Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 903 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

2 ee eee ye = - ed ge ee llama, OO - — - A = , » . = ee = é ‘‘Rest in peace, r soul! So you met me nigh Dan Ménke’s?” sé Yes.” ‘Good! Now I’m off ter see Helen. Any message ter her?” +6 No,” “All right; but whenI git ter be a dashin’ young man like you—” “Young?” ‘“You look forty-five, but I mistrust you. Let it pass, though, I’m off! So-long!” Once more Billy made quick time, Reaching Helen’s present home he again told his story rapidly. He was resolved that all of his allies _ should know the facts. Helen listened atten- tively, but in silence, until he chanced to men- tion the name of Harker’s agent. Then she quickly interrupted: ‘¢ Dan Monks? Why, I know of him!” ‘¢ What of him?” ‘¢- You remember the Miss Peters who came to the pier with me, the morning after the schooner was burned? He was once her servant, but was discharged for negligence, impertinence, and sus- picion of dishonesty, I heard he was helping some detective, and, of course, if is the same man. Iam not sure but I can help you in this matter.” ** How?” ‘Dan Monks once thought wellof me. I sent him money when his child-was ill—I had more money then than now; and be was really grate- ful. He always was eager to oblige me when he saw me at Miss Peters’s. I don’t*believe he has lost that gratitude. I will go and see him!” ‘* Ef you would, miss—” “*T will!” tielen threw on her outer garments, and was ready to leave the house, A cab was engaged, and they made haste to reach Dan’s, Billy was reluctant to let Dan, or any of the gang, see him arrayed with the opposition, but he was deter- ined not to let Helen face possible danger alone, It, might be the best of good luck to Simon Beebe for her to walk into the house, Perhaps he would be there, and not allow her to come out. ‘‘ Where she goes, I go,” thought the Double Detective. ‘*She’s a good one, and I'll stand by her.”’ Dan Monks’s residence was close to the North River. From its windows could be seen a line of teams dragging along an unclean street; then a row of piers; then the grand old river that New Yorkers love so well, From its broad bosom almost always came a cool breeze which was very grateful in warm weather, The cab paused at the door of the house; the driver was directed to wait for them, and Billy rung the bell. A dull-faced colored girl opened the door, ‘‘ Is D. Monks in?” the Dodger asked, prompt- y ‘ Yeup,” she returned, mechanically. ‘* We want ter see him,” “« Yeup.” ** Wal, let us in, an’ we'll do it.” ‘“‘ Yeup.” Evidently the girl was not onein whose tem- ple of understanding Genius made a home, but she stepped aside and gave them a chance to en- ter. It was not until Helen pena statea that they wanted to see Dan in the parlor that she made any decisive move, Then she locked the door, put the key in her pocket and led the way up the stairs. It was an unusual piace for the parlor to be situated, but they followed without comment and were ushered into a rear room, ““Tl] go for im,” the colored girl said, and left the callers the only occupants of the apart- ment, It was a doubleroom. There were folding- doors at the point of connection, draped with a curtain. While Helen and Bill sat in what patience they could assume, this curtain was pushed aside and a boy’s head appeared in the opening; a head with a s9qd, tear-stained, wish- ful face, and big, inquiring eyes. Billy saw, and his own ¢yes grew larger, ‘‘ Harlem fleas!” be ejaculated. uick asa flash came a change to the tear- stained face, and its owner darted past the cur- tains and to Billy’s side. 2 ‘“‘Oh! I’mso glad to see you!” he cried, ‘Won't you take me away? Oh, do, do!” ‘““Be calm, my youthful frien’!” the Dodger directed. ‘‘ i'm here fer that very purpose; me an’ this charmin’ young lady: an’ when we set- tle down ter biz, things bas got ter start. Say, Leslie, who brougbt you here?” ‘*A man! He stole me from the house, and took me all the way in a cab.” Billy Blue Blazes. ‘* Feller with a black mustache big enough fer the mane of a hoss?” sé Yes ” ‘‘That’s Dan Monks. But, see here, Miss Helen, d’ye s’pose we could slide out afore Dan comes? True, the slow-witted gal locked the door, but—” ‘“‘T think we had better stay and face Monks,” ‘All right; Dll git inter the shadders a bit, an’ let you talk with him, Mister Rawlins, stan’ by her!” The Dodger pushed Leslie over by Helen and himself moved back a little. He was just in time, The door opened, and Dan Monks walked in, CHAPTER XII. THE INVADERS GET INTO TROUBLE. DAN MONKS entered with an uneasy expres- sion on his face. In point of fact the servant had erred grievously, from his point of view, in letting strangers into the house at this time. Leslie Rawlins was where he could communicate with them, if he chanced to enter the room, and though Monks did not know who they were, or what errand had brought them there, it was an alarming state of affairs. When he entered and saw the abducted boy already with the callers his worst fears were proved well-founded, W bile there was nothing in Monks’s appear- ance to tell positively whether he was saint or sinner, he had a stern and rather fierce expres- sion, and his big, black brows contracted. Addressing Leslie, he sha’ ply ordered: ‘* Go into the next room!” Miss Eastman retained her hold on the boy’s hand, and quietly returned: ‘* Don’t you know me, Mr. Monks?” His expression changed quickly. ‘‘ What! is it you, Miss Eastman?’ &é Yes. PP **T did not expect to see you,” **T hope [ am not unwelcome?” ‘* No; of course not. That is—” His gaze strayed to her hand, and the boy nestled up to her as a protector in whom lay his only hope outside of Billy Blue Blazes, **T trust you and your family are well, Mr, Monks?” Helen pursued in an even voice, The man started. ** Yes, yes; we are.” ‘* And your child? l’ve always had a good deal of interest in her since she was sick.” Dan Monks moved uneasily. He always had believed the child would have died in its illness had it not been for Miss Eastman’s aid, and he wasinan unenviable position now, She had saved his child. Did she know he had abducted the child now with her? ‘“My girl’is well,” he respondea, :ooking down; then he suddenly raised his gaze to Les- lie’s face and added: ‘‘ Boy, go into the next room and—and play.” ‘* Excuse me,” interrnpted Helen, ‘ but please let Leslie stay with me. [am here on his ac- count,” ** You are?” ejaculated Monks, ‘* Yes, His mother isa friend of mine, and I would like to take the child back to her.” Monks put his hand to his head in a bewilder- ed way. He wasan unscrupulous man, but all sense of honor and shame was not lost to him. All the gratitude he was capable of feeling had been given to the young lady who had helped his sick child, and, above all other persons, he wished that lady to think well of him, Nothing but that would have made him waver, for he had not felt any stings of con- science because he had stolen Leslie. Finally he found words to answer: ‘* Tt don’t rest with me, miss,” ‘*'You are the one who took the boy away from his mother.” ‘* How do you know that?” ‘*T am well aware of it. Mr. Monks, I did not think this of you. For the sake of your own child I should think you would be thoughtful of others’. I cannot believe, however, that you realize the extent of what you havedone. You are notan unjust or criminal man ’—the speaker was not so sure of that as she pretended—‘' and I feel that I have only to present the matter in its true light to have you consent to let Leslie 0. ar But it don” rest with me,” ** With whom, then?” Monks did not reply and Helen added: “T understand: with Azro Harker, your su- perior, and Captain Simon Beebe, But, surely, you would not let them lead you into dishonor- able work? ; It held Leslie’s : «il ‘* Miss, don’t you see I have nothing to do about it? They are the bosses; I’m only a ser- vant.” ‘*T understand all that, but you now have matters in your own hands, Servant though vo may be, you need not be party to wrong. etter break with them than lose your self-re- spect. Look at this child! He has been violent- ly parted from his mother. Remember wher your child was ill, Would you harm another's child? Yes; and remember that, when your child recovered, you suid if | ever wanted any help you would do all in your power for me, The time has come. Let me take this boy away!” Helen had spoken well. Not only had her manner been kind and persuasive, but she had appealed to Dan’s one vulnerable point. She had not appealed in vain, for he was moved, but the victory was not yet won. ‘* Ask anything else!” he exclaimed, ‘¢ Bat I desire only one thing.” ‘*T can’t grant that! I can’t; don’t ask me. This is a matter too deep for me to meddle. with, There is law at work, and prospect of law-suits, and I can’t meddle, If you want to talk with any one, go to my bosses.” Billy Blue Blazes calmly rose. ‘* Mister,” quoth the Double Detective, ‘‘ who we'll go to will be the copper on the nearest corner!” Monks regarded the speaker disdainfully. ‘* Who are you?” ‘*[’m a twin brother of Inspector Byrnes, or I may be him. One of us was stole from the cradle whilean infant, an’’twa’n’t never known which. I may be the inspector, an’ he may be me. Anyhow, ef you don’t let this youthful kid go with us, lll slide out an’ tell a gavus!” ‘* A good deal of attention he would pay toa rag-bag like you!” Monks sneered. ‘* His attention would be given ter you! Harlem fleas! do you think sech things are allowed in our glorious city? Not much, b’ mighty !” Billy threw out his arm in a gesture expres- sive of more than words could convey, but its force was lost when, most inopportunely, an- other person walked into the room, It was Captain Beebe! He paused and looked fixedly at Billy, and a more angry countenance the Dodger never had seen, Simon was not in weeping mood, then, but looked quite as dangerous as his own words now demonstrated. ‘¢ You vile traitor!” he cried, ‘‘ what are you doing here?”’ ‘*Hh? W’ot’s that?’ Billy, replied, as com- posedly as was possible after such a shock, ‘‘T think I see now why some of our plans bave miscarried, You have been a traitor and spy from the first, You young hound! [ll wring your neck for you!” ‘*Don’t think of it!” -was the cool retort. ‘¢ You would come ter grief as sure as Daniel Webster, Git up a,more peaceful amusement. Git a bicycle, an’ j’ine the boys in ridin’ over the new pavement on Highth avenue,” ae | Bee,” igen the captain, with growing ion, ‘‘ that you've been a snake in the grass! hy didn’t I suspect it before? But I have ou now, and I'll fix You, you vile traitor. onks, seize that scoundrel, and we'll tie a stone to him and drop him in the river. Goon!” ‘*T don’t know about it,” returned Dan, look- ing * Helen, ashamed to act, yet willing to aid ee 8, ’ ‘* Are you afraid of a boy! See here!” The captain drew a revolver viciously and turned it on Billy, ‘‘Now, man,” he added, ‘‘ overpower the. traitor!” CHAPTER XIII. THE DODGER HAS TO FIGHT, BILLY BLUE BLAZES stood firm and defiant, ‘I advise you not to try it, mister,” he re- turned, coolly, ‘Put up that shootin’-iron, Ef you don’t wanter go up-country and be electro- cuted, you won’t p’int that gun this way, As fer scarin’ me, you can’t; I ain’t built right.” ‘¢ Monks, will you obey me?” Beebe demanded, turning to his assistant. ‘‘ 1’m with you,” Monks replied, ‘‘ but I’d like to see this settled up peaceably. Of course we wont give up the small boy, but this big one— has be been with you?” ** Yes, and sold me out,” the captain explain- ed, bitterly. ‘*The fellow has pretended to be my faithful helper. but I now think I see where all the malign influences at work against me come from, He is a sneak, a spy and a traitor.” — A ne ‘, =e 7" a ? 2 ee eee * feta 2 4