Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 821 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

= % * * -_ a 4 - set ~~ ‘ - < y 7 A SA: Ge «| —_ ‘work, in my own way.” | ‘the way, what is his name?” ~ 8 ts, Us ~ mu ri - ro” a - + ati ab.. > aa 4 - A \ ot - t « J e Sd 2) 7+ ms * . ~ -~ : - ~ e dl warts “> es. . 6 +-% *. qr . ‘ ge © — “T yeally don’t know.” ~ guececessful or not. - Ayo « oe 4 Broadway Billy’s Bluff. DLLE ~* By whom?” ‘Then I wilt say good-morning!” With that the lady rose, and Billy escorted her to the door and politely bowed her out. No sooner the door closed than Happy Harry was standing on his head in the mic dle of the room, waving his legs about wildly in the air. Silent Seth got up quietly and took his privileged seat nearer the desk of their chief, with no more emotion of any sort visi. ble upon his face than hid been there before. Billy looked at Harry in an amused way, and then at Seth, ‘“ Yes, you two balance each other nicely,” he observed. ‘‘ You, Harry, exhibit plenty of enthusiasm for two; while you, Seth, are imperturbable enough for both.” ‘Christopher Columbia!’ cried Harry, leaping lightly to his feet, ‘‘I can't help it any more’n I can help eating! You see, the daddy was father to the wish, that time, or however it goes,” ‘“Yes, you: got your wish pretty soon, that’s so; but you don’t express it quite cor rectly.” “Oh, no matter ’bout that; you know what I mean, and that’s, all that’s necessary. If I can’t express a thing I send it by freight, and it gets there just the same. But, crack- ers an’ cheese! here we are again, up to our necks in biz!” @ ‘Yes, we have another tangle to untan- gle,” said Billy, taking his seat at his desk. ‘What do you boys think of it?” Lox ‘Think of it?” repeated Harry, ne it’s mystery, that’s sure, and I'm gettin’ ina fever a’ready to see how it comes out. I'd like to learn what became of ‘ our hero,’ don’t ye know.” ‘And what do you think, Seth?” ‘‘T was anxious to hear you question the woman further about that Mad Chemist, sir,” the Silent Shadower responded. ‘* Yes, [ am interested in that, too, Seth, but I did not want the young lady to know it, so I did not question her any onthe point, Pl find out more about him when I go out there. He may be a mad chemist, but also a mighty cunning schemer!”’ ‘*That’s just where my fever is highest, too,” averred Harry. ‘‘ Hére is a good old graveyard in the ease, and old, old ruins, and it will be a poor play if we can’t work in a ghost or goblin or spook somewhere. If there’s one thing more than another Id like to see, that thing’s a real and sure enough specter, who galivants around at night in a sheet.”’ 4 ‘“Well, I can't promise you that treat,” “And you say there is no one who will believe it?” “That is true.’ “Does that mean absolutely no one? Is there no person who favors that theory, Miss Granton?” : “No one who knew him at all well will | histen to it. There are others who are not so positive that it may not be so.” ‘Who are they?” “Well, I do not think I can name more than one.”’ ‘* And that one—?” ““Is Frederick Lycurgus.” ** And who is he?” **He holds the position of private secretary to the Mad Chemist, whom I spoke about a moment ago.” ‘“Then he was no friend to Haswick?” “Well, I have 10 reason to think he was his enemy, sir.” ** Do you know him well?” ‘“As well as I care to know him. He is comparatively a stranger at Granton, but he moves in the best society there.” ‘‘ Weis not another rival for your hand, with Mr. Bardner, is he?” The young woman’s face flushed. “* Well, he did once propose to me,” she admitted, ‘‘ but he took his refusal as a gen- tleman ought to, and retired when he knew Mr. Haswick was my favored suitor.”’ **So, he is one who is inclined to believe Haswick may have run away? What does he say?” “Why, simply that he hada big sum of money and may have given way to tempta- tion and absconded,”’ “* Does he point to anything in proof of that?” ** He-shas mentioned that it would have been easy for him to leap from his horse at some place where his tracks could not be seen, and give the horse a fright that would send it home on a mad run.” “That is not a wild theory.” “*C©an you, then, believe that of Mr. Has- wick?” “« I believe nothing, yet, Miss Granton.”’ ** Did I think it of you, I would not em- ploy you, sir.” “Tt does not matter whom you employ, for, if honorable, he will work only to bring the truth to light.” ** And you will do only that?” “* Why, certainly! That is my vocation.” “Then i want you. Do not let expense stand in the way, but come to Granton as said Billy, ‘‘but 1 think we'll have some soon as you can and begin the case. I will ‘solid flesh and blood to deal with. I’m in. pay your fee when you are done, whether | clined to think it has been a robbery, with | perhaps a murder along with it. If not that. Tam tired of having it | | drag along this way, for our home searchers | then I must see whether the missing man had any motive in lighting out with the money. are not likely ever to solve the mystery.” It has been one thing or the other, I think.” | “Very well, I can go at once, for just ! now I have nothing else on hand. But, does! ‘‘ Looks that way, boss, fer sure. But the Bev _ this man Lycurgus have any further sug- , trail is pretty cold by this time, and we may not hear from me in some days, do not be «= streak, i =~. where.” a a to prevent you—” %¢ <r mo hee | ter?’ _ promptly.” gestions in support of his view of the mat- | not git our grip on it very easy.” “ | ‘* We'll do the best we can.’ ‘‘Why, he adds that it would be impossi- ble for any one to have attacked Mr. Has- | wick without leaving some sign of it some- ‘‘ When are you going to start?” ‘*T’ll get out there to-night, if I can,” “Take us with ye?” ‘No; I'll send for youifI want you. I'll try to give you both a chance to figure in it.” ‘Christopher Columbia!” — ejaculated Harry, ‘‘you had better find something for us to do in it, if you don’t want to find us both dead of the blues when you get back! ‘Only father.” . Hey, Seth?’ | ‘Well, caution him to say nothing. By | . ah, want to be up and doing,” Seth agreed, ‘‘ Hear that!” cried Harry. ‘‘Say it can’t If you do talk, hey? Ill bet it can talk a yaller it once gets started. Seth don't but it ain't often he misses the | bull’s-eye when he does set his mill to run- ** But, suppose something has turned up ning.” , | 7 ‘* Never worry about Seth, if the oecasion that event you will be notified requires talk,’ assured Billy. . ‘“And never worry about talk, whether ‘He is right again. I may have to make his acquaintance. So return home, Miss Granton, but say nothing about having en- gaged me. Have youtold any one you were | coming to engage me?” “Stanwood.” | “That is all, for the present. anxious; you will have proof that Iam at ' say much, “Tn 4 ee 9 Le a OE >" ~— SEA mm eS oe ee ras? = iF . yw, ’ om? » the occasion requires it or not, when it is yours truly,” supplemented the irrepressible Harry. “You are right. Let's see, now, what, time I can get a train to that town of Bris- bane.” He took up a railway guide and consulted its pages. While he was so doing, Harry was talking to Seth in an endless strain, and while all were thus engaged the door opened again This time it was to admit 4 messenger boy. ‘*Mr. Weston?” he asked, ca Yes.”’ The boy stepped forward and delivered a note, took Billy’s receipt for it, and departed at once, Harry pressed forward eagerly to Jearn what the message might be about, if Billy chose to tell, but Seth sat quietly in his place, apparently unconcerned. Billy had broken the seal before the messenger had got out of the room, and al- most by the time the door had closed he had mastered the contents of the missive and an ejaculation of surprise escaped him, ~ ‘* Christopher Golumbia! what is it?” de- manded Harry. ‘* Do tell me; fore T have « fit o’ kernipshun right here on the floor, Does it belong to this case, boss?” CHAPTER LUT. A SIDE ISSUE CROPS OUT, BROADWAY Binwy's exclamation, and the expression of his face, had told the young beagles that the message was important, or at any rate full of interest to their chief. ‘* Yes, it does relate to this case, boys,” he made answer to the excited Mmquiry, and Billy at once read the message aloud. To DETECTIVE WESTON:— ‘You will find it better for your health to kerp away from Grantcn than to go there. Give up the case, and remain where you are, You are not wanted, so take this as a gentle hint. * Tre-Ky «-THAT-NEVER-SLEEPS."’ ‘Chris-to-pher Co-lum-be-yah!” yelled Happy Harry. ‘‘If that don't mean we are in fora regular circus of a time, then my grandmother didn’t know ducks from a quack doctor! Whoop-ee! but [ll bet there is more in it than a robbery, boss; I'll bet you are going to work up one of the worst consarned diffikilties that ever was brewed!” ‘Well, they have done it, as usual,” Billy quietly remarked, ‘* Done what?” ‘¢ Put their foot in it.” ‘Don't ketch on, boss; what ye mean?” ‘Why, they have given themselves aways in good shape!” “Oh, if I only had some brains in the place where brains ought to have been put!” moaned Harry. ‘*Don’'t you see how it is?” ‘I'm trying to get may grip on it, boss, but don’t seem to strike fire very sharp.” ‘*Do you see it, Seth?” ‘You know now there is a foe to deal with, for he has been heard from,” the Silent Shadower made answer. ‘That's it!” averred Harry, ‘' Brains will count, every time. I see it now: this young woman has been followed, and it is nown that our combination has been em- ployed on the case.” ‘Just so, my boy. ‘That is the way rascality overreaches itself in seven cases out of ten, Here is proof for one thing, anyhow.” ‘“And what’s that?” - “That the paymaster did not run away with the money, but has met with foa) play!’ ‘T'll beta cent toared herring you are right, boss! And I'll bet another that he is alive and kicking this minute too!’ ‘He may be, but I can't say yet. here is a clue to begin with, and I must find then I'll see if I can’t put him to sleep with- out chloroform,” But > 7 Yr é .- , * "= " &» - *¢ he sie at —_ a al - ~ Cow fs = -- ‘ ’ f . 4 “ * le Daw . ~~ yt 7. a =a. Kw 4 -* o< a oS . . ae ll Is Oe a ~~ - ty ie ee ~ . ‘yp 3 ewe - 4% “ oe - ; wt » ae “= ‘a, aS, TS os a » " a ay. i aii ¢ ‘ out who The Eye That-Never Sleeps is, and— , , “4, . f, re