Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 765 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

. = RE ETE SLE EE ELE ES TE TEED SE SAE e EEE SE EAD TA & < ” som, and he calculated the chances with steady nerve, A ‘*] kin make it!” he decided. He grasped the transom and drew himself up. ‘There was a period of doubt and uncertainty. it oan was no easy matter to pass through, and even if he accomplished it, Old Spicer might awaken at the most inopportune moment. Flipper had only 2 one chance, bowever, and he took it. He suc- eS ceeded in gaining the desired height, and then he Me squeezed through and dropped lightly on the other side, Isuac Moss had been sleeping, but he awaken- ed, vow, He looked startled, but when he recog- nized the Patrol, his old, peculiar lightness came it ‘to the front. ‘** Hallo, you!” was bis matter-of-fact greeting, ** Isaac, they’re comin’!” Flipper deelared,. | ** 'W ho?” é] " rhe assassins, an’ they’re goin’ ter do you i up! Isaac’s mood changed, He never would have been in a mood of levity while in that house if his mind had been in its normal condition; but the last startling announcement was enough to ¥ do away with even unnatural lightness. : He started half way from his chair, we ‘‘ What?” he exclaimed. - ** No use 0’ mincin’ matters, mister. You are ; ter be done up, right off, unless you git a move aN on.” f . ‘* Have you a plan?” i °SNo.” “Then why are you here? Would you go\to ruin with me?” see ‘* B’jinks! I ain’t goin’ ter see a feller git done S. fer, an’I set down like a clam an’ do nothin’, { know as well as anybody that we are ina ‘izen fix, but we'll sink or swim tergether, | Isaac!” RY ‘** Your stand is brave and noble, but I am sr really sorry you have sacrificed yourself, for bs me. What can we do?” e, With the question thus plainly put, the Patrol oy triel to get the proper answer, True, what an could they do? He looked anxiously at the com- a panion of his misfortunes, > **Can’t you walk, at a pinch?’ he demanded. ‘*Give me your arm,” ‘**1t was done, and Jsaac made a brave effort, but he bad to giveitup. Hesunk back with a 2 groan, ‘** Useless! I am as helpless as a child,” . ““T can’t carry you out,” a ** Boy, do not think of me. There is no rearon . why you should go to ruin with me; it will do iy me no good, and you will only throw your life ht away. Don’t linger bere. Go!—getaway while sa ‘you can. Go! go!” It was a manly appeal, but he was speaking ‘to one as stout-hearted as himself, Flipper did not waver. ~ sho) ‘We arein fer itin company. Nary a desert 4 will I be guilty of. I don’t see the way clear, but we'll fight it out on thisline. Ha! is that ip them a-comin’?” t There were footsteps in the hall, and some one | began to fumble at the door. Isaac groaned 2 aloud, ae? ‘* Why didn’t you go while there was a chance? font Now it is too late. May Providence have mercy 5 on you, brave boy; lL am worse than helpless, Ah! they come!” , CHAPTER XV. THE MAN-SLAYERS, TsE door opened and a man entered, He was a stranger to Isaac, but not-.to Flipper Flynn, It was Blogg. At this crisis Gilbert eas Duuning had no wish to appear; he had kept ack, aod the buman brute was alone. He yy, looked the character he had assumed, His evil face was full of « light which would have made ithe stoutest-hearted tremble, and in bis band be i, bore the pillow with which he was to end the Fey’ life of the unfortunate prisoner, ie Isaac looked for Flipper, and felt a thrill of relief as he noticed that the boy had seized the | chance to get out of sight. ag It was Isaac’s most earnest prayer that he would keep thus concealed. Then he thought of bimself, Blogg was advancing, and the pil- : low was held well forward. a “Who are you?” the prisoner demanded, ina whisper, a Blogg smiled easily. J ‘* A friend o’ yourn.” \ . “*T don’t know you.” .. ** ¥ou’ll know me better after a bit!” | The brute chuckled, as if there was some good % joke in the matter, and all the while he was _ Sidling toward Isaac. | ‘ ‘: “ Keep off!” the latter exclaimed, with as 7 Ca 3 ; fy ’ i er NS Re Sie ee ARE LON iat ye eae fe et ‘ “ Cahir ae ; +a, . ore * , ~ = -¥ a much voice as he could command, ‘“ Keep away from me!” “Take it easy, cherub! You an’ me needn't hev a bit o’ trouble; there ain’t any reason why we should,” All the while he continued his sideways ad- vance, his eyes now gleaming with a most start- ling light. So might a cat creep upon its prey, but no comparison could make plain the glitter of those awful eyes, At the beginning, Isaac had half-started up, but he now sat motionless, He did not even think of trying to escape; his every sense was numbed save that of terror. ‘* Man,” he spoke, still in that husky whisper, ** would you do murder?” ‘** Tl show ye, my little one!” Grinning, to show his amusement, Blogg leaped forward, Now, the pillow was held up, where he could readily cast it around Isaac’s bead and shut off both outcry and life, and the deed would quickly have been done, but at the very moment of success there was a check to proceedings, Blogg reeled back from a thot blow and nearly fell to the floor. Flipper Flynn had disappeared for the time, but be bad not deserted bis friend, He had watched all, and bis breath bad come and gone in a way asif it was about to fail him entirely. Then be sprung from the cover of the bed; he leaped upon the man-slayer like a panther, Blogg reeled back from that stroke; then, recov- ering his balance, stood gazing in dumfounded wonder at the person who had dared to step be- tween him and his prey, And that person a boy! As he realized that fact his stupefaction assed away, but his wonder only grew. A be) And he had dared to come in his way! Blogg brushed his hand across his face to assure his own amazed self that hesaw aright. Yes; and there was the boy confronting bim in a cool and resolute way, ‘‘Say,” the roffian finally found breath to utter, ‘‘ What do you think ye’ve cone?” ‘* ve got one on you, mister!” the Patrol re- torted. ‘* You can’t go on wilh no sech work,” ** Kid, who be you?” ‘‘ Never mind who I be,” ‘* Tl call the boss—” ‘* Nobody here is my boss, I sorter run on my own hook, yesee, An’ jest now, my way runs contrary ter yours, See?” *“‘You’ve come between me an’ my work. You’ve dared ter iftterfere with me, an’ Pil make you sweat fer it, ef you don’t take a tumble right away. Get out o’ here!” ‘“‘Nary get, mister! I’m here ter stay, an’ don’t you ferget it. You needn't ruffls up yer back ter me, neitber, fer I won’t scare fer a cent, I’ve got you foul!” Just what he meant Flipper did not know. He had taken the risks and secured a reprieve for lsaac, but no one was more plainly aware that he was perfectly helpless. He could not fight Blogg; be could not even resort to fligbt, for Isaac was not in condition to accompany him, He was keeping up the talk, but in a frame of mind which had noray of light, The worst was to be expected, : Blogg was beginnirg to recover from his amazement, He did not know bis opponent, nor did he have cause to suspect him of being an in- truder. Of course he thought a regular inmate of the bouse was before him, but it enraged him that any one should dare to act such a part, ‘* Kid,” he spoke, in a grating voice, ** get out 0 here, or Pll walk all over you. Get!” He advanced upon the Patrol, but the boy did not retreat, This would have been useless; he night as well stand his ground, now, , “Stop!” he commanded, deeply. ‘ You are contemplatin’ a work you ougbt ter be ashamed on. This man isso weak he can’t standup. He is that feeble a child might boast over bim, I tell ye, mister, you would be a coward ter touch him—you, a manin all yer strength, Don’t ys dare ter touch him!” ‘* Say!” exclaimed Blogg, amazed again, “* you ain’t one 0° Dunning’s men, you ain’t!” ‘‘Ym thankful ter say I ain’t, No, sir; I’m off a different piece.” ‘*Then you’re a blamed spy! I doubted ye from the first; now I hev ye foul, You're a spy, an’ by the fiends! I’ll do ye up!” Blogg was not half so far-seeing as he pretend- ed, but he wanted an excuse to vent his passions upon the boy, and he had found it. Once more he advanced, and Isaac broke his silence, ‘*Go;, go! Save yourself, while you can, Don’t delay a moment! Go!” **Not much! We sink or swim tergether!” Sturdy as ever the Patrol made the assertion, but he had time only for Blogg, now. Once more the ruffian was advancing upon him, The Flipper Flynn, the Street Patrol. ray SV... @a_a_—_—_—_—_—_—_—_—_— ssn pillow was again the offensive weapon, and with it he meant to smother out the boy’s life, Flipper had picked up a fire-shovel; the onl oe visible weapon, but a very poor one, after all. He watched Blogy’s wildiy-glittering eyes and Pe waited for the attack. Suddenly the slayer leaped forward. Flipper struck fiercely with his novel weapon, but in vain, Blogg was an old hand at the busi- ness; he dodged the blow neatly, and wrested } the shovel away without difficulty. Then he Use seized the Patro! and bent hirn over his knee, We, i ‘*Oh! you like this biz, do you?” he growled. td *€ Well, you shall have yer fill!” He tried to bring the pillow around and press ‘a it over Flipper’s face, but the latter suddenly me and neatly writhed out of his grasp. He was | almost clear of the assassin when Blogg managed to seize him by the foot. Flipper was drawn Driven to bay, the Patrol grappled; he madea great effort and tripped his enemy neatly. i keep his bold, Tben he wound his arms around ge the sligbter form and contracted his hold, fu) ‘¢ 1] fix you dut!” be hissed, ‘] ‘* Help! belp!” he shouted, ‘‘ Do with meas you will, but don’t make another suffer for me! Save this child!” He had no very clear ide: of what he aimed 1 to do, but the appeal rose with the force of He one thoroughly in earnest, Flipper was struggling energetically, hut in Ae vain, Blogg forced him down to the position be 7 aspired to have bim in, and then panted: ‘T’ve got ye, now!” He did not have him; the Patrol was fighting get away entirely, and the end was near. Blogg swung bim over bis knee, and witb an exultant laugh, lay bold of his neck, ‘* This settles it!” was his fresh cry of triumph. Flipper was helpless, at last. . Too proud to beg for mercy he awaited the end. Blogg compresse bis throat, Just then there was a busky cry at the door;a cry so strange that even the slayer ceased bis work and looked up, There stood Gilbert. Dun- ning, pale and trembling, bis hand outstretched toward Blogg. ‘* Stop!” be gasped, ‘Eh? questioned the slayer, ‘* Lot the boy alone!” ‘* What's that?” ‘*T tell you to let him alone!” Silentlv the parties to the scene gazed at each other. .Gilbert was the one most moved, His face was still pale, and be held to the side of the door as if bis strength was not sufficient to sup- p rt bim, A more surprising interruption could not have come, | ‘“T don’t know ez I heerd right,” remarked logg, in bewilderment, ‘‘ You are to let that boy alone!” ‘ But he wouldn’t let me at the other feller,” ‘“T haveseen all, heard all, I know how it was as wellas vou. Weneed notargue the mat- ter further. The boy must not be harmed!” | r > 4% ef ae ‘ ‘‘Begad! ef you want the man silenced, the ot kid goes, too! won’tdo a job an’ heva witness Ne who will most likely swear my life away, the 3 first chance he gets. You hear me?” 7 ‘“‘ Rest easv: it is not asked of you. The man, ye too, is to be left in safety, Your work isdone.” = Gilbert was recovering from bis trembling fit, | and his voice began to ring out clearly. He uy had the air of one who had lost av important v. cA Mot but, mingled with it, there was anair of — a reliet, Oite ‘* An’—an’ you ain’t goin’ ter—goin’ ter hev P.. the feller done up at all?” . Blogg asked the question as if something was the matter with his power of speech, He was amazed and angry. ‘You can go at any time, sir. You will be fully paid for your work and trouble; further than that you need not be concerned. The man ey will not be injured!” . | ae 2 “Well, you’re a clam! Clam? You're a | blamed fool! You’re a bowlin’ idiot! Drat yer > life! don’t yer know this may send us all ter the jug fer nobody knows how many years? You howlin’ idiot, you!” , Mr. Blogg could not find words in— ev to... (iv express his feelings properly, so he relieved his = mind by swinging his arms about wildlyand grimacing in a way which was grotesque, 4 Gilbert did not nge his decision, [twas not easy to get the slayer quieted down, buthe KS did this at Jast and conducted him out of the — +34 room, In the ball he doubtless had ordersto wait, for Gilbert returned to the prisoners, > eae ; i , pa . ay , . 5) wg Hi if 7 ee > tin Cee y " ‘ +: a Lane 7, ( iS ive ee hee Teepe 2 ae SL pin a As aa oy Ta ee ®@ Olele back, and the man’s hand sought his mouth, (| They fell together, but Blogg managed to joy Isaac Moss uftered a loud cry, m }) witb surprising skill, and once more he partially i : broke the hostile hold, He could not, however, ne ~~