Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 765 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

> Flipper Flynn, the Street Patrol. young enough to be drawn toward such a scene, and away he went. Before he reached the spot the fight was all over. There was a general dive for the carriage, and away it whirled with all the men inside ex- cept one. He had been fluug down on the side- walk, or knocked down; and there he lay, floun- dering about wildly. The new-comer, who, plainly, had been the cause of the abrupt ending of the affair, was tempted to sound the alarm, but he was not sure the affair was serious enough to warrant it. Just as be came up the man gained a sitting position, ‘* Hullo! mister,” cheerfully saluted the res- cuer, ** how goes it?” He was rewarded only with a glaace, ‘* Fell among thieves, ain’t you?” This time the man made reply: ‘‘T bave, indeed,” ** Honest?” ** Don’t you see what the situation is?” impa- tiently asked the unknown, witb an increase of attention. ‘* T kin see enough ter be sure it ain’t pleasant fer you, mister,” was the candid reply, ‘* but that ain’t a bill o’ perticulars. I’m after a diagram which shall give all that anybody else knows, an’ more, too, Isee you git knocked around in a way which must ’a’ bruised yer ride an’ yer anatomy, but further than that, Soicientt sayeth not,” During this address the stranger had reached out his hand, inviting bis companion’s aid, and with it had gained an erect position, He stood somewhat dizzily, but did not seem to be seri- ously injured, It was to be seen that he was well clad, and had the outward aspect of a gentleman, Furthermore, there was that about him which indicated English birth and blood, ‘*T still live,” he decided, after trying his limbs, ** Sure!” ** Only for your timely arrival I might not be able to say that,” ‘‘ Were they out fer yer life?” ** You saw how they hit me.” ‘* Certain; but w’ot I’m tryin’ ter git at is, was their object ter rob or ter kill ye?” “I am robbed, doubtless, Further than that—’ , The speaker paused and did not add what the additional facts were, To a certain degree he took his misfortunes calmly, for be was not ex- cited to a violent degree, but it was clear he was hit hard by the calamity. He hesitated and meditated, and then aroused. He looked keenly at his companion, and saw a boy of some sixteen years. He was not of aris- tocratic or dignified appearance, but he had a face,which was at once bright and good-humored. This was a recommendation in itself, and the man came to business, ‘‘ You must have seen a part of my trouble,” he added, ‘“‘T think I observed that I did. You was skirmishing like Sitting Bull Injuns when I come onter the scene, but it struck me you was not gettin’ your share of the fun,” ‘* Boy, would you know any of those persons again?” ** Don’t think Ishould. They got out o’ sight like a free lunch with a tramp wooin’ of it.” **'You were unable to impress their faces on your memory?” ** Jes’ so,” , The stranger indulged in meditation again, and his total disregard for his bruises was the best evidence of the importance of the affair in which he had played such a passive, yet active part. After awhile he directed his gaze toward the waiting boy once more, ‘What is your name?” he asked, “ Flipper Flynn.” 7) Eh?” ‘Mister, I see you are a pilgrim in this glori- ous land o’ freedom,so I may as well go into pertick’lers, I s’pose I hev some otber handle than that I whispered, but it ain’t in active use. Flipper Flynn is the name I sail under, an’ it ain’t uncommon ia these parts. Halt o’the men an’ kids iu New York are fixed out on the plan; it’s Uncle Sam’s style, an’ better than imitatin’ other folks. See?” ** T will bumor your fancy, for it is not a mat- ter that interests me especially. You have dis- covered that Iam not an American, Well and ood: it is a fact that ’m an Englishman, I am in your country on a most sacred errand. Itis to find a brother of mine who, I fear, bas met with foul play. He came here some time ago but all word from bim bas ceased. Just why think he has met with trouble I need not now explain, but I came here to look him up, and et him out of whatever difficulty he was in. eyond doubt I have chanced upon his enemies, but you have seen the result—instead of helping him, I have myself been nearly made a victim.” ‘*Oh! when our genooine Uncle Sam crook gets down to biz, he’s a hustler,” agreed Flipper, with dignity, ‘* You don’t sympathize with him?” ‘*Me? Bless you, no!” ‘* Very well. Now, I am so nearly a stranger here that I see the need of having a guide and helper. For such a person I am willing to pay a good round sum. Do you want the job?” Flipper Flynn was by this time interested in the affair, and he did not let the chance slip to get further into the secret. He replied with some dignity that he was not accustomed to work for aliving, but was always ready to doa gentleman a good turn. Hence, he was not averse to helping his new acquaintance, ‘if it could be done without too much injury to his personal business,” The stranger had used good judgment in siz- ing the boy up, and, believing he had found just the helper he needed, he brightened perceptibly and grew confidential, ‘* My name is Roger Hethington,” he went on, ‘and 1 am from an excellent family on the other side. As before intimated, I am on here to find my brother. He came on some time ago, and I received word from unknown parties that he was held for ransom. Of course I hastened to his aid, and now I’m trying to accomplish my work in the face of many difficulties, For some reason the crooks fail to let me meet them, and I am working at a disadvantage, This morning I received word from a woman, or some one claiming to be such, that, if I would meet her, I could learn of Lionel—that’s my brother, I did meet her according to contract, but it was nota square deal; as vou have seen, I met more than l anticipated, She had a gang of ruffians with ber, and I was used in a way not to my liking.” ‘**T don’t blame ye fer objecting ter sech a deal. It was tough on yer anotomy,” the boy agreed, readily, ‘*Soit was them you run up ag’in’, ‘was it?” *T think so, but I’m not sure, They did not say so, but after a little roundabout talk on her part, the men put in an appearance and evident- ly tried to maim or kill me,” ‘* What’s yer next move?” ** Just what I want to know, vice.” ‘*Git a detective,” ‘*T am reluctant to take suc’a a purely selfish person into my confidence,” objected Heathing- ton, ‘If this thing can be done quietly, it would satisfy me a good deal better.” lL want your ad- Flipper Flynn did not gain confidence in his. companion’s judgment, but it was Roger’s affair, pot his/ and he was not disposed toargue against a scheme which would put money jinto_ bis pocket, instead of af detective’s, He kept this in mind and replied: ‘* Mebbe we kin develop man-buntin’ ability that would puta reg’lar ter the blush, I am quite a looker-around, myself. I sbould hev mentioned that my full name is Flipper Flynn, the Street Patrol, You see, I make it a prac- tice ter pop up when there’s fun or fightin’; nor that I do any scrappin’—fer it ain’t in my line.” ‘* Come to my room, and let us talk this over,” ‘* Heave ahead, an’ I'll be in at the finish,” The Street Patrol was growing interested in this matter, He had heard of young English- men being made victims of by New World sharpers before, and as there generally was a history back of the attack, there was reason to suspect it would not be time lost to keep Heth- ington company in his investigation, True, be was not warmly impressed in bis favor, but be was worth cultivating. It was not a long journey to bis room, and they were soon inside, Roger’s good clothes had led Flipper Flynn to expect a house and room in keeping therewith, but in this he was disappointed. The quarters did not rise above the medium grade, and indicated lack of money or a modest taste. Hetbington looked around and exclaimed: ** Hello! what's this?” He was looking at a package which stood in a corner, ‘* Guess you’ve got a Christmas present,” the Patrol suggested, **{ don’t know why I should have any such thing come. IL will look into it at once,” The package was wrapped iv an ordinary brown paper, thick and heavy, and did not ap- pear to be of much so'idity, but when Roger lifted it, be found that the contrary state of affairs ex- isted, There was substance there, and he won- dered more thanever. The Patrol hada faculty ’ for getting interested in things, and he gave his. aid to unwrap the contents. It proved to be still a mystery, and be swung it up on end and leaned it against the wall near the window. ‘* Merciful heavens!” gasped Hethington, ** 'W hat is this?” He recoiled as if he had received a blow, and then remained staring at the object in startled amazement, ‘“* Well, that’s a corker!” added the Patrol, half-unconsciously. The comment seemed well made, The thing wasa gravestone, and on the side was this ipscription: ‘ROGER HETHINGTON, Drep In New YORE, August 10, A, D. 1889.” Surely, it wasa ghastly gift to receive, and Roger found no words ready in which to express his opinion. He bad met the assault on tbe street like a man of nerve, but he had too much at stake to look with composure on such a gift as this, ** Roger,” observed Flipper Flynn, “ it gives you just ten days more to live!” and he pointed to the inscription, ‘*I see,” mechanically replied the recipient, “Tt ain’t a joke?” ** Unfortunately, no,” ‘‘Then you want ter look a little out, by hickey !” ‘* Unless we can beat them out, I am a doomed man!” Roger cried. CBRAPTER II, THE PRISONER OF THE DEN, “You bustle around and get that work done, or I'll take a club to ye, lazy-bones!” It was not the most encouraging way to be asked for service, but Betty Gray was used toit. Betty did not fill a very aristocratic nicbe in life, and many would have said she was not of much account, but she bad to work hard, and who, thus occupied, 1s a trivial factor? It is the workers in the hive that get the honey, Betty proceeded to “hustle,” according to orders, This meant she must sweep and dust with all the vigor of her young arms, and :*)e never shirked matters, Sbe went up to the top floor and entered a square room, It had one tenant, a man of about twenty-five years, He sat in a big chair, with a dressing-gown thrown around him, Betty’s entrance brought a more cheerful look to a face which, while prepossess- ing in many ways, had been dull the moment before—aJmost indicative of a weak mind, ‘* So you’ve come, Sunshine?” he spoke, quick- ly. ‘Pm here, sir,” Betty admitted, practically. ‘* And you bring sunshine, Betty, I have been te to see you. I want to know who I ali , ** Dear me, sir, I can’t tell you,” ‘*T am aware of that. You never saw me un- til of late, and it isn’t to be expected you would know about me; but I want to see if we can't find out between us, Now, here I am, a wreck on the sea of life; a mariner without a compass, asI may say. WhoamI? Where doI belong? How did I lose my mental balance, and become such a wreck as you see mie? You can’t tell me this, eh?” + No, sir.” ‘* Never heard any of the angels who run this ranch tell my story?” ‘No, sir.” ** 'W hat do they call me?” ** Isaac Moss, sir,” _ “Humph! Pretty name to call a man by, isn’tit? It’s just as likely to be mine as Jacob Gress is, It won't go down, Now the fact that they have a name all ready to fit to me, like a Bowery clothing-dealer with a supply of coats, looks bad tome, If they professed total ignorance I should not suspect them; but this Isaac Moss business don’t impress me favorably, Eh, Betty?” “Yes, sir,” agreed Betty, with her usual docility, es" ‘ The young man meditated. As his words indicated, he was one who had the power of being cheerful under disadvantageous circur - stances. Except for that he would never have talked so lightly to Betty, for he fully realized that he was ve Haars ala age and hoped for er things. ’ Betty paused in her sweeping to look pityingly at him and ask: 9 , ‘‘Can I do anything for you, sir?” | “Tf I had been able to answer that question to the point as many times as you have asked ‘ A’ 2 = S sae ; but he kept his cour- . ee nd “ + —— <a