Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 869 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

Come with him yourself, for fear he may not find the place.” ‘* Very well, sir. Ill bring him.” | Taking their hats the worthy pair left the office, and proceeded with an aspect of mer- cantile virtue and probity into the street. No one to look at them would have supposed them capable of doing anything out of the strictest line of business, Unluckily, looks do not al- ways tell the truth. ot many minutes afterward, Ned Norman, accompanied by his associate, Dick, entered the vestibule of the Continental Hotel. It was the bour at which he had appointed to meet Mr. Burton, yet that gentleman was nowhere vVisi- ble. ‘¢ Where has he gone to?” queried Ned, with an air of disappointment, ‘Ten o’clock he said, and ’tain’t more than five minutes after. That ain’t business.” ‘* J guess he’s somewhere round the diggin’s,” suggested Dick, ‘ Let’s scout round a bit and we'll rake him out.” They tried the bar-room, the reading-room, the billiard-room, but no sign of Mr. Burton was to be seen, ‘*Maybe he thinks it’s ten up to half-past,” remarked Ned, ‘ Let’s sit down and wait a bit. 1 dunno as we’re in no hurry.” Sitting and waiting, however, was too irksome a business for any one so activeas Dick, Ten minutes gave him enough of that, and he bounc- ed up with the exclamation: ‘‘ How d’ye know but he’s left word with the clerk? That’s what folks do when they’ve got ’vagements with gen’lemen as they can’t keep. l'm goin’ to ax, anyhow.” He darted across to the clerk’s desk, had some words with that important functionary, and re- turned with a folded slip of paper in his hand and a look of triumph on his face. ‘* Guess I didn’t dig in fat that time! He’s had ter go out,and has lefta note fur you. Here %is; read it; my eddication stopped short 0’ readin’ writin’,” Ned urfolded the slip and quickly made him- self master of its contents, ‘‘ Mr, Burton is going to be at room Number Two, over the Post-office, to meet Grip & Gor- ley and talk thingsover. He axes me to come down there if I’ve got anything for him, If I ain’t, | needn’t come,” ‘¢‘Then I guess you'll go sailin’ down there the straightest kind of a streak,” rejoined Dick, with a meaning look, ‘If youand me ain’t hit nothin’ ther’s no use in’, We ain’t no slouches, nary time. ‘Wait till old Grip opens that paper that Jake’s a-takin’ him, I1’d give somethin’ nice to see him when he peeps into it, [f he don’t dance, it’ll be queer.” ** You didn’t wrap up no bumble-bee in it?” ‘Maybe I didn’t; but [ put somethin’ with a mighty sharp ge in it, now, you bet.” The boys had left the hotel and were proceed- ing to the point indicated. | Meanwhile the contestants were presenting the leading points of their case before the United States Commissioner, who had asked them to come to bis office with the purpose of trying to settle their dispute by arbitration. e was fully satisfied, from what Burton had told him, both that Grip & Gorley had been guilty of a rascally trick, and tbat Burton & Jones had no ¢ase that would stand in court. The evidence was good as far as it went, but it did not go far enough. That, at least, was his opinion. Under these circumstances he deemed it the duty of Burton to seek to arbitrate be- tween them, and had proposed to do so, The conversation between the contestants and the commissioner had proceeded about half an hour. ** Gentlemen,” remarked the commissioner, at length, with some disappointment of tone, “vou are Of course aware that I have no authority in this matter as it stands to-day. I have only asked you to come here out of a pure desire to promote pence and harmony. If you refuse arbitration, there is nothing further for me to say. 1 can only remark to Mr. Burton that, however strongly thecase may present itself to his mind, it will have no standing in court, and that a suit would be a useless expense to both parties.’ ‘“T am not so sure of that,” answered Mr. - Burton, decidedly. ‘Of course that is your opinion, Mr, Smith. But it is only an opinion, and I venture to match mine against it. The "a i of accideats, you know, is in my avor. There was a look upon his face that attracted Mr.Grip’s attention. Hew to his part- ner: Ned Norman, the Gamin Neg ‘¢ What does he mean?” ‘*Only bounce. Nothing else.” ‘¢ We have no desire to fight,” remarked Mr. Grip. ‘‘ Not that we're afraid of a fight, for the whole affair is simply too ridiculous to be no- | ticed. Our business standing is solid enough , not to be hurt by anything that Mr. Burton can sayordo, Still—” ! © was interrupted at this point by the en- | trance of two persons into the room. They | were his employés, Joe and Jake. The latter | walked over to his employer and handed him a | folded paper. | ‘This is the document you asked me to bring,” he said. | A flash of triumph shot from Grip’s eyes, The somewhat humble look he had assumed changed to one of haughtiness and hostility, | back. Then he hastily drew from his ust the paper into his pocket, with a | | and quickly perused it. He t meaning look at his partner, and continued his remarks in a different tone. Evidently the pos- session of this paper had made him combative. ‘** Still, as [ was about to say,” he remarked, ‘*T wish to give Messrs. Burton & Jones fairand full notice that if they want to fight, Grip & Gorley are ready to give them all the fight they can stomach. And what’s more, if they should indulge in any libelous remarks about us, there | will be a suit for damages in about the shortest time possible. We don’t intend to stand their lying slanders,” ‘Those are my sentiments exactly,” chimed in Gorley. ‘I quite agree with Mr. Grip.” Mr. Burton and the commissioner looked at the speakers in surprise. Their tone had i remarkably since receiving the paper | which had just been brought them. | at bearing had this ig on the case? Could it be the missin halt o the letter? Their sudden confidence fuidivated that such was the fact. Mr. Burton, however, was not to be thrown off his track by bluster, ‘‘ Very well, gentlemen,” he said. ‘* You have your remedy, of course, It is quite pro- bable I may talk. I am very stig es that you should bring a suit for damages, Whether you will get them is quite another question. I think [ can show, to the satisfaction of any court in the land, that you have played us an ugly trick. I will not say a criminal one, but you will allow mo the privilege of thinking what I please.” ‘* You had better not say it,” cried Gorley, pre to his feet angrily, ‘‘ If you do, Il—” ‘‘ Well, what will you do?’ rejoined Mr, Bur- ton, rising and confronting him, ‘¢ Gentlemen! gentlemen!” exclaimed the com- missioner, ‘‘no more of this, I beg you,” ‘Sit down, Gorley,” cried rip. ‘Don't play the fool. We will do our fighting bylaw, not with fists. Don’t you see,” he whispered, ‘‘that we hold the winning hand? Keep your temper, or you'll make mischief,” At this instant the door opened again and two more persons entered. They were our youthful friends Ned and Dick. Ned cast his eyes curiously around the room, taking in all persons present. A look of sig- nificant meaning came into his eyes as they met the regard of Mr. Burton. What do you want, boys?” asked the com- missioner, “ Jist_ a word or two with Mr. Burton,” an- swered Ned, Mr, Burton crossed to him, and a whispered conversation took place, Ned producing some- thing from his pocket and placing it in the hands of the merchant. The latter opened what nee ee to be a closely-rolled and much- chhayes ed piece of paper, and quickly perused the lines of writing upon it. is eyes lit up as be did so with a veritable flash of triumph. Grip watched this by-play with the keenest scrutiny. What to make of it he did not know. A moment’s reflection, however, gave him an idea of what had occurred, Burton had talked much about the half-letter, but had not shown it, Was this it? Had he only now received it from the boy? Such must be the case, for he was very sure that his own fingers were at that moment touching the other half in his pocket. Leaving the boys, Mr. Burton walked up to the commissioner. ‘‘ Read that,” he said briefly, placing the pa- per in his hand. Mr. Smith did so, his eyes opening wide with surprise. me This quite alters the case,” he exclaimed. ‘‘Gentlemen, I have no more to say, I re- marked a while ago that Mr. Burton had no evidence that would stand inlaw. I withdraw that remark. The half-letter is a whole letter now, and I strongly advise him to bring suit.” SS nn FO ori_e OS --—— 4 otiator. 13 ee ee eee ‘What do you mean?” cried Grip, hotly.. ‘* Let me see that paper!” ‘‘Ttis placed in my charge. I cannot show’ it to anybody without Mr. Burton’s consent.” _ ‘‘ You say the half-letter is a whole letter, I challenge that assertion, What you have there: is a forgery got up to injure us. I[ can prove that very quickly, for 1 happen to have the missing halt of the letter in my pocket.” He produced his supposed prize and waved it: triumphantly in the air. ‘‘T don’t know what you bave there, But see here; do you recognize this handwriting! Is this signature known to you?” Mr. Burton took the letter from the commis- sioner’s hand, and held it before Grip’s face. The latter turned deathly pale an ig ise ocket. the sheet he had just received, opened it out, His pallor was succeeded by a red flush of' ury. Perdition!” be cried. ‘*That bcy! By alli that’s good, I’ll strangle him!” The paper fell from his hands as he made a. wild rush for Ned, who was keenly watching him, and who as quickly flung open the door and fled from the room. The infuriated merchant followed, while Dick: came close upon his heels, The othere ran to the door, It was quickly evident that no harm was likely to come to Ned, He had reached the stairs and was flying’ down them two steps to Grip’s one, ‘What is in this paper to make such a scene?” remarked Mr, Smith, picking the sheet from the floor, and running his eyes over ite contents, ‘* Read it out,” cried Burton. ‘It is a curious document. I don't under- stand it, nor the effectit had. This is what it says: ‘** Sold! Guess I’m even with you for pilin’ them: hash Next time you hire a boy fora 1g pay m, ED,’ ‘* What does this mean, Mr, Gorley?” ‘¢Tt means that [ll help Grip to kill that in- fernal boy!” yelled Gorley, in a violent outburst. of passion, as be rushed from the room after his. partner, | ‘‘ Come, Mr. Burton, we had better be in at $575 ete cried Mr, Smith, following with alb In a moment the room was empty. If it had been Ned’s purpose to create a sensation, be had. certainly succeeded. CHAPTER XIV, THE END OF THE GAME. THE fleeing boy was not so safe as he antici-- ated, At the foot of the stairs he stumbled and’ ell. Before he could scramble to his feet again: his foe waa close upon him, with a face: blazing: with murderous ‘ ‘Pll kill you! Ll kill you!” he hissed be- full of tigerish rage, he had a friend at hand, Dick had nimbly fol- close upon Gri eels. Seeing Ned’s danger,, and hearing the exclamation of his infuriated: ursuer, Dick felt that there must be something one, and that be must do it, With a leap like that of a hound, the agile youngafer sprung from the stair-step upon which: e stood, and lit between Grip’s’ shoulders just as he was reaching out to grasp Ned, who was. scrambling to his feet. The impetus, added to his former speed, sent: Grip flying headlong forward, with such force that his head struck like a cannon-ball against the opposite wal], Down he came, stunned and’ helpless. Dick lit on his feet like a cat, and with an: elfish laugh, he cried: ‘¢ Come ahead, crony! Let’s git! I’ve salted his hide, but Gorley’s a-comin’, I dunno what you writ, but two madder men than them is I never see’d,” Away they went, down a second flight, and’ to the street below. When the remainder of the party reached the scene of this incident, the boys had vanished, and all they saw was the prostrate form of the defeated pursuer, stretched motionless, and seemingly lifeless, upon the floor. He was not dead, however, as was soon. roved, for he quickly recovered, and withdrew n a sadly-discomfited state with his partner, while Mr, Burton and the commissioner re- turned to the room of the latter. What followed may be more briefly told. An hour afterward Mr. Burton: returned to the | tween his set teeth. For the moment he was. It would have gone hard with Ned but that lowed the fl np pelt, and was at this instant: s * 5 . . bal . « v _* \ . ( x | 900 } a nn | \ # ~ ; ¥ . > ’ \ $ / tt ET ae Pt the .