Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 775 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

— ——— > sgt Jbimeeet eaphimngrso os > ant - ' - a ‘ ~ o~« > “> - ee —— a - ae it has come to be a regular thing, each week, for her to bring some case to my notice, and the de- mands have been growiug larger and larger until I can foresee that my fortune will not stand the constant drain. Still, J hesitate about refusing, for every case brought to my notice is more distressing than the last.” CHAPTER YV. HAPPY HARRY ON HAND. ‘¢ CHRISTOPHER COLUMBIA!” So exclaimed Happy Harry, when he left the office, after the arrivalof the old spiritualist, as shown, ‘*] can’t seem ter think that this is me,” he muttered, as he went down toward the street. *¢‘ Wish somebody would come along and lift me one behind, jest to remind me shat there ain’t no mistake about it.” He evidently quickly concluded that would not do, however, since the fall to the bottom of two landings would not be an easy one, so skipped on down, and was soon at the bottom. There he stopped and looked at Billy’s sign in the hall. ‘“No, it don’t seem real at all,” he mused, ‘* That I should come to know Broadway Billy, and then be really-and trooly in his ’ploy, and more’n that, to have him ask me ter take up the — he is jest layin’ down, In short, to be roadway Billy myself; Broadway Billy, Junior, mebby. But no, that won’t do, fer Happy Harry is the banner I am going to fly.” While he stood there he became aware that two persons were standing just outside the door, aud he glanced to see who they were, Ooe was a man and the other a woman. The man was a dark fellow, with black eyes, hair and mustache. The woman was vailed, and was somewhat richly dressed, but in too vulgara stvle. ‘They had their backs partly toward him, and did not notice him, and he, in turn, would have taken no further notice of them, had it not been for a name which fell from the man’s lips at the same moment, ‘‘ Old Rundle is too rich a prize to be allowed to get away,” the fellow said, 1n response to some remark the woman had just made, Happy Harry pricked up his ears instantly. What if they referred to the Rundle who was at that moment up-stairs in the office of Broad- way Billy! ' The boy had fixed in his mind much of what be had read concerning Broadway Billy, and especially of Billy’s manner of doing things on the spur of the moment, when occasion re- quired, So, the thought coming to him that behind the big door was the place for him, he put him- self there with all baste. There was a wide crack, and the man was leaning against the jamb with his head only a few inches from the crack, the woman only a little further distant. Outside the crowd passing up and down, a constant stream, and these two had drawn back to be out of the way. Happy Harry was not soon enough to hear what rejoinder the woman made, but he was ready for the next observation the man offered. ‘*] know it,” he said; ‘‘ but if he is going to run after the police and private detectives he must gmell a mice, and I’m going to be mighty wary of him.” ‘*Don’t be afraid, for the police and detec- tives won’t bother with him much, It won’t take much of bis kind of talk to convince them that be is a loony, and then they will drop bim,” ‘But, it is plain that he is suspicious, and can’t be worked much longer.” ‘*Then we must make the best of him while he can be worked, that is all. Wemust have one more pull at his money-bags.” ‘* What’s the use, unless we can milk him dry? Little dribs at a time ain’t any good to us no more, We must take a grand haul and be done with it. Either that, or I’m out of it.” ‘Well, maybe that can bedone; but, let me tell you, five bundred dollars in less than three weeks isn’t doing so bad. ou have run bigger risks for asmaller sum, Many atime, Tbe main thing is, Gus, to keep him away from these places.” _** And how are you going to do that, I shouhi like to know?” . “We'll have to set the spirits after him so strong that he will be glad enough to drop it,” _ “That is all rigbt; but, his suspicion is up, and it will be like drawing teeth to get any more out ofhim. As I said before, whole bog or none wext time,” ** Well, we'll plan for all of it, then.” ‘* And what are you doing here# What good did you think you could do by following bin?” ‘Why, won’t it be worth a good deal to know what detective he bas? Seems to me you must be sleepy this morning, ain’t youl” ‘* Mebbe you are right, Rosa. I didn’t think about it, that way,” ‘* You see, knowing what detective he has, we can play our cards to send him on a false scent, and while he is nosing around in a cold spot we can be laughing at bim and shouting—‘ Hot, hotter, hottest!’ to urge him en.” 3 And at the same time bleeding the old spook, eh?’ ‘** Certainly.” ** Well, that isn’t slow.” ‘* But, who is this detective? Do you know him, Gus?” ‘‘T know of him. He is thesame boy who once sent Sharkey Dan higher that‘a kite,” ‘* You don’t say!” ‘* The same cuss, Billy, then,” ‘* And now he’s got to be a regular, has he? Well, be must be a good one, for he stands in well with the chief of them all.” ‘* How do you know that?” ‘¢ Tt was he sent the old man here,” ** And how do you know tbat?” ‘‘The same way that I know a good many things. More than that, the chief has been bere this morning himself,” ‘* Well, if Billy Weston is a pet we shall have to look out all the more, that isall. 1 tell you I am going to fight mighty wary, Rosa Dubarre.”’ ‘*Figbt just as wary as you want to, and the more wary the better, We are pot going to miss a good thing when we have it almost in our own hands, But, as you say, we had better make oue job of it.” **T think so. What are you going to do next?” ‘When do you mean?” i mean now, What are you stopping here **Oh! Why,I am going to fall in with the old man and have a spiritual talk with him.” **Won’t be suspect that you have been shad- owing him?’ ‘* No, not at all, for he bas perfect faith in me. I have closed the eyes of smarter men than he. Once in the spirit line they are quite willing to be bamboozled,” ‘* We, you and I, are not alone in it, how- ever,” ‘*Gus Casmore, you don’t suppose I have any partner with whom I am going to divide, do 7ou?” ‘* You will ante up with me, or you don’t get my belp, that is all.” ‘*I can get other help, then. I am going to pay you for what you do, the same as I pay others; but there will be no dividing with you.” Happy Harry noticed that the man’s, face grew darker than ever. _ * You seem to forget you have partly let me into your secret,” he growled. ‘* W hat’s to hinder my posting the old fellow and blocking your game?” The woman laughed, Neeiless to say, Happy Harry was bound to let nothing escape him now. ‘*T will tell you what will binder you,” the womapbD made answer. ‘‘ The fact that I have too much knowledge about you. You do not suppose Rosa Dubarre is a fool, do you, to take apy one into her confidence unless she has the master hold?” ‘*Confound you! you don’t mean to deal fair in this thing.” ‘*Ob, yes, Ido! I mean to pay you well if we succeed; if not, then notbing. And you must use your own wits to keep you out of trouble.” OW ell, you hold the best cards this time, that ITadmit, What I have said has got to stand, sponge. EB ect to be a clean sweep next ime, Or nothing, won't try i aby- thing lesa.” 4 try it again for apy ** And I have agreed tothat. Come around this afternoon and we will talk it over more fully. Tbe old man may not make a long stay up there, and you don’t want to be seen.” “That’s so; Pil be going. He will see you, though.” ‘* He won’t know me, as I’m fixed now. I'll take care to handle him in a scientific manner.” They both laughed, and stepping away from the door a pace or 80, exchanged a few more re- marks, when the man took his copertars. ‘Crackers an’ cheese!” cried Happy Harry to himself, ‘* wnat ort I ter do now? What would Broadway Billy do, if he was me? Would he foller his shakes and see where be goes to?” He had little time for reflection, for the wo- They called him Broadway Broadway Billy’s Shadow Chase, = SR aaa re hc ee ee see eeeeeeoooeooeeeeeooooeeee_e____eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaeaeaSS—eaqss——e L$ L_LLLLL ALLL LLL LL A cr casa, i man stepped back and leaned against the door in the very place where the man bad stood, ‘The idea of thinking I would sbare with him!” she said to berself, in a spiteful tone just loud enough for Harry’s sharp ears to catch. ‘‘He must be a fool. I have fed and clothed bim, and now be thinks he has some claim upon me, Ha, ha!” ‘‘ You’re a Tartar, and I’m bettin’ on it,” said Harry to himself. ‘‘And if it is you the old man up-stairs is complainin’ about to Billy, you bet there will be a bot time for you in the near by and by. If Billy don’t do up your back hair in a hard knot it will be funny.” The woman said no more, but waited. ‘‘T begin ter see a’ready that I ain’t a Broad- way Billy,” Harry mused, ‘ Here I am gettin’ some facts that p’int to what be would calla consarned diffikilty, and bless meif 1 know what to do with ’em, What am I good fer, anyhow? Think V’ll sell out cheap and resign my commis- aoe, But, I must put the boss onto this thing rst.” He was thoughtful, trying to consider what he should do, ‘*1’m ’most ’fraid I made a mistake in not fol- lerin’ that man,” he said to himself, ‘* But, how was I ter do it, the way the land laid just then? If I had gone out and after him, the woman’d ’a’ twigged me, and she'd ’a’ give the feller the tip before I knowed it, No, that wasn’t ter be did; and besides, she didn’t give me any chance, fer no sooner was he gone than she planted her- self here against the door. Reckon I did alll could do, and that was—nothin’,” Harry bad quite a long wait, for the conversa- tion between Billy and Mr, Rundle was a lengthy one. Finally, however, the old man’s cane was beard thumping on the steps, and immediately the woman left her place and hastened away up the street. Happy Harry was out from behind the door in a second, and looked after the woman to see what she was going todo; and be soon saw. She ran a little distance, and then suddenly turned, ber vail raised, A moment later old Mr. Rundle emerged upon the street, and the woman walked toward him at a very slow pace, as if taking a leisurely stroll, and when they met theold man stopped her with an exclamation of surprise and greeted ber in the most friendly way imaginable, Harry’s work was not done yet, he knew, and with box ready for business he moved toward the couple with the bootblack’s usual cry. If avything of importance was going to be said, he wanted to catch a word or two of it if possible. CHAPTER XI. WHAT HAPPY HARRY HEARD, ‘‘SHInk, sir? Sbine? I kin polish ’em up so slick vou’ll think there’s a big rory-bory-allis in the sky, to say notbin’ of two suns and halfa dozen moons, Shine? | kin turn common cow- hide to patent-Jeather by a simple twist of the wrist. Shine? I will do’em up so slick you'll think you’ve got ’lectric lights in your boots, and the boots made of glass, Shine, sir? Shine?” ** No, no, no! bother me!” And as the old gentleman turned upon the boy be thumped upon the sidewalk with usual vigor. * Allright, mister, all right,” cried Harry. ‘* You. needn’t speak at me so sharp, though, for hog are likely ter injure my nerves, Won’t ye et me polish up yer understandin’ fer ye? I kin do it while ye talk, and ye won't lose any time at all by it.’ ‘*No, no, no! Run right along now and don’t bother, or I will take my cane to you. Dear me, dear me! What plagues these little street tramps are!” “That settles it,” cried Harry, “‘I won't mention it again, boss. If you want to go with rusty boots it ain’t my fault. Shine, sir? Shine?” addressing other passers-by. To be out of the way of the stream of buman- ity, the woman and Mr. Rundle had stepped to the curb, where they talked. Happy Harry was not trying very bard to get a customer just then, and ceasing bis cry he dropped bis box on the curb just bebind Mr. Rundle, planted bis own foot upon it and pro- ceeded to polish his shoe. In order to hear each other, the man and woman had to speak aloud, and Harry was able to catch what was said without much effort. ‘‘ And what are you doing away down here? the woman asked. Get along with you and don’t