Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 889 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

~ ~$ ooo “Vi ¢:* & "ide / 20 * he * I CHAPTER VII. THE HAUNT OF THE FERRETS. SHERMAN CANFIELD had looked on in silent wonder as they entered the weird met of the Boy Ferret's captain, New York at. He noted that the old house seemed not to have held an occupant for many long years, and though furnished, its furniture was worn, faded and moth-eaten. In the room on the top floor where the cots were, he saw that there was but one door, no windows, only a skylight in the center for light and air. As they came through the grounds he had discovered that in the rear of the mansion Wwas.a cemetery, a burying-ground long since abandoned, and this added to the gruesome- ness of the old rookery, Having taken the blindfold off the prison- €rs eyes, and removed the gag from his mouth, New York Nat said: ‘Take your choice of a cot, my man, and turn it, ‘This dog will guard you, and I advise you not to try any monkey business with ‘im, for he won’t stand it. ‘*You need not be afraid of ghosts, for I have never scen any here, and I shall be within call,” and motioning to Sherman Can- fleld to follow, and leaving the prisoner in the dark, New York Nat yaid: ““This is my house, Mr, Canfield, and I sleep here alone, the dog my only compan- jon, while I take my meals at the cottage where my sister boards, or wherever else I happen to be when I get hungry, ‘*Here we hold our encite: the Bo Police assembling on certain nights, and shall call @ special meeting for to-morrow night to set my boys on the track of that man’s pal, after we have gotten from him all the intormation we can force out of him. “* Will you sit down, sir, or are you anx- jous to return?” and Nat ushered Sherman Canfield into his own private room, which was fairly comfortable. ‘* No, I will return, for the hackman is waiting you know; but you are a plucky fellow, Nat, to stay in this dreary place, for though I do not believe in ghosts it is the most gruesome spot I ever saw.” “The folks say it is haunted, sir, and give iit a wide berth by day and night, while even the detectives and police do not come here, but so much the better for me as no one dis- turbs me, ‘I will go with you to.your carriage, sir, as you could not find your way out of the rounds—see, this is our council room, and ere we Will bring the prisoner to-morrow night to make him talk,” and Nat opened the door of a large room where a number of Seats were arranged in a semicircle around ‘a table behind which were two chairs. Sherman Canfield gazed with interest up- on all he saw and then followed the young ferret back down the stairs to the cellar, The lamp was left burning, but Nat locked the door behind him and the young Nebras- kan gave a sigh of relief as fhe found him- - Self out in the open air, ‘* Ts not that a cemetery, Nat?” ‘* Yes, sir; don’t the tombs look like ghosts prowling about?” ‘* They do indeed.” ‘* No one has been buried there for man cyears, and | had my quarters in a vault ‘there, before 1 took up my home in the old mansion, “‘I believe you know, Mr, Canfield, that Iwas under a cloud for a crime I had not _ committed, and of course, boy-like, I long ' Supposed the police were on my track, go Went into hiding, and it was then that I learned so much of criminals and their _ Meeds, and determined some day to turn de- Fk On ca _ tective and hunt them down. ‘My sister Olive was my ally, and soI Ke a hi gathered about my boys like myself who were not intentionally wicked, and we be- } New York Nat’s Deadl gan to run crooks down, inform the chief of police of crimes we knew were committed or about to be, and so, from keeping our secret became the Unknown Ferrets that you, through Mr. Vanderlip, knew us as, and many & reward does the chief hold to our credit to-day; but here we are, sir, at the will, and by following this street you will find your carriage, , “IT would go with you, only I do not feel very bright to-night,” ‘* [should think not after all you have gone through with, Nat; but I have trailed trackless prairies too much to miss my way. ‘* Good-night, and be sure and come to see me to-morrow, for I shall be most anxious about you,” Nat promised, and then seeing the form of Sherman Canfield disappear in the darkness, started upon his return to the old mansion. He let himself in as before, took up his lamp and ascending to the upper floor looked in upon his prisoner. He was lying upon oneof the cots, and the dog was not far from him on duty. ‘“‘See here, young feller, a man would die of horrors in this old ghost nest, and with this devil’s cub a-watchin’ me,” said the prisoner, ‘*Oh no, there is no danger. ‘“‘T’ll see you in the morning and bring you your breakfast, but it will be late, as it is now three o’clock, and I need rest. ‘Don’t look for ghosts, and if you don’t attempt to walk off, the dog won’t worry you. ‘*Good-night,” and New York Nat went to his own room across the hall. His head pained him and the cut across his ribs felt very sore, so that he was anxious to go to bed, and it was buta few minutes before he was sleeping soundly, no dread of ghosts haunting his dreams, CHAPTER VIII. THE CONVICT AT BAY, It was after nine o’clock when New York Nat awoke the next morning, and he felt stiff and sore after his rough handling of the night before, ut he congratulated himself in his philo- sophical way that it was no worse, and dress. ing himself went in to see his prisoner, | Zip Ralston looked as though he had pass- ed a sleepless night of it, and he lay upon his cot scarcely daring to move, for an at- tempt to get up at daylight had brought a warning growl from his sentinel, and the showing of a double row of very savage- looking teeth, ‘‘For God's sake take that ugly brute away,” said the convict, as Nat entered, ‘Ah, the dog is all right, but how are you this morning ?” ‘* Morning? vee about four o’clock in the day is it no Nat looked at his watch and replied: ‘* Just half-past. nine, ‘*T will bring you some breakfast within an hour, and a good one, for I have no wish to starve you or treat you badly.” — ** Where am [?” ‘‘ Tn prison,” ‘* {v's @ queer prison this,” ‘Tt is a safe one, as you will find out, ‘‘] will leave the dog just outside of the door, to please you; but asI told you last night he is not fond of monkey business.” ‘‘There’s no monkey in me now, I bet you; but this place is haunted or Iam a | liar.” ‘Yes, folks say so, | ‘** Did you see any ghosts last night?” **No, but Lheard ’em, _ ‘They was scared of the dog.” Nat laughed and said: — _‘* Well, there are a lot of ghosts that haunt / y Deal, - e } wae ’ a + ' ‘ 4 = ‘ this place, but they are friendly enough to me, and are my allies. ‘*1’ll be back as soon as possible,” and he left the prisoner, taking the dog out with him. But the latter was placed at the outside of the door while Nat went on down-stairs and out into the yard, He went to the wall, watched lris chance, when he saw no one about, and leaped over into the street, Quickly he wended his way for the dis- of half a mile over toward the Hudson River, and there upon the bluff, commanding a fine view, was the cozy cottage of Widow Her- bert, who dwelt there with her two chil- dren and Olive, the Ferret Queen, as a boar- der. The cottage was isolated and a pleasant lit- tle home, and New York Nat had a claim up- on the widow as binding as the strongest kin- dred ties, for he had one day saved the lives of her two children, who capsized in a boat on the river. . Olive was seated upon the piazza and as Nat approached met him at the gate, while she said: ‘‘ T was growing anxious about you, Nat, as I did not know but that you had gotten into trouble with those two men.” ‘*T did, Olive, for I have a knock on the head and a gash on the ribs to show for it; but I went to Doctor Bailey and be dressed me up all right, and now I am here for breakfast, and | wantit for two for I have a guest.” ‘* Oh, Nat,who have you brought here?” cried Olivein alarm. ‘*No one here, Sis, but in the Haunted House he is.” ‘* Who is he?” ‘‘One of the two gentlemen who were shadowing us last night; and Mr. Vanderlip's western friend, and our new ally, Mr. Sher- man Oanfield, he}ped me out of a very ugly scrape last night, for they meant to kill me,” and when Olive had told Mrs, Herbert that Nat was there for breakfast, and wished an extra one to take with him, she came back and heard thestory of his adventures, Then he said: , : ‘* Now, Olive, I am going to be lazy to- day and rest, so I wish you to go the rounds and post the boys of a special meeting to- night, and yon can come over early with dinner for two.” “ That is right, Nat, and take all the rest you can, and I will see the boys and give no- | tice for to-night,” answered Olive, or ee Halfan hour after Nat had finished his breakfast and with a basket containing all that was needed for the prisoner he returned to the old rookery. ae i He found the dog as he had left him at the door, and the prisoner much relieved by not having him constantly before his eyes. There was a well in the kitchen, and tak- ing the man a bucket of water for him to make his toilet, Nat then unlocked his hand- cuffs and set his breakfast before him, The moment he left the room Zip Ralston decided upon escape. | Tlis arms were free, and he had a fork as -& weapon, He would wait at the door for the boy’s return, strike the fork deep into his neck and then be realy for the dog. , Hastily he ate his breakfast and then stood ready at the door, just behind it, his face white, determined and merciless, as he stood. at bay, OHAPTER IX. | CLOSH CALLS FROM DEATH, As has been stated there was no window Wi: in the room, it being an interior ene on the attic, and adjoining the large assembly = room referred to where the Boy Police held ees their meetings. ; : § ; : ' ; . . ; : i ular . " "ii y > ¢ ' * g 7 : ' - a : 7 ' ’ As 7 ; v — . 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