Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 771 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

The Keener and Mrs, Stannard conferred. The former was in favor of banding the prisoner over to the police at once, but it had become a assion with her to rescue Clarice Walbri.!ge. elieving this could be better done with the ex- sport at liberty, she insisted tbat he should be set free. Of course, her wishes prevailed. Berthrong was led down-stairs and out of the front door; and there the dissatisfaction of one of the men that such clemency was shown him found vent in asturdy kick which almost raised Perce into theair. Painful it must have been both to his person and bis pride, but, beyond one glance at the kicker, be made no demonstration, He walked down the block and was soon out of sight, ‘* Thar goes a man that’ll make trouble!” dark- ly prophesied he who had done the kicking, Foxy Fred returned to Mrs, Stannard, st We must leave here, at once,” she announc ed. And that night they slept under another roof, The next morning, when Fred went to his de- tective comrade, be was surprised and not a lit- tle disturbed to see herin the disguise of Juan Costa. ** Hullo! w’ot’s this?” he demanded. ‘*T am going to rejoin the gang,” she calmly replied, ‘* Singin’ ’skeeters! clared, **T cannot, will not rest until Clarice Wal- bridge isfound, Remember that she is suffer- ing for me; that they took her by mistake when trying toabduct me. My duty is plain.” ** Dunno whetber it is or not,” Fred contended, ** This last scrap will only put Perce on the alert, I wouldn’t do it!” be de- an’ he may see, this time, that Juan Costa ain’t so much a stranger as he looks, S’pose you got gobbled, too; I’d hev a regular old high-jinks of atime tryin’’ter rescue both you an’ Clarice, wouldn’t I?” It was a strong argument, but Mrs. Stannard was not to be turned from her purpose, After breakfast she took her tall bat and fancy cane, and walked over to the crooks’ resort, She found Berthrong and Berlong both in, and was cordially greeted. The only sign Perce gave of bis adventure wasa slight limp which indicated that the kicker had worna boot too heavy to be pleasant under such circumstances, Conversation beeame general, but most of the visible high spirits were on the visitor’s side, ‘“*’m getting on finely,” he observed, airily. *“*All I need now is money and a wife. You have promised to put mein the way of filling my pockets; now, whatcan you doas to a wife?” The question was so put that Perce looked doubtful. ‘** Are you in earnest?” he asked. ** Yes, fully.” “Then, by Jove! you shall have the wife!” CHAPTER XXII, THE EVENTFUL NIGHT, THE ex-sport spoke with the air of one who has an inspiration, and he added: “We have just what you want. to marry, too—” ‘*? remember your good opinion of wives,” put in Costa, dryly. ‘** That don’t count; one case ought not to pre- judice the whole, You are a Cuban, and [ll say that American girls beat the world, while as to New York girls, they are simply the cream of America. Yes, Mr. Costa; I know a girl who would make you an admirable wife,” ** Young?” sé Yes, ” ** Charming?” és Yes.” ‘* Deuced good news!” Senor Costa seemed to be very much interest- ed in the subject, and Berthrong went on to eulogize the lady and ber beauty, He drew a very vivid picture, and Juan let bim go ahead, though impatient to arrive at more important features of the case. When given a chance he very naturally inquired: ** Where does this divine creature live?” ** Right here in New York.” ** Ay, but where?” ‘** Fact is, we have her under a trifle of restraint now, but the matter is not serious, Our men abducted her by mistake. They supposed they had au entirely different person until she was got to The Nest, as we call her present residence. ell, there she was, by Jove! the wrong wo- man; but we couldn’t send ber back, She knew our secrets too well. We have, however, used her with the utmost respect, and if she could be It’s your duty Foxy Fred’s Odd Pard. prevailed upon to get interested in one of our friends, of course we could set her free without any danger to ourselves,” ‘* Perhaps she would not take to a Cuban.” ** You are only different from our people in that you are a bit dark, and more vivacious, Certainly, she could not find fault with you.” ‘* Td like to see her,” ‘You shall, This girl is a white elepbant on our hands, so to speak, and your proposition makes the way clear. You shall pose as her rescuer; a genuine knigbt errant, and all that sort of thing. I have been considering the ad- visability of taking ber to a place we have on Staten Island. We will do that this very night, and then we'll arrange a plan to bring you in as a hero, There must be no positive, immediate rescue, for she must get infatuated with you be- fore she’s liberated, All this can be arranged,” ‘* By Jove! 1 like this plan!” declared Juan, *‘It is clever,” Perce admitted. ‘' Now, let it be like this: This evening you take the boat at the Battery, and meet Berlong in the ferry- house at St. George, which is on Staten Islaad, He will conduct you to the proper place, Let your meeting be at nine o’clock, About eleven I and some of my men will take the girl from where she now is, and convey her to the same place in a sail-boat,” ‘‘ Capital!” Juan agreed, ‘* Roough said! Berlong and I must now go out, but we'll not be gone over two hours. Do ou remain here, and when we return we would like to have you spend the day with us,” ‘¢T will, or until the middle of the afternoon.” “Good! Well, we’re off, now,” Perce and Berlong went out. The first thing the honest Cuban then did was to sit down at the desk and write. His pen flew rapidly for several minutes, When he was done he inclosed his work in an envelope and went out and mail- ed it. . * Pred will soon get it!” be murmured, as he returned to the house, And the Keener did getit indue time, He found a full account of Berthrong’s plot, and a counter-plot to beat him, ‘*They must never get Clarice to Staten Island,” the Cuban had written, ‘* You must see Detective Warden and form a plan to rescue her, rightin New York. Todo this you must know whence they start, and this I will learn during the day, Then you can intercept them right at thestarting-point. As for me, of course I shall not go to Staten Island, I shall leave them by three, or four, o’clock, Will then sea you, or send you word as to the point whence they start out,” Foxy Fred read this with much satisfaction, ‘‘Singin’ ’skeeters! I do b’lieve we've got ’em!” exclaimed the Keener, ‘' Certain we hev ef things don’t go all ter smash—but it would be jest like Perce ter work in some dodge that will knock us out. Tl call on Jethro Warden, right away.” The night which followed was dark and foggy. Ata certain time two persons left the new re- fuge. Mrs, Stannard had passed the day suc- cessfully with her enemies, aud had finally rejoiu- ed Fred and told them definitely where Clarice then was, unless Berthrong had lied; but the ex- wife did not think it prudent to take part in the adventure, She remained at home, and Warden and Fred started out alone, Adding two men on the way who had been previously engaged, they went uear the house where Clarice was said to be, ‘This will be a great triumpb,” remarked Warden exultantly. ‘* Huge!” the Keener agreed, ** Yonder is the house, I wish we could look in. Who comes here so fast?” A man was striding toward them, passing the house, ‘* Looks like a parson out feranairin’. Hello! Singin’ ’skeeters!” ‘¢ What now?” ‘Say, I b’lieve he’s a gent [call the Man in Black, He is, sure-pop! Say, he’s a great an’ vexatious myst’ry; heis. Vl stop him. Hullo! neighbor, where so fast an’ fleetin’?” Tbe Man in Black came to a halt. ** What! are you here?” ** We ain’t nowhere else,” The man of mystery ran bis gaze over the crowd; then again addressed Fred, and bis words were hurried: ‘* Why are you here? speak quickly! But let me break the ice, Is it to rescue a girl from yonder house?” Warden! made haste to prevent a direct an- swer, but Foxy Fred was ahead of bim, “That's just why we’re here, mister,” ** Then you’re too late!” **'Too late?” ‘*She was taken out but a few minutes ago, and has been conveyed by carriage toward the North River. I wason my way for belp to res- cue her, but—” He hesitated and looked at the party as if he thought the desired aid was at hand, The Keen- er thought so, too, ‘‘ Wall in with us|” he directed. ‘‘ Quick, fel- lers; we may be able ter drop on’em yit, ef they start from the pier they said they would. It ain’t far, Ef they took a carriage et wuza waste of money, unless their scheme was ter drive about town a bit, an’ deceive their pris- oner as ter how far they go. I’ve heer’d ©’ sech things, Hustle, feilers!” Long before this speech was finished the ener- getic Keener had his force in rapid motion, and they made good time to the pier. On their ar- rival there was no sign of unusual action. Too early, or too late? That was the all-important question, and Foxy Fred agreed to ‘‘scout” aud see if any boat lay there, CHAPTER XXIII, THE STRUGGLE IN THE STREET. Tuer Keener stowed bis usual] skill, and moved down on the pier without making bimself at all conspicuous, He soon decided that if the boat was still there, no guard was set, and he pro- ceeded to get a view of the water. ‘* A’ boat, by jiminy!” be muttered, ‘* Yes? an’ there’s two men init. They are layin’ there as quiet as you please, It’s dollars ter dough- nuts they’re waitin’ fer somebody, an’ who should it be, unless Perce an’ his beelers?” The scout returned to Warden and the other men, and made his report. ‘*There is yet hope,” remarked the Man in Black. ‘May I ask,” inquired Warden, ‘‘ what your interest in the case is?” ‘** All honest men should be interested.” ‘It is sometimes doubtful to know who the honest men are,” retorted Warden, dryly. Foxy Fred touched the Man in Black’s sleeve, and asked in a low voice: ‘* Did you know Eldred an’ his crew afore they came ter New York?” ‘* Never!” ‘* But you bave some grudge against ’em?” ‘¢ None whatever,” ‘*'Ten why are you against them?” ‘*Those who are not against them are for them,” With this enigmatical reply, the man of mys- tery turned aside, and Fred had to let the matter rest. He was, however, more than ever puz- zied. Who and what the Man in Black was, he could not tell. The sound of a carriage was heard, and the rescue-party concealed themselves, They were none too son. The vehicle rolled down a side street and approached the pier. It halted, and a mau who had been sitting on the box with the driver leaped down. ‘Perce Berthrong!” the Keener whispered. The ex-sport crossed the pier with rapid steps, going to a point above the men in the boat, ) could be heard in conversation with them for a few moments, after which he retraced his steps, He opened the carriage door, and two otler men appeared, Then, last of all, came a wo- man, No one there knew Clarice Walbridge by sight, but they did not doubt that they were then looking at her, She was not bound in any way, and no rudeness was offered her, but she evidently was ill at ease, Bertbrong spoke with her and pointed to the pier, but it was clear that the dark area filled her with fresh forebodings, The ex-sport took ber by the arm, but she shrunk back. ‘*T don’t want to go!” she was heard to say. Foxy Fred and his companions remained pas- sive. They were almost in the track of the ab- ductors, but to uncover themselves too early might be to defeat the purposes of justice. At this time, like Bertbrong and his men, they were so intent upon looking at her that they failed to see anything else. More might have been seen, From the side street dark forms moved for- ward like phantoms in biack, and with but little more noise. They closed upon the crooks un- seen; then, at alow word of command, sprung upon them with a flerceness which reminded the observers of the attack of panthers, Heavy blows were dealt, and the woman was torn away from her former companions, byt e yarn ata ee wi | . a Bi 7 beg ypu € A -*% 3 es a § v7 K re," Ks 4 . ‘, va de , =a ‘ com