Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 815 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

ik ‘-i™ oO er: ate ce 2 “= * - \, —-< > BS . a ”« A + « a unat vue aA ugk, . Se ‘ | . \P : Ru : 1 " \ . : Toe oie ‘ © ‘ 1 12 him ina very Quakerish manner, and was whistling softly the most solemn dirge he knew. In the midst of it all, into the office came Broadway Billy. With one of his keen glances around he took in the situation immediately, and saw the prize: his beagles had brought him, ** Sweet pertaters!” he ejaculated, with all his old-time vim, ‘‘ but you have done yourself proud this time, Silent,Seth! Thisis more than I dared hope for when I sent you on that er- rand.” ** Me too!” exclaimed Happy Harry, stopping his antics and striking an attitude before his chief, ‘* Me, too, boss!” ‘*'You want a share of the praise, do you?” ** You bet I do,” ** Well, what am [ to praise you for? Here is Seth’s work, in plain sight. I take it that you have some valuable information for me. Have T hit it?” ** You can just bet both boots and one sock that you have,” ** Well, what is it?” ** It’s all right that Seth has got the boodle, and I’m mighty proud of-him for it, and mighty glad; but, that ain’t the whole of it yet. I have got the robbers dead to rights,” **'You have?” ** You bet!” ** Who are they?” ** Make a guess on’t,” ‘Well, it won’t be hard to guess, with the lew Inow hold, You see, I know where Seth got the plunder,” *That’s so. Well, it’s them; Jack, Robiston, and Horace Shyrock, They are the pretty rogues that did the business for old Stive.’ ** How did you get onto them?” ** Jack went to meet them, and I heard all they said,” ‘** And they didn’t suspect you?” 4b Nary.” “Should have thought they would, after te anaes tangled up with them so often to- a y. ‘“* No, I got the bulge on ’em in fine style this time, and took in all they had to say. They paid Jacksey for his share in the business,” ‘tT felt sure that lad was in it.” ** And he is, clear up to his chin, And they are all shaky in their boots because you are after ’em.” ‘*They’ll shake more, before we get done ‘with them, I am thinking. But, havea you soine proof against Master Jack, so that I can nab bim at once?” ** ‘You bet!” ** What is it?” “Why, he’s got the money they gave bim right here in his vest pocket, inside, and there you will find it, if you take him before he leaves the bank. He only had enough timeto get there when he left the rascals,” ‘‘Then be is my tender tid-bit, you bet! Tl Anave him inside of half an hour, and Pll scare a confession out of him before be will know what he is about.” ** Bully!” cried Harry. ‘“‘Can’t you take us along with you to see the fun?” ‘* No; [ have other work for you and Seth,” ** W hat’s that?” _ “ Why, the way it stands now, as soon as Robiston and Mrs, Stiverson meet, the cat will be out of the bag, and they may attempt to light out. They must be watched, you see,” ** And you want Seth anid me to do that?” - 46 Yes.” ‘** We are ready for it,” spoke up Seth. ‘‘ We have done one good stroke apiece, and maybe we can cap it-with another,” ** Yes, you have each done good work,” Billy | complimented, “ and you may be able to get in’ another lick at the rascals before you are done with them, Ill give you the chance, anyhow.” ** We'll haze ’em, you bet!” ejaculated Harry. “* We have got our wur-paint on, now, with our hair done up in battle array, and if we don’t take the dust out of their gay feathers, you can take us out and take the dust out of us, that’s all, Seth is on his wuscle now, for sure.” — **No more than Harry,” Seth averred. ** You are both on your muscle, I guess,” said Billy, witha laugh. ‘‘ And you have good rea- son to feel as proud as peacocks,” — ‘“* Well, sir, give us our work to do,” requested ‘Seth, modestly. . All right, Shadower; you go back to the _ §$tiverson mansion and keep guard over the house, and if Robiston comes there, don’t lose track of him again after thator we may not find _ dim when we want him,” “ All right, sir.” “And you, Harry, do the same for Horace Broadway Billy’s Bank Racket. Shyrock, And, both of you musé use your best | ‘‘ Never knew him to have one before,” was disguises now, for if you get into their hans, ' the answer from that source, after they iearn what is up, they may Jo away with you,” ‘* We'll take the chances of that.” ** All right; that all comes in in a detective’s career, Now, Pilleave you to prepare your- selves, and [’jl attend to Master Jack,” ‘‘ How Id like to see the fua!” cried Harry. ‘** Never mind; Ill tell you about it after it is over,” So, Billy hastened away, leaving Harry and Seth to prepare for their further duties, While talking, Billy had wrapped up the bank- notes again, and carried them with him when he set out for the bank. His first thought had been to go to the bank direct, but he changed his mind and went to Headquarters instead, to show his prize to his patron there, ieee he entered he was cheerfully eted, ‘‘ Well, I see success written upon your face, Billy,” the superintendent observed. ‘' And you’llsee it here in this package, too, sir,”’ Billy declured, as he Jaid the package on thse table. ‘* You have recovered the boodle, eh?” ‘* Yes, sir.” Biily opened the package and displayed its contents, ‘* Good stroke of work!” he was compliment- ed. ‘*How and where did you get it?” ‘My boy Seth did it, sir,” Billy proudly ad- mitted. ** But, he acted under your directions, of course?” * Well, yes; I have to admit that.” Billy thereupon told about the bluff move- ment be bad made, and the successit had brought him. ‘* Excellent!” was the word of praise. ‘* Ex- cellent! Iimust tell Williams what your Silent Shadower has done, Those boys are bound to win bis confidence the same as you won mine, Billy.” ‘* T hope they may, sir.” There was a lively and friendly chat for some minutes, and when Billy took leave he was ac- companied by aman from Headquarters to act as his witness to whatever confession the boy at the bank might make, When they: reached the bank and entered, Billy addressed Jones, while his companion re- mained in the background, ‘* Well, sir, we have got at the bottom of the theft,” Billy remarked. He bad one eye on the boy Jack, and saw him give a great start, his face turning pale, and be bent low over his books, ‘* What! so soon?’ the acting kead clerk ex- claimed. ** Yos, sir.” * And it isn’t Willey?” Oh, no! it isn’t Willey at all.” At that moment who should come in but Wil- ley himself! He looked pale and worn, caused by his anxiety, but was otherwise calm, ‘* Hal [ am glad to seo you!” greeted Billy. ‘*Thank you, sir,” was the response, taking the offered hand, ‘*Can you still believe me in- nocent?” . ‘* Not only so, sir, but Ican prove you inno- cent,” was Billy’s response, ‘* What! You can prove it?” 6c Yes.” . “Tnenk God. Who was the thief?” ‘* There is one of them, right there, sir!” and Billy pointed at Jack, That young rascal, who bad been watching out of the’corner of his eye, now leaped off his stool with a cry and a face like death, ‘*Itain’tsoY’ he cried, “It ain’t so! I defy you to prove anything of the sort. You are trying to scare me and get it fastened upon me, but you can’t do that. Lamuptoyou. Itain’t so at all!” ** Just let me see what that is you have got in your inside vest pocket, if you please,” Billy requested. At that the lad bad the appearance of being about to faint. He staggered, and had to grasp the edge of the desk for support, while a perspiration ap- peared upon his forehead, ** {—I—L ain’t got nothin’ there,” he denied. ** Very well, then, what are you so frightened about?” | “I—I—I ain’t frightened; I’m sick, that’s all, ** Taken suddenly, eh?” ** Yes, sir.” ** Is he subject to such spells, Mr, Willey?’ EEE eee eee ee Re 5g ‘* Then I'll have to think he’s lying,” Billy de- elared. ‘**Come out here, young fellow, till I search you.” Down upon his knees dropped Master Jack, up went his hands, and he begged like a good fellow, declaring his innocence by everything he could think of, but that had no effect upon the detective. Billy went in behind the inclosure, snapped a pair of handcuffs upon the lad’s wrists, and then searched his pocket, bringing forth the bills from the pocket where Happy Harry had re- ported them to be. The proof against him was all that could be desired, and he was fast in the hands of the law. CHAPTER XV. COMING TO A CLOSING, ‘‘ Let me go! Oh! please let me go!” wailed the dishonest youth, dropping upon his knees and uplifting bis manacled bands pleadingly. ‘‘T will te.l you all about it if you will only let me go. I didn’t do it alone; I was put up to it, and [ll tell you all about it if you will only let me go,” : : ‘* We don’t want you to tell us anything,” said Billy, severely. ‘* We know all aboutit already. We know where you were less than an bour ago, and who paid this money to you for your rascally services, We have got a sure case against you all, and you are going up for it,” ‘‘No, no, no! Don’t send me to prison, Mr, Weston! Oh, please don’t ‘send me to prison!” wailed the miserable Jack. ‘‘It was Mr. Robis- ton and Mr. Shyrock that did the stealing; I only iet them into the bank, That was alll did!” ‘‘- Yes, very nice that was,” sneered Billy. ‘¢ Perhaps you will say you did not open the safe for them,” ‘‘No, no I didn’t! I swear I didn’t do that! Robiston did it himself!” ‘‘ Just what I thought. NowI see through the whole game, You men are paying attention to all that is said?” turning to the witnesses present, The detective and Willey and the clerk Jones all answered in the affirmative to the question. The two last were very surprised men, ‘*How could Robiston learn the combina- tion?’ Willey questioned. ‘s Easily enough, if & certain woman could get it from her busband,” Billy gave the hint. ‘*Hal that is so. Why did I not think of that?” ‘‘ Maybe you were blind to it all.” ‘*No, Ihave not been blind to it, but it has gone further than I ever had a thought it would 0. ‘‘ That is very likely. But, you have not said how itis you are outof the jung, Mr. Willey. What good influence has been at work?” ‘* Bail was furnisked by Miss Sbyrock, sir,” ‘‘ Hal then Miss Stiverson was too late?” ‘\ Yes, for while she was with me, declaring her belief in my innocence, the other was at act it was all done.” : ‘‘Then you owe much to Miss Shyrock.” ‘‘ Yes, as I am sorry to say, for I had rather it had been Miss Stiverson. But, this is a private matter, You say you have got at the bottom of money.” ‘* Here it is, right here,” and Billy tossed the package to him, voutly. “ey aatiace if itis all there, with this [have taken from Jack’s pocket and thesum he put into your overcoat, together, perhaps, with the price of the Canada ticket.” : Ss it man Jack who put that in my pocket?” ** No other.” youth bitterly. ever shown you.” At tbat the young criminal broke down and cried bitterly. packages, and reported that it was all there, as nearly as be could tell. , And, needless to say, he was a happy too gone to be true, and tears were in his eyes. said, giving bis band to Billy. saved my honor.” . ** Don’t mention work in my behalf, and when Florence went to — this thing, 1 hope you will be able to recover the — ‘¢ Thanks to Heaven!” the chief clerk said de- ‘Curse you!” and Willey turned upon the | ‘* After all the kindness 1 have — The chief clerk counted the money quickly» by : think that bis honor had been cleared and the | loss restored in so short a time, It was almost — shall never forget you, Billy Weston!” be 7 You have it,” Billy waived, “ Let us hear what this promising young rascal hasto * y an - — =— ” > a A