Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 880 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

=> s et & wWeac oof father.” ‘* Well, listen: This is the Rue de , you know, and the house is number 69, right over there where I can see everything that goes on. Some one is imprisoned there, I am sure, or—” : ‘Or what?’ ‘* Or else some of the band are there in hid- ing from the police. But, you and I will find that out. We will go there.” * Yes, yes, and the quicker the better. We can rescue my father, can we not? I[ have not told the police, for I1knew you would not aid me if 1 brought them with me. I tell you truly.” ““A fig for the police! Are they not scouring Paris for Anarchists? I dare say they have made one thousand arrests since the explosion, and out of all that number they have not got more than a score of An- archists. A fig for them!” CHAPTER X. THE BLOODHOUNDS LOOSENED. SUZANNE PuLINQuET rattled on at length, and Julie did not stop her. Having won her aid, the banker’s child re- alized that it would be better to allow her to take her time. ‘But, there is your father to be rescued,” the grisette finally exclaimed, as she made pause for breath. ‘‘ Let us go and pay my adored Fanchette a call immediately, made- moiselle.” _ “The Detective Queen will recognize you, though, Suzanne.” ** Let her. If she can lie faster than I, she must bé’a most wonderful liar, is all I have tosay. Come along.” The young woman had thrown a shawl over her head and was ready, and Julie fol- lowed her down the stairs and out into the street. Suzanne led the way straight to No. 69, diagonally across the street. Her knocking brought a seeming old crone to the door, who demanded in a high cracked Voice to know what was wanted, ‘This young woman wants to find your father,” snapped Suzanne, shortly, ‘* Who is she?” ‘Julie Fabian, a daughter of one of the faithful.” “I believe you are lying to me. I know no one by the name of Fabian belonging to us.” ‘“*Tt is not to be supposed that you know every body and everything, smart as you are, Fanchette Gallichon—” “ Chut! No real names, fool!” ‘*Then let usin where we can talk with- out fear. I have no love foryou, but that need not stand in the way of duty.” ** Come in, then.” These last words had disarmed whatever suspicion the Detective anes entertained, and she stepped back and allowed the girls to enter, closing the door after they had done “Now, is your father here?” Suzanne de- manded. ** He is not.” ** Well, is Paul Bernard here, then?” * He is not.” “‘ Who, then, is here? Julie must find one of the leaders immediately.” ‘*How about your own father, then, Su- zanne Plinquet. Why will not he answer, as wellas my father or Bernard?” ** Gone to London, that’s why.” ‘* Well, there’s no one here but me, and I cannot tell you where you will find my father or Paul Bernard.” ‘A useful detective you are, then, truly. But, laying our hatred aside, do not deceive us,for from what Julie says this matter is highly important,” ‘fam not deceiving you, wench. I am the only person in the house.” “* Thank, you, hussy, If that is the case, ; . ; TT a - ¢ a. ~* ¥ “ i a’ 4 - ~~ < . * ~~ . ; t im? ee. Poe h Se Se % Broadway Billy and the Bomb-Throwers, — are to know; all I seek is the rescue of my | we will take care of you and see for ourselves whois here. Now, Julie!’ Suzanne had sprung upon Fanchette while speaking, and called upon Julie for aid, which was promptly given, and the lit- tle Paris Detective Queen was thrown to the floor. ‘‘Now Ill pay you for robbing me of Breton,” Suzanne hissed in the ear of her hated rival. ‘‘Give me your garters, Julie, and take off mine, while I hold the hussy, and we’ll bind her with them till we can find something stronger. How do you like it, Fanchette?” The pretty Detective Queen did not offer to make any outcry, but she struggled des- perately. ** Why don’t vou cry out?” Suzanne taunt- ed. ‘‘lam sure the police would come to your aid.” ‘*Fool!” panted Fanchette. you intend to do?” ‘*See who is in this house,” ‘*T have told you—there is no one here, no one save prisoners. ‘‘ Just what we are looking for,” declared Suzanne, while Julie bound the feet of their victim with the articles Suzanne had named. ‘‘Maybe they have been prisoners long enough.” * Are you false to the cause, wench?” ‘‘No more so than are you, hussy. Did you not allow the hated spies to enter the meeting and arrest my lover?” ‘*No, I did not, 1 swear it. These pris- oners are detectives, and if you release them you will only strike a blow at our cause, and get our leaders into trouble. Have sense, Suzanne Plinquet.” “‘ We have sense enough to investigate for curselves, anyhow. . Now, tie her hands, Julie, and she will be safe.” This was quickly done. Still they did not consider their prisoner quite safe enough. Suzanne explcred around until she had found some stout strings, with which they made the Queen doubly secure. ‘‘ Now for your keys,” cried Suzanne. She thrust her hand into the Detective Queen’s pocket and brought out a ring of ‘“‘ What do keys, lagghing as she shook them in the face of her prfioner, ‘*Ta-ta, ma-belle Fanchette,” she cried. ‘¢ Now the house is ours and we will explore it from cellarto roof. First, however, we will make secure the front door, so no one cap interrupt us.” She secured the door, and then, with the aid of Julie, dragged her prisoner on her back the length of the hall and left her ly- ing at the far end. Phere they came to the broad, stone stairs, and finding a candle on a shelf, with some matches, made a light. ‘* Now, to begin at the bottom,” said Su- zanne, leading the way. ‘* What a horrible hole!” cried Julie, as the damp, foul air came out at that moment. ‘‘ Not a very pleasant prison for a fond father, my dear.” ‘* Heaven grant that I may find him, even here.” The} descended to the bottom, and stoop- ing under the low beams, set out to search the dismal hole. ‘* Who are you?” asked a voice. ‘* First, who are you?” demanded Suzanne, ‘We are prisoners here. God grant that you have come to release us.” ‘* Is that his voice?” whispered Suzanne, turning to Julie. ‘* No, it is not my father’s voice,” the re- ly. ‘* Then we'll see who it is,” They advanced in the direction whence the voice had come, and came to where two young men wefe chained to one of the sup- ports of the building. These, as the reader knows, were Broad- way Billy and his French side-partner. _ ae ath af Se ees a : . : i~ , Sy ¢ : , fs, y ae ® me - * ea . - er ster a ,. te" . *) “Muy & _ - id **... ar. ‘=. TT] iis Wag te) m c They were weary, worn, haggard in looks, and wretched; in fact, almost utterly worn out and sick. Suzanne held up the candle while she took a look at their faces. Julie availed herself of the opportunity and took the same privilege, and an exclama- tion escaped her lips. ‘* Poor fellows!” ‘Have you come to free us?” asked Harry. ‘Not much!” answered Suzanne. ‘‘ You are foes to Anarchy, or you would not be here.” ‘‘ Which of you is looking for her father?” inquired Broadway Billy, glancing from one to the other as he put the question. He had heard the remarks exchanged between them. ‘“‘Tt is I,” cried Julie, eagerly. ‘‘Then you have only to free us, and we will aid you in finding him,” Billy urged. ‘“ And we happen to have a clue that will lead to his discovery,” declared Harry, catching on immediately and taking up the cue. ‘‘Oh! Suzanne, you will release them, then?” Julie cried. we) ‘Oh, no, you must not expect that; I did not promise anything of the kind. 1 will help you look further.” ‘Yes, but think what a revenge this would be against your rival,” Julie urged. ‘‘She would be blamed for their escape, and you would be able—” ‘‘No, no, you are talking wild, mademoi- selle. My father might be the first one they would arrest when freed, and anyhow, they could strike Anarchy a blow, for no doubt they hold secrets—” She bad turned as she spoke, placing her- self just a few inches nearer to the prisoners, and at that instant Broadway Billy seized her. He and Harry had the use of their hands, and Harry lent his aid at once and the keys were taken from her hand. Then, while Billy still held her. Harry found the right key and removed the locks from the chains around their waists. They were free at last, and now it was their inning in the game. CHAPTER XI. BEGINNING OF THE INNING, ‘‘Now, young ladies, what is to be done with you?” asked Harry Freeman. ‘‘Suppose you will do as you please with” us,” answered Suzanne, defiantly. ‘‘1I don’t care, for myself.” ‘And what of you?’ inquired Billy, turn- ing to Julie. ‘‘Keep your promise and aid me to find my father, sirs,” the young lady pleaded. ‘Yoh know I was in favor of having you released at once. I am glad you are free, and hope you will aid me.” ‘We must hear your story.” ‘* But, first of all, to get out of here,” cried Harry. ‘‘ Another twenty-four hours of this, and we should have had fever.” They left the dismal hole immediately. *‘ Hello! here is our jaileress!” exclaimed Billy, as they came to the landing above. “And a prisoner!” echoed Harry. “ My fair Fanchette, we will take a little revenge out of you, I think, for the treatment you, have given us. -** You will be brutes if you do that,” an- swered the Detective Queen. ‘* All men are brutes, in the mind of wo- en. ‘* What would you be now if I had not fed ou well?” the girl demanded. ‘That isa redeeming feature in your fa- vor,” Harry admitted. ‘‘We will do the same by you and confine you in a far more comfortable place.” Billy released her feet, and allowed ber tq *‘ Which way—where to?” asked - _“ To the upper room,” answered ye “* Maybe our weapons are still there.” . a ? rs L pte tt ies a4 > wi ’ sao, © an we - tga’, « SPA - . he 7 ‘ea