Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 860 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

. - = _——a eo ee a: ales, lly a i te —_ nr rr TS aN honesty, you made therobbery possible—you ac- complished it!” **Old gent, you’re on the wrong tack,” ‘fam Bent **Ob! well, it ain’t worth talking about,” the cracksman answered, shrugging his shoulders, ‘*Itds worth it, for you owe the law a good deal, sir.” ** Tne debt won’t be paid.” “* Why not?” ** You forget that if you haul me into court, your amiable nephew must suffer, also.”’ ‘* Nothing would please me more, Ever since Horace Paulson was a mere child he bas been a source of trouble to me. I have worked for him, paid money to get him out of scrapes, tried to lead him in wiser ways, and forgiven count- less sins, Some time since I abandoned bim en- tirely, as one out of salvation’s reach, To-night he drew a revolver upon me, and now I hope that he will soon be under arrest,” ‘** At all events, I shall save my own neck,” Decker boldly declared, ** How?’ ** Pll show you, later.” “* Empty talk!” “‘T may yet convince you that I know more about your family than you think, The mere fact that [ have been out of your sight for a score of years proves nothing; it isn’t always those nearest the throne that knows a monarch’s secrets best!” Decker chuckled, Leechmere looked at him critically. Did the man really hold a secret, or was all this said merely to influence him! He could not see what the old cracksman should know that was of importance, and shaking his head, he turned away, ‘‘ We'll make a quiet survey here,” he. ob- served, to Kit Clipper, ‘‘and then, as I don’t want to awaken my sister, lead the prisoner out and deliver him to a policeman.” CHAPTER X, THE SEA-HORSES HAVE WORK TO DO, DAN DECKER was the calmest person there. He sat on the floor in a careless fashion, as though the progress of events did not concern him in the least. The revolver still menaced him, but it caused him no apprehension. If it occurred to him that it might be dis- charged accidentally, and thereby wind up his career, the fact did not seem to trouble him. ‘‘In the closet, yonder,” added Leechmere, **there are some stout packing-cords, They are just as good to bind our man as ropes, and we will use them.” | He walked to the closet and secured tbe cords. Returning, he prepared to apply them, ‘** Keep the revolver bearing upon him,” was the next direction. ‘** You bet!” Kit Clipper answered, All this was well.enough, but they: had to deal ) ith a man quite as sbrewd as themselves, and * 4r more experienced in ways of cunning, Quiet as Decker was, he was only waiting for a chance to move, and the chance was soon given. As Leechmere knelt down to begin his work he thoughtlessly brought himself be- tweea the cracksman and the revolver, That was Dan’s chance, and he moved with surpris- mg agility. linging out his hands he met Leechmere’s body and flung him forcibly back—so forcibly that the burglar’s twoenemiescollided, and then fell over like well-bowled ten-pins, | The Mascot was alarmed, but he managed to cling to the revolver,and mado a great effort to ger 5 Pom his feet, This was not at oncesuccess- ul; Leechinere’s whole weight was upon him, and it was not easy to get rid of it. When be had v riggled out he sprung up and looked for Dan Decker, but the cracksman was not to beseen. Kitran tothe hall and listened; he could barely hear the man’s footsteps in re- treat. Then a door opened and shut, and it was clear that be had reached the open air, Leechmere came to Kit’s side. ‘We can catch him yet!” the latter ex- claimed, ** Let him go,” ‘** But that ain't right.” ‘* What do we care?” ‘He may come again.” ** Let him come!” The old gentleman spoke gloomily ; then, no- ticing the boy’s wandering gaze, he added: . *“ You are young, and cannot understand how Sorrow and misery crushes the human heart. If the time ever comes when you hail death as a ef from unsupportable trouble, you will un- derstand better God pity whoever sees every Tife-hope blasted!" Clasping his nands, the speaker was walking back and forth in a mood in keeping with his words, Kit looked wishfully dewn the stairs. He disliked vey much to see the whole gang es- cape after all he had done to baffle and capture them. ** This is » miserable state of affairs,” pursued Leechmere, ‘‘ Knave that Horace Paulson is, he is the son of my sister. You cannot surmise how much that means. Blood is thicker than water, ruus the old saying, and though I would gladly see the man in prison, I cannot forget that he is her son!” ** You must forgit.” ** Jmpossible!” ‘* Bear in mind he drawed a revolver on ye!” ‘““Ay,ay; lam well aware of that, but if he had killed me, the tie of relationship would have remained, Let it pass, though. Tell me, my lad, how you chanced again to become my helper.” Kit told the story. He had no intention of oing into details which would bring the Sea- Pires Boat Club into prominence, but, com- mencing with the statement that he chanced to be on the street, Le told how he had over- heard the conversation of the burglarsand taken measures to baffle them, He was thanked warmly, for Stephen Leech- mere was quick to appreciate any favor. Kit’s rags then ceugbt his attention. _** You seem to have fallen into hard luck since I saw you,” se Wh 9” dressed then, Now ou are in a state of advanced dilapidation. Vhy is this?” Kit had not anticipated this question, and he found it hard to make a reply suitable to the occasion, but he managed to quiet Leechmere’s rising pity. He was asked to remain in the house, but when ho said that be had comfort- able quarters at his disposal, be was not urged, The master of the house wished to keep the nil of the night from the knowledge of his sister, After a short delay the mascot left the house and returned to Mrs, Brown’s. He saw nothing of the baffled burglars on the way. The remainder of the night passed peace- fully, and Kit did noé fail to get a due share of sleep. He had barely finished breakfast, the next morning, when he received notice to ap- pear at the boat-house at ten o’clock. The call naturally started the mental inquiry: Could it be that Horace knew who had made the trouble the previous night? Had he be- trayed the mascot to the Sea-Horses? Did a ** You were comfortab] trap await the boy detective there? Ail these things were possible, but Kit Clip- r was not to be frightened off. He deter- mined to obey the call, let come what might. He went, but found no verification of bis fears. Captain Hamblin and his fellow-roughs were there, and so were several of the old sea- dogs—the founders of the club, These men were aged ani gray,and as loud-voiced and rough ascould be imagined, but they did not differ greatly in appearance from other sailors, Several times during the forenoon, Kit suspected that he was under analysis. A good many questions were asked him in a very sly fashion which seemed calculated to draw him out, In plain words, he believed that the Sea- Horses wanted to know just how big a rascal he was, and he did not disappointthem. Cunning- ly avoiding the danger he might meet by going to an extreme, he contrived to give out the impression that he was not troubled with a con- science. Kit was well entertained that forenoon, All kinds of fruit were at his disposal, and in vari- ous other ways he was made to feel the Sea- Horses’ kindness. Finally, Captain Hamblin took him in hand. ‘* How do you like here?” he asked. , 7) Prime ” ; ** As well as your former places?” ‘* Better! Reckon boatin’ is jest the biz fur me, ‘* Would you like to go out on a cruise?” ** You bet!” ' ‘* We want all men to be true.” ‘* You kin depend on me.” ‘* To keep our secrets?” **Kv’ry one, cap’n,” ‘** We'll test you!” Kit looked innocent and unsuspicious, ‘* 1m yer buckleberry,” he asserted. oe eli, what if there was more money to be made by going against us?” ‘*Cap, my perfesh’nal character is at stake o when I ketch on any whar usa mascot, an’ Pd sooner hev my toe-nails pulled out than go back on my bosses; an’ no mascot kin hold his charm if ye pull out bis toe-na)ls!” This information wes given with a very seri- ous air, aud Hamblin smiled. ‘* Allright, my boy; you sball go with us on thetrip. I think you are true-blue,” ‘* Bet yer life, cap’n!” No further points were given the mascot, an he found the remainder ot the day far from in- clined to pass rapid)y. He did not like theidea of going with the Sea-Horses, for he felt next to positive that some Jawless deed was contem- plated. True, it might end in his having the band completely in his power—if he came out all right. If there was a general capture, and he was in- cluded in it, it would be hard to prove that he was there as an amateur detective, Much to Kit’s relief, Horace Paulson did not appear at the club-house during the day. That evening the Sea-Horses assumed a new air, and one that presaged events of import- ance, Men talked with each other in low voices, and an occasional burst of gayety did not throw off the sober demeanor which would occasionally seutle upon them, Evidently, they were goivg to take some un usual risk, CHAPTER XI, THE MASCOT CLIMBS, TWELVE o’clock found Kit Clipper nodding in his chair like oneasleep. Keally, he was never further from that condition, and was watching and listening to the extent of his ability. The Sea- Horses little suspected how keenly they were being spied upon, but their Mascot was rot satisfied with the progress he was making, As the clock told the midnight hour Bat Bro- gan advanced and shook Kit by the arm, ‘* All alive, mascot!” he exclaimed, The detective started up, rubbing bis eyes. ‘* Eh?” he replied. ** We're off, my hearty. Follow me, and we'll soon be afloat. Hooray for a life on the ocean wave!” ‘*Ay, ay!” Kit responded. ‘* Whoop her up, Eliza Jane!” | **Come on!” Brogan led the way to the boat-house, and Clipper found a large sailing-craft rocking be- side the pier, A dozen men stood ready to go aboard, and this was done without delay. Very little was said, but Brogan pushed the mascot along and sat down beside him in the oat, Five minutes later they were moving up the North River before a brisk breeze, The night was favorable for whatever scheme they had in mind. The sky was overcast, and fog hung over the river sufficiently to vail their movements toa great extent. From the first these movements were stealthy. They made for the middle of the stream, and then con- tinued there except when another craft was sighted, Then they dodged cleverly, and in all ways took pains not to have it known they were abroad, Kit Pees was glad that he was no longer addressed and expected to reply in a humorous way befitting a mascot; he realized that the ad- venture was a serious one, and was glad to be left alone. He could not help thinking how surprised the Sea-Horses would be if be made it known that the voyage was not the first he had taken in their company, He hoped the present one would end as tame- ly as the first. , For a comparatively long time they sailed north. The city was left behind, and human habitations grew fewer by the way. At last they came toastop at a bluff on the castern bank, There the boat was left in chargeof two men, and the others continued their way, Kit had been afraid that he might be left in the boat, but such was not the intention of the Sea-Horses; they wanted t so connect their mascot with some one criminal operation that he would not dare to betray them evenif he was so inclined, They ascended the bank, and Kit saw a small village of scattered houses and otber buildings. They moved along the southern edge of the place, but finally paused in a small grove. Each man fixed his gaze upon the nearest building. It was a large, low, long structpre, and the boy realized that it was some kind of manwu- facturing establishment. No light was visible, ** All quiet,” observed Hamblin, boo ,