Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 744 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

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He was further dowa the bay than he bad supposed, and this fact led him to decide to swim to Staten Island. By doing this be would keep out of sight of the men, and, once there, could take a ferry-boat from St, George and re- turn home. ‘The first part of this plan was quickly put into effect, and he moved ‘southward, is adven- ture had not weakened him, and tbe pleasure of escape, gave him a feeling of exhilaration which made swimmiug a light task. In due time he was on Staten Island. He was not sure just where he was, so, seeing a house somewhat back from the water-line, he walked toward it, shaking the water from his clothes. ‘*l’m a good deal better off than a dead man,” he commented, aloud, ‘‘ but it would be better fer them skunks who barreled me up ef I was down with McGinty, now. Job was a meek man, so be I, in spots, but when I see Jake an’ Bob Blinks, ef I don’t climb all over their necktie I’m a perjurer!” He bad reached the house, and now he knocked at the door. A woman appeared, gave one look at him and exclaimed: ‘**Sakes alive! you’ve been in the wet!” ‘Yes, an’ the wet has mighty near been in me,” the Night-Watcher humorously replied, **Do come right in, and we'll give you dry clothes, I never did see such a year for folks to get drowned, and half drowned. I’m glad you’re alive, and we will help you out,” Richard had not planned to'do any more than ask for directions, but the woman was kind and motherly looking, and he was not disposed to re- fuse such an invitation. He went in, and she conducted him to a room and brought from the closet a suit of dry clothes, ‘* These will just about fit you,” she stated, ‘*Mum, you’re the right kind, but I want ter git back ter New York as soon as I kin, an’ I ain’t got the collat’ral fer ter buy these clothes, mum,” ‘* Don’t you worry about that, We make a business of helping folks who get drowned, or half drowned, and you’re one of them, Put on the dry clothes, and it will be all right.” ‘* Mum, you’re a trump card, b’jinks!” Dick sent the compliment after her as she re- treated to the door. She smiled and went out, and he was soon inside of the dry garments. He then rejoined her in the sitting-room, ‘You shall have a good bed, to-night,” she promised. j ** You're very kind, but I’ve got ter git back home, I hev business r attend to, an’, thankin’ you, I'll hustle. You see— Hallo! w’ot’s that?” * What?” “That pictur’,” ra picked up an imperial{photograph from the e ‘** That’s our landlord, Mr, Slade.” o Dick bad been well aware that the picture represented Cyrenus Slade. He had recognized it at once, and became correspondingly interest- . He was now seized with a desire to learn more about the original, ** So he’s yer landlord?” ‘* Yes, just now; but we are going to_leave here. He is a rich man who lives in New York, and he’s a good landlord, but there are reasons why we don’t want to remain here,” “Why? ‘Well, it’s like this, This house is in dis- ae r. Slade and a Mr. Goodwind are ghting over it, and we are tired of being on premises that are under a state of siege, as I may Bay.” x What are they fightin’ fer?” The woman hesitated fora moment. She felt that it was not a good plan to make private af- Dick of the Docks, the Night-Watch. affairs public, but she liked to talk, and there did not seem to be any danger in being confi- dential with a apf . ‘You see, this place once belonged to Mr, Gurdon Maclay. He died when in the prime of business life, and with many business schemes on hand, He had one plan to make this ground the so-called New York terminus of one of the great railroads that go West, and had matters so arranged that the company in which he was a stockholder is still trying to carry out his plan. If really carried out, this land will become valuable, Slade and Good- wind are both stockholders, and each claims control of this land, through papers from Maclay, Why tbey don’t go to law, and settle it, I don’t know. Slade has control now, to the ns Fey of getting the rent paid over, but that’s a Dick had listened closely. ‘* Ts there a gal in the case?” he asked, ‘‘ A girl? Not that I know of.” <é Hum’ )? ** Why do you ask?” ‘*T thought mebbe there was, Ain’t somebody got a daughter?” ‘*'Your question is indefinite; but I do not know that either Slade or Goodwind has a child!” ‘¢ Tell me all yer do know,” ’ ‘‘] have. You've got the whole story.” Dick was disappointed, and his expression stored it. He had hoped to learn of his water- waif. Suddenly the woman started and exclaimed: ‘* Why, there comes Mr, Slade now!” The door-bell rung, CHAPTER X, PERIL FOR THE WATER-WAIF, Nicut-Watcu Dick heard the woman’s an- nouncement with a start. He believed that he owed his late perilous adventure to just the man who was now said to be at the door, and the lat- ter’s untimely arrival might indicate that the gang was again on the Night-Watcher’s trail. ‘*Slade here!” Dick exclaimed. ‘* W‘ot does he want?” . ‘*] don’t know, Ill see,” the woman replied. ‘*Waita bit! Be you bis friend?” ‘*No, I don’t like him,” ‘* Me, too! Say, muna, I hev reason ter feel like keepin’ out o’ that vampire’s clutches, I never did him no harm, but he hasme, Kin ou hide me, an’ say never a word ter bim that ’m here, or that you hev seen a half-drownded kid o’ my size?” ‘‘Certainly. Step into yonder room and I will not mention you.” Richard got out of sight ina hurry, and then, as the bell rung a second time, the woman went to the door, She soon returned with Slade, Dick had never fancied the man, but the color- ing of personal grievance now entered into the matter, and the visitor appeared repulsive and villainous, ‘‘Mrs, Snow,” began Slade, abruptly, ‘‘ how do you like this house?” ‘‘It is a very pleasant house, sir,” she re- turne ; ‘Good! How would you like to live in it one year, rent free?” ‘** Don’t I pay my rent, sir?” ‘You do, madam; excellently well. Still, a house rent free is better than a paid house. Now, I can give you free rent if you will help me out on a certain matter, ait, madam! Hear the condition before you answer, and then you are likely to answer yes,” : **But how can you make it free? You con- trol, but don’t own, the place,” F stould pay the rent out of my own pocket, which [I am quite ready todo, Your partof the bargain would be to ori a boarder for a time— perhaps a week; more likely, a month; possibly, a year. If the time run on until her stay seem- ed to be robbing you of a good bargain, I would pay you direct any sum you wished for, I say her’ stay, for the boarder is a young woman,” s > friend of yours?” Oo. ‘“* Then why are you arranging for her?” ‘* Because she is my sae | !” Slade spoke bluntly, and Mrs. Snow would have been dull not to see that some underhand work was contemplated. She was an honest woman, and was about to decline all connection with the affair, but curiosity led her to seek for more light before declining the offer. ‘* People are not apt to be so kind to their ene- mies,” she observed, ““The young woman may think there is not much kindness in my method,” he answered, grimly. ‘'The fact is, she is not to have her ~ » liberty. She is, to speak plainly, to be a pris-— oner.” Mrs. Snow was shocked, but she managed to hide her feelings. ‘** Who is this woman?” she asked, ‘*She belongs in New York, Her name need not be mentioned now, though she doubtless will tell it to you freely enough when you get her here, I trust you will not judge me harshly in this case, madam, for I should be reluctant to do barm to any one, but she is very offensive, and has made at life a burden. She would up- set important plans of mine, and must be put aside for a time, No harm will be done her, however. Will you take ber?” Mrs, Snow had waxed indignant, and was about to refuse point-blank, but at that mo- ment she caught sight of a sharp young face behind Cyrenus Slade, and at the door of the next room—the face of Richard Henry Brazer. Dick nodded sharply, and the lady caught the spirit of his plan. She pretended to hesitate, and finally replied: ‘* Will there be danger for me?” ** Not a bit,” Slade assured, ‘* I might do it, I suppose,” ** If you will, you shall be well paid. I want a quiet place for the girl, and will relieve you of all care, except what naturally falls on a Jand- mf I will send a man along—whose board I la pay—and he shall be the one to watch the girl. It was evident that Slade was prepared to spend his money freely in the case, The whole affair was one which shocked Mrs, Snow, but another nod from Dick decided her, ‘* You will stand between me and harm, sir?” ** Certainly,” Slade declared, **Then I will take the—the boarder,” Slade was pleased, and he said as much, He bad not been quite sure of Mrs. Snow, though, as money was bis own god, he believed it would accomplish almost all things with others. He had tried, and succeeded, So be thought. ~ : He remained for some time longer, and stated just which room the prisoner was to have, and what was to be done, ‘* Go it, Old Hickory!” muttered Night-Watch Dick, in bis ambush, ‘I kin guess w’ot gal you are aimin’ ter incusserate in durance fie, but ou ain’t got my water-waif yet—not by a six- egged jack-rabbit’s jump!” he visitor was done at last, and he rose to go, Mrs. Snow saw bim to the door, where they separated, but she had no sooner relocked the door than Dick’s hand fell upon her arm. **i’m off ter foller that Malay pirit’,” he ex- claimed, hurriedly, ‘‘I think I know the gal he’s seekin’ ter devour, an’ he’s the meanest man that ever chawed pork, Ill see yer ag’in, but do you keep right on in the work an’ receive her, ef she comes, Will yer?” ss Yes,” ‘Allright; but I don’t guess he will git her, by Brary: He’s a pirit’, an’ we'll beat him ef we kin. How’s that, mum?” Mrs, Snow caught the speaker’s enthusiasm, and answered affirmatively. Dick burried! ave bis name and address, and asked her to noti- v him if there was anything new; and then he hastened away in pursuit of Slade. He bad no difficulty in getting sight of him before the ferry at St, George was reached, and there be made a new discovery. A big, rough- looking man was lounging by the gate, and Dick recognized “Jake.” The latter joined Slade. : Dick no longer doubted the origin of the at- tack upon himself, that night. The police assistant determined to take the same boat with them back to New York, and this the large size of the craft enabled him to do with some degree of safety. When they were once on board, the men be- gan to talk earnestly. Dick watched them ata distance, ready to change his position if they changed theirs, He was not. compelled to play hide-and-seek, however. On arriving at the Battery the men left the boat and walked up Broadway. Dick kept patiently on their trail, and what followed did not surprise him in the least, ” When they paused it was in front of his own ome, Dick then did some quick work. The house - was onacorner. He entered by the side door, passed through to the room next to the men, pm stood by the window only a few feet from them. The blinds were closed, but the lower sash was raised. Thus be could hear all that was said, “IT think the plan will work,” Slade re- marked,