Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 837 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

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She regarded the would-be rescuers with angry eyes. ‘‘T’m surprised at you, Rob Burns!” she declared. ‘“Whar’fore?” he asked. “Why didn’t you nab that feller?” “* He skipped.”’ ** You might have chased him, ’ ** So you could.” ‘‘Don’t you answer me back that way!” snapped Molly, bringing her small foot down with emphasis. ‘‘I say you’re real mean!” ‘Oh! come now, my lady, don’t jump on a chap in that reckless way,” good-humored- ly requested Robert. ‘‘ Remember I’m a sharp on these things, an’ find out my mo- tive afore you set yer proud heels onter my anatomy. You leave Jack-rabbit Webber ter me, an’ you'll see him chewin’ hash in Sing Sing afore many moons.” Hecla came forward. ‘“Nobody blames you,” she said, kindly. * My enemy has not escaped yet, and he shall not.” CHAPTER VIII. GETTING A START, - ‘*THat’s the talk!” cried Detective Bob. ‘We ain’t ter be beat, an’ Mister Webber ‘will find he has tackled a thrashin’-machine, by jinks! But how come you both here?” Hecla sighed. “IT could not rest in the house when there was so much I wanted todo, so I went out to walk all alone. I thought | might see Henry Corliss. I cameupon this young girl and asked her to walk with me, and she did so. Then we happened upon Webber, and I could not resist the impulse to accost him.” ‘‘Nor me!” grimly added Molly. ‘‘I ac- costed him, an’ I guess he will carry the marks 0’ my finger-nails fer one day.” ‘‘Bully fer you, my daisy!” exclaimed Robert. ‘‘ You did let inter him luscious, an’ no mistake.” ‘“Ar’ you let him escape!” ' Molly looked at the Rattler reprovingly. Her anger had vanished, but she was not con- vinced that it had been wise to 'et the sport go as he had. ‘You're afighter from ’Wayback,” agreed Robert, ‘‘ but prudence is sometimes the best game out, Le’s go slow, but we'll have Mister Jack yet, an’ don’t youdoubtet. We four kin beat him all holler. We'll jest cruise around the Bowery an’ peer until we do him up. Yes, b’jinks! we will b Big Four o’ the Bowery.” The idea pleased the jockey, and he show- | ed his teeth in a broad smile of approval. ‘Count me in,” he requested. “Pm afraid Molly and I shall be of but little use,” added Hecla. ‘‘Don’t you think that,” retorted Molly. **?’m as good as a man. in all but fightin’.” ‘So you both be, an’ you shall see the Big Four will give a good account o’ themselves,” promised Robert. The Rattler did not see fit to tell of the latest discoveries he had made, and _his pres- ent duty seemed only to see that’ the two weaker members of the. party got home in safety. This was done, and then Robert walked over to the Bowery with Cal, that being the present sleeping place of the jockey. “Only fer awhile, though,” he added, *‘fer [expect a new situation where I kin get all the track-ridin’ | want. Et won’t be with Mister Jack Webber, though.” The two boys entered the hotel to which Cal had referred, Robert going tome of idle curiosity. He found ita place where fas- tidious persons would not wish to pass their time, but Cal had roughed it all his life, and did not mind such things. 3 : Not long did the Rattler delay, for the hour was getting late, and when he left he went at once to the house of his parent. There he put in a good night’s sleep, and, ac- ; ¢ « m™ £8 7 7 ‘ > . ” | - - ¥ ° - ba we 5 > ele i. 4 . ; - : < : P C ae Te oo 13.2 —— ’ 3 iu 4 ‘ Fy PR - a 4 ‘* 7 a ae. w <s lie as. re oe oa " ' YS hea Cah (ee Seley ise be ——= . » d & — \ e the cording to promise, was at the hotel again early in the morning—so early that Cal was not yet up. Robert sat down by the window in the of- fice and looked around idly. Two men were there, engaged in conversa- ‘tion, and he half-unconsciously began to lis- ten to what they said, Both looked as if they were but one notch above the tramp order, and it was clear that they were to be considered as doubtful citi- zens in one way if notin another. Robert heard little that was of interest until several minutes had passed. Then one of the pair remarked: “T’ve got a good thing under way.” ‘“ What is it?’ asked his comrade. ‘Confidential agent toa man.” ** How is that?” ‘*T suspect he is dodgin’ the perleece. Anyhow, he’s in hidin’ fer some reason, an’ I’m ter act for him. Et took usa long time to make the bargain, fer he has to pay me in promises.” ‘* Promises? Bah! pay ?” | ‘‘ Dusty, you an’ me are gentlemen of the world—cosmopolitan spirits, as 1 may say— an’ we know how risky et is, but when I see this bloke could pay no other way, I agreed do you take such to help with promises fer pay, ye see.” ‘*Whait’s he done?” ** Shot a man!” ‘‘ You don’t say so!” ‘Wal, I can’t prove et, but when I read about the case, he got so flustered that I be- lieved he was the one who did et. Did you hear ahout the man on the Bowery who shot the perleeceman ?” Risky Robert started. ; ‘‘Do ye mean that young Corliss?” asked the second tramp. cé Yes.” **T did hear of et. Ef an have him cor- nered, why don't you tell the coppers an’ get credit fer it?” . ‘Tam going ter take my chances of mak- in’ more out of et by sidin’ with the young fe‘ler. Ef he pulls out, I believe I shall do well, an’ [have put my faith on him, At iis request I went ter the house where the shootin’ was done, ter look fer a family named Petersen, -but I did not find them, They had shuffled out, bag an’ baggage.” ‘Got left, then?” | “Yes, but I ain’t all done. I’m ter see my boss this eve an’ receive further direc- tions.” ‘* Where is he?” “Can't tell ye. orders is too strict.” “Ail right; it ain't my affair.” ‘‘ Ef I was approached by anybody on the subjict, I wouldn’t let on a word. I'll stick by him, an’ orders is—Keep mum!” Conversation wandered to other matters, but Risky Kobert had heard enough to in- terest him. Like the tramp, he believed it was Henry Corliss who was acting this secret part, and he began to consider how he could profit by it. He wished to see Corliss and get further directions from him, so as to act with wisdom in his: detective scheme, but it was plain he could not rely upon the tramp to help him out. How, then, could he find Henry? This question was put in the way of solu- tion by the men themselves. -‘* Dusty” rose to go, saying: ‘When do I see you again, Jigs?” ‘‘T have ter go to my employer this eve at eight o'clock.. Meet me at the corner of Bond street and the Bowery at seven, an’ we will have a bottle together, ef we kin raise the price.” ‘Pll be with ye, Jigs.” Dusty went his way, and Jigs proceeded to fall into a sound sleep. Cal Demorest soon came down, and was duly greeted by Robert, but the latter had new and most important things on his mind. I won’t tell nobody— e Big Four of the Bowery. ee LL EEE * ‘He considered the possibility of keeping Jigs under watch durmg the day, but it was such a formidable undertaking that he decided to rely upon the engagement he had heard the two tramps make, and risk or fall by it. : He and Cal kept busy during the day, but they did not succeed in making any rew dis- coveries, Before seven o’clock Robert was at the corner of Bond street and the Bowery, and on the watch for the men. They did not disappoint him or each other, but came quite promptly. Going into a saloon they had the drink so much coveted, and then the Rattler had only to await their parting. When they did this Jigs went on alone, but not unwatched. Detective Bob was as close after as was safe, and he never wavered in the hunt. When Jigs paused it was before a build- ing which looked as if.it might have been standing when Columbus set sail from the shores of Europe. Possibly the house had once been of elegance, but the day was long past. Now, it was chiefly noticeable for the sion over the door which announced that rooms for the night could be had for fifteen cents. ‘‘ Yes, with twenty in a room,” thought wise Robert. ‘‘ Reg lar lodgin’ house, with cockroaches ana bedbugs thrown in. Has Henry come ter this? Adversity brings us on our knee-caps.” Jigs entered, and so did the Rattler. Following his guide the boy was soon in a room where he saw his suspicions all con- firmed. It was a lodging-house, and the patrons were decidedly of the gone-to-seed order. Robert flashed a quick glance around, but failed to discover Henry Corliss. Jigs went to the desk and transacted some business, but Robert took a seat. He did not long keep it in quiet. One of the men connected with the place approached him, ‘‘ Goin’ ter see the clerk?” he asked, ‘Guess not.” “Then git!” ~ f ‘“ How’s that?” “This ain’t a free snoozin’ place, nor a warmin’-up place. Ef you can’t rise the price, git. Ef you are to stay with us, walk up an’ settle.” Robert understood, and he went to the desk and paid the fifteen’cents which entitled him to the luxuries of the establishment for the night. This done he turned around to see what Jigs was doing. \ ‘Buzzin’ another tramp,” muttered Robert. ‘Fine specimen the other is, too,\ with his rags standin’ up on end like sails on a Flyin’ Dutchman ship.” With this scornful comment the Rattler was about to cease giving attention to the pair, but their earnest air so indicated im- portant business that his gaze did not wander so soon as he had expected. ‘‘ Solid biz, that is. Have I seen the un- known afore? Somehow, he has a sorter familiar look.” Sharper gazed the Rattler, and then a sudden discovery came. ‘Great guns!” he gasped, “et’s Henry Corliss!” CHAPTER IX. -ROBERT’S ROUGH ROAD. CoMPLETE was the surprise, and, even when Detective Bob had, arrived at the deci- sion that he was looking at Corliss, he did not feel wholly sure of his opinion. Yet, it was true. igh Corliss was in disguisg, and Robert had never seen a more perféct one. Not only had the young man’s good clothing been dis- | placed by rags but his hair had been trim- med close, his mustache sacrificed and his face browned with some solution, Marked was the change. Having satisfied himself fully the Rattler