ex-dwellers in the sea, he acquiesced and said he was will the mermaids fi ! Ae” | ~~. 7~: ~ * Sree f od - "9? i - - a” . : « P ¥ 7