Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 821 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

: 4 a%. Wiha te ’ 3 ® bd “ Wye. a SP Ay a Late re LW 7. j , r r >, ry y OER, an i> ie tty ‘ ve | ee <b A : « . » if . wu 3 % has iy* ee rw ; ; : i tye be v* ’ 4 i. bh. ee ¥ eo te * a 7 * a . * he 19 ES PT FONE BS © . : . : - - 55 4 a 7 r 3 - \ = ess a 7 eet o * ay, ; = 8 a + e er Sa Ey if ies Yer 2 ee aes J - 1A! ‘ ? one ‘ta é 7 A <. * 7 Soe Si 5 at aS he cleonversation, and was quite willing to let " dim succeed. - ‘There was a mysterious disappearance on that road about a couple of weeks ago.” ‘‘T know it, and that is what takes me there now.” ‘“ You don’t tell me!” “Yes.” ‘Then you are—”’ ‘‘T am a detective, sir.” ‘ Well, well! Thisis amazing to me.” ‘Why need it amaze you so?” ms Oh, to think that I should have the honor 9) me +59 ‘*Ha, ha!” laughed Billy. ‘Small honor in that, sir! Many people rather despise our calling.” ‘They ere the cads, then, who know noth- ing about it. But may I ask your name? since you have seen fit to disclose so much to me?” “Tam William Weston, better known as ‘Broadway Billy.” ‘‘'The dickens you are! This is an honor not to be sneered at, then, for I have read a good deal about you.” ‘ May I ask your name?” ‘* Certainly; my name is Richard Bardner. ' My father is president of the National Bank at Brisbane.”’ **?’m glad chance has thrown us together, sir. Perhaps you can give me some informa. tion about the matter that is taking me out your way.” “Tf-I can I will doit gladly, sir.” The young man folded his paper and put it in his pocket, and settled down for a solid chat with his new acquaintance. ‘‘It was from the National Bank that Mr. Haswick drew money on the day of the even- ing he was missing, I believe?” ‘* Yes; several thousand dollars.”’ ** And it looks reasonable to suppose that he was waylaid, robbed, and maybe put out of the way for that.” : * Yes, that is the general impression; but, how was it done?” . ‘It is a great mystery because there was no trace of any attack anywhere along the Toad, I suppose?” ‘* Yes, that’s it.” ‘* Well, is it really known that he did set * out from Brisbane that night?” ‘*Oh, yes; he was visiting a young lady till jate in the evening, and when he left her he set out for home immediately,” __ ‘‘But, I mean, is it known that he ac. ‘tually got out of the town? It may be that the horse went all the distance, rider- less, you know. But, | suppose that theory has been exploded,” : ‘No, Ido not think it has. I have not heard it mentioned at all. ’’ * Phat seems strange, doesit not?” — ** Yes, now that it seems so plain, it does; ae — |} ‘but, you see, they found the place where | _ the horse started at a mad run, and natur ally supposed that it was there the deed yy —s was done, whatever it was. —- Ss ye YT ae re : ) But, this does - not necessarily follow, for the horse might a bad 4 have taken fright rideriess. | - "Phat is the point, and 1] must know whether or not Haswick got out of your town that night, at all.” rat _ ‘I think the question will create a sensa al a - tion, for Iam sure it has not been thought of, rs » a _ = > he 3 A + i 7 * > strange as it may seem.” ‘And strange it does seem But, I take a it for, granted it is generally kaown that he _. did set out from town, though you have not. heard much about it further than what the a Coe en young iady has told.” —} you mention?’ = Yl That may be it.’’ Where was it the horse took fright, as = * * About half a mite out of Granton, along - »* te =. = by the Granton Gra veyard . _ ** By a graveyard? Maybe there isa ghost = fn the case and that was What gave the ani ~~ mal its scare, iaughing. f “A ghost there 1s. sure enough at that ~ 2 | Broadway Billy’s Bluff. graveyard,’ declared young Bardner, soberly enough. ‘' It has been seen more than once, too; yes, more thana score of times, by per- sons who have passed that way late at night ” ‘Ha! now the case is growing romantic It is not every case | take up that can show a bona fide ghost.” | : ‘* But, this is no joke I’m giving you, un derstand,” ‘*T understand that, of course. I think I'll try and make the acquaintance of his Ghost- ship, if possible. ‘“What! would you risk such a thing?” ‘Certainly; and what risk is there, since ghosts are bodiless and harmless?” ‘There are men in our town whom you could not hire to pass that graveyard be tween the hours of eleven and one at night ” “ And who are they ?” ‘*'Those who have once seen his Ghostship, as you call him.” ‘* Foolish men, that’s all. If it is a ghost, it is harmless, and if not a ghost, a ballet will probably wing it.” ‘‘There is where you make your mistake, eS, | ‘ How is that?” ° ‘Tt has been tried.” ‘If that is the case it must be a ghost, [ suppose.” ‘Yes, so we all think. A party of young men from Brisbane set out one night on pur pose to lay it, and they failed miserably Each one was armed with a revolver, and they fired a volley at it, but their bullets had no effect. And then strange voices were heard in the air, and they got frightened and had a race with one another to see which could get away from there quickest And, what was more, I was one of the party, and I know what I’m talking about. ’ CHAPTER V. THE GRAVEYARD GHOST Buiyy and his companion kept each other company until their afrival at Brisbane The young detective had done what he could to win the confidence 6f the man and had ict fall no word that could awaken a suspicion® : He felt pretty certain this was the person who had sent the threatening message to him, and if right in that, wanted to lull the man into a sense of false security Billy had made known his business at Brisbane in a way not calculated to inspire confidence in his ability as a detective, and that, had been just his purpose. He was willing to let them think his reputation had been built upon a very shaky foundation. ** Well here we are,” observed Bardner, when they alighted. ‘‘And a pretty town it seems? to be,” re-. marked Billy, ‘‘ what I can sce of it.” It was growing dark. ‘* Yes, we flutter ourselves we have about as pretty a town as can be found in the country round.” ‘Well, now for a hotel; can you show me to one?” ‘Yes, we'll go right there, and I[’ll in- troduce you, if you want I should.” ‘* Yes, introduce me for my errand here is no secret and I’m willing to let it be known who Iam ” ‘ A little walk brought them to the leading hotel of the village. — 7 ; | ‘They entered the bar-room and office to- goreee and there young Bardner introduced illy to the landlord. The landlord’s) name was Priceley a fat man with a face as red and round as the ris- ing sun and a voice like the inside of a base- drum. ‘“ A detective, hey? Mr. Priceley rumbled. * Yes, sir,” Billy assured, ‘‘ And a hun- gry one at that.” | : ‘Well, we have something that will cure that complaint, sir, supper is just ready,” ‘*Then [ll lose no time about getting at it, Will you come with me, Mr, Bardner?”»— * - a. - ’ »* . : . ’ Fe om ot “ > » - ae -~ 4* ret a) - % J Pw en nana 2 s ‘ 9 dui - . = o~t — et ee ee es oe a « beg SRST > oak ) ; a “9 igs 7 ‘ ‘ - 7 tafe ,) err a io. ha f ee 4 PS ’ si : d 5 3 i “ ~ ~ Sean ee Ae © rors E Bente La Sh wes, =." wr —__ Ca aa eat dl — > a ~~ - ; —_- > . * , , ’ anne.’ a7.“ : bo .—* . sn ee j she = wt ~~ Se ,« * alge a® S% “ts 7 * Prey ae et al oe ke Le —— aes * tt! pet, ree ) Fe 24 ; fe , ; Je t at * * mal ‘ a fae i . é oe ° -* ° ed elias . _ ‘1 5 r * a “ s i : » yee neh: fo te +6 ’ 1%. F eX e ’ “te @ “,! “No, I must go on home, put lll drop in after awhile, if you will be here.” * Tl be here till late. so come along Billy went in to supper, and Bardner stopped to talk a little with the landlord. ‘ Goin out to Granton, is he?’ the land- lord observed. ‘‘ Well hes welcome to the ride alone at that hour, that’s all.”’ “ And what do you think of him?” ‘Oh he is a young flip, I think, with more gall than brain He’s got a name somchow,but hang me if I see how he got it. I think this case will stump him so bad he won t evet show his face here again.”’ My own opinion exactly,” and Bardner went out When Billy reappeared from the dining: room, he made inquiry about « horse for his further journey ; ‘ Want a wagon, too, I s'pose?” the land lord asked “ No, only a saddle.” ‘ Goin’ alone?’ Xess. ‘Well, ff I was you I wouldn't, that’s all.’ : : ' Why not?” ‘ Tain't safe.’ ‘ How so?" ‘Well, you are going to try to work up that Haswick case, Bardner told me, and you know what happened to zm.” ‘On the contrary, sir, 1 do not know what Lappened to him That ig the very.busi- ness that brings me here, yousee,’ — ‘Well. he disappeared, that’s what hap- pened to him, sir Heset out tor the same place one night, and that was the last that was seen of him " ' By the way does anybody know that he really did set out from here that night, land- lord?” Y- ois any one really konw it?” ‘* Yes ’ ‘Why, to be sure they do!’ Well who does Know it? You see, there is a question in my mind that maybe he did not gct out of Brisbane atall.” | ‘ Then mind. for start.” ‘And there were Others?” ‘*¥Yes a dozen or more,” ’ Then that is disposed of, you see him last?” ‘““Why, he stepped in here to get a cigar and light it before he set off, and I stepped to a” was one that seen him make the Where did the door with him and saw him gallop | around the corner below here and out onto the main road.” , ‘How did he appear to be? That is, was he in good spirits?” : ‘* Nobody ever saw him in any other, my son,” : ; “Did anybody say anything about his Said I— ‘ You have lonesome ride before he set out?” ‘Yes, | did myself, got a lonesome road ain’t you some afraid?’ And said he—‘ Not a bit, with me.’ out his revolver and showed it.” “Then he was armed,” ‘Oh! sure.” 7 * Well, that point is settled, then, Has- wick dd set out from here that night, and his disappearance took place on the road.” “There is no question about that young | man.” “Is there any question as to his honesty? That is do you think he may have disap- peared purposely?” “See here, young fellow, you want to get . thot idea ont of your head right away about Dave Haswick. He was not that kind. Be sides he had everything in his favor here.” ‘‘Maybe he had some secret use for that money—” , ‘Tt won’t go down boy. He had double that amount in the bank in his own name, and he owned property at Granton worthas much more.” » - i anal a ’ ou want to get it out of your T've got my barker - And with them words he petled | > * er < ae re a ¥ * A ) Pe, -_ < - 5 te Lee ta he ETS Pe ee gee ee 7 és 4 roct ia . i. nage ee | An anh, w= 4 > ’ r" . a 7. ~ * vi ~* o eo 5 ', BA Suh, ie) ! a SO ee ee “~- . . €e A an te > ea! ' = ~ ae .. i? > ae wf . — = Mat ie Fi 50 ag 3 7 £, a : os oe ee “we Po. -* >» . par es ‘ * ~ + eF"4 - ~~ * « tag +