Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 837 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

> Aruined !” r 4 ’ 7 The Big’ Four He prodded with the stick, and it grazed Robert’s neck. ‘*Do you feel them?” ‘‘ Not yet, but I will.” Again a prod, and the Rattler had quite as narrow an escape. “T'll spear them like a Kimanch Injun would,” boasted Pete. ** Do it, and talk less.’’ ‘¢ Ha! I reckon I touched him!” The cane had been jabbed viciously into Robert's ribs. ‘Tl drive him right out,” added Peter. Again the prod, and the Rattler shrunk away as he gota poke in the stomach. It was getting to be exciting, and discovery seemed certain. He knew not how to meet this emergency. He was aware that Cal was near him, and it might be the best of times to make a dash for safety, but how was he to get word to his ally? One of the other men had found a stick, and he was imitating Pete. He was near the box which concealed Cal, and he soon gave that king of the turf a punch which brought a roar of pain, . i ‘Outch! Get out, you demon!” cried al. | eee The time of secrecy was past, and Robert acted accordingly. He sprung from _ be- hind the cover and his voice rung out clearly: ‘Scoot, pard!” With this direction Robert leaped out of his hiding-place, and like a mad bull on a: rampage he dove toward the stairs. He did not expect to reach that point without a collision, but experience had shown him that, though he had not the physical strength of a man, the advantage ina rush was usually with the person, big or little, who made the most of the ficst moménts. Two or three steps he went; then his shoulder encountered some hard substance. There was a tremendous shock, but, while the Rattler came out of it successfully, one of the men was bowled over like a ten- . in. The fugitive reached the head of the stairs, | “‘T’m with ye!” exclaimed a voice by his side, and he felt renewed relief as he recog- nized Cal’s voice. “* Hustle!” Down the stairs fled the youthful pair, while Jack’s voice sounded angrily from above. ‘‘After them! If they escape we are “* Shoot the varmints!” The last speaker probably took his own The bullets went fide and the boys pur- advice, and a rent was twice discharged. Ma | ’ sued their way With haste. Robert had little faith that they would succeed in _ getting clear, but the result proved that a! _ the enemy had failed to guard the line of .Yetreat. 4 : 7 “4 7 . AM Rept nay tearing . ~ ec ws . é open the outer door the fugitives dashed out on the street. . “Safe!” cried Robert, jubilantly, CHAPTER VII. JACK GETS MARKED. tation was not premature, ‘Tur exul Bob i i ‘ and Cal were on the street, and they felt able ag | : | a at. | - there was no danger that “Jack Webber and | tn, O) G » ¢ = ~s Tue —_ J _" a = oa? Pp 5 » sit >. ye. ,* s - , iy =—s z * " cd e 7 "3 va Pa rar ; o- 4 - ling ~ « . . * i ‘ - at 4 e ** vay ” > - tl “a é ¢ * ei i ft ~—> = — “ ; a — 7 - - * - - © * , fhe - ~ a tT it ‘call mt te ‘ ei é a to defy any and all pursyit, especially as iis heelers would call in the police. ~The boys ran down the block for some dig. tance. When they paused they had a glimpse of a man entering the house they had left so abruptly. Bob laughed lightly. Mine © ‘They give et up,” he remarked. -“*Distanced!” added Cal, tersely. | “Sure! Their hoss was the favorite at the : n. Cal, what hev we run up ag’in’?” «6 Give et up.” Tana 1% ‘ . \ ) Me : as 4 - - = waidy hd jr, : ; va Aa YY As AM ah | Ps - ” i tls ? 5 Peis | ; — i ee oY, "ged ty ‘ ae 5 ca < v3 be Te flee Ww ’ ¢ 5 , * + “ hs * » f TeV . Vt 4 “ae ve - : rf .) 2 1 yt : 7 ~ " * Hy eey s Be OR oe puron ete Ms Bs Aah, FP AVM ge rel LPG he Bay! "aia but et wa’n’t rode so wal as et might ’e’ | r — Veep . al Nee bat ao taal he hes ‘ of the Bow — ery. *‘ Jack an’ his gushers are crooks—you kin | bet yer buttons on that—but further I don’t | your friends have proved black sheep it is know. We didn’t get onter their line.” ‘‘T, guess | won’t engage ter ride Jack’s hoss.” Robert looked his companion over more critically. Cal was a likely-looking, young colored person, and the desire seized the Rattler to keep up his acquaintance. “Say, pard, do ye want to go inter this biz with me in the detective line?” he asked. Cal’s eyes brightened. “What kin we do?” ‘Get the bulge on these fellers,” “Wal, by gosh! ef you'll show me the way Tam with ye.” ‘‘Come with me an’ I'll tell ye a good deal ou don’t know.” The Rattler thought he knew when to trust others, and it impressed him that Cal- houn Demorest was one of those worthy of such trust. He led the jockey to a safe place and then gave him the story of what had recently come under his notice in the Jack Webber. ‘‘ At the very least,” he said, it ‘‘ is the in- tention of the gang to beat the Swede out of his bond, an’ [ mean ter stop et, though how I don’t just know.” ‘‘ Ef I kin help, I will.” ‘*Good! We'll form a combine, an’ what we don’t learn won’t pe worth knowin’,” After a little more talk the two left the house and walked on down the street. Their course was homeward, and as they went they discussed the future and tried to see where they could strike next in their cam- paign. Pursuing their way thus they turned a corner and came upon a new and interesting | to stop him. scene ‘‘ Hullo! there’s a commotion!” exclaimed Robert. ‘* Feller an’ girl havin’ a scrap.” ‘Yes, an’ I'll be darned ef she don’t look like Hecla Petersen!” ‘‘Say, the man is Jack Webber!” ‘* Jee-whiz! Pard, we want a hand in that. Hustle, an’ see what the riffle is, any- how.” / What Cal had indefinitely referred to as a “scrap” was merely a war of words, but it was one warm in its way, and with the iden- tity of the pair known it was clear that they could not be having a talk other than inter- esting to the boys. They hastened forward and soon reached the vicinity. Both Jack and Hecla were too much occupied to notice them at first, The light of the street-lamp fell upon the two and made their faces plainly readable. Jack seémed worried, while Hecla was agitated and anxious, but firmer than was to be expected. | ‘* Miss Petersen,” Webber was saying, ‘‘T assure you I have not now, and never had the bond in my possession.” ‘*T do not believe you!" she declared. ‘¢Then you do me wrong.” ‘‘ Henry Corliss said he gave it to you.” ‘*Do you know his reputation?” ‘What about yours?” “Tt is spotless.” ; “Do you think me so dull that you can convince me of this?” “JT want justice,” asserted Jack, with an injured air, ~ “ ‘Where do you think it would take you?” ' * Anyhow,” sullenly declared the sport, ‘‘T have not the bond.” ** Tt iz false!” “My dear young lady, if you will give me time [ will convince you that you do me | by Cal, b You put too much faith in. injustice, not what he should be. bond, not I, and—” ‘‘ He gave it to you.” k ‘He did not! Now, see here,” continued He took your Jack, with an ugly air, ‘‘I don’t want to be trim — “Ab. ig ’ 7 7 “a @ 4 * } worried any more about this matter. If none of my business, and you will have to look to them.” *‘ Henry Corliss has done no harm!” cried Hecla. ‘‘T hear he is a fugitive,” sneered Jack. ‘“Unjustly, believe me.” “Well, go to him about your bond. He never gave it to me,” ‘Sir, I will have you arrested if you do not do us justice!” declared the girl, with spirit. . | “You had better not.” “Why?” ‘‘T am a man of influence in this city, and { would surely ruin you if you, tried any blackmailing game on me—” ‘Do you not know that the bond is all we have in this world—’” ‘IT don’t care a rap what you have, or have not; this business does not concern me. Get out of my way, and let me go” in | | peace!”’ affairs of the Petersens, Henry Corliss and As the sport spoke he tried to pass, but Hecla caught at his arm and held fast. © ‘‘[ will have you arrested!” she exclaim- ed . Rar fa iW’ Te ‘ ey erm.’ oS Cf Cae Webber muttered a savage word and shook her in an effort to release himself. ‘‘Hadn’t we better chip in?’ asked Cal Demorest, nervously. ‘Yes, go in!” replied Robert, promptly They hastened forward, but Jack, having decided on his course, was not to be deterredk by Hecla’s feeble hold. He gave her a push | so rough that her hold was broken, and so i violently that she fell tothe sidewalk. Then Jack hastened on, and the would-be res- cuers were not near enough to do anything Some one else was, however. Out from a deep doorway shot a slight. form, and the sport was again seized. “Stop, villain!” came in a voice which would have done credit to a Bowery thea-_ ter. ** Molly!” surprised, Molly it was, worst opporent Webber had encountered in some time. She clung to him with her small exclaimed Robert, oncé more hands, showing surprising power, and all the ee i | i 99 ° > while she kept up a war of words. CMTE. ‘‘Oh! you dastard, you thief, you thug?’ she panted. ‘‘ Wouldn’t I jest like ter do ye up? Oh! ef I was a man | wouldn’t leave enough o’ you fer a specimen. snake, vou be!” Jack began to getrattled. He saw Robert and Cai hastening toward him, and though and she proved to be the You're a _ a oe ‘yi — ns > st 4 € ° ~ s - o me aS - - : a + 1 s4 =~ " ioe oor he had not discovered that they were any. one he had seen before he began to have a wholesome fear of the consequences of evil- doing. ! ie He redoubled his effo rts to get free, and | the result was fhat Molly sunk her finger- nails into his flesh until he was ready to yell with pain. Tis face was being mutilated, and he was about crazy for the time being. With a great effort he shook her off, At | that moment a cab was passing, and he rush: ed toward the staring driver. | “Ten dollars to get me away from quickly!” he eried. | The driver was one to an appeal and he flun vehicle, | ‘* Get in!* he crdered. be reached by such Promptly Jack obeyed, and he was whirl ed away just as the two boys rushed up in vain pursuit. The chance was still open for them to go on and summon a policeman, and this noe of proceedure was advised ut Robert had other views. “No,” he explained, ‘‘ we are workin’ this — Corliss, who, I am compelled to believe, is | on the dead quiet, and I don't see how even’ — creel isto gain anything by jumpin’ on him. we whole biz in our way.” Ni “You're solid,” admitted Cal. Hecla and Molly had gained their balance, ; ae ’ . ‘ 726 5 ) »¥ ; va b ' * ny - ' < 1". \ Lawii Ry . ‘ | le . ae , > ts . sr 4 ‘ -4a? * * é ry 4 ae. 4 he i ma) i A if & * .. . | <) ‘ > wn i a . ral ra j Ss 7 fa ‘ Ip , | go slow there is a chance ter get at the t a 7 ‘or g open the door of his — La A : . re nate a. ¥ tah cy ihe ae i i ra ® ; 4 + 5% Spal mag yy ~ Z * ju ib hee ’ mor a a ul r i 2) er ; = * we ‘Tat 4 Ay i ’ 4 ~, ed i SA ' “ —k % a > - “ a a - = = x al Ps — —_ ~—s ~> ~ . == a ba _ “ a ~_ st a » weir * * y > tu i * 4 4, ‘id re > 4 ~~ * , ‘4 A