Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 860 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

7 08 8 * ’ <= : : repens! | oe, § e j * ~~ ry *. ‘ 4 ** > eke ‘ ' To *~ ay — % rie Thee » oT vita. CHAPTER VII. NEED OF MORE DETECTIVE WORK. THE story was told, and Kit Clipper felt that he had been well rewarded for arenes Sarah spoke without a sign of doubt, and her belief and her narrative only confirmed the amateur detective’s ownopinion. Charles Birdston bad met with foul play at the hands of the Sea-Horses, after accidentally learning secrets of theirs, and was still in the limits of the boat-house, Whether he was dead or alive was another question. Sarah believed that be was dead, but the mascot remembered the clinking of the trowel, and did not overlook the strong possi- bility that the missing man was still alive. If living, how was he situated ? This was a question which Dick found as puz- zling as it was interesting, Horace Paulson laughed lightly. ‘¢ Well, what does all this lead up to?” he in- quired. ‘“*T want you to know I’m not to be thrown over!’ Sarah declared. ‘¢ Oh! you ain’t, eh?” ‘No, sir. When.arich man seeks a poor girl he only means to amuse himself, but if the girl is at all fly, she will beat him out. I’m going to beat you out! You think you can drop me, now you’re tired of me, but you can’t. If you try it, I'll give away all the secrets of the Sea- Horses,” ‘¢That’s just what you’ve done already, dame!” sneered Horace, ‘‘ Instead of hurting me, you’ve done mea favor. I’ve always told you I belonged to the Sea-Horses, but that wa’n't so. Friends I had there let me in as a visitor, but my enemies there wouldn’t let me join. Now I have them foul. With what you've told me, they won’t dare say no to me,” ‘¢T don’t believe you!” ‘““lt?sa fact.” te Anyhow, you dassent go back on me.” *¢ You don’t know my nerve, old lady, What youwe told about the Sea-Horses don’t affect me in the least, for their jobs ain’t mine, and [ had just as soon drop you as not, for all you know. But, look ye here, Sarah—you wrong me. [ have no more intention of shaking you than I have of flying.” Sarah looked at him doubtfully, She knew very well that he had contemplated casting her off, and, if he had changed his mind, that it was ~ due to her recent revelation. But was he really inclined to yield, or did he contemplate more treachery ? This was a point which did not interest Kit Clipper, and he was compelled to listen to a lon sparring-match of words between the two, It was evident that Sarah was off of about the same piece as Horace, and aschemer devoid of principle. Whether sho held Horace fast or not was a matter of interest only to themselves, Paulson, however, made no more vicious re- marks, but avowing his loyalty to the girl soothed her as much as possible. All signs of - doubt on her part did not vanish, but a recon- ciliation was effected. ’ One thing Horace took pains to impress upon the girl, and that was that he was not rich, True, he was the nephew of Stephen Leech- mere, but he was on about as bad terms with that gentleman as he could be, and the chances were that he would be cut off entirely in Ste- phen’s will, ; If this was done, Horace would remain as he was then—hard-up, and without prospects of anything better. hs arah did not seem to believe this, but Kit had reason to believe that if was true, Why Horace was so anxious to make the point, if he really intended to become reconciled to Sarah, was not clear, and Kit had a vague suspicion that the unscrupulous young man hac some scheme in his mind, There was nothing more of interest to be heard, so the detective rearranged the cloth and the transom and sat down in his room. He soon heard Horace go away. Inactivity did not please the hoy mascot, and when the clock struck ten he left the house. He was not certain what he ought to do in the mat- ter of Charles Birdston, The story told by Sarah Brown made it seent almost certain that the mason had met with violence at the hands of the Sea-Horses. | W hat would the police say to the story? ’ When this question had been fully considered the mascot decided that it would be useless to otothem. They would not be likely to believe ? this tale of a jealous cbs pag te what he had considered theclinking of wel would not be More convincing. ; Poi \Foung bloods must sow their wild oats. ne i? we: > ie & ir % ; \. Kit Clipper, the Boat-Club Mascot. ‘‘ Fact is,” muttered the young philosopher, “the perleece kin beas wild as Baron Munchau- sen, the big liar, when workin’ up a theory o’ their own, but they don’t take much stock in a kid’s guess-work, On the whole, I reckon I'll work tois case alone. Ef luck comes on’t, who gits the glory? Why, K. Clipper, Esquire, to be sure!” While meditating he had been walking on, and he now reached the neighborhood of the Sea-Horses’ quarters, The high fence shut off observation, but he did not doubt that they were making merry inside. He walked to the north side and listened at- tentively for the clinking of the trowel, but Sag to hear either that or any other suspicious sound, Finding a suitable place of concealment, he sat down to await the arrival of a later hour. A little before midnight several men left the boat-house, and this indicated that their meet- ing of the evening was at anend. Kit wished to prowl around the inclosure again, but cir- cumstances prevented. Refore he was ready to arb three men advanced and stopped near m. He was crouching behind a pile of boards, and was not seen at all. ‘¢ There ain’t any light,” observed one, ‘‘Ob! the old folks were in bed hours ago,” answered a second map. ‘‘ Are they sound sleepers?” éé Yes.” ‘¢- You ar: sure of the plan of the house?” ‘‘T ought to be.” ‘¢Time was when he didn’t need to go there on the sly,” put in the third man, The second speaker muttered a few emphatic words. By that time the detective knew him well; it was Horace Paulson, ‘Tf T had rich folks,” remarked Number One, ‘¢T wouldn’t get ‘ out’ with them.” ‘6 Did you ever try?” ‘¢ Never bad the chance,” ‘¢'You don’t know how the old folks goaded me. They are like some others who are past their own yourger days; they don't realize aa eech is rich, and I’d like his money, but I wouldn’t sell my manhood for it.” This speech, made with a swagger, came from Horace. He was trying to make capital for himself, but succeeded poorly, The fact was, he had been a vicious boy, and had gonealong the path of evil-doing at a steady pace all his life, ‘This ain’t to the point,” observed Nuu:ber Three, ‘* Weare here to crack a crib.” ‘¢T’'m all ready.” answered Number One. ‘¢ (nderstand,” said Horace, somewhat ner- vously, ‘* there is to be no violence done,” ‘So you love the old folks sti!!?’ “T Jove my neck too weli to put it in jeopardy.” of ‘No fear; luck always goes with me, [’ cracked many a crib, and never made a slump So declared Number One, whose somewhat domineering manner stamped him as an im- portant figure in the case, He was handling some implement which Kit could not make out clearly, but he suspected that it was a con- trivance fcr lock-picking. The mascot did not fail to understand the situation. Horace had taken another step on the road of crime, and had gathered experi- enced knaves to help him rob Stephen Leech- mere’s house. Hera was something of marked interest, and ‘Kit felt that his duty was plain; he must pro- vent the robbery. He looked up and down the street for a policeman, but failed to see any. The burglars moved toward Leechmere’s ouse, ‘Shall I hunt for a gavus?” soliloquized Kit, ‘Like as not I’d be balf eu hour in tindin’ one, an’ while I was at it, Horace an’ his gang would git in their fine work. No, sif; po wild- goose chase fur me; 1’ll foller close ter the cracksmen’s heels, an’ 1’] bet dollars agin’ doughnuts that I upset their p'ans!” Acting upon this idea, he followed where the trio led, and was soon near the rear door of Leechmere’s house, The cracksmen gathered there, while Kit ensconced himself behind the ash-barrel, } Number One applied himself to the task of picking the lock, and it was not long before he succeeded. That he was an old hand at bur- glarious work was evident. He then turned to his companions in crime, ‘« All ready?” he asked. Both replied affirmatively. i . tf + at : > ‘ a’ eee! bal ae ‘ = fs \ : as wl ey , “>? — se TP A 4 e vi’ *& ~ ve" AM @. ° x Vee J ta Aye | Qty, > ead Faire 4 aa sa . tJ Tht ‘ ; ; i < ey ' 5 r cy q 7s Ah a ve 4 (he ES Ren Rte Oo eS . . ode si r. ‘- ,* a "> 4 af ——oo— . - ‘‘Got your revolvers at hand?” ‘*- Yes,” answered Number Three. Horice remained silent. ‘Don’t get ina panic and let them go off b accident,” . With this caution, the speaker opened the oor, Kit Clipper’s heart beat faster than usual, Despite all that the veteran cracksman had said, it was clear that a tragedy might follow. They carried revolvers, and the criminal records of New York showed only too plainly that a cornered burglar usually tried to save himself at any cost. Perhaps Stephen Leechmere would be a victim of this night’s work. The door bad been closed behind the trio. Kit waited a little while, and then stole forward. He tried the door, and found that it was unlock- ed. He entered. The hall was dark, but a light in advance showed that the cracksmen bad ascended to the arlor floor. He crept up the stairs, The trio ad entered the parlor, and had gone to work with remarkable celerity. Leechmere’s house could not boast of luxurious or <8 ager furnishing, but they were finding enough there worth taking to occupy their attention. Various portable articles were sap stuffed into a black bag. The old burglar acte as packer, and put all into the smallest possible space. ‘No great haui!” he grumbled, as he stowed them away. : ‘‘ Remember that the real treasures areabove, Horace reminded, ‘‘ Steve’s money is worth a hundred cents on the dol'ar,” ‘+ How about his revolver?” ‘*T told vou he had none,” ‘‘ He may have purchased one recently.”’ ‘‘T don't think so. Anyhow, we are armed, too, Don’t load yourself down with this trash, gents.’ ‘* Yow’re anxious to get the cold cash.” ‘‘That’s what I’m here for, A pawnbroker wonld hardly give you enough for this stuff to buy whisky, but money goes, every time, If woe can find the old man’s boodle, and he don’t wake up, we sball have a fat scoop.” Kit Clipper had an opinion of his own in the case. He did not intend to remain idle and see Leechmere cleaned out, but how be was to pro- - ceed he did not yet know. If he exposed him- self to Horace’s gaze plainly enough to be recog- nized as the Sea-Horses’ mascot his usefulness in that line would be ended, and he could work secretly for Birdston no longer. He must foil the burglars without pang a prominent actor in the foreground of what occurred, CHAPTER VIII. A LIFE IN DANGER, “THAT is enough!” e The old cracksman pronounced the words af- ter a glance around the parlor, and then gath- ered up the bag and tied the neck, He had rarely packed stolen plunder of less valu;, and the baul gave bim but little pleasure, Ue bad entered into the rcbbery only when Horace had urged bim persistently, and he was sorry now that he had yielded, ‘* Are you ready to go upstairs!” Horace asked the question nervously, His conscience did not trouble him, but his breav: do was not proof against the fear of discovery, ‘Yes, Lead on!” ‘*Can’é you go first?” Thecracksman gave hisally ascornful glance, ‘‘ You know the house, and [ don’t. If you want the job done, remember, it is your job, If you wish to back out, do it at once.” ‘‘])1 lead,” muttered Horace. He took his revolver from his pocket and started, Jt had been arranged that one man should remain on guard, and the third burglar returned to the basement without any idle talk, Paulson and the old cracksman ascended the stairs. | Kit Clipper was thankful for the darkness which concealed his movements, and he crept up the stairs after the evil pair. ' When they reached the second floor they made a halt and listened. Of course Horace knew where all of the household slept, and the first thing was to satisfy themselves that no one was astir, | While they were settling this point, and lis- tening at the doors, Kit executed a strategic — movement. Next to Leechmere’ssleeping-room was a second apartment which he used as a 4 of library. Double doors connected it with i> ia oie on, — ote . ey t + Ay Male. *- ’ yw t= “. 5 i. ps . a = m x * me = J » a i eS ee ee ee ee - * —_-s, 8 ~ 7 4 a & . ate -— -—_F ee . ‘ Rd 6g ee > | | = * ~~ - le - _ > ~- = ow _ > i > - alae oo Ee Se, “3 oo we » rs Sil - : . ‘ _— a me ca * yay | , hee’ ie ae - 4 , heer a rad ee -a \ TY 4 a ho > +hs ie en y 7 hes a nk, OF) ae ‘ , > : is * ‘ s* i~ Me