Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 890 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

' as - a” 4 t ~ i) ae oo ee + Py Ee 4g ® a ee = ee an. < — ale “a.” > 4, ke ee = Roe a> all . J ~ adh ~~ - e : dy Cee wr] oF é : tT 4 ae = .s aor ~ a * 2 € te . 4) . - ~ was Ward's self, so that Tildreke could not make any error a * He was fairly well-dressed, but the front of his coat was smeared and soijed, and his whole as- pect was dirty, greasy and offensive. He hada dissipated look, and a cunning, unscrupulous face, Messenger 999, eae + false from beginning to end, It was nota pleasant feeling for the messenger to sit there and feel taat he was being made party to a lie, and a jie told to cover—what? If Harry was innocent, why was it necessary It was not to Harry’s credit that he had such to lie, anyhow? a ** friend,” Mr. Ward, however, evidently had a head as long, metaphorically, as his body was deep. te Leaving his own fears and suspicions out of consideration, the messenger knew that, from _the first, Ward had taken it for granted tast y son,” he said, quietly, ‘‘ you will go to. the boarding-house, see this good Mr. Hicks, and assure him that you, being innocent, are ready to answer all questions ” ‘* But the way I left the house—” ‘You left at daybreak, because you had an engagen.ent.” ‘7 left at nearer two o’clock—” “ You left at six,’ declared Mr, Ward, witha wave of lis fat band, Harry brightened up a good deal. ‘* But what if they do not believe me?” ‘“‘*They must believe you. They bave no evidences aguinst you, or,if they have, it will not hold!” As Mr. Ward pronounced these words the door wus suddenly darkened and another man stood before them, Hurry Tildrake looked up and grew pale as he recognized Oid Nat Hicks. ‘* Hallo, youn woodsman. ‘‘ see }” feller!” exclaimed the pine- ou are jest the chap I want ter CHAPTER VII. GIVING FALSE EVIDENCE, THE man from Michigan spoke in a hearty, friendly voice which ought to have proved reas- suring, but it was not so in Harry Tildrake’s case. : That young man again became strangely pale, and he stared at Old Nat Hicks as if he saw the sword of ruin menacing him, ‘‘Hunny bow I run on ter you,” added Old Nat. ‘Lf was passin’, an’ happened ter jook this way, an’ byar ye was. Nat’ral consequence, hyar 1 be, too, Hope l don’t intrude, pard?” The last words were addressed apolugetically to Mr. Bartholomew Ward, and tiat astute gentleman did not fail to suspect Nat’s identity at the start. Sark was guilty, and was acting accord- ingly. Hicks looked down-hearted, ‘*] wasin hopes I could zit some ciew ter the mean skunks who stole my money,” he ob- served, ‘* Probably the police will help you out,” ‘* What ef the thief spends the money ?”’ ‘* At least, he will be imprisoned.” ** That won’t pay my bill ter cross ther water. That thar money was the savin’s o’ years of toil —vard, muskelar work with them brown hands hyar—an’ I lowed [I would go au’ see the old home. Now, I can’t gol” Nat Hicks was too lig and strong to be un- mauly,and too stout-hearted to repine weakly, but there was patoos and deep regret in his usually hearty voice that touched Ace, The woodsman did not seem to think of doubt- ing Ward or Tildrake fora moment, He accept- ed the bogus explanation quietly, and. after some furtuer talk, went away in a dejected mood, Ward slapped Harry upon the back, ‘You are ull right, my hearty!” be declared. The policeman’s son started and flushed, ‘** Do you think he believed it?” ‘* Believed it? Of course he did,” ‘* 1’m glad it’s over,” ** You must now yo to the boarding-house, mix freely there, and, if you see an officer, talk right up to bim like a little man.” ‘* T[mpossible!” ‘* You must—and shall!” The old man’s voice had grown suddenly harsh and stern, and he showed that he meant ail be said by insisting upon the point, ** Will you go with me?” Harry asked, A ea omew Ward smiled, chuckled, laughed aloud. ‘*[ don’t think so!” he answered, when his mirth bad subsided, ‘* You see, the police area bit down on me because I once complained of a The traveler bore the air, if not the odor, of | patrolman who was usleep on his post”—here the backwoods in his every physical and tacial | the speaker winked at peculiarity. ‘‘Make no apology, my dear sir ” returned Ward, very blandly, ‘All of our Harry’s friends are my friends, too. I did not catch your name.” “Pm Old Nat Hicks.” ‘* Asa, run and get a nice chair for good Mr, Hicks, sonny !” Of course this was directed to Ace High, but Hicks shook his head, **Can’t stop,” he declared, ter hev a bit o’ talk witn the young ters. The constables has been tryin’ ter find ’em all day.” Headstrong Harry’s nand trembled as it rest- ed on his knee. ‘‘PDear me! what for?” asked Mr. Ward. ‘* We want ter ask what they know erbout a robbery —” **Tne unfortunate loss of your money ?” * Yes,” | ‘Dear young Asa has been telling me about it. Itis sad and infamous, sir—sad for you, and infamous that there are men in our loved city so evil as to take another’s property. My dear sir, you bave wy Geepest sympathy, and | only wish these boys could help you out, They were ust going to call on you, and ask if they could elp you.” , ‘ All I want is | | he Was, be at once stood we ! ’ Mr, Ward’s utterance was rapid, oily, and, as_ it were, caressing, and he seemed in strong sym- ath Pick, however, looked douhbtfully at Harry. ‘* Pd kinder like ter know why this lad skipped out so queer an’ said ™ thin’— yes ‘Our Harry was just coming to see you, and explain. Unfortunately, be can give vou no as he had avowed, wit! the robbed nan, | i | clew. He had an engagement tnis morning | which he bad to keep, and which made it neces- sary for him toriseeaily. When hegotup Asa was sleeping soundly. and he did not awaken him. Harry dressed and l-ft thehouse, Hisen- gagement wis for six-thirty, and it was ju-t six when he leit the houxe, He saw nothing out of the way, und no one loitering around, so you will perceive that be can’t belp you wny,” | Ace High was dismaved, Hecould see thatit urpose to tell the whole story him- sof judgment, = a ; ‘. *s\ a’ © . . " i a Seed rr i ee te é ae e Ab.’ oh : J | ] The story was told, and Ace knew it to be | arry and chuckled aguin—*and 1 don’t think it wuld help you to be seen in my Company.” Ace High thought the same. Ward was a deep, crafty man; Ace suspected that he was corresponding!, wicked, Tbe very presence of the fat man gave him the shivers, and be was resolved to bave a plain talk with Tildrake at the fir-t opportunity, Ward succeeded in instilling some courage in- to Harry, and the two boys took a car and rode to the boarding-house, As chance would have it they there met the detective who had charge of the case, and the clerk faced him so buldly that the suspicions which bad been arousid against him were, for the time being, dispelled, The officer knew Palmer Tildrake, and knew, too, that he was one of the most honest Men on the force. He had never beard of bis brotier- Officer’s son, and when aay made known who 1 recotamended by b1s father’s good reputation, “Pm glad you came,” he remarked, “ for, to be frauk, | bad entertained doubts of the un- known young man, Now, !’ll look elsewhere,” Pr sscab hs started to go away, and Asa followed im. ‘*[ want to talk with you,” the messenger ex- plained. 1 “TI got out of that slick,” Tildrake ex- clainied, ; * Ace made no reply, but managing to shape their course toward Washington Square, was ready to talk when they were seated, “Harry, whois Bartholomew Ward?” fi Ward! Eh! he’s a retired merchant, I be- liev«.”’ ‘Wi atkindcf aman?” “A hervy-weigbt!” ‘You know what { mean.” ‘¢ Ward is squere as a brick.” ‘* He sent you to teil a lie.” ** See here, Ace, d» you want me to get myself locked up, when I’m innocent?” “Tf your innocent, what need was there of lying?” ‘*Ou! come now, don’t be foolish, Of course I could not say { skipped out at two a, M., for. it would lead to a lot of other questions, all use- ——s ee ee ee ee ** Didn't I tell you I was nervous, az.d went to a hotel, to be alone?” ‘* Yes; and you said, too, last night, that you were ‘ penniless,’ Where did you get the raoney to pay your bill at the hotel?” ** You are a greeny, Ace, When a kid is dead-broke, it means he hasn’t a cent in his pockets; with a business man, it’s different, I bud a few stray dollars, and I used them, What of it?” ** W hat hotel did you go to?” Tilirake bad been growing impatient and ir- ritable, ana bis temper now gave way entirely. ** Nove of your business!” he retorted, angrily. ‘*Pd thank you to attend to your own atfairs, boy! -l’m not guing to sit here and be badgered by you with questions that are*ridiculous and impertinent. Maybe, you think I did take Old Hicks’s money ?” ‘*{ think you know something about it!” Ace firmly answered, Tildrake turned square upon his companion, and gave him a look full of anger and hostility. There was more in it, too—there wus fear, ‘* You are crazy!” he uttered, nervously. ‘And you are frightened !” ‘¢ Fi ightened ?” a) Yes,” ‘What at?” ** You know best,” ‘* Now, see bere, Ace; Tecan beara good deal from a neighbor, but you are going tuo strong, I’m no thief, and I won't be called one. See?’ ‘* Understand me, too,” urged Ace, patiently. ‘“[ have not accused you, and don’t mean to—” ‘* You did the same,” ‘TI said I thought you knew something about the robbery, and | think so still, If not, why did you grow pale wben I told you about it, and when Hicks came upon us sosuddenly? and why were you 80 anxious not to go to the boarding- house? Wast!—hear me out, You've been a wild boy, Harry, but Il always hoped you’d keep out of crime; I hope so now, Whoever did that robbery, it was a most wicked thing. Nat Hicks is simple, kind and honest. He was basely robbed of all bis savings, If I knew who did it, [ shculd tell bim,” ‘* ven if "twas me?” sé Y es.” ** And bea tell-tale?” ‘* Better that than party to crime,” Tildrake looked closely at the speaker for a few minutes, aud then soberly answered: ‘Ace, Pll take my oath that I did not steal the money and don’t know who did, but if you advance the same ideas to others that you have to me, and set suspicion at work, you will ruin me and kill my father!” He spoke nervously, brokenly, and Ace was freshly surprised. ‘¢ Why so, if you are innocent?” he asked, ‘* Because | am in a most terrible fix!” CHAPTER VIII. THE MYSTERY OF THE BANK-NOTES. Ace Hieu's feelings underwent a sudden change. He bad always liked Harry, in spite of the latter’s weaknesses, and, though they had never been intimate, it had been his opinion that the poticeman’s son was weak rather than wick- ed, The way Tilirake now spoke made an im- pression on Ace beyond the ordinary kind, , ‘**What’s your ‘fix?’” the messenger asked, , ‘‘Tcan’t tell you,” Harry answered, ‘‘ but I am in the closest corner of my life. If I get out, Pil never be in another like it. I repeat, I bave not taken Nat Hicks’s money, or been party to it, but the robbery may ruin me, all the same,” | ‘* Then you do know of it?” in Ask me nothing; [ can’t tell!” groaned the clerk, ‘* You must tell one person—your father,” ‘*No, no; of all persons, not him,” “ But he may find a way out.” ‘¢ There is no way out!” ‘1 don’t understand —” ) ‘“Of course you don’t, but to clear myself of this possible cbarge would only involve me deeper in disgrace, Turn whatever way I may, ruin is before me. Ace, you are three years ounger than I; take warning by my situation, Bean evil company: that is what bas brought me so low down, «nd into such deadly peri!” Ace regarded bis companion with considerable surprise. It was anew mood for him, but, plain- ly, one of bis sinverity. Recklessness is nut al- ways bardibood; it was nut so with Harry Til- drake, He had gone the pace bravely while h had a path comparatively clear, but now it bad brought him into danger, it was a very different _ ‘IT can’t imagine why you left at that hour.” ) matter. 7 I. f. ; { . ‘ete a : “evs 2 Vret . as se ¢ aia, ’ @ * . ie 4 a = a). ¥ . _ a = ‘e } 7 , s oe EP ee ee Ge — -~ 5 x, WF Pp LM : . 7 yj = 7. hw Bt j ‘ >. = 7 '. ° i. . f * Pd cs . #> . rT : * 7 ad ‘ . | “ lL _ » | the | | " — ~~ - DOOKS.com 1 @ | () \ ) } | XN p N | | r) all ie - ory tee —