Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 744 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

- TY . ets a hte r 4. | Dick of the Docks, the Night-Watch. At as early an hour as a visit from a lawyer’s boy would be proper he was started off for Cyrenus Slade’s residence, ‘*]’m in the swim,” he sojiloquized, as he went, ‘an’ ’'m goin’ ter see the game through, though there’s no knowin’ w’ot measly diffikilties 1 may git inter, joka may set down on me with a dull thud. nyhow, I’m goin’ ter keep in with Aleck, an’ find out why he sports that portrait. Wonder ef he’s the pestiferous gent who tried ter drown’d the gal? The journey to Slade’s was made without event of importance. He found that Mr, Slade lived in a better house than Goodwind, and suspected that the former bad more money at bis call. He rung the bell, and when he told the servant that he was a boy from Park & Woodley, was at once ushered into the parlor to await the coming of the master. It wasa well-furnished room, and, when left alone, be looked around with natural curiosity. At first he found nothing tointerest him greatly, but his wandering gaze suddenly became fixed, and an expression of astonishment appeared on his face, Oo the wall hung a crayon portrait so much like that at Goodwind’s that he could hardly be- lieve it was not the same une! ‘‘The gal ag’in, by jinks! Say, be I awake or ’ dreamin’?” Dick rubbed his eyesin bewilderment. It was odd, certainly, that the likeness of the mind- stupefied water-waif should be at Goodwind’s, but it was far more that a copy should grace Slade’s parlor. ** Cricketty-jim! but ain’t I in it!’ the ec- centric Night-Watcher added, under his breath. ** Both these men know the gal, an’ you kin bet yer gallus-buttons there’s a Heap in all this! bat’s my opine.” The door opened and a manentered. He was, like Goodwind, past middle age, and carried over two hundred pounds of fleshand bone, He was well-dressed and somewhat pompous-look- ing. Dick did not fail to see that the new-comer was looking at bim keenly, even suspiciously, he thought; but the boy was equal to the emergency, ‘*Mr, Slade?” he inquired. ‘*That’s my name,” was the curt response. ** Pm from Park & Woodley’s—” * Are you sure?” was the sharp interruption. ‘Why, certain.” ‘* Perhaps you are, but you will have to prove it or take the consequences. I suspec Night-Wateb Dick heard a slight sound behind Slade, near the door. He looked, and saw a oe woman standing there, The river-watf, or r double—whbich was it? The resemblance startled Dick, and he forgot to listen to Slade, and could only look in bewilderment. CHAPTER IV. DICK HAD USE FOR HIS WITS, RICHARD HENRY BRAZER did not have long view of the young woman by the door, When she saw she was thus under observation she turn- ed away as auddenly as she had come, and dis- appeared from his view. Oddly enough, Slade did not notice the abstrac- tion and surprise of his visitor. For a moment the man’s gaze had wandered, as he made some remark which Dick did not hear. The latter felt, rather than saw, when those keen eyes were again turned upon him, and he braced up sud- denly to meet the danger, He had seen a young woman enough like the river-waif to be a COPY yet, the observer felt sure, one who was wholly another person, The fact was surprising, but surprises were pressing upon him so fast that he was beginning to be prepared for them. 6 rallied, and met Slade’s gaze comey ‘*Have you a note from Park & Woodley?” the master of the house added, ** No, sir,” Dick confessed. ‘Yet you ask me to believe they sent you?” .* That's 1t,” ‘*] don’t believe it, I know all their em- ployees. I never saw you before. ‘* rm a new boy,” explained Richard, candid- y. ‘‘ That does not account for your coming with- outa note, I told Park & Woodley, long ago, that I would pay attention to no messenger un- less he had a note from them,” Slade’s regard grew more suspicious, but Dick’s ingenuity was equal to the occasion. ‘“‘ Being a new boy,” he admitted, meekly, ‘I ar 3 have done wrong. Last night my said to me I was to come here early in the morn- ing on an errand to you, first off, soon as we opened up, Well, they didu’t show up this. M. as soon as I did, so I thought i’d save time by getting in one errand ahead of them, If Ive done wrong I’m sorry.” His meekness had effect, and Slade’s expres- sion grew less severe, ‘*What is the errand?’ he asked, after a “They want to know if you’re ready to go on with the lawsuit,” ‘* Ts that all?” “ Yes,” ‘I can answer that question freely. Iam not ready. Matters stand just as they did, and I am still waiting. You can say to your employ- ers, however, that I have confidence that I ehal) soon be all prepared for hostilities,” ** All right, sir. Anything more?” ‘*Nothing. You can go, now. Richard did not want to leave, but he saw no way to avoid it. He sent a glance toward the door, where the young woman had been, but did not again gain sight of her. Then he looked at the portrait on the wall, That object was less remarkable since he had seen the water-waif’s double, but the fact that it was precisely like that at Aleck Goodwind’s and that each was a fine likeness of the waif, made the matter still remarkable and perplexing. om rose to go, but Slade regarded him criti- cally. "Do you expect to stayat Park & Wood- ey’s ‘* Tain’t no idee of changin’,” returned Dick, forgetting for once to use good English. “ You are a keener-looking boy than the law- yer’s previous one.” ‘*He was kind of a dough-bead,” frankly re- turned Richard, recklessly libeling a youth he never had seen, ‘*T presume you are faithful?” ‘‘ Sure as a new gimlet,” “if Park & Woodley recommend you as trustworthy I may yet find work for you todo.” ** You’ll find me one o’ the white hen’s chick- ens,” modestly asserted the Night- Watcher. ** We will see.” Slade had gradually moved toward the outer door, and they now stood in the hall, Just then the bell rung. Mr. Slade was not a man who would lower his dignity by opening the street- door to any applicant, so looked back to see if a servant was in sight, but Dick was ready to go, — he turned the knob and swung the door ack, A trim-looking boy stood on the stoop. Ba pg Dick, the second youth bowed to e. ‘* A letter from Park & Woodley, sir,” he an- nounced, holding out an envelope. Slade looked from the speaker to Dick, and back again. “*T thought you had left the firm.” “Tl, sir? Oh no!” ‘*Then what is this boy doing there?’ Slade indicated Richard Henry, and the sec- ond boy looked surprised and answered: ‘* Why, he don’t work for Park & Woodley, sir. I never saw him before, Does he say he is with them, sir? If he does, he is an impostor.” Dick saw that he had been unmasked by this unlucky meeting, and the gathering scowl on Slade’s face indicated that the latter might make it unpleasant for the pretender, but the latter was not at the end of his resources, yet. mn Young man,” he pronounced, with great dignity, ‘‘ what you don’t know about them legal gents’ private affairs would fill a bicyclo- pedia, b’jinks! You walk up ter their desk, ter- day, jest afore you go out fer yer frugal hash- an’-pretzels lunch, an’ you will get p’inters b the quart. You will also get the g. b., whic is grand bounce, On your way home you kin look fer another job, fer Park & Woodley are dead onter you, an’ yer name is Dennis K, Mud, junior, See?” This glib address alarmed the lawyers’ boy, but Slade was not so easily convinced. All his suspicions returned, and he sharply averred: ‘* T believe you are lying!” ‘*Sir, down in Kentuck that’s a fighting re- mark,” declared Richard, ake ou are not employed by Park & Wood- ‘* Jest as you say.” ** You came here as a spy, and I can surmise who sent you, but your trick will not succeed. will have you arrested for your paw and if Sb don’t get six months on the Island I shall surprised. Jones, look for a policeman, and get him here at once!” Night-Watch Dick was troubled. He did not know what, if anything, was the penalty of his deception, but he valued his reputation, and did not want to get mixed up in any trouble. It was clear that Slade intended to carry out his. threat. How could he be beaten? Dick thought of only one way. He was not sure he would hit the mark, but he determined to try the experiment, He took Slade by the sleeve. **Cyrenus,” he coolly began, ‘‘Ive got one word fer your private ear, an’ ef yer head is no leveler than the bottom of a bow], you'll do well ter listen ter my warble, Ketch on?” He winked wisely, and Slade first hesitated and then returned: ‘**'You can speak,” Dick was about as much at sea as his com- panion, but ne lowered his voice and made a. bold push: ‘* Mister, there’s a certain girl who looks enough like that portrait in yer parlor ter be its twin, I know ters that girl is, but nobody else does, I’ve got command o’ her fortunes, an’ I mean ter push things ef you cut up rusty.” The last sentence would not have been added had not Dick seen that be had already made a cen- ter shot, Why it was he could not tell, but by the time he had spoken of tae girl, and avowed that he knew where she was, Slade was troubled— more, he seemed alarmed, But he made an effort and answered boldly: ** ‘What do I know about suck a person?” ‘*Shall I tell before him?” and Dick pointed to the other youth. \ ‘* There is no need of explanation,” the owner of the house hastily declared. ‘“ You are all at random, but now that I have time for thought Iam not disposed to molest you for what was, no doubt, a boyish joke. Tl not have you ar- rested,” ‘‘'Thanks, awfully,” Richard returned, with a rin, ‘‘I see you're a philanthropist, an’ that’s en the kind of a biped I like ter meet. I'll go now,” j Slade looked at the lawyer’s boy, and seemed inclined to request Dick to remain, but he was net cool enough to manage the affair properly, then. The result was that he allowed the Night- Watcher to use his own judgment, and the lat- ter lost no time in getting away. “Wal, that’s a close call,” Ricbard solilo- quized. “If it hadn’t been fer my chance hit the old gent would ’a’ fell on me with malice aforethought, an’ I might ’a’ been mashed inter a human pancake, b’jinks! Guess 1 won’t do no more shady errands fer Aleck Goodwind. Et ain’t healthful. But how does Cyrenus come in on the mystery of my water waif?’ _ He meditated on this point, but in vain, all the way back to Geodwind’s. Once there he told all about his visit, with the exception of what occurred after the genuine office boy’s arrival. 5 ** Strange!” Aleck muttered. ade hasn’t my Jast r, yet. ‘*Then you ex aia Slee ten hev it?” ** Certainly. believe, as I said before, that he instigated the assault on me, But perhaps. those who attacked me have not yet reported.” ‘‘ Mister,” returned Dick, earnestly, ‘* w’ot is all this row about, anyhow?” CHAPTER V. MYSTERIOUS MAGOUN. GOODWIND hesitated before replying. ‘¢Oh! it’s nothing,” he finally returned, ‘‘ ex- cept that Cyrenus Slade is my enemy.” | ‘Is it a fight over money? “ No,” ‘‘ What then?” Dick persisted. * Nothing that would interest you.” ‘¢ But ain’t I worked in your interest?” ** Certainly.” .“*Then why not let me inter the swim?” Aleck shook bis head emphatically. ‘You have i me me, and I am going to pay you in hard cash, but my secrets are private property.” . : How about her? _ Richard suddenly pointed to the portrait, but did not succeed | in impressing Aleck as he had Slade. His companion betrayed only mild sur- rise, , nee What you mean?’ ; ‘¢T know that gal is in the riffle.” ‘¢ How do you know?” ‘‘ Wal, Slade has a pictur’ jestlikeit—” °* ‘¢ T presume so,” ‘* An’ the original sets heavy on his mind. General, d’ye s’pose he would do her harm?” “I don’t know or care, A3k me no more ques- tions about the matter, for I have nothing to say. As muchas you have done for melam not disposed to tell secrets which may rosultto = my harm. Now I will pay you and les you = iin eee amen