Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 899 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

te SE : ~ OE - = ~~ ~ - Ye vlame, My -party over; that’s all I know about it.” OF Re ee rr ee ° 12 “ - + ‘* What is that?” “Take the broom an’ hit him a few smart «clips on the bottom o’ his shoes. That’ll start a ‘tingle through him, an’ he’ll git a move on,” ‘* Never mind; I don’t know as we care whe- ther he wakes up or sleeps his drunk off natural- ly. Humanity demands that we make sure he is not left here to perish, 80 we will dasb a little more water on the boards and then leave him, I don’t think we want to pass the night here.” **Not fer Hannah!” Preparations for departure were made, and they left the building. The next thing was to get their bearings, but this was no easy matter, o village was to be seen on the Jersey shore, and the prospect of a long tramp mee before them unless they could find a boat, They be- lieved, too, that they were above Spuyten Duy- vil, and might not be much better off if on the New York side. They descended to the water’s edge, but failed to find any boat, and decided that they would have to take the objectionable tramp. This they began, but had gone less than half a mile when a voice arose from the river singing ‘* Nancy Lee” in a strong base voice. It was a chance not to be missed; they hailed the boatman, he rowed near the bank, a bargain was made and they were soon on their way down the river with the strong arms of the stranger, and the current, as the motive power. By the time they were landed at the foot of West Forty-second street they were weary and sleepy, and the night was fast drawing to a close, but Warland did not intend to let any time go to waste, and Bert was bound to follow his leader, cost what it might. 3 As soon as possible they went to the house ‘where they had been kidnapped, but found it dark and silent. This was to be expected at that hour, but Meredith had an neeeey feeling that Holmes and his gang again had taken flight, To solve the matter he went to Police Head- quarters, laid the case before the ruling powers, and requested help. Detectives were detailed, and the party returned to Holmes’s house, Re- peated yn ee of the bell failed to produce any results, and,as Warland had suspected, the place was found deserted. The latter had grown desperate, and he for- mally engaged the officers and asked that the -crooks be run down and Adrea rescued; but action was deferred until another day dawned, Basement Bert went home, retired and slept soundly until late in the mer acm | He was wondering if he would be allowed to take any more time away from the cobbler shop, but chance favored him, The proprietor of the ‘shop was called away to Philadelphia to attend the ninetieth birthday of a rich relative, and Bert and Ches had their time to themselves for -at least forty-eight hours, The young friends went for a walk, and Bert was busy telling the story of the adventure for the second time when Ches was surprised to see his companion start abruptly away from his side. ‘* Hil there; hold up!” Bert addressed the order: to a passing hack- man, and the latter was so impressed with the cobbler’s business air that, scenting a job, he drew up by the curbstone. ** What’s wanted?” he asked. | ‘*T want the address o’ them sharks!” “Eh? What sharks?” **Them you carted round last night.” “ Don’t know w’ot yer mean,” ‘*Oh, come now; don’t play innocent, You driv me an’ Meredith over ter the North River, an’ we was shipped up-stream in a sail-boat. Think Pve forgot. that ?” The driver changed color, and looked ** You’re mistaken in yer man,” he returned, ** Mistaken nothin’! A man who wears red alarmed, ‘mutton-chop whiskers is as easy ter spot as a Lorn dog. You didn’t know me, I see, but I’m the kid you carried. Now, where’s ‘Holmes ?” ‘*T say you're mistaken—” **T’ll leave it to a copper. Here, Ches; call that patrolman over yender—” ‘* Hold up!” was the hasty interruption. ** Oh! has yer mem’ry got a move on?” **T was that driver, but I didn’t do nothin’ rae ** Oh! didn’t yer?” ** No; an’ ef there was harm done, I wa’n’t ter ‘fare’ hired me, an’ I drove the ‘** Do you ginerally round tied up hip an’ thigh?” ‘¢They tol’ me you was bank-burglars, who was ter be extradited ter Jersey.” ** Mister, nobody kin doubt yer word; it’s as a& man an’ a boy ’ . oe - — | eee eee AOR OED Ae = ee ee ©. sat aha we \" Basement Bert. reasonable an’ likely as ’tis fer a dog ter hev a tail, Pris’ners are always extradited, too, in jest that style—why, cert. But we'll let that pass, an’ never a word willl say ag’inst you ef you'll whisper where Holmes an’ Pear! be,” ‘*T don’t know—” ‘*Oh, gammon! don’t wea call that grim-lookin’ gavus?’ ‘*Climb up here!” returned the driver, an- me, Shall Ches grily, ‘‘an’ lll take you where I took them af- | ter we got back from the river, Ef there’s been wrong done, I wa’n’t ter blame, an’ [’ll make a clean breast of it, I'll show ye yer new uarters, an’ then you kin do the rest; but bear this in mind: ’'m a poor man with a wife an’ nine children, an’ *twould be mean ter ‘ throw me down,’” ‘¢ There'll be nary a throw, Jehu, ef you'll do the proper caper. Big game is w’ot I’m after, oo Be small fishes kin go. Drive ahead, mis- r CHAPTER XIV. A CRISIS COMES, BERT had climbed up beside the driver, and Ches Day entered the vehicle and spread him- self out on the cushions with an air of great satisfaction. ‘* My pard is the boss, an’ we’re ‘ out o’ sight,’” he agente elas **] never expected ter ride in sech style, but Bert bas cheek enough ter hire the Governor’s private dog-cart, an’ { ain’t goin’ ter git left in the shuffle. Jiminy! the ’risto- crats don’t git all the plums in life!” Basement Bert was not so well satisfied. He had not any great amount of faith in the driver, and felt that he ought to be wary to avoid new dangers, He watched closely to see that they did not dodge into any stable by the way, where he would be helpless, The driver, however, soon gave indications of a mind ill at ease, ‘*T wouldn’t ’a’ thought ill o’ that crowd,” he remarked, . she tg! manners is gentle,” grimly agreed ert. ‘* One o’ the gals seemed high-toned an’ nice.” ‘* Did you ketch her name?’ ‘oT was somethin’ like Adrian, , I thought she seemed cast down an’ out 0’ spirits, but she went along willin’ly.” ‘*How many did you take away?” ** our.’ ** All ter one place?” sé Yes.” The driver was agreeable and genial to an ex- treme, but Bert was not deceived; he knew that the man was acting thus simply because he was frightened. Probably he was not the worst man in the world, but he was not so honest that he would object to earning a fee where one of the conditions was that he should remain silent. But greater than all other considerations was oe desire to keep out of the clutches of the ice. In accordance with Bert’s instructions the driver stopped one block away from where he claimed to have left the gang. The cobbler de- tective was at a loss how to test his Jehu’s good faith, but decided to go on alone, leaving Ches Day with the vehicle, and secretly view the house, Perhaps he would get sight of one of the con- spirators at the window, e communicated this plan to Ches, who at first demurred against being left behind when there was chance for an adventure, but when Bert assured him there would be none, he ac- quiesced. ‘* Ef you don’t show up in due time, I’ll come ter the rescue,” he lightly observed, as Bert walked away. ‘‘ All right,” was the careless reply, for the latter had no intention of taking any risks. He walked slowly as he approached the house, and kept his. face to the front, but his eyes were turned to one side and he was losing nothing. ‘* Guess cabby’s on the square,” he mused, ‘‘'There’s the red curtains, an’ the blind off at one winder, jest as he said. More’n chance about that, I do b’lieve. But I don’t see nobod y at the winders, nevertheless, Come, Pearl, ol’ lady; ef you’re there, jest show up, an’ oblige a_ feller that’s woundedly interested in a damosel about your statoore. Hello!” He was almost infront of the stoop, and heed- less of what was on the sidewalk, when a man crossed so closely in front of him that he had to pause, and ascended the steps, ‘“*Great Cicero!” Bert muttered the words half-audibly, for the man was no stranger. He recognized Captain Mark Warland. ** Now, then, what’s he doin’ here?” Warland had rung the bell, and, not os glancing at Bert, was composedly waiting f } an answer, and great was the observer’s wonder It was too erent to be kept under control, ana he ran up t yer?” The captain looked down and recognized the | boy at once, ‘** Most certainly,” he responded, heartily, ‘I have been anxious te see and reward you ever since you did me such great. service at the Richelieu reception, but you got away on that occasion so suddenly that I had no chance to do my duty. Comein, and when my business here is over—” Bert was waiting eagerly to speak on more important subjects, but the door opened before ae could do so, A servant girl stood before them, ‘*T am the landlord,” remarked Warland. ** Don’t you know me?” ‘‘Sure, sor,” was the answer; ‘‘ though Oi didn’t fer a minute. Oi’m more used ter seein’ your agint. Come in, sor.” She stepped back, and the captain obeyed the last injunction. Bert was anxious to have con- versation with Warland, and ask if he knew Adrea was in the house, but no opportunity was vouchsafed him, ‘* Dhe misthress is up-stairs in de private par- lor,” the servant continued, ‘‘ Come right up, an’ Oi’ll show you’s the way.” They went, and Bert followed at the captain’s heels, He knew not what would come of all this, but was bound to see it out. The girl would have knocked at the front-room door, but her mistress chanced to open it just ben. ‘* The landlord, mum,” the girl explained, and went away. They were in the presence of a small, sharp- featured woman, whose appearance was any- thing but amiable. Bert thought her perfec : was not likely to improve, when arland brusquely stated: ‘¢ | have come on business, madam, Sit down and hear me.” He waved his band toward a chair, took a seat himself, and proceeded, ‘I want this house, madam!” ‘* Want the house?” she echoed. ‘‘- Ves; but I donot want youasa tenant, I am very much dissatisfied with the way matters are going here, ar.d I want you to pack up and move out on the first of next month,” The woman’s eyes glittered angrily. ‘‘ What’s the meaning of this, sir?” ‘¢-You shall know in plain words, The char- acter of this house is not what it should be, My agent leased it to you under the impression that you werea woman who would keep up its repu- tation, but I find you have failed to doit, Some time ago unpleasant rumors came to me, and friends began to ask meif I hadstarted a poker- club. Men known to be great gamblers have been seen coming and going here almost nightly, and I find that neighbors regard it asa regular gambling-house—which I judge it is. I won't have this; you must move out, and our lodgers with you. Nota soul of them shall re- main!” The captain spoke with military directness and emphasis, At first the landlady’s temper was all at the front, but he talked long enough so that she calmed down enough to try diplo- macy. ‘‘ Sure, this isall a mistake, sir.” ‘“ObtAs it?” ‘¢-Yes. I am an honest woman, and haveonly the best of lodgers—” ‘‘ Letting you tell it, Never mind arguing; the long and short of it is, you must go, and a your lodgers with you,” The drapery of the door which led to the next | room was suddenly pushed aside, 6 steps, \ ‘¢ Say, mister!” he cried, *‘ take me along, will \ t, . ume ma } r if | | — a ~~ - ‘‘Wesha’n't go until we get ready!” crieda | defiant voice. And there stood Pearl Montressor, glaring ap- on them, and only just curbing the fierce passion within her. Basement Bert beheld her without any great amount of emotion, but to Captain Warland it was a complete surprise, He rose and, for a moment, gazed at the wo- man in disgusted silence, but sarcasm soon broke | forth, proof of all I have alleg ‘¢ Proof of what?” cried Pearl. ‘‘That people are allowed in this house who ought to be in Sing Sing,” ‘¢'You scoundrel!” hissed the adventuress, ‘* be- ware how you abuse me, There wasa time when you made love to me desperately.-—you, a gray- ae | Gcolr ‘* Here,” he ua ae to her, “ig