Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 815 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

—— —— ee ee) ec SF . . SS, Se ss Broadway Billy’s Bank Racket. —_— a ee say for himself. Tell us all about it, Master Jack, and let’s see just what your part in it was,” “Tf I only hadn’t done it, if I only hadn’tdone it,” the youth wailed. ‘Yes, if you only hadn’t,” said Billy; ** but the trouble is, you see, you did, and you will have to take the consequences,” ‘But I was oy up to it; they held out tbe bait to me, and [ took it,” ** You didn’t have to take it, and you wouldn’t if you had been honest. No bovest boy or man ets into trouble of this kind, or if he does he is und to get ont again the same as Mr. Willey here has done, But tell your story.” ‘* Well, it was Robiston that was at the head of itall, He came to me and said he would give me five hundred dollars if I would come here and open the bank door and let him and Shyrock in, and then he would give me a hundred more if [ would put the money in Mr, Willey’s pocket, and I said I would,” ** And that’s all you did in the matter?” ‘* Yes, that’s all; I swear that’s all.” ‘* And that’s quite enough. You will fo with this gentleman to the lock-up, and we'll see to you later on,” The other detective stepped forward at that, and took charge of the prisoner, and in spite of all his pleading and begging he was taken out an‘ away to the nearest station. It now remained only to secure Robiston and Shyrock. efore doing that, however, Billy had some- thing else in mind to carry out, and that of con- siderable importance, The chief clerk having returned the money to the safe and reassumed his position in the bank, Billy turned to him for a little talk, He wanted some information from him, ‘** How long bas Mr, Stiverson been sick?” he asked, ‘“* It is about two weeks now, sir,” the answer. **Can you give me the time to a day?” Willey could, and did so. Note was made of it. ‘*T understand,” said Billy, then, ‘‘ that Mr. Stiverson had been in the habit of absenting himself from home for two and three days at a time quite often.” “ Yes, that’s true.” ‘Where did he g a ‘To Philadelphia.” ‘* Has he a place of ‘business there?” “He has a part interest in a concern in that city, I believe, ** Same business as this?” ‘* Yes, sir.” ‘*Can you give me some exact dates, recent, when he has been absent from here?” ** Yes, I think I can, sir.” A small book was consulted, and some dates were given, “You can rely upon them,” Willey said, ‘* But, what has all this got to do with the case, now that it is ended?” ‘*Nothing, with this case, but it may have something to do with another, By the way, was Mr, Shyrock, Hickman Shyrock, I mean, the habit of coming here often?” ‘““No, not often; he came occasionally. He has an account here, but his head tnan usually came to deposit,” “Did Mr. Sh k have any talk with Mr, Stiverson when be came here?” ‘‘No. The fact is, come to think of it, Mr, Stiverson was never in when he called,” ‘*That’s enough, You may hear of something that will surprise you before this game ends, Well, for the present I’ll take myself off, Ycur case has been straightened out, anyhow.” ‘‘'Yes, and sooner than 1 dared hope for, thanks to you,” ‘* And my team,” added Billy, earnestly. He seldom forgot to give credit to Harry and Seth, and never when credit was particularly due them, Twenty minutes later found Billy at the door of the Stiverson mansion. ‘*T want to see Mrs, Stiverson,” he announced, ‘She cannot be seen, sir,” he was told, He had looked around to see something of Silent Seth, on approaching the house but the Silent Shadower was not there, This had led him to suspect that Robiston bad been there, and that the news was out, now, that their scheme was known, and the servant’s auswer did not surprise him, ‘“T cannot take that for an answer,” he said bluntly. ‘‘I must see the lady, and you will please take me to her at once,” At that the girl paled, and knew not what to say. “TI can't do it, sir,” she faltered, ‘I’, lose my place if I let you In, when my order is to admit no one,” ‘Can't help anything about that, young woman, I’m in in spite of you, you see, Now, conduct me to the room where your mistress is, or I'll see if these things will fit on’ your wrists,” He had pushed his way in while speaking, and be now dangled a pair of handcuffs before the eyes of the frightened maid. ‘* Mercy!” the girl cried, ‘“*‘What does it mean?” ** You will find out, if you do not obey orders pretty sharp,” Billy assured, ** Well, come this way, sir, and come quick, or Ishall faint with fright. Iam almost scared to death,” A thought came to Billy. The gir] did not look as badly terrified as she declared she was, and he suspected a trick, ‘* Just wait a moment first,” hesaid, and turn- ing, he locked the door and put the key in his pocket, ‘* There,” he added, ** now J’m ready.” The girl paled, now, and led the way without apother word. ‘* This way,” she said, turning intoa room at the end of the ball, “ Right in this way, sir.” She seemed anxious about it, and in haste, and Billy went slow, He glanced down tha stairs that led to the basement, and as he did so he saw a woman walking toward the front of the house, Without a word he sprung back to the door, and looked out, He was just in time. Mrs. Stiverson came hurriedly up from the basement entrance and made for the street gate. ‘** Hold on, if you please,” said Billy, in a stern voice, ‘*I want a word with you, madam,” With a cry the woman stopped short, but onl for an instant, when she turned and ran with all tiie speed she could command, down the street. Billy was after ber like a flash, and soon laid a detaining hand upon her shoulder and brought her toastop. She faced bim with the fury ofa tigress at bay, but a pair of adjustable handcuffs quickly encircled her delicate wrists, ‘* Tf you want to avoid a scene, madam,” Billy then observed quietly, ‘‘ come back to the house with me peacefully and at once,” She went, muttering imprecations as she did SO, CHAPTER XVI. SURPRISING DISCLOSURE, WHEN they entered Billy looked around for the servant who had admitted him at first, but she was not to be found, He never saw her again, It was quite pro- bable that her own record was not altogether clear, and that she bad thought it just as well to take time by the forelock, ‘Now, madam,” said Billy, when they were within, ‘‘I would like for you to let me have the full history of this case from beginning to end, so far as you are concerned in it, ou will lose nothing by making a full confession,” ‘‘] confess nothing,” was the defiant retort. “Tf you know anything against me, prove it, If you cannot do that, them you shall be put through for this outrageous conduct on your part, You will find that it does not pay to arrest a respectable woman as you hava arrest- ed me,” ‘¢ Don t toss your head so high,” Billy caution- ed, ‘* I would never have taken the step I have without being sure of my ground, I know you were concerned with Beaumont Robiston in the robbery of your husband’s bank. My messenger was here only a little time ago and received the stolen money from your hands, There, now, it will do you no good to deny it,” ‘T was not going to deny it, Mr. Weston,” ‘Then you do not deny it?” ‘**T do not, sir,” “Then you can see that you are into the ee further than is good for you, can you not ‘“* Let me ask you how you are going to prove anything against me? You will offer the state- ment, but it will be quite another thing for lg prove it, and if you fail in that, look out, “4 oe we change the subject for the mo- ment, ow is your husband this morning, madam?” ‘* He is about the same, I guess. What matters that to you : oe you kindly tell me what his ailment n Bill eyed the woman keenly as he put the question, and she turned pale under his steady gaze, ** What do you mean?” she demanded. ‘* Just what Iask, What is the matter with 13 your husband? Nothing in that to cause you alarm, is there?” ‘** Assuredly not, sir. case I would refer you to his physician, who will no doubt gratify your curiosity fully. You need expect nothing from me,” ‘*He might tell me if he knows,” Billy in- sinuated, The woman paled even more, and her fingers clas together nervously. ‘*T know not what you mean,” she said, with dignity. ** Speak out plainly or do not speak at. all. For a diagnosis of hie - ‘‘Let us go up and see your husband,” said. illy. “Vou are at liberty to do so, sir; I am not going with you,” ‘* Very wel!, then you may accompany me to the station first, and I will come back again,” ‘What! you would not heap that indignity upon me, would youf” ** 'W hat indignity?” “Taking me to the station.” “That is what | generally do with ‘a pris- oner.” ‘* Mr, Weston, see bere,” Well?” ‘* My name toa check is good for five thou- san dollurs,” ‘‘T bave no reason to doubt your statement, Mrs. Stiverson,” ‘‘Let me go free, at once, and I'll leave a check in your bands for that sum, ** Thank you, ma’m, but I’m not a bird of that. feather, ou cannot buy ;yourself out of my hands,” The woman’s whole attitude changed at once,. She had evidently thought this argument one that could not fail, but she did not know the man with whom she had to deal. Lifting her fettered hands, she began to im- plore Billy to let her go, even going so far as to double the offer she had already made, but that was of no use whatever. Billy would not take a bribe under any cir- cumstances, but this time, to carry another point, be did not refuse outright. ‘* While I think about that,” he said, “let us g0 up and see your husband, I desire to make is acquaintance,” ‘*Promise that you will not tell shat you know, that I was about to elope with Robiston, and I will do as you say,” ‘* Very well, I promise that.” ** Then come on,” Billy had not suspected quite so far as that, but nothing in his manner betrayed his igno- rance on the point, He followed the woman, and was led up into a ball above, where she stopped to say, in whisper: ‘*Won’t you remove these before we go in?” holding out her hande, ‘* Not necessary, madam,” Billy answered, ‘*T will open the door, and you can hold your hands naturally.” A frown darkened the woman's brow, ‘* Well, there is the room,” she snapped, indi- — by a nod of ber bead, Billy step forward end opened the door, drawing back then and allowing the woman to enter the apartmeut ahead of him, On the bed lay a man—a man past middle age, and one whom Billy recognized at a glance, although he had never seen him before in his life, He was very pale and thin, and evidently very weak, ‘*Gaffner, a young man to see you,” Mrs, Sti- verson said, The sick man’s eyes were already upon Bill in a questioning way, and Billy stepped forward, 8a rent ‘Mr. Shyrock, I am glad to find you, but sorry to find you so ill, 1 bope it may not come to the worst with you. Your family—” ** My God!" the sick man gasped an wert h tion, baving raised bimself upon bis elbow, ** Do you know the truth? Then spare me, spare me, spare me! Let me bide my crime and my shame in death,” The woman was staring at her husband in bless amazement. ‘‘That would bea good idea, were death the end,” remarked Billy; ‘* but it is not the end, Just as surely as we live now we shall live again, sir.” The sick man only groaned, ‘What does this mean?” asked the woman, looking from one to the other, oat I will are for A bs hemend to tell you if desires oO 80,” Billy made re h thus to draw out . eons lon. ply, hoping ished for my crime,” the sick man sadly con- v @) Eom books.c