Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 769 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

*“*T guess it’s going to work,” was the re- sponse, ‘* Then you have seen Gil? What’s he say?” “He ’grees to it. He is comin’ here after dark to talk it over.” ‘*IT have been thinkin’ maybe it won’t be for the best, after all, Burke,” ‘*Oh! what’s the matter now? woman’s fool notions about it? reason it won’t be for the best?” ** Well, you know what confidence Green is puttin’ in us, and it will be a thin story when we tell him the girl has got away from us, He'll know we lie to him.” ‘*Oh! it’s that’s all that troubles ye, is it? Well, I bave been thinkin’ some about it, too, and I’ve come to the ’clusion not ter lis to him at all. [ll tell him more money or no girl.” ‘* Dare you do it?” “ Dare { doit! Did you ever know anything that Burke Wedger didn’t dare to do?” ‘* But, he may turn us off altogether after he gets the girl back again.” ‘* No fear of that. We have got too much knowledge about him and his affairs fer tbat. *Sides, we won't let him get her back till we aks bim come down another five hundred; see?’ ‘“* Well, it is your business, but I thought we were making out well enough as it was,” ‘** Mary Ann, we ain’t into this thing fer fun, but to make money, aud the more we can make the better for us. See? When they come here to-night there won’t be no girl here, and they won’t see her, either, unless they come down with just five hundred dollars’more,” ** Well, I suppose you know best, so let it be as you say. But, badn’t we better be careful how we talk? Shecan hear every word we say.” The man took the hint, and lowered his voice so that Billy failed to catch anything more for some moments. _ Billy remained there at the door, still listen- ing, and at the same time was running matters over in mind in order to make something like order of the different threads, Presently the door opened suddenly, and the man stepped out, Billy had had no warning of this, and he was caught as neatly as could have been possible had a trap been laid for him, fle was upon his feet in a second, before the astonished Burke could lay bands on him, and sprung back out of reach, muttering something in make believe Chinese. ‘“What in blazes are you doing here, you heathen?” Burke cried, fiercely. _“* Allee same me dlop some money, tly to findee him,” was the answer, in rather shaky tones. Billy thought a little pretense of fear would help the story, ip Lost some money, did ye? Are ye sure ye ain’tlyin’tome? Wasn’t ye listenin’ there at the door? Say!” ‘*No, me no lie; me— Hi! here is, allee samee!” With that Billy stooped suddenly, and held a quarter up to view, The ruse was successful; the man was made to believe it, and so the ex-gamin escaped getting into trouble with bim, ** Well, get along away from bere, then!” Burke ordered. ‘“‘If I fina you bere by this door again Dll kick Bowes in ve ? ‘* Me allee light now,” cried Billy, cheerfully. ‘Me go’long, Good-by!” des - And along be went, down the stairs, and out of the house. Burke followed him down, having started on an errand when he opened the door, and when Billy left the house he looked after him closely. Billy, however, never once turned his head to look back, but kept on his way, turned the cor- ner, and was out of sight in no time, ‘Sweet pertaters!” he muttered, * but that was a close rub to getting into a peck o’ trouble sure pop. It makes me think I’m a boy again, almost, Never took up a case yet that didn’t get me into some sort of a diffikilty before I got done with it. Now I must get off this rig and put on another.” He went home, and there found fat Skinny. ** Hello!” Billy cried, you bere, Skin?” ** It looks like me, don’t it?” “Yes, that’s so. A fellow can see you now, right plain. Time was when there was no finding you, even with a glass.” “On! dry up!” ‘Well, where did you leave your man?” Billy inquired, “Why, I had followed bim to the house where the girl is, where he took a look at ig Place, had a few words with you, and went n. Some more What is the ** How did you know it was me?” ‘*Il thought so then, and when I got here I asked your mom whatrig you had on. Now your own appearance proves it right up.” ** Didn’t know whether you spotted me or not, You did good work on that trail. But, where did you leave him?” ‘“'W hy, over at No. — -—— street,” ** Sweet pertaters!” ** What’s the matter now?” ‘*Matter enough, That is where Gil Brand lives!” ‘* And who the mischief is Gil Brand?” ‘*That’s so; you baven’t been posted on that lay, have you,” The old ranger and the mothers were giving all attention, and often putting in a word, but no need to quote them, ‘*’Course I haven’t,” responded Skinny. ‘* What bas he got todo with the matter, any- how? Is hein it with the rest of them?” ‘* Well, rather,” ** How?” Billy told what his experience had been after taking his leave of the lean—now fat—lieuten- ant, thus posting Skinny on the latest to date. ‘This is getting to bea complicated mix of mess,” Billy presently remarked, ‘ That young lady has gotto be got out of the hands of the foe, or something is going to happen yet so we’ll lose track of her. “I wouldn’t be ’ary bit s’prised,” observed the ranger, Tl) tell you what, Billy,” spoke up Mrs, Weston. ve on let’s hear from you, mom,” Billy in- vited, ‘“Why don’t you rescue the peor dear and bring her here?” ‘‘Bully fer you!” cried Billy. “ That is just what we will do with her, if-we can get her. But, I musv slick up and take a trip up to‘Head- quarters,” ‘* Headquarters!” cried Skinny, ‘*That’s what I said,” Billy assured. ‘I haven’t been to pay my respects to the in- spector yet, and [I’m going now, I want a badge, and a right to call on some of his boys when I need them,” CHAPTER X. BILLY'S HEART BEATS HIGH. THERE was some further talk all around, after which Billy retired to lay off his Chinese disguise, and adopt his\own proper attire once more, When he came forth he was himself again. He had put in his pockets such papers as oc- casion might require him to exhibit to the in- spector, as well as his San Francisco badge, and was ready to set out. ‘What am I to do?” asked Skinny, **T don’t know, now, unless you take a rest while Lam gone,” Billy answered. ‘‘He can be company for me,” Roger sug- gested. ‘Sorry to leave you here all the time, Roger,” said Billy, then, “but, there don’t seem to be any part for you to play this act. But, you need rest, anyhow, and the women need some one to talk to them or they would have the blues, for sure,” ‘' You see that you don’t forget the week you have promised me, when you get done with this case,” urged Mrs, Weston. ‘All right, mom! I'll shut my eyes when I get Gone, and wulk straight home, and I’ll stay in the house all the whole week; then Ill be sure I won’t see anything to give me the fever,” With a ligbt laugh he was gone. A short time later found him at Headquarters, Here he was not altogether a stranger, and he went right in, and into the inner office, without asking permission of any one. Some officers around looked at him, but con- sidered from his independent air he must know where he was going and whom he wanted to see, so Offered no hindrance, As he entered he found the inspector in con- versation with a young man of about twenty-five, a good-looking, dark haired fellow, who seemed considerably anxious about something, the inspector looked up, and in a moment was on his feet, exclaiminc: ‘* Broadway Billy!” co plead guilty,” responded Billy, with a smile, The inspector took his hand and shook it warmly, giving him a hearty welcome home, _ The young man looked on with something of interest during the few moments so occupied, but the inspector soon asked Billy to sit down and wait, and turned again to business. ‘* As you were saying?” he started his visitor, ie 4 i Te i. call t ~ : A 1 he er. Ee tae re - jaa ‘, 1 4 ¥ Lag re \ Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective. 9 ‘‘ Well, that is all I can tell you. I have no clew to offer, but there is no mistake about what I have told you. Tomkins Green is here in this city, and the young lady is in his wer—” ‘* Sweet pertaters!” So exclaimed Billy, and be was on bis feet in an instant. ‘Hello!’ exclaimed the inspector, ‘this young gentleman knows something about the case, I’)| bet!” ‘* 1°]] bet he does, too,” cried Billy. ‘‘ Say,” to the young man, ‘“‘isn’t your name Bronson Pender?’ “It is, sir.” ‘““T knew it! And you are from Phila- delphia?” ** Yes, yes.” ‘Good! Inspector, I have got the bulge on this case, and 1t was partly that that brought me here,” ‘*Is it possible? Let’s hear how much you know about 1t.” “Why, lknow this Tomkins Green and his wife came here this morning from Philade}pbia, bringing with them a young lady named Laura Wardley. She wasa prisoner in their power, and was guarded by a man and woman named Burke Wedger and Mary Ann, bis wife.” ‘* Heavens!” cried Pender, ‘‘ you are right. What more do you know? Can you tell me where Miss Wardley is now?” --“* Yes, 1 know where she is, and was talking with her not so very long ago.” ‘* Then she is alive and well?’ sé Yes.” ‘*Thank God. once,” ‘* Go a little slow!” Billy advised, ** We can’t doitallat once, Let’s talk the thing over a little first.” ‘But, I must get ber out of their power as soon as possible, I would not bave her remain in their hands another hour, now that I know where she is.” ‘* Which you do not know, yet,” the inspec- tor reminded, ‘Give this young man bis own time, Mr. Pender, and everything will come out all right. He is a young detectivein whom I have the greatest confidence.” Broadway Billy’s heart gave a great bound, in spite of himself, At last, the great goal of his ambition had been reached, and from the inspector’s own lips bad come the thrilling words, It had always been the dream of his youthful career one day to gain the confidence of this man, and now that day had come! If he felt proud and highly elated we may excuse it. ‘‘The fact of the business is,” he said, *‘ the thing isn’t quite ripe, and the game mustn’t be blocked just yet. Our man Green is playing a fine game, and when I pull the string I want him to be one of the rascals todance, It will be all ready to-ni ht, bowever.” ‘* You may tell us all about it, if you like,” the inspector bere suggested, Billy thereupon gave him the bistory of the case from beginning to end, and his story was listened to with close attention. ‘You have been doing good work,” the inspector complimented, ‘* To be sure you bave been lucky in several points, but luck is as much a matter of brains as anything ee.” “Yes, there was luck about it, or I wouldn’t have got any of the facts,” Billy declared. ‘* That is allright, sir. How about that medal you got in San Francisco?” Billy blushed to the roots of his hair. ‘*How did you know anything about that?” be asked. The inspector smiled, ‘““T heve a way of knowing a good many things, Billy,” he answered, ‘‘ Let me see it, will you?” ‘You seem to think pretty sure l’ve got it with me,” ‘*T know you have, together{with other things you would like me to see,” Billy felt that he was no match for this man. His very thoughts seemed to be read at will by the keen-eyed inspector, Witbout any more ado Billy showed his badge and some papers in which he bad some pride, and justly, too, and the inspector looked at them with real interest, ‘* Billy,” he said, when he had done, “ you are a credit to New York, I bave had my eye upon you for a long time, and I know what the aim of your ambition has been, lam going to give you a chance,” ‘*[ might make a good hand to sweep out office, and the like,” Billy suggested, in his dry way. You must take me to ber at —b- : me Cc u comicbook: 7 an Py bo