Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 899 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

— : ~ SS SS N SS I A, 4, — a (/ J Vj jf, Vp eae Yj; Y Yj Z V4, // Uff ** Who should want him?” **Don’t know. Don’t see why his wife should, fer she went ter the extreme o’ havy:u’ him run over fer the sake o’ gettin’ red o' tim, but it’s jest possible that she sees he’s dangerous, pranc- in’ around an’ hankerin’ ter get back tne stolen papers; an’ has took this chance ter gobbe him,’ ‘* The old gent has fell among thieves; that’s clear to my opine. Guess next time he gits married he won’t go to a matrimonial bu- reau,” ‘* Dunno but we ought ter notify the perleece, We don’t know why he went in that cab, nor who he went with, but the signs is ag’in’ the idee that he tookaride under proper circum- stances,” ‘* Reckor we had better tell a cop.” ‘Hullo! what’s this?” Bert had noticed what seemed to be ar empty envelope on the sidewalk at his feet, and had kicked it in mechanical fasbion, The result surprised him; the envelope turned over, and an address looked him in the face. He picked it up quickly. ** Andrew Moss, No, ——, Greenwich avenue,” ihe read. ** B’jinks! that’s our Horry county hayseed!” “* But how’d this get here?’ ** He dropped it, likely.” ‘“*It skipped out the cab, by accident or de- sign. Mebbe Andrew throwed it. Anyhow, we've got his address, it seems, an’ I guess we'd better slide over an’ notify his friends, ef he’s got any there,” A letter was inside, and they read it to see if any new points could be gained. It was from Horry county, and referred to the most com- monpilace of affairs relating toa farm in that section. After a little consultation, they decided to carry the letter to Greenwich avenue, and went accordingly. ’ ._ The boys were fast friends. As Bert's words had indicated, he was the apprentice of a cob- bler. The latter had a shop in a basement where old shoes were rejuvenated, and his sign at the door informed the public that shoes wouid be called for and delivered when desired. ‘When trade was.slack, this was a part of Bert's business, but when business grew brisker, Ches Day was often employed to carry the shoes to and from theshop. Bert could drive the awl and the pegs equal to many persons much older than he, and was a promising apprentice, Arriving at the designated number on Green- wich avenue, Bert rung the bell and a servant appeared. . ‘Is Mr, Andrew Moss in?” he asked. ** No, he ain’t,” was the quick reply. ‘‘ How many more times do you want ter know?” “Can’t say, dead sure, but, as this is my first inquiry, I can’t skeercely see why you as the question.” ‘** Don’t you come from them other men?” ** What men?” **Them who was askin’ fer Andrew before,” **So he’s been asked after previous?” ““Two men came in a cab an’ was mighty anxious ter see him, Can’t imagine what there is about that old fogy that anybody wants ter see him /” ** Was the men in the cab [frien’s o’ his’n?” ~** Don’t know nothin’ erbout it.” ‘*Do yer know ef Andrew has any enemies, who would be likely ter do him harm?” ‘* I don’t know nothin’ about him, except that he’s up here frum the South ter look fer a wife who has done himup. He’s told us that a dozen times.” Bert explained what he and Ches had seen, but the servant was not affected thereby, ‘** It ain’t my funeral!” she declared. ** But s’pose he’s kidnapped?” — ‘Then mebbe it'll learn him ter stay at panies an’ not be tryin’ ter run New York him- self. ‘* He’s your boarder, I take it, an’ you oughter show more hooman feelin’ fer him. We've got some reg’lar sharks in New York, an’ some on ’em may hev gobbled the old gent.” **My old woman is out, an’I don’t care ter act as boss, but.ef you’re friends o’ his, I’ll say that the men who called in a cab left a note up in his room. It’s sealed, but I’ll take the risk of breakin’ it ren, ef you'say so.” ‘*Do it!” Bert advised. ‘‘It may be a de- coy, an’ give us jest the clew we want. 9p! The three went to a chamber which was small and meanly furnished, showing Andrew’s eco- nomical turn of mind, and the servant at once opened the letter. It proved to be very brief, end read as follows: get thaé key?” Basement Bert. ‘* A. Moss, Esq. :— “Dear Srr:—If you want to find what you are looking after, be at the corner of University place and Ninth street, to-night, at eight o’clock, T like to help a man when I can, but mu task you not to | divulge my namein this case. By working on the qui: t we are likely to win, but anything rash will fix things so I shall be powerless to nelp you, ‘ABRAM ALDEN.” Bert nodded emphatically, ‘Just as I thought,” he declared; ‘‘ this 1s a decoy. Of course there is no Abram Alden, an’ the note was fixed, up by Andrew’s enemies, How they got him afore he had a chance ter read the decoy [ can’t say fer sure, but it looks ter me as ef they happened on him, an’ gobbled him, He seemed took all by surprise when he was anked inter the cab. "Iwas a bold act, any- ow! The servant looked down the stairs. ‘* Somebody’s openin’ the front door,” she ob- served, ‘‘ It may be our Hawbuck friend.” A key had clicked in the street door, and it now opened. The servant looked in wonder when she saw who entered, It was a young woman, ‘** Hwlo! what does that mean? She don’t be- long here,” The stranger was coming swiftly and silently up the statrs, ‘*Wait an’ watch!” Bert advised. may be fun here!’ «1s he spoke he pulled the servant back, and, with her and Ches Day, he took refuge in the pareago which led to the next room, From there they could see all that occurred, and would themselves be invisible unless the prowler saw fit to invade their retreat, She entered Andrew’s room as unhesitatingly as if she had been there frequently before, ** Quite a good-looker!” Ches whispered, ‘In her case the ‘good’ is only skin deep. She’s a corker!” There seemed to be good grounds for Bert's declarstion. The woman was still young, being less than thirty; and had a form and face that rendered her attractive. Many peracns would have called her handsome, but the critical eye would have dwelt more upon the fact that she had a bold and independent air which did not speak well for her. Bert had not had a good view of the woman in the carriage on Astor place, but he was of the opinion this one was n»%t the same, and Ches confirmed the opinion by whispering: ‘* Another woman inthe game,oldman! This one ain’t: so pooty as Andrew’s charmer,” ** Ain’t she got the cheek!” muttered the ser- vant, filled with anger at the stranger’s cool assurance, The latter remained unconscious of this scru- tiny, but went on with her work in the same rapid fashion noticed before, all of which evinced desire to get out of the house as soon as possible. She first advanced to the table, saw the note recently opened by the servant, gave it a close survey, and then put it in her pocket. This done, she produced a package from under the shawl she wore, looked critically around the room; then advanced and thrust the little pack- age into a valise which stood at one side, un- locked, and with its contents a good deal stirred ‘* There up. ‘* That’s old Moss's!” whispered the servant. ‘Some new game against him,” Bert in- ferred. Although the valise had been open, the young woman closed and locked it carefully, but left the key in the Jock, Al this was very mysteri- ous, and none of the watchers was able to under- stand it, ; Everything had been done by the unknown in the swiftest way possible, and she, now turned toward the hall, Evidently, it was ber inten- tion to depart as silently as she had come, but there was an obstacle in the way. The servant did not intend to let matters go on thus, and she had gained the hall by the door of the second room just ahead of the stranger. When the latter opened the door, Kate, the servant, stood before her. She stopped short, with evidence of apprehension. — **'Well, you’re havin’ a fine time, ain’t yer?” Kate asked, with sarcasm. ~ Beg pardon, but I think I amin the wrong house,” was the amiable reply. ‘* T guess you are,” ‘* Does Mrs, Turbidy live here?” ** No; but Andrew Moss does!” “IT have made a mistake. I thought I was right, and, the door being open, walked in—” ‘Yes, you did! You opened the door with a key, an’ what I want ter know is where did you “Thad no key.” — That’s a whopper, an’ these boys kin prove it,” ‘* Right, Sariah Jane,” Bert asserted. ‘' We seen the whole thing done, an’ it behooves yu ter make a clean breast o’ the whole gallus *nsi- ness. Speak up!” CHAPTER Ii. BERT COMES IN AT THE ORISTS, THE strange woman ignored Bert, and an: swered Kate in a haughty style, * You forget yourself, girl! Remember you are addressing a superior!” ‘*1’m not so sure of that.” ‘** Do J look like a servant?” ** You’re built about right fer a shoplifter!” Kate retorted. ‘*I shall report your impertinence to your mistress, unless you allow me to pass at once. I came in by mistake, for which I am sorry, but Ill smash you in the face if you say I ain’t a lady. I move in the best of society, and can re- fer you to—” She named two well-known ladies of New York. Kate was not in the least deceived. She knew this woman was of low rank in life, and her brazen claims caused no effect, Something else did, however. Bert had gained a new idea, and getting out of the senge of the stranger’s eyes, he framed the following words with his ips: ‘* Let her go, an’ I'll dog her!” Kate was as skillful as most of her sex in un- derstanding this method of mance, and she caught at the plan at once, er mistress was away, and she did not like the idea of taking too much responsibility upon ber own shoulders. The unknown had stolen nothing—Kate forgot the note at that moment, and did not regard it = valuable, anyhow —so why not get rid of 1er? For Bert Lincoln’s sake, strategy. hi Dit tell you what,” she answered; *‘ you wait an’ see my mistress,” ‘* Why should I?” “I don’t want the responsibility.” ‘*Then stand out of the way and let me pass, Come, girl, itis absurd for you to think ill of me. I made the most natural mistake in the world, and am very sorry forit. Here is a dol- lar; take it, and let me go,” Kate pretended to hesitate. ‘* If you’s'll give me brothers ten cents apiece, I'll do it,” she finally returned. The stranger Jooked relieved, and closed the bargain. ‘* You are a sensible girl,” she then comment- ed, and made for the door with quick, eager steps. **How will you foller en’ not he seen?” the servant asked, of Bert. ‘** Trust me fer that!” As soon as the door closed, Bert was beside it; as soon as the unknown was fairly clear of the premises, he opened the door a little. A trades- man’s wagon in front of the house gave him an idea. ‘* Let me go alone, Ches,” he directed, ‘‘ an’ I’ll do some shadow work, Don’t show yerself an’ betray me,” The stranger was going southward. A few er steps took Bert to the cover of the wagon, ust then the owner came out, and the boy cobbler had another idea. | ‘* Mister,” he seid, quickly, “Ill give ye ten cents ef you'll let me hey a ride.” The driver proved to be strangely good- natured, ** Pile on!” he directed, ‘‘and never mind the dime,” Here was good fortune which Bert had not expected, and it continued when his new friend gashered up the reins and went jogging lazily own Greenwich avenue, The woman was walking briskly, and they kept at just about the proper distance from her, Several times she looked around to see if she was pursued, but looked only at the street; Bert remained undis- covered, In this way they went to Highth street, but the plan worked no longer. The woman turned to the left, while the team kept on down Sixth avenue, Tho amateur detective sprung down and resumed the pursuit on foot, The eastern end of Clinton place is not the most aristocratic or beautiful part of New York. The houses look as if they had gone to seed, and only needed a eahig wind to come down in a heap. Extremes in certain lines meet there, however, and a high-class political the girl used club offsets the saloons that skulk in the base- , Ments, : gy } : eOr a O~ ‘ * s Hoa Us Yi cAs ee) a Ste AQ _*