Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 903 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

& _— ~— ed how he occupied his spare time, but had told only a very small part of the facts, and Azro was none the wiser. The detective’s mail never was heavy, but it nften required considerable care. On this morn- ing it wus soon disposed of, and the two left the office. Will was still perplexed in regard to Captain Beebe, Hither that man had been greatly wronged by his sister’s verdict, or else he was not only a scoundrel, but a most artful hypocrite, Those sobs of miniature thunder haunted the oung double-character detective, and, as arker had no use for him then, be returned to Old King Coal’s and metamorphosed himself once more, As Billy Blue Blazes he entered Mrs, Rawlins’s presence. She and her boy ‘vere not much the worse for their bath in the North River, and both were very grateful to him, He was earnestly thanked for all he bad done, . ‘** Wal, w’ot’s yer {yrogramme, now?” he asked, in the dialect of the Dodger of the Docks, ‘‘ Go- in’ home?” ‘** We have no home,” the widow sighed. “* Do you still reckon Cap Beebe is so bad?’ ‘*T know it! oh, 1 know it!” she wailed, ** An’ he yer brother?” ‘** Yes, my brother.” ** Why sbould he want ter cremate yer?” ‘* Please excuse me if I do not explain.” ‘* Why, cert, ef ye say so, though I'd like amazin’ ter know why all this has been done, I’ve jest seen Cap Beebe,” Mrs. Rawlins clasped her hands in alarm, ** Is he looking for me?” ** He thinks you're dead,” ‘* Thank Heaven!” ** An’ he cried like a, baby, an’ sobbed so he pulled the tacks all out o’ the office carpet.” ‘“* The hy pocrite—the artful villain!’ **Don’t you think be felt so bad as he pre- tended?” ‘‘T know he did not, His sobs and tears might deceive a stranger, but they are nothing new to me. It always has beet) his way to make a pre- tense of having a tender heart, and he invari- ably sheds tears freely’ when he has a point to . Heisa heartless, soulless man!” ‘* Harlem fleas! you don’t say so!” “*Give no heed to his tears; he is most dan- rous when he weeps, He istreacherous and eceitful. He is an accomplished. dissembler and, I repeat—a very dangerous man.” This reiteration was made with a manner of such psig Acton Billy could no longer doubt that Simon be was just what was charged 5 him. He let that point rest, but ex- eine that the mariner had bired a detective learn who had burned the schooner. ‘* If so, he set the fire himself,” the widow de- clared, ‘‘ This Jast move 1s a mere ruse of his. He would not dare to make it if he had taken any one into his confidenve. Not only did he il ch to burn us alive, but it was his own hand that started the blaze,” ** Had he cause ter hate ye?” ‘““No, no; I never did him harm, It is only his own evil heart and wicked purposes.” ‘* But there was a motive?” ‘* 1 prefer not to speak of that.” The widow was a mill woman, and she reé- tained her patience fully under this questioning, but Billy felt that it would be folly to urge her further then, She either would not, or dared not, explain more. ‘So the Dodger abandoned the attempt and left the house, but that did not mean that he had abandoned the case;—quite the contrary | He went down to the dock again, to see the |. schooner, There was but little left to suggest what a eraft she had been. | The fire was all out; the firemen had gone, and the next step was action to clear the ruin away. No bodies had yet been found inside. Earlier in the day there had been a crowd at the pier to see the sight, but the number of pha ae had fallen off as the busy iva of the day arrived, and a line of policemen kept k the few who came, Billy was not subject to the same restrictions. All policemen aloag West street knew the sup- vagabond of the docks, and liked him for is good humor; and now, when Billy saw Cap- tain Beebe on the pier and expressed a wish to join him, on of the officers playfully poked him in the ribs with his club and exclaimed: **Get along, you hoodlum! You'll never be shut out of any place but an honest men’s con- vention!” **Sure, and you'll not be there to shut me out!” retorted Billy, with a grimace, as he f > : : ’ \ ‘ 2 y r , ya | ' Py ey | ’ ie | = _, Fh san Sela’ - ——— Billy Blue Blazes. dodged past the blue-coat and advanced toward Beebe, The patrolman looked after him thoughtfully. ‘‘if that boy had a level’ head, instead of a rattle-pate, he would make a glorious deteetive, I never saw such an imp for poking his nose into everybody’s business,” Billy approached Captain Simon, who was at intervals groaning dismally, ‘* Hullo, mister!’ quoth the Double Detective. ‘* ‘You seem ter be in mortal pain. Got an acke in yer stomach?” Simon regarded him tearfully. ‘* The ache is in my heart.” ‘* Better hev it pulled!” ‘* Boy, make not light of distress.” ‘*Nary time! W’ot’s up, though?” **My poor sister and her child were burned here last night.” And he pointed to the ruin. ‘* Harlem fleas! you don’t say so! Who is heir to their bonds an’ cash?” The captain had been looking at the blackened heap, but he turned suddenly at the question and looked hara at Billy. The happy-go-lucky face reassured him, if he had any suspicions, and he replied: ‘*Speak not of such matters at the hour of death,” ‘* Kinder hurts yer feelin’s,eh? All right; I’m mum. But here comes a two-legged man. Is he one 0’ yer crew? Has kind of a sailor-like cut 0’ ** T don’t know him,” Over the Pave with a long, free step, came a roughly-clad, bewhiskered, bronzed-taced man, who seemed to be about forty years old. As soon as Billy saw him fairly and read his ex- pression, it became evident to him that the new- comer was not there on any trivial errard, ‘* He’s on the war-path, sure pop!” Billy at once decided, a prophecy that proved correct, for the stranger walked up to Captain Beebe, seized him by the arm, and turned him violently about until bis face was toward the wreck. Then the new-comer’s free hand was extended, the index-finger pointing at the schooner, ** Look at your work!” he exclaimed, in an in- tense voice. Simon was startled ; he struggled, but in vain, ‘** Let go my arm, sir!” be blustered, ‘* Never min at the ruin; the sepulcher of a good woman and her child!” ‘* What is that to you?” ‘* What is it to any honest man?” **Is that what you claim to be?” sneered the mariner, no longer thinking of weeping. ‘* And whoare you, anyhow?” ‘*T am Dave Doyle, of Nova Scotia.” ‘*Then. you’d better go back there, at once, You will get your head broken if you molest men in New York. Let go my arm, or I’)1] throw you into the dock!” ‘* No you won’t, Simon Beebe, for you are not man enough to do it. I have measured you, and you may as well know the truth. I am the better man, every way. Offer an act of vio- rent, and I will chastise you as I would a mad t was Lave Doyle, of Nova Scotia, that was dylan the violence now, and he was doing it so earnestly that Billy gazed at him with wide- open eyes and mouth, A very turbulent fellow, this bewhiskered per- son from the Province seemed to be, and he shook the bulky mariner in a way which made the latter’s face grow red, ‘You are crazy as a March hare!” Beebe ejaculated, ‘* Better that than to have such a monument lying by a pier of New York. Look again, Simon Beebe; see the black waste before you, and remember what it was before you did your foul work last night.” ‘What do you mean, sir?’ Beebe retorted, angrily, but with fear manifest through the de- fiant surface. , ** Why did you send all your crew away last night? Why were the doomed persons the only living creatures on board the schooner when the fire started? Why—” ** My crew asked for leave of absence, as they often did, and, as usual, I granted it, What of sh oe do you mean to insinuate, scoun- e Before Dave Doyle could answer, the sound of horses’ hoof-strokes on the pier caused all to look that way, and down toward them came a stylish turnout, with a uniformed driver on the box and two ladies inside, The driver halted by the group already there. ** Perdition!” Billy heard Beebe mutter, under ‘his breath, ~— a ee d your arm! Look there! Look |. Blue Blazes. : iit” “Sey - a® —— One of the ladies drew Billy’s attention. She was young and beautiful, and in her face there was a threatening, accusing something, vague, but distinctly felt, which warned him of more trouble to follow. Tke mariner showed a disposition to shrink from the steadfast gaze she fixed upon him, but there was no escape. re Captain Beebe,” she cried, ‘‘ where is your sister ?’ . There was a visible struggle on his part, for his face betrayed his mind, but the control of years stood by him even then, when he could get his hand on the wheel, figuratively speak- ing. fis face grew sad, and he returned: ‘‘ Haven't you heard the terrible news, Miss: Eastman ?” ‘* Ig 1t true?” ** Only too true!” ‘* And Mrs, Rawlins perished in that place?” ** She did, Oh, my poor sister!” Big tears rolled down Simon’s face, and Billy expected him to break out in his thunder-sobs, but the young lady nipped the demonstration in the bud. ‘*T don’t believe it!” she cried. ‘¢ It is only too true,” ‘* Simon Beebe, don’t think you can deceive — me! Iam not so ignorant of your ways that I cannot grasp the meaning of all this, [ say itis a trick on your part. You think you can de- ceive every one and gain your ends, but the game will not work. 1 brand yourstatement as. false!” Vehemently making this accusation, she turned to Doyle. ; ‘Sir, are you one of Beebe’s sailors?” she added. Dave’s bronzed face grew redder, and he turned partly away. ‘¢ No, ma’am; I’m from Nova Scotia,” he re- plied awkwardly. A quick change appeared in the lady’s face: she looked at Doyle in startled wonder; she par- tially started up from the seat, and then sunk back, gasped, and fainted dead away. CHAPTER IV, THE DOWNFALL OF A CITIZEN, BILLY BLUE BLAZES saw all, heard all that occurred, but the events crowded after each other so rapidly that he had no time to analyze ~~ them, even if analysis would have availed any- thing. | The greatest surprise of all was when Miss Eastman fainted. It was so sudden, so unex- pected, so Pigal Hegeaberny that Billy was simpl dumfounded. She was a strong, rey ey) and anything of the kind was not to be loo for. Why had she fainted? He could not surmise. But Dave Doyle, of Nova Scotia, took a quick step toward the carriage, as if to assist her— then stopped short. hands fell idle to his. side; he looked, but was a passive spectator, The second lady in the carriage regarded Miss: Eastman in dismay for a few seconds, but soon rallied. She had not the strong nerves of her ~ younger companion, and usually carried a restorative for smelling purposes, and acted the invalid, In this case she rose superior to her — : weakness; it was Helen who was afilicted—she must be the staff of SUP Ory She whisked out the hartshorn bottle and ap- | plied it to the youn Captain Simon ders. | ‘‘ What will she do next?” he muttered, ‘‘ Punish you!” retorted the elflerly lady. ‘‘She had better look to herself. I always — knew she had the devil’s own temper; now, it ~ seems it is getting the better of her, Spite wan a ugliness, temper and malevolence have brought put on a stroke of apoplexy!” i ‘* Wretch!” ‘¢ An old maid’s opinion!” ‘‘ Better that than an old bachelor’s evil thoughts. Anold maid may be good for some- anttig-<0 Lashelor is sure to be goodfor nothing _ that .. “Bray vo fer you, mum!” exclaimed Billy — * Son got in a sockdola righ between bis eyes, then, an’ I'll bet he won't come up fer the next round, e, Simon!” He looked around inquiringly, but saw Dave: Doyle, of Nova Scotia, ; Gawd y gctting Svan rs from the vicinity. The irrepressible ger was tempted to follow in order to know more of * jv. him, but decided to remain there for the mo- om ¥ ment. : twa : oi’ - The elderly lady was busy with Helen East- oN a f qh - Cie “comicboo AG ~ "9-0. lady’s n Is, Oa the eobs shrugged his shoul | : wwe 4? . ay 4 «, ‘ ‘ a's weA ~~ a J ’ =