Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 774 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

hing wonderful. In the high-headed Eng- fan who turned into Sixth avenue no one ould have recognized the detective who passed the cigar store thirty minutes before. Cal made bis way to the cigar store witbout hesitation and entered boldly. W itbout pausing | a ee — — —_ a oS eee = ) it EPA « 4 rg : x Sn ° Png si. ~ ie “a's . “Fx iy. “ * t yes " . . ea a we » ‘ Py a F ’ 4s... $ . 4 tbs ona - aa, ome . erry *“ But it happened that Hall’and Moore were too busy talking to pay any particular attention to the map, even though *‘ Lawd Alfwed’s” man- ner was little short of insolent. In fact, the two men were on the verge of a quarrel, Although they were speaking in low tones, the or displaying any unfamiliarity in the place, he | disguised detective could now and then catch a passed round behind the couuter and paused at a heavy door that had the conventional ‘‘ peep- hole.” ‘*Aw) right, don’t yaw know,” be said, his voice being that of avery languid and world- weary Briton. ‘The man behind the counter had looked sharp- ly at Cal, but the deliberate assurance of the de- tective convinced him it was some tourist who had been there before. His band fell beneath the counter and touched a button, whereupon the door quietly swung open. . Cal entered. A CHAPTER VIII. THE MONTE CARLO OF GOTHAM, A TRANSFORMATION scene greeted his eyes. He found himself in a large room, at least fifty feet long. The air was so thick with tobacco- smoke that it could almost be cut with a knife, but the lights of the place revealed the figures of two bundred men, these figures growing dimmer in the haze of the smoke at the further end of the place. The greater part of those within the **Monte Carlo of Gotham” were gambling, either at bazard, roulette or faro. The most of the gamblers were young men with pale faces and reckless looks, A study of many would reveai the fact that they were al- ready breaking down physically and, unless they made an abrupt change in their mode of living— which was not to be expected—they would soon go the pace that kills and reach the end of the journey—a coffin! Those young fellows were living many years in one and, at the very time when their hearts should have been full of cheer and their steps buoyant, they were blase and languid, taking a somber view of life and firm in the belief that irene are no joys enduring iv this world, The whirr of little balls, the clink of chips and the hum of voices affected Cal strangely when he first entered, but he soon recovered himself, although oe wondered why the sounds were not heard on the sidewalk without, There were ten or twelve tables in full blast, and each table was surrounded by a little knot of anxious players. Although the ventures were small, it was plain that the risks of many a callow youth meant a great deal to him. Occasionally a low fierce curse would be uttered beneath the breath, and a player would turn from the table where be had squandered his last dollar. There were several waiters in the room, their white aprons being seen to flit here and there, as they brought on drinks or cigars. The faces of some players were flushed with drink and their eyes red with the light fed by the demon of gam- ing. Cal’s entrance was unnoticed. He sauntered about the place without getting a second glance, It was not long before he came to a table where Silky Hall was sitting, talking in low tones with a companion whom Cal instantly recognized as a sharper with a dark record, a man known as “Tired Moore,” and who was said to be almost too lazy to eat, For all of that, he was flashily, even expensively, dressed, Cal Jooked for Shark and discovered the young man playing roulette at a close-by table. ‘*T don’t fancy that,” thought the disguised detective. ‘‘He should be trying to heur what these fellows are pe agg Without more ado, Cal sat down at the table, striking a little bell upow it. He did not look at Hall or his companion, but he saw them both sea athim, When the waiter appeared, he sald: ; ‘*Waitaw, I wawnt a cocktail, don’t yaw | hand of the white-aproned individual. know, Now mix me up a weglaw cocktail: | | don’t give me awny demned pawtent-medisawn | *mixtchaw. And, waitaw?” ‘6 Yes, sir.” Y ‘‘ Bwing me the best cigar to be hawd in New Yawk. | don’t _wawnt any cawb:ge-leaf to- bacaw eithaw. You hawve such confwounded mean cigaws in this bloody countway thawt the sight awve them is hawseating, don’t vaw know. Iam Lawd Alfwed Twombly, saw, and a particulaw fwiend awve the Pwince awve Wales, saw. Now, be demned lively in fwilling this awdab,” The waiter departed, something like a grin on his face, while Cal lay back in bis chair, pro- ducing a _ single-barreled eye-glass, through whieh he stared in the boldest manner at Silky Hall and his associate. al Oe , _ _" J ’ * J » a = AR Oy he ee a ' » = r ? 7 le ae i Sarees 7 - ne at : : J “a p ay @ . wie Sev even at Aa Ne * we y ‘ , ‘a! ‘ wh TY : i 7s) TAR j wll fg « ‘ wees . z 2, AS + 40 Me «pl ee , ine ne bd ae . «6 ‘et cake LA few words, He soon learned that the trouble was over a “ boodle” of some sort,” ‘* You've got ter do der square or 1’ll blow on yer!” declared Tired Moore, allowing his voice to rise a little, ‘Hush up!” growled Hall, ‘* You'll have all the crowd looking this way, ‘* Let ’em Icok an’ be—” The crook did not finish, i You seem determined to pick a row!” grated all. Moore looked sullen. ‘*Look here,” and the dark-faced gambler lowered bis voice till only an occasional word could be caught by the detective, ‘if you want trouble, you shall haveit. I have two friends to your one in this place.” ‘*T don’t want no trouble if youse do der white; but I hain’t no chump ter be played dirt der way youse are tryin’ ter. Dat’s w’at’s der matter widme, See?” | ‘*Ob, come off, Moore! Nobody is playing you dirt. You are imagining all this.” ‘* But where’s my part of der bood’?” ‘*'You bave bad it.” ** Mighty smal! lot I got!” ‘* You received a fair share,” sé Bah ? ‘It is true.” ‘“ Dat’s guff.” ‘10s straight.” ‘* But youse said dere was a big snatch in it,” ‘‘And so there was, but the young fool has gone and blown a hole in bis head,” ‘* Der pape’s don’t give 1t dat way.” «6 No.” ‘* Dey say it was murder.” ‘That shows what fools these reporters can make of themselves, The boy wasin a bad way last night, and still worse to-day. His losses broke him all up. It is pretty certain he put a bullet into his own head,” Tired Moore looked at Hall insinuatingly. ‘That sounds very well, but Vll bet der drinks you don’t mean it,” Tbe gambler scowled, ‘You're altogether too familiar, Moore, You'll get pulled town one of these days,” ‘* An’ youse "li git pulled in. Ob, if bain’t no use ter play funny wid me, IT’ on,” ‘Well, what in blazes do you mean?” ‘*T guess youse wants it tought der blowed hisself cold.” Hall half started up, as if to grasp the insinu- ating crook by the throat, but be thought better of it and settled back in bis seat. ‘*You make me tired!” be snapped. ‘** You are a knowing bloke—you are!” — ‘Well, [ am some,” grinned Moore, nodding his head, ‘* You know too much for your health!” ‘‘T know too much fer your health! w’at’s der matter.” “What do you think I care what the papers say about this? If it was murder, it is plain the kid’s old uncle did the job.” ** Mebbe so,” ** There is no other way.” At this moment the waiter placed Cal’s cock- tail and cigar before him, The detective lifted the cocktail and sniffed suspiciously of it, and then muttered: +6 Haw ” With that exclamation, he put it down and paid the bill, not failing to tip the waiter in a manner that attracted attention. ‘Something faw yawseif, you know, waitaw,” he said, as he placed a piece of money in _ és e Englishmen of wank awlways wemembaw tbe waitaw, If this cocktail is nawt aw! wight I shall feel it me duty to knawk yaw eye out, you know. Thawt is awl, saw.” Whereupon the waiter retired, ‘“Lawd Alfwed” seemed in no particular hurry to drink the liquor, but he leisurely light- ed the cigar. When there was a good oppor- tunity to do so witnvut being observed, he emptied the cocktail into a handy cuspidore, _Clear-Grit Cal was a temperate man, and he never touched liquor of any kind as a beverage, Meantime, the conversation between Silky Hall and Tired Moore had taken a still more serious turn, Moore bad been drinkiog and was u fresh Dat’s y. “*Youse hain’t done der right ting by me, Silky,” he declared, ‘‘ an’ ye know it,” Ry lt Fol o . ‘ , i id -) * a * , oe = ow + a er 2 ‘ Sir. é P ‘ at. Tt! “a4 nae ae. bis | 6 | ee ‘: ¥ ny Re ee er: | ’ ‘ ‘ ‘¢ Oh, drop that, Moore!” snapped the gambler. ‘‘You have lived off me for the last three months, and now you kick and say | have not used you white,” ‘¢ An’ youse have lived off der green.” ‘* Well, he’s croaked now, and so bothfof us are out in the cold.” ‘‘T don’t reckon you are out in der cold much, I’m der one as is gittin’ left, but I bain’t ter be shook dat easy. If youse don’t divvy, Vl squawk,” “ Squawk? Why, man, what can you tell?” ** More dan youse wants told. Ill ring yous inter dis business an’ der perlice’]] haul ye over der coals,” This threat aroused Hall. “Tf you dare blow anything, I'll bave you breaking stone before you know it!” he bissed. ‘‘1’m not aman to be bluffed or bullied by a common thief of your cut.” ‘* Who’s a common thief?” ‘¢ You are!” *¢ You lie!” Both men sprung up, Out shot Silky Hall’s fist, and ‘“‘smack” it struck fairly between Tired Moore’s eyes. The common rascal was knocked back against the table, grasping at apything to keep from going to the floor. His hand happened to fasten in Cal Carter’s false beard, The mutton-chop whiskers from the detective’s face! CHAPIER IX. OUT OF THE TRAP. Ir was a mosc unlucky occurrence, for Car- ter’s disguise had teen so effectual that but for the accidental exposure be would not have been suspected by any one within the gambling-bouse, Of course the sudden and astonishing removal of ‘‘ Lawd Alfwed’s” whiskers attracted universal attention, | ‘‘ A spotter! A spy!” That was the cry tuat went up. ‘* Cut bim off!” ‘* Don’t let bim get out!” ‘* Make him explain!” The trouble between Silky Hall and Tired Moore was of no moment vow. Even the prin- cipals seemed to have forgotten their recent dis- agreement, There was a rush of: men, and the exposed de- tective’s retreat by the door was cut off, No one was more astonished than Shark. He gazed at bis chief in wonder for a moment, but he was shrewd enough not to betray the fact that he was ‘“‘in” witb Cal, ‘ Detective Carter cvolly picked up the mutton- chop whiskers which Tired Moore bad dropped, und thrust them into his pocket Then he arose to bis feet as deliberately as can be imagined and calmly surveyed the excited throng. He did not seem to mind in the least tbe ugly looks which were cast upon bim, ‘‘ Good-evening, gentlemen,” he said, pleas- antly. ‘This proves to be something of a sur- prise-party,” ‘*I¢ will be a sorry surprise for you,” was the retort of a big man who was sometimes pointed out as the proprietor of the place. ‘* We treat spies tough bere.” ** Of course it will be useless for me tu deny I am a spy, for—” ** You'd be lyin’! ‘©! knows him!” cried a big iron-jawed fellow who wore an immense blazer in his neck-scarf. ‘“* He’s Cal Carter, ther Private.” “If you know me so well,” came steadily from Cal’s lips, “‘ you ought to know I do not run with the police, Oaly so far as it is necessary do I have anything to do with them,” At this there was a chorus of groans, hoots and hisses: but the detective smiled as blandly as if he stood in the midst of friends, For all of his calmness,,be fully realized the “anger. lt was not probable these men would commit mur- der, although without a doubt there were those within that very room vicious enough to com- mit any crime, a” But there were too many of them. It would not do to take a human life, for such a thing could not be kept quiet; but Cal Cartar could consider himself a fortunate manif he escaped without being pounded and kicked into uncon- sciousness, | Still he was calm and his brain was busy de- vising some kind of a scheme that would enable him to escape, He knew he could give Shark the wink and that worthy would do bis best to bring the police down on the place. But the chances were the officers would be very reluct- ant about making a descent, and when they did move it would be ata snail’s pace. That would give the gang plenty of time to do their work were snatcbed = ~ » 4 Ae dl Fi 4 { Meas is 4 ae a — 4 _ ~ tracy / ;™. ie ( \ vivo ; a, : + a 4, ee ee mb . 1 7 ah a at ° me) . ree . - s Pd © an 7 a * ~~ ® 9» Be 7 re eee {| i me Si a — +r eS =] y 5 y _ - — lh ——_, \ : a) \ | \/ _ \ / ’ | |7 Sie hae. ae, ad oa . ’ ¥