Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 889 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

_ There were skylights in each room, giv- ing light and air through the roof, and the ceilings were high; but the convict prisoner had seen a chance to escape if he turned at bay and killed the young detective. He saw that there were three cots in the room, a table and several chairs, and these stood on end would carry him up along the wall to the skylight, and over on the roof there must be some chance of escape, he thought. By killing Nat-he would get his weapons, and a shot would end the dog. So he argued, and also that he could close the door quick enough to prevent the dog from entering after Nat. The chances of escape seemed in his favor, and he determined to make the attempt. So it was that he stood at bay, aaa A for the youth to enter, his fork in one hand, his manacles, to be used us a weapon in the other, He could hear his heart beating as he waited, for liberty meant everything to him, and he gave a startled cry as suddenly from over his head came the words: ‘“‘So that is your game, is it, my fine fel- low? ‘*T suspected as much,” He uttered a groan as he beheld Nat peer- ing down at him through the open skylight and covering him with a revolver. ‘‘Curse you, some day I'll get even with you,” growled the man. ‘‘ All right, when your chance comes take it; but it is my inning now, so drop the irons and fork, and Jle flat on your face.” ‘*T won’t, and you'don’t dare shoot me.” ‘Well, Ill call the dog to interview you.” ‘* He can’t get in, for the door is bolted,” said the pa triumphantly. ‘‘Ts3 it? let us see,” and New York Nat gave a loud whistle and then.a call. There was a growl, a terrible pawing at the door, a heavy thud and the man cried wildly: ‘* For God’s sake don’t call him any more, or he'll break in the door!’ ‘* Drop those irons and that fork then!” They were thrown across the room, but just then the door with a terrible shakin went in, for the weight of the huge dog had torn off the catch of the bolt. Half way across the room reached the dog with the force of his impetus, and the man eve a shriek of fright, but from above came “ estern command of Nat to the enraged rute, But he was maddened now with the re- sistance of the bolt and glared around for the convict who had sprung to shelter behind the door. That he meant to spring upon the man was beyond all doubt and this New York Nat knew, so, without hesitation he forced himself through the skylight, held a second by his hands and dropped to the floor. . It was along drop, but he was as agile as a cat and caught himself on his feet, though _ slightly shocked by the fall. He was just in time, for the big brute had ferreted out the hiding-place of his prisoner and was making for him when New York Nat sprung between him and his intended victim. A sharp blow and stern commands barel checked the dog in his a gg je and wit alow growl he went to the door and lay down there as ordered to do by Nat. ‘Now, sir, you see that you had a very close call, for had I taken time to come down here by way of the cupola stairs, as I went up, I. would have found only your well-picked bones to greet me, for that dog makes a meal off of a man your size when he is good and hungry.” _“T told. you I'd give up and not to call him,” whined the convict. _. You were not quite brisk enough, my driend, and you have only yourself to blame, 22 rr New York Nat’s Deadly Deal. for Ltold you there was no monkeying with the sentinel allowed.” ‘* T’ve had a lesson.” ‘Take it to heart, and see that it does not occur again. ‘‘T half suspected you would play a game of that kind, and so went up to inspect, and it was fortunate for myself that I did, though the dog would have chewed you to ribbons had you killed me, or the masked jury would have quickly sentenced you to death,” ‘‘The masked jury?” ‘‘That’s what I said.” ‘What's that?” ‘You'll find out later, when you have to answer for your double attempt on my life.” ‘€Oh, Lord! ‘‘ What kind of a place am I at?” ‘‘ Wait and see,” and with a few words of parting advice, having again put the man in irons, and after giving Sentinel his break- fast, left him again on guard, New York Nat went to his room to lie quiet for the day, for his injuries demanded it, CHAPTER X. THE WOMAN IN BLACK, Wun New York Nat had left the cottage on his return to the old mansion, Olive set about her dep ye gager to go down-town upon her mission of calling o special meeting of the Boy Police. Though the Queen of the Ferrets, their secretary and treasurer, Olive was not known to one of them as far as having seen her face went, for she was always masked at the meeting, and her brother alone knew her as she was or her place of abode. Nat was determined that Olive should never be recognized in after years by any of the band as one who had been the Ferret ueen, and hence it was that he always in- sisted that his sister should be masked, Now, as she had to visit the members of the band to warn them, Olive selected as her attire, from among the numerous dresses she wore ag disguises, a deep mourning garb with thick black vail, and such a costume as might be worn by a widow, or a woman of forty. She took the Elevated Railroad down to Forty-second street and then left it, going to one of the fashionable hotels near, At the ladies’ entrance she asked to see one of the bell-boys who answered to the name of ‘‘ Flip.” | The bell-boy, a fine-looking youth, noted for his inquiring mind and “freshness,” came into the parlor greatly surprised at be- ing sent for by a lady. ‘There is a special meeting at the mansion to night, Flip, so post those whom it is your duty to inform,” said Olive, ‘Lordy! it’s the Queen,” ‘‘'Yes, and you understand?” ‘You bet Ido understand when our Queen speaks, and I'll post ’em, ‘But how you did scare me,” and Flip seemed most anxious to penetrate the thick black vail and see the beautiful face beneath. But he Jooked in vain, and said: ‘*Can’t I get you'a glass of lemonade from the bar, miss.” —_. “Thank you, no, Flip,” and Olive turned away, reading Flip’s hope that she would ac- cept his offer for a lemonade and have to raise her vail to drink it. ‘‘ Anything wrong with the chief, miss?” ‘‘ Nothing serious, Flip, as you will dis- cover at the meetivg to-night,” and Olive left the hotel while Flip muttered: | ‘‘ Now we are one mystery to the Secret Service chief and the police, but our Queen is just as big a mystery to us boys of the League: but if ghe don’t want to show her face it’s her business, [ suppose.” From the hotel Olive made herway to a District Messenger Office, glanced oyer the ouths in uniform awaiting there, and said to the clerk: ~ ) .' | ried a well- ‘There is a boy I wish to send on & message, as he knows just where to go.” The youth in question was called, his time and number taken, and the price paid by on? who handed him an envelope and said: “Take that to the address and notify those on your beat.” The youth darted out of the door, then caneel at the envelope and read: ‘« TEASER :— ‘‘ A special meeting at Den to-night. ‘* Notify those on your list. ‘* Tmportant, ‘* QUEEN,” Teaser looked around with surprise, and said: ‘Tt was the Queen or my name’s nob Teaser. ‘¢Wonder if anything’s wrong with Cap’n Nat. ‘‘ Hope not, for if so, it would bu’st up our band sure.” He looked about for the Ferret Queen but she had disappeared, and his time having been paid for three hours, he went on his rounds of notifying the boys whom it was his duty to post of the meeting. A telegtaph office was next visited by the Ferret Queen, and Parson, an employee there, was notified when he came forward, having been told that a lady wished to speak to. him. Ag with the others, his first query was if accident had befallen their young chief. A news-stand down-town was the fourth place visited by the Queen, and after making. a purchase of a magazine and. several pa+ pers, she said to the young agent: ‘‘There is a special meeting to-night, Freckles,” The youth started, gazed at the mask-like vail and gave a low whistle while ‘he said in an undertone: ‘You are the Queen?” ‘é Yes. >) ‘And Cap’n Nat?” , “ You will see him to-night. ‘The meeting is most important, 80 post your men and don’t fail,” and Olive turned away. Soon after she stopped a newsboy on the selling evening papers, and buying one said: ‘‘ Fatty, come toa special to-night, for it is important.” “Oh Lordy! how you scart me, Queen—is: ther cap'n dead that yer wears black mourn- in’ \ “ No, Fatty, Captain Nat is all right; but tell your boys and be on hand without fail.” ‘You bet what you says goes, miss— Here’s yer Evenin’ Pos’—Tel’gram— W ur- ruld—las’ edition,” yelled Fatty, and he wenton his way, unblushingly selling the first edition for the last, while ie made 4 mis- take in a patron’s change, in his own favor, however, from keeping his eyes fixed upon the receding form in black and vailed face of the one whom he knew to be the Queen of the Boy Police. —_—_—_—__oOo— CHAPTER XI. THE MASKED JURY. QUEEN OLrvE went rapidly upon her rounds, and informed all of those who were to be readily found, and who had lists of others to post when a special meeting of the Boy Police was called. he returned late in the afternoon to the cottage to find that Mrs. Herbert had a good dinner ready, and after enjoying it she car- filled basket for Nat, the prisoner, and the dog, Sentinel, who was never for- gotten, It was nearly sunset when she slipped over | the wall into the grounds, and reaching the 3 } : - - <! ’ ret 5 Vp z > UPR RRS tet 8 eee ee ts Bee ee . ‘ as a e. ete a OF tae UN "ey te oa." Sy ee A rN rte Ne Tae i to ved OC ee ee ee a t Py * —- =