Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 813 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

Jick Doom’s Diamond Deal. **You are a strange man, Dick Doom, but somehow you impress me witb the utmost confi- dence in your ability to fathom this mystery.” “You have called it by its right name, Mr. Dixey, for it is a mystery, lam assured, as well asa very clever robbery,” and shaking bands re with the actor Dick Doom took his eave. Just as the door closed bebind Dick Doom he saw a slender form oy wir rapidly to- ward him along the dimly lighted hall, - It was Billy, the Bell-Boy. CHAPTER VI, BILLY THE BELL-BOY, Dick Doom still wore his costume as a Quaker- ess, which he had so quickly changed from his black garb, when in Dixey’s room, and he natu- rally supposed that the bell-boy, whe bad usher- ed him into the room, would suppose he was an- other person. Bat tbe detective was surprised when the bell-boy said: ‘* Please, sir, may I speak to you a minute?” Dick Doom raised bis hands, as though in holy horror and cried in a startled tone, - | See dost thee mean, boy, in addressing me as sir '“* Thou are impertinent far beyond thy tender years,” ‘‘Oh, m’am, please forgive me, but I thought on were a detective in female attire,” cried the ell-boy. ‘*Out upon thee, thou wicked boy,” and Dick Doom glided rapidly down the stairs, leaving nny gazing after him as though dazed. pon reaching the street the disguised detec- tive crossed to a cab-stan] and got into a coupe. The driver took the blanket from his horse, mounted the box leisurely, wrapped himself up warmly and drove away. As the coupe left the stand, half a block away a bansom cab pulled out from the curb and fol- lowed it. The coupe stopped at the door of a retired hotel on the east side of the city and the | sup Quakeress got out, paid the cabman and entered the ladies’ entrance. A moment after the hansom stopped at the main entrance of the hotel, and out sprung Billy the Bell-Boy, an overcoat hiding his uniform, He paid his driver and entering the. hotel asked the clerk if he could go up and see the ** Quaker lady ” stopping there, adding: ‘*T don’t know her name, but I have a message for her,” , io yay this boy to Forty-nine,” said the clerk, Say, eons I’m one of you, in the same biz, you see, and 1 can find the room, for it’s a fee for me, so I'll divvy,” and Billy gave the boy half a dollar and went on his way alone, Dick Doom had not been five minutes in his room when were ane " yet " door, e 8 e door, w it open _ there stond Billy. the Bell-Boy ‘‘ Ha! you tracked me here ** Yes, sir, for I wished to see you.” ** Come in!” n _ The door closed behind Billy and was locked _ by the detective, who had, in ng to the boy, in his amazement at seeing him, for once been caught off his guard and spoken in his natural voice, and not in the womanly tones he - could so perfectly assume. ‘You will persist in saying sir to me.” ** Yes, sir, use you are a man,” “Do f look it?” _ “No, sir, your disguise is perfect, yet you are not a woman.” Well, granted, what then?” and Dick Doom’s eyes were riveted upon the face of the boy, - and he seemed to find bis face one worth study- ing. % You are a detective?” 4“ won do you think so?” 46 Weil, sir Lhave shown the chief of and several men whom [ know are Gelectince 03 Mr. per rooms of late, and I met you when you called, and then you were a pretty young Tady in black,” 2 RC ee ee “Twas off duty then, so I just waited about _ the hall and I saw you come out and go in again PE f still waited, walking by the door several _ times, and I heard the vo within of two men. * Eaveade ng, eh?” — “Nt “Not imteeibonaly, sir; but I had a motive vv for what I did.” for, what I did ee on, bi | ‘$ ig" 4 im ' i So eA ae “*T knew that only yourself and Mr, Dixey were in that room, and I waited.” ** You have patience.” ** It isa virtue, sir, I have bad reagon to culti- vate,” ‘** You talk well for a boy of your years and occupation,” ‘*] bave seen better days, sir, than serving as a bell-boy in a hotel.” **So I believe. ‘** But to your story.” **T was surprised when you came out in a dif- ferent garb from the one you wore in, butit con- vinced me that I was right in my belief that you were a detective and so I spoke to you.” ** And then followed me here?” ** Yes, sir,” “Wh y ” **T was determined to speak to you.” ** About what?” . ‘The Dixey diamond robbery.” ‘* Ab! you know that there was a robbery?” ** Yes, sir,” ** How do you know of it?” ‘“‘T was doing some work in the office, sir, when Mr, Dixey came in and told the proprietor of his loss,”. ** What do you know of this robbery?” ** Nothing, sir,” * ad did you not tell Mr, Dixey?’ **I did not wish any one, not even Mr, Dixey, to know that I was aware of the robbery.” ** Yet you come to me,” **T was certain tbat you were a detective, sir, and I came to see if you would let me help you try and find the diamonds and the thief.” ** Ah! you wish to play detective?” i N ot play detective, sir, but be one in re- ality.’ ‘*Can you be trusted?” **T can, sir,” ‘** What do you wish to do?” **T wish tostill remain in the hotel as bell-boy, sir, yet serve you as a ferret, for I believe I can help you.” xt. v ell, my boy, I pave balf a mind to try ou ‘* Ob, sir, please do,” ** Have you told any one that you know this secret?” ** Not a soul, sir.” “ How long have you been at the hotel?” ** Three months, sir.” ** What is your name?” * Billy, sir.” ** Your other name?” ** Just, Billy, sir, the yarn “Well, let me write a note that is impertant, and J will kavea talk with you.” The note was written and semt by a messenger and then Dick Doom turned vo the bell-bey and said: ‘** Well, Billy, the manner in which you dis- covered my disguise, and tracked me here preves that you will makea good detective, se 1 will take into my service, amd you may begin work in the bote F when you again geem duty there as bell-boy, An hour after, when Billy the Bell-Bey left the room of Dick Doom he did not see that he was followed by a man who had, a few mements before, taken up a position in the hallway which commanded a view of the detective’s deor, CHAPTER VII. A BELL-BOY SPORT, THE note which Dick Doom had written was addressed to Police Headquarters and asked for a detective to be sent at once to his hotel to dog the steps of a boy who would leave his room, After the departure of the beli-boy, Dick Doom proceeded to disrobe himself of bis femi- nine attire and resume bis masculine garb. He packed the dresses away in one of his three large trunks, and leaving the room, locked his gots departing from the hotel by the ladies’ en- rance, | An bour afteran order came for the baggage of Miss Prue, the Quakeress, and inclosed money to settle her bill. The bearer took the luggage to another hotel, where it was sent to a suite of’ rooms which had been enga ress appeared upon the | | It fs" pscless ie say that “* D. Richards” was none other than Dick Doom, and he had hardly gotten comfortably settled in his new quarters when, bundled up in heavy coat and sealskin a he sallied forth for a walk. | _ His way led to Police Headquarters, and ask- ing for the chief, he was told that he was not in the city, having gone over to Philadelphia the : re, but was expected ba: | day back that night. of 'v leasant @ name and ad- ** You received a note asking that a detective be placed on watch at a room in an up-towp hotel to track a boy when he lett there?’ ** Yes, sir.” ‘* Was it done?” ‘* Yes, sir; the man was sent immediately, but. has not yet returned.” ** Send him to call on tuis person when he re- turns,” and he handed a card, upon which was written the nameof D, Richards and the bote} where he was stopping. . ‘** He will besent there, sir; but who shall I tell the chief it was who called?” ‘**Give him this letter, for that will explain,” and Dick Doom left Police Headquarters, walked up Broadway leisurely, got his dinner in a fashionable restaurant and returned to his hotel. He found there & man waiting to see ‘‘ Mr. Richards,” and tock him with him to his room. ‘* ‘Your name, please?” - ** Gordon, sir,” ‘* Your occupation?” ** Detective, ** You have a badge?” It was promptly shown, ‘* Sit down, Mr, Gordon, and tell me what you have been doing.” The detective obeyed, and said: ‘*] tracked a boy in livery from a room in am up-town hotel, sir.” Well?” “He got to the nearest back-stand, got a coupe, and took a drive to Central Park.” ** Ah! quite an extravagance for a bell- boy ?” ** ‘Yes, sir, for he paid six dollars for his cab,” ** Well?” ‘* He drove toa French restaurant and had & table @hote dinner—” ‘* With wine?’ ** No, sir, he drank nothing.” ‘* And then?” “He went toa small but pleasant flat-house im Twenty-second street—here is the address, sir— and his flat is on the top floor, left side of the hall going up.” | ** He lives there?” : ‘* He remained: there, sir, until seven o’cloc when he came out and returned to the hotel where he works, going on duty at eight, it be- ing his night on duty.” ** Who ele lives in the flat?” “I do not know, sir, and the janitor could only tell me that the rent was paid in advance, and no cooklng was done in the Rat, and he knew of the occupants, in fact, had never seen an one else than the boy go and come from there,’ ‘‘ And he is on duty for the night at the hotel?” | ze Yes, sir,” ‘& , “ Thank you, Mr, Gordon, you have done well. ? ‘Here is your pay,” and the gum Handed De- tective on seemed to please im, while Dick. ‘*T shall doubtless need your services again,” When Gordon had left the soem Dick Doom set to work to make another w be, ~ This consisted of a suit of clothes of English oe checked cloth, a blonde wig and side hiskers, Derby hat, d eyeglasses, yellow eves and walking-stick and umbrella, His shoes and gaitors even were of English make, and leaving the hotel he took a cab and drove to an Express Office, Here he got a trunk and was soon after put down at the hotel where Henry Dixey lived. He seemed not particular in the tered as ; < MACKENT MACKINTOSH, Edinburgh.” The room he secured was but a few doors from that of Henry Dixey, and Bill, the Bell- Boy who showed him up, was not clever enough to penetrate his disguise, o his surprise Billy was given a guinea for his services, and at once supposed the Britisher was @ millionaire lord traveling incog, But the pretended Scotebman remained but a few minutes in his room, and then sallied out for a walk up Bros weve iF yt | He stopped in at the theater where Dixey was Sfp was at one box had remained unsold, This he took, and was shown to Saee ca3 tly blivi f: was apparently oblivious of, He Matched Dix bh . rf leaving his box, when he t, thro the wings, of . the chief of —awal a coming of the actor when the curtain shoul at : a3 %, * . e.) a 4* : , ,* ia é a4 torr ied « A Ay 3 eS - « a5 2 a ' Mier ty vy ee ah + * - ; ré. tes -} : j ; aS aes _ pole ; ‘< 2 dae Oh i. > 4 * - > - ~ AN) af sli; - ection of a. room, and at last was satisfied, having regis- on ert Coy 4 room only,” but és a +t ae ent “~ © * - . ‘ : : , hown to it alone, his attracting attention, which he — ey’s acting with deepest inter- est, and at the close of the performance was Ad luge 27 A fr, .: iyi “> y 7 Ma < Fd ae. - tas — 4 dae 4 4 yu € ‘+. « , ma io pri’: > ; ~ 7 se =x Co ed oo“, z+ « - ee! = ; | eed a . > . 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