Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 903 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

Scotia. Did he know how near he was getting to the mark, or was it by chance he made this inquiry of Azro’s apprentice? ‘* [ believe he lives on Morton street,” ‘** He is a Pinkerton man, isn’t he?” ic Y es,” ** W hat is his reputation?” ** All right, I guess,” Doyle frowned and looked thoughtfully at vacancy. Some idea was working in his mind, and Will would have given a good deal to know whatit was, He essayed to learn, and bluntly asked: ** Why do you inquire?” ‘* Wrankly,” replied Dave Doy,e, impulsively, it seemed, ‘‘ he is keeping the company of men whose reputation certainly is not good, and I suspect that he has a most iniquitous scheme in mind!” ‘* Who are the other men?” . - A Captain Beebe, and a tough who is with im.’ ‘‘Surely, you don’t think a detective would do unlawful work, do you?” ‘““This much is certain,” replied Dave Doyle, with energy. ‘‘ Beebe and this Harker have put their heads together, and they have serious work on hand for to-night. They are going to decoy a certain woman somewhere. Who,and where, Iknow not, The original plan brought in Bar- row street, and that’s why lam here, but it’s only a hopeless movement; the plan has been changed!” ‘¢ What is it now?’ Will cried sharply, realiz- ing that the situation was growing more serious, and thai, if Dave Doyle was sincere, he was ‘ wholly off tbe track. ‘‘] don’t know. Beebe got some hoy to forge a letter which was to be the decoy, but, right after, he met Harker, and they put their heads together and changed the plan. Harker wrote a second letter, changing the place of meeting. Itis 1m some business building. Beebe’s object was to get a key the unknown lady carried, and then break into the business place aforesaid, {t was the key to valuables Beebe wanted. But it seems the detective has access to that build- ing, so the lady is to be decoyed there, instead of to this street. ‘*Do you know who she is?” Will asked, eager- ] o Mi No, but I have a fear that ’tis a lady I know,” ** Helen Eastman ?” ‘* Hal what do you know of her?” Dave Doyle, ot Nova Scotia, had been in a nervous, uncertain and despondent mood, but he aroused and asked the question sharply, eagerly. ‘* She is the marked victim of the decoy,” Will answered, ‘‘Great heavens! what is to be done? Some- thing must be done, but what?” ‘¢ You are interested in Helen, I take it?” ‘‘Interested? I am; the word is feeble to cover the case, Butthis talkisidle, What can we do—what, to baffle these villains? I know not what infamous act they may have in mind. lt may be—murder /” Dave Doyle was greatly excited, but the Double Detective had begun to get a grasp on his case, and he was as cool asa veteran in the business. ‘‘] know something about Azro Harker’s affairs, and feel sure [ can name the building. He does have keys to a certain business place, and, I feel sure, to one, only. I can lead the way there, and, unless we are too late, we can baffle the game now on foot, But, stranger, it seems impossible that Harker can be in in any evil work.” ‘* What I have told you I learned by listening to him and Beebe as they talked. Their own mouths condemned them!” * ‘*Enough! I seea cabat yondercorner, We will engage it, and go to Nassau street at once, Come!’ They hastened to the cab. It was disengaged, and they were soon whirling southward, ‘Drive fast!” was Will’s direction. “It’s a matter of life and death!” And then they awaited the result, CHAPTER VII. THE TRAP, AND WHAT IT CAUGHT, — LIBERAL pay bad enlisted the driver thorough- ly in the cause, and the cab rolled along as fast as he dared send it, with the danger of arrest for fast driving in mind, | Will Archer settled down to the compo- sure which was so much a of his nature, but Dave Doyle, of Nova Scotia, was so plainly eer vous that Will finally broke forth with the remark: | ro ene manent eB es em emi, tr Rl 9 Re ee twee 4 ett ate Net et a ea oe re ‘ PEN er aang 6 RW Pe METRO Sp reget Notes tT + Billy Blue Blazes. ‘* Mr. Doyle, it is the rule in New York for every man to mind his own business and ask no personal questions, but | want to make an ex- ception in this case. May I ask who you are?” ‘*f am Dave Doyle, of Nova Scotia.” ‘* That won't go. You are a New Yorker; no Blue Nose about you, Id like to know more about you, and assure you it is perfectly safe for you to speak out. I will not betray your confidence, and I would like to know who you are,’ Dave Doyle hesitated, and then returned: ‘*] am a dead man!” , ‘* The dickens you are!” Will exclaimed. ‘Yes; I’m dead and buried.” * Spiritualism is confirmed, and emphatical- y: ‘*T am not a spirit; simply a dead man,” ‘** You’re a pretty lively corpse.” ‘* In these days of sharp business competition, even a corpse has got to be lively or get left. Why fT jest at this moment I know not, but my nerves are all unstrung. I think of Helen, and ask myself, Where is she? To what danger is she exposea? If our clew is right, shall we be in time to save her?” The Double Detective did not fail to see that Dave Doyle had evaded the question as to his identity, but the matter remaine! asit was, If he did not see fit to confess, he could use his own will—for the present, atleast. But Will’s early opinion that he was a man of mystery bad re- ceived fresh confirmation, As the detective had claimed, Dave Doyle was more of a New Yorkerthan a Nova Scotian in his manner, and the former suspected that his coarse garments and whiskers were as much of a disguise as his claim of provincial nationality. They neared Nassau street, however, and every thought became fixed on the work in hand. The cab was halted on Broadway, but left subject to their future call, and then they crossed to Nassau. Will was well acquaintcd with the place they were nearing. Among others there were bro- kers who did business there, and ag they owned the building, and had often employed Azro Harker professionally, he had a key to their oftice door, as well xs to the street door. They considered this a precaution against burglars and fire, as he often was in his down- town office at night, but if Dave Doyle’s claim was correct, there was need vf protection against the protector, perhaps, On gaining sight of the building, they found everything quiet, and the outer door proved to be locked. ‘* We are too early, or too late,” Dave Doyle observed, ‘*Too early, if weare at the right building. They have not had time to do their work. Let us secrete ourselves in a doorway and await developments,” This was done. Even Will found waiting te- dious, however, and Dave Doyle showed in shi cg bef how great the strain was upon him, “What if we are at the wrong place?’ he murmured, The Double Detective could not answer. There was a ring of feet on the sidewalk as a man came along at a quick pace, ‘* Harker!” the Nova Scotian exclaimed. He was right; it was Will’s employer; and the hopes of the watchers rose higher. Azro unlocked the door of the spotted building and entered, Dave Doyle was in favor of following at once, but the Dodger counseled delay, arguing that the others had not yet come. A few minutes passed, and then Harker\ emerged. He locked the door, but put the key under the end of the step, and then walked away. ** Good !” commented bisapprentice. ‘‘ Assoon as he is out of sight we will get a wiggle on and explore the place, The others are coming, and know where to find the key. It would not doto leave the door unlocked, for the patrolman on this beat would discover it when he came along and tried the door. They are playing a careful ame. Now, wiggle!” They hurriedly crossed the street, ‘¢ Here’s the key!” Will held it up in rebates 9 and then inserted it in the door and turned the bolt back, They entered, Will ran emer found the office of the brokers lighted, but no one present, The counter-plotters were now on thescene of action, but a difficulty confronted them. If they left the door open, the patrolman would be likely to learn of its condition and rg everything; if they locked them#@lves in, the key would be on the wrong side of the door, and those who came aiter could pot enter, W hat was to be done? NJ It was dezided that Dave Doyle should lock Will in, put the key where it belonged, and then wait until Will could let him in, There were serious objections to this plan, but they could think of none better, In a short time the Double Detective was alone in the building, behind the locked door. He did not stay in the lower hall, however, but went up-stairs, found a hiding-place and settled down, He had time to think, and was to be excused for growing doubtful and nervous. What if Dave Doyle should play him false and leave him locked up there? What if no one else should come? If found there in the morning nothing could save him from being arrested asa burglar, He shook his head doubtfully, ‘* Clearly, Billy Blue Blazes is a better man than Will Arcber!” he muttered. ‘‘ Billy never got in a fix like this. Will Archer is less up in the ways of the world, I fear. Billy is noted for sharpness. It remains to be seen whether Willisa ‘chump,’ or not, I've trusted Dave Doyle fully, though he and I, playing as part- ners, hide our hands one from the other. Reck- less work! What will come of it?” Developments began to occur. He heard the outer door unlocked, and two men entered, The gas was always left burning slightly in the low- er hall at night, and Harker had turned it up still more. Will easily recognized Simon Blake and Ducky Meegan, They talked in low tones for a few moments, and then the tough ascended the stairs, ‘* Hi, Ducky!” be commented, looking around, ‘* wot wouldn't you’s give ter be loose here, all by yerself? I’m tinkin’ dere is more of de reel stuff ter be got by swipin’ w’ot I kin lay me hands on, but I spose [jl hev, ter stick ter de old codger. But lll bleed him! Seef” The ruling passions and habits of life are strong at all times, and Duck, even when sup- ponery. alone, uttered the password of the tough rotherhood, ‘* See?” as unctuously as if impress- ing an audience, Then he hastened to the front window and began to look out attentively. ‘*What next?’ the Double Detective mut- tered, Hark! Did he hear wheels on the street? He listened ; the sound ceased, Ducky rushed to the head of the stairs, ‘*They hey come!” he whispered, loudly. ‘* Get a move on!” Beebe carefully unlocked the door, and, leay- ing it ajar, fled up-stairs. He hastened to the lighted office and pushed the door ajar, Enough light came out to dispel the gloom. ‘* Now to do or die!” he exclaimed, ‘* T seon de gal in de cab,” added Ducky, ‘‘ Well, get out of sight. Your face would scare her out of her wits. Now, be wise!” ‘Oh, you’s kin trust me, old man, I’m no ‘stuff!’ See?” Mr. Meegan made a gesture like a Bowery tragedian and retired into darkness and obscur- ity, profoundly satisfied with himself, Beebe . fell back into the office, and ensconced himself back of the door. Will Archer waited with painful eagerness. Although, as he understood the matter, Helen Eastman was said to be at the door, be was not pampered to believe she would venture into the uilding. True, it was lighted and looked harmless enough, but if she was as weil informed as a New, York girl ought to be, she must be aware that, though business was'still going on in certain lines up-town, it was quite a different thing on Nassau street. Wouli not the silence of the street warn her that business in legitimate lines was suspended / But all these speculations ended when the street door opened. Two forms clad in feminine apparel ap- ‘¢ Helen i’? Will muttered, She came up the stairs in a calm and unhesi- tating way. Her companion walked in a stiff and jointless manner, and looked like a super- annuated family-servant—lean, bony and mo- rose, Helen indicated the office, ‘‘ Tis is the place,” she observed. ‘‘?0m !” grunted the companion, ungraciously, They passed the open door, which then swung to in some way not visible, whereupon hag Meegan down the stairs, It was the wor of only a moment to turn the key, after which he returned and made anotber Bowery gesture, ‘‘°Tis done!” he declared, tragically. ‘* Ducky, ouare a trump. Yer ought ter be a perfesh- nal detective, an’ at de bead of de force, See?” | 200 Mic = , Se 2 —, _ of —