Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 903 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

*€ An’ you won't let me on ter the facts?” **T cannot, ' Billy was very much disgusted, but accepted the inevitable as gracefully as possible. He soon left the widow, transformed himself into es Archer and went back to Azro Harker’s office, He was in hopes that developments would fol- low, there, but hours wore on, and he saw nei- ther Harker nor Beebe, This inaction became so unsatisfactory that, with the probability of matters of interest, elsewhere, he determined to make still another ehenee: He went to Old King Coal’s, became Billy Blue Blazes once more, and started for the burned schooner, He had not reached it when he suddenly hap- pened upon Captain Beebe, The mariner was not alone, and billy saw with some surprise that his companion was Ducky Meegan. The tough already had a black eye as a memento of his en- counter with Wash Calhoun, ‘* Hallo!” Beebe exclaimed. Here I be!” ** You spoke of helping me. Would you really like to enter my service, if well paid for it?” ** Cert!” You are well acquainted around here, aren’t ou? “ Nobody’s more so,” **Do you know, or, rather, have you to-day seen a big negro, very black, with blue flannel shirt and gorgeous blue necktie?” oan. readily recognized Wash, but shook his ‘*T was looking ead. ‘* He hain’t been in my eye, boss.” , ‘* This man has seen him,” : Beebe motioned to Ducky Meegan, who me- chanically raised his nand to his discolored eye, ‘*D’ye want ter find him?’ the Double Detec- tive asked, innocently, ‘* Yes. I have reason to believe he is the cook of my vessel.” ‘“What! he ain’t come back ter life, has he?” “There is a mystery about this matter,” the mariner confessed, his gloomy face growing more downcast, ‘‘The workmen have been overhauling the schooner, and no bodies have thus far been found. There is a bare chance that this will be done later, but the chances are all against it. I now believe that no life was lost in the fire.” ‘** 'That’s right good news fer you. at Yes,” The captain was about as enthusiastic as if he had just bgen sentenced to Sing Sing for ten years. He looked down at the sidewalk, his face being unusually long and glum, and, very likely, meditated on the: joyful nature of the news for a few seconds, but kept his joy wholly concealed, ) Then he raised his gaze. ‘* Yes, | believe every body may have escaped. Certainly, Wash Calhoun did,” Ducky Meegan again caressed his discolored eye, while Billy felt like bunting Wash up and serving him ashe bad served Duck, The stu- ig of the colored man in venturing out of he house had done great damage, as Beebe’s next words proved: ‘IT nave Mr, Meegan in my employ, and though he never knew Wash, he remembered ‘*'Yes, I did,” hare Mg ote frankly. ‘I looked at him in partic’lar, See?” ms . ** Now, what | want is for you and Meegan to to find Wash. Once found, Meegan will ques- tion him a ing to directions I have given. I have added you to my service, young man, for it is said few persons know so much of West street, its piers, and this of the city, as you do, I'll pay you well for your trouble,” ‘‘['m with yer, admiral,” Billy agreed, promptly. The mariner did not linger. He was ill at ease, starting nervously at trifles, and the Dodger easily understood that the latest. dis- coveries had upset him, This was but natural, If the trio were alive, and be could not prevent hostile action on their part by some bold stroke, they might yet tellin a court of law that they had awakened from sleep to find the schooner on fire and every avenue of escape closed to them by some designing hand, Beebe left his allies and walked dag ¥ ““* Well, we’s ter be palJs,” remarked Ducky. ** So it seems,” - **I wouldn’t go in wid you, only I think oar a goolione, Ionly train wid de finest, ‘* Slartain, boss,” ‘“*f reckon you’s heerd of Ducky Meegan be- fore. Ev vin de neighborhood of West street has heerd o’ me, but et ain’t every bloke _ : i - 7 Ls e se bee , rs sf fa Billy Blue Blazes. — = kin say he knows me. I’m choice as ter the company I keep, Seef#” / ‘lao, Mr. Meegan,” **Call me ‘ Ducky,’” requested the tough, patronizingly. ‘I ain’t no silk-stockin’ dude, an’ like ter be friendly wid all. On election day l’m Mr. Meegan, cause I’ve got a pull, See? My inflooence is worth a good many votes, But this ain’t biz, We're ter find de darky,” ‘** Be ye sure you’d know him ag’in?” 2 I be !? Once more the tough felt of his neck and eye in a gingerly way, and then, seeing that Billy’s gaze was upon the blackened optic, he added: ‘*T got up in de dark, las’ night, ter take a pull at de growler, an’ run smack ag’inst de gas- jet. Struck merightin de eye. See?” - ‘* You’ve got eyes enough left ter find the darky.” ‘* Now you're talkin’, an’ when I do find him [ll hit him a t’ump in de jaw!” It was evident that Mr. Meéegan’s mind was as sane as his eye, and he went about the search with zeal. The day was fastdrawing to an end, and though he would rather have met Wash by night than day—and with a clubin his own possession—he was afraid the colored man would get away entirely. So he tramped the streets diligently until illy was not so energetic. He did‘not want to wear his shoes out on a bogus search, so he took life easy, rested more than he walked, but managed to meet Duck, now and then, and give color to his supposed fidelity. Finally, the tough announced that they would give up the search for the time, | ‘* We have an engagement ter meet de boss at my room, now, an’ we'll go there at once, See?” | They went accordingly. . Duck’s room was not a, palatial affair, being a small and dingy hole in a small and dingy house, but Captain Beebe joined them there, He heard their report gloomily, but without evidence of surprise. Then be abruptly inquired of Billy: | ‘*Can you write?” ‘*1’'m a jim-dandy at it.” ** Couldn’t imitate a certain hand, could you?” ‘*But I could; anything from Julius Ceesar’s down ter Sariah Bernhardt’s,” ‘* Tf you can do that I have a job for you that will pay well, Here are pens, ink, and so forth, gh I have brought, Show me what you can 0, CHAPTER VI, DANGER! BILLY, in his true characer as Will Archer, really was a skillful penman, and had not exag- gerated in.the least when he gave Beebe this es- timate of his work. When the captain’ had spread out writing materials all was ready for him to prove the fact, : But he hesitated to do it. Would it not seem suspicious for a street-Arab to be proficient in that line? His hesitation was but brief, If Beebe had saith to try it; he would not grow suspicious when it was done, perhaps, and there was only “ete dh of learning what plan the schemer had n / So Billy proceeded to do his best, and the re- sult made Ducky Meegan stare in wonder. Beebe looked pleased. : ‘* Now, see what you can do at imitating this spider-work.” e He spread out what had been one page of a letter, It was in a woman's hand, and was of the de'icate, small-lined character which was once characteristic of all women. He pror ceeded to imitate it, and did so well that the captain applauded with great satisfaction. ‘ Now,” he directed, ‘ write what I tell you, never forgetting to imitate the copy: See?’ ‘** Drive on!” Billy nonchalantly directed. ** Write asfollows: — ‘“*Dear Miss Heiten:—I take my penin hand to inform you that the newspaper reports of my death are not true. J was not on the schooner, and, of course, was notin dang+ratanytime. As the facts may not be made known at once—though well un- derstood by them—I make haste to Jet you know [ am allright. Now, Miss Helen, the time has,come when I waut to speak plainly to you, My past re- serve will be explained morefullythanever. If you come here, at once, f shall be glad to help you all Ican. Of course you understand. ** * Your friend, “** Mary Rawiins.’’” j ; Billy began to suspect what was coming be- fore the last words were dictated, and his task became very disagreeable, but it was too late,to recede from bis position. _ He closed the fetter in due form, | whats re’ ry VAS are mn : a . _ a he Tr bie ) MP ae ae. $3.5) : . — 4 iw ft : 4 { * ' a ; a ; ; Shear, ‘ A 2 ae z bis sh PM ETAT pantie z ile ~~ ad 3" a = ye yf Be we ON , » Pe MO di) aS i es J . ; 7 » ” Thy 89 “sy . Simon surveyed it with satisfaction. ** That'll do,” he commented. ‘*It’s a giddy gusher!” added Mr, Duck Mee- gan, in profound admiration, “'Phat will be all for to-night, Billy,” con- tinued Simon. ‘‘ You can go home and keep your mouth shut, and you shall be well paid for all your trouble. Waita bit! We have forgot- ten the street and number, They must go in,” They were duly added, and then Beebe gave his younger ally five dollars and dismissed him, Billy went away calmly, but in a state of mind far from being of like nature. He was in a dilemma, In order to get Beebe’s secret he had ‘put a dangerous weapon in the captain’s. hands, and now he was not so sure he could avert the danger he might have brought upon Helen Eastman, Unless he could learn where she lived the note might result in her being decoyed away and put in Beebe’s power, Pe . Rawlins has got ter talk biz, an’ do it mighty lively!” the Dodge: decided, as he hastened toward Old King Coal’s residence. The widow was there, and a few. pointed words were enough to rouse her from her old mood, She stated that, at last accounts, Miss Eastman had been living on West Fourteenth street, near Seventh avenue. Billy then rushed into bis own room and made the quickest change of character ever seen in his record. A few minutes later he emérged from the house as Will Archer, hurried to the Elevated Road, and went up-town. In due time he was at the Fourteenth street. house, and a pull at the bell brought a servant to the door, ‘** Is Miss Kastman in?” he inquired, quickly. ** She don’t live here no more!” sé No?” ‘* No, sir; she went away three weeks ago.” ‘* Where does she live now ?” ‘* We don’t know, She didn't leave no ad- dress, an’ we ain’t heerd from her since,” ‘¢ Isn’t there any one in the house who can tell where she is?” ‘¢ | tell you she shook us all!” the servant ex-- plained, impatiently. ‘‘ Nobody here knows,” There was no reason to doubt her sincerity, and Will turned and’ went down the stoop in a bewildered way. When writing the note for Simon Beebe he had realized what ‘a power of evil it might become, if used as Beebe intended, but had comforted himself with the thought that. he could frustrate the scheme and save her, But, now, it did not look that way. ere was Helen? The plott-rs knew and he did not, and, very likely, the letter was then on its way to serve as a decoy. W bat was to be done? ‘*There’s onlyone way, I cun’t stop her from stai ting, but can prevent her from entering the trap which bas been set for her, If Simon gets: her to go there, she will be imprisoned, or in some way misused. Right there Will Archer shall come into the e, and undo the harm done by Billy Blue Blazes. Two to one that Simon don’t know me!” It was a safe bet, for any one would be ex- cusable for failing to recognize Billy in the slen- der, aristocratic youth now at the front, The place to which Simon intended to decoy Helen was on Barrow street, end toward that place the Double Detective made his way in haste. When he arrived, there was nothing visible to tell of dark plots and contemplated crimes; the street was as quiet as usual. and showed no marked indication of life, He began to pace back and forth, keenly on the alert for discoveries, but saw neither the crreciee carriage, Captain Beebe nor Ducky Time passed, and he grow nervous with wai He found the house, which was one of ordinary appearance, While thus occupied, someone came alongthe street who bad a manner that at once attra Will’s attention. He saw at a glance that the man was no ordinary dweller on the street, but had some secret business in view, Closer scru- es brought a discovery, 6 man was the peculiar person who had an- " va rm “ " nounced bimself as Dave Doyle, of Nova Scotia, a What had -trought him to Barrow street? Doyle gave him a critical rig en passed by, and then turned sud Ye \ ae “* Excuse me, sir,” he said, politely, “but may — Fr I ask if you live near here?’ " 5) « hesitated, — as * ‘Not on this street,” Will responded, “but ee not so very far away.” éé ou Le? know a man named Azro Harker?” | Will looked sharply at Dave Doyle, of Nova. — ‘. x ‘ot ey ae ? ; » - as