Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 881 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

& Turkey Billy. self, and I've been there. And that boy did have a lively time of it; but he come out all | right at the end.” ‘** They allers do,” remarked Jenkins. ‘* That’s the beauty of them there plays. Everybody al- lers comes out happy. Foals wish real folks did the same thing.” the boy. ‘‘ lt took you a good while ! ** Couldn’t git back,” replied Jenkins, with a laugh. ‘*{ went in far a beer, and run ’cross an old who wouldn't let me go. He stood treat for the whiskies.” “If there was a whisky-bottle I ou were nailed,” exclaimed Foherty. ‘“* You're death on the critter.” - hee hy Prony. Flinging his box over hisshoulder again, Billy | was off like a shot, leaving the landlady looking after him in ‘some surprise, and a little put out that she had not pumped him deeper. Morton’s office was the next point sought by ee — the active and wide-awake boy. He wanted to | see Weston badly, and though he was a little afraid of falling into Morton’s clutches, it was | worth the risk. ' the | ing steps in the inner room. “T calkerlate ther’ ain't no barm fur a feller | to whet his whistle, if he don’t git soggy,” re- joined Jenkins. ‘* Anyhow, I were nailed, that’s flat, and ldst the play. What was it Billy?’ No one was present, however, when he entered The door of the inner room was He looked around bim, 1n doubt whether His doubt was resolved by hear- There was no time to reach the door, and the intruder shot behind the screen, which had hidden hin: once before. The door opened, and Mr. Morton entered rom within. ‘*Nobody here,” he muttered. ‘I thought I heard somebody comein. I fancied it was Wes- fica VILL. closed. to wait or nct. | ton. Poor devil, if he only knew!” Billy crouched down at the bottom of the screen. This migkt be interesting. ‘*T ain’t going to tell you, as long as you did- | n’t stay to see,” retorted Billy, who had no fancy for inventing a play ata minute’s warning. It might be possible that some of those present had seen it, and as he was as *ignorant as Jenkins of the story, he might put his foot in it by attempt- ing a description. ** No more would I, Billy,” broke in the land- lady. ‘‘He bad the whisky, and he wants the play too; that’s too much pork for a sbillin’,” A genera! laugh followed this shrewd remark, under cover of which the party broke up, most of them to go to their daily labor, Jenkins fora lounge on the sunny side of Hazey street. He was decidedly a gentleman of leisure. Billy shouldered his box and set off on his day’s business, declaring again that he was go- ing to root out that boy who had seen the car- riage, and pump him dry of all he knew about the kidnapping. He turned as he walked away to look after Jenkins, who was sauntering along in a decided- ly indolent fashion. ‘You're a deep one, you are,” declared the boy, shaking hisfistat him. ‘“* And I’ve gota notion that you're on tomesomehow. You did- n’t get up that theater-trip last night for noth- ing. I wonder if Morton saw me yesterday when they were talking, and put Jenkins on my This was an idea that occupied his mind for some time as he saunteredonward. It certainly looked as if Jenkins had some reason for sus- pecting him,and for seeking to throw him off he trace, ‘* And I reckon he thinks he’s done it,” laughed the boy. ‘But he win't, n It ain’t him that’s on my lay,it’s me that’son his, But it was awkward that them h night. if | could only have kept to them, the rest would be easy.” He went on, divided between two opinions, whether he should turn back and watch Jen- kins’s movements, or go on and gee Mr, Wes- ton, whose place of residence the newspapers had revealed, He concluded to do the latter. finished his work. There gained by following bim. now. He found Mr. Weston’s place of residence without difficulty, but failed to find that gentle- man in. Weston was his man ‘* One-half my game’s played,” continued Mer- ton. ** The other halfisready. If he hunts my | fair prisoner too closely Pll spring it on him. | last link That will be the Then, her The letter must come to-day. in my chain of evidence, | lover in prison as a felon, she released by me capcivity to a base kidnapper, she will fall into my hands like an innocent lamb. It can- not fail to work.” He rubbed his hands delightedly, while a laugh of triumph came from his lips. At that moment the outer door opened again. Morton turned sherply, and an oath came from his lips as he saw who had entered. ‘“You bere!” he hissed. ‘After alll said!” ‘*I’ve done my job and I want my cash,” re- torted the voice of Jenkins. ‘‘Meet me at ten to-night at: Will Blake’s restaurant. We'll settle there. Leave here in- stantly! It might spoil all if Weston should come in and see you.” ‘* He can’t find out nothin’. The gal’s safe in the Thirty-seventh street den. As fer the boy as you see’d and posted me on, he don’t know nothin’. I played it on him the neatest way, and the little rat never smelt a mouse. The whole job—” ‘‘ There, there! not a word more. Leave here instantly. Our track’s covered now, and I’m afraid you'll openit. To-night, at Blake’s,” He pushed Jenkins out as he spoke and closed the door behind him. ‘The infernal fool!” he muttered. “ Pll have to teach him a lesson, or he'll ruin my plans yet.” Billy, behind the screen, could scarcely re- from 'frain from clapping his hands with delight. eses threw me last | micht have done in a In five minutes he had learned more than he month by ordinary methods. Jenkins had played it on him, eh? It looked rather asif Jenkins had played it on bimseif, After a few more words of discontent, Mor- ‘tom was about returning to his private office, | when the outer door again opened. was nothing to De | | low, you look distracted! ‘*There have been six newspaper reporters | rning,” remarked the You don’t after him already this m« landlady. “ You aren’t another? ook like one.” “Why, I shine up people’s understandings,” answered Billy, with a grin, ** but not just that | He fluog his box round way. This is my way.” to bring it into sight. ‘* You're a bootblack!”’ cried the lady breath- lessly. ‘‘ You aren't the one that saw that kid- napping?” “| might be able to tell Mr. Weston some- thing about it,” rejoined the boy mysteriously. “T know bim, anyhow, 1f I don’t know who stole the lady? When will he be back?’ “The goodangelsknow! He’s just distracted. I never saw a wan ineuch a taking. He'll go out of his head if Miss Brown isn’t found. He walked the floor and the street the live-long night, and he’s off without breakfast this morn- “He's in love with her, maybe you know. Deep: dead gone; why, them two's sweeter than sugar-candy.” “* Well, what if he is?” “TI don'tknow. [tsallright,ireckon. Won- der if he’s at the office?” “He may be.” “*Tben bere goes for him.” He turned once more. ‘*Harry!” he cried. ‘‘You have seen this terrible report about Miss Brown? Poor fel- Have you learned nuthing?”’ ‘‘ Nothing,” came in thrilling tones from Harry Weston’s lips. ‘‘She is lost—lost—lost!” He staggered across the room, and fell with a heavy weight on a chair by the table, bury- ing bis head in his hands. CHAPTER VIIUI. A SCREENED SCOUT. We need not repeat in full the conversation that passed between Morton and his victim. The cunning villain expressed the greatest com- miseration with Weston in his distress, and the utmost hope that he would succeed in recover- ing the kidnapped lady. * Bat you fave been playing a sly game with me, Harry,” he said, ‘“‘Itis strange that the newspapers knew that you were engaged to this young lady before I did.” “Perhaps they knew it before I did, also,” with a blush. “The*newspapers, you know, are very enterprising.” ““ Well, well: boys will be boys, and girls, girls —to the end of the chapter. But something must be done to overtake this rascally kidnap- per. Iwill help you as far aslamable. But you should employ a detective.” “IT have, One of the sharpest in New York. But what can be done? I have no evidence. Where shall I seek? What shall I do?” He wrung bis handsin distress, while his voice was full of pathos. ‘*Stay here and resta while. You are worn out,” rejoined Morton, with a show of feeling in his tones. ‘“‘I have an errand cut which will occupy perhaps,an hour. Remain here till I return.” ‘* But, can you suggest anything, Mr. Morton? I am quite distracted.” ‘**T will think it over, and give you my opinion on my return,” Getting his hat from the inner office, Mr. Morton set out, after another word of epcour- agement to the distracted lover. The latter, as soon as his employer had left, again leaned forward with his face on the table and hidden in his hands, while a deep groan showed the depth of his feeling. ‘* This is too terrible!” he cried. ‘*‘ Whatshall Ido? What shall I do?’ He was answered by a hearty slap on the shoulder, and the following words in a youthful voice: ‘*Cheer up! Hold your level! It isn’t all lost that’s in danger; and never was.” The distracted man lifted his head hastily, and was surprised to see before him the spark- ling eyes and eager faceof Billy Turk, the boot- black! ‘*You!” he cried, What do you know?” ‘‘ Well, it wasn’t a pair of mules, nor a two- forty trotter that brung me,” rejoined Billy. ‘* Nor I didn’t come ona bicycle. About what I know, [know more than all the newspapers and all the detectives in New York.” ** About Nelly? About Miss Brown? Do you know anything about her?” exclaimed the lover, starting up eagerly. ‘*T tell you what, Mr. Weston, you played it cute on old Morton,” ‘‘On Morton! What do you mean?” ‘“ Why, didn’t ] tell you that he was making love to Miss Nelly? And didn’t she tell you? I reckon you’re sharp enough to put that and that together.” ‘*Morton! Do you mean to say—” ‘Mean to say? Why, it’s him that’s done it, and nobody shorter; and he’s just playing it on you fine. There ain't a lamb balf as innocent.” ‘‘He! By Heaven, if be bas done this I'll have his heart’s blood |” ‘‘No you won't; nor a handful of his hair neither,” declared Billy -resolutely. ‘* You'll have to quit acting the fool and the baby. If you want Miss Nelly back you’ve got to bea man, and a wide-awake one. If Morton plays sly you play ely too. I oughtn’t to have told you anything.’ ** You can trust me. more? Is this only a suspicion? anything?” “JT know that Morton’s the kidnapper; I know who done the kidnapping; and | know where they kidnapped her to, The street, that is: I don’t know the house, yet.” ‘“Ts this true? Are you playing any boyish trick on me?” He caught Billy by both sboul- ders and looked searchingly into his eyes. The boy bore his gaze without flincbing. ‘True? Of course it’s true! 1 want to see that detective. You meet meat the City Hall about ten o’clock and takemeto him. Then Pil tell you the whole story.” “7 will. Butbush! Here comes Mr. Morton back already.” ‘*Good-by. He mustn't see me. up without salt if he twigged me here,’ The alert boy shot behind the screen, which had served him twice before as a convenient lurking-place. Billy bad hardly vanished before Mr. Mor- ton entered the room, accompanied by «a spectacled young man. ‘*P’m back sooner than I intended, Harry,” he said. “I didn’t like to detain you, under the circumstances. You may go, if you wish, and spend the day in search.” ““T don’t care to go at present,” replied Wes- ton, Shinking of the boy and the danger of his discovery. “I desire you to go,” said Mr, Morton in a decided tone, “Itis not right that you should stay bere. You may do something. Go, my dear fellow, and continue your search,” Harry was about to object again, when be caught sight of the boy’s face, protruded round the corner of the screen, while his band was eagerly motioning him to go. He changed his mind at sight of this. The shrewd gamin might have an object, and was certainly well able to take care of himself. ‘Why, if you can me, Mr. Morton.” ‘(Spare you’ Of coursel can! Do not re- turn till you feel that you have done your ut- most. ‘What brings you here? But, is there anything Have you seen He’d eat me 9 :