Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 907 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

12 Reddy Rusher the Bell-boy Detective. . ‘ ~ + — . . : m mate” Ae oo RT oe , ae . oa mys P33 a4, -F y &} ee : ee at = Sea - . et <= bag vene gt ae — 2 ERT b- Pury \ corker. He beat Timmy, the blacksmith, | Jast week.” The Rusher had never become interested in the game of hand-ball, and did not know just how much of a feat it was to beat Tim- my, the blacksmith, but the girl’s manner indicated that Deeny Logan must have done himself great honor. 7 ‘‘ How did he happen ter, find the bag?” asked the Rusher. ‘* We children had it ter play with, but he come an’ said he would give us a dollar fer it, as he wanted ter ,mix some mortar ter build a chimbly with; an’ Jimmy Costello, he sold it to him. I think it was mean. Jimmy swiped all the dollar, an’ we kids lost the sand,”’ | Mayo it was, surrounded by a group of other clubmen who were laughing and talk- ing with him. The spy did not let grass grow under his feet, but moved close to the group. He gained position and listened. ‘*Come, Deeny,” urged one of the party, ‘‘ give us a Show for our money. Try Pete a go.” ‘Not to-night,’’ replied Mayo. ‘“Tknow youcandohimup. If youdon’t, you will, at least, rub him sharp. He will know he has been‘in a horse-race when you are done with him.” | , ‘*T am not dressed for it.” ‘* Rats! Shake your silk dress and go in. You did up Tommy, the blacksmith, easy. Try Pete.” recovered his balance much of valuable time — had been lost. Thus, when he finally found a clear way again, and ran toward the door, he found Mayo already in his path. ‘*Crickey! I’m in fer it!” Reddy was rattled for a moment, but it was soon over. He could not go where he wanted to, so there was only one thing to do —go where he could. Another open door furnished the means, and he shot through. ‘‘Thief, thief!” baw!ed Mayo. ‘‘Ginger! it’s escape or perleece cell now,” exclaimed the amateur detective. ‘‘I prefer to escape.” The prospect was not bright when he saw att ‘‘Wal, here’s a fifty-cent bit fer you. So- ‘* Yes, goin, Deeny!” voiced the crowd. a flight of stairs ahead of him, but it was jong!” Reddy had made a discovery, The’sport | the one chance and he took it. He ran up Reddy had descended from the trap, and | might be Mayo Montgomery in public, but ; with fleetness which left his pursuers in the ‘ he now moved quyickly out of the house. | he was only Deeny Loganin private. More, | rear for the time being. a If the girl’s mother came she would not | the Rusher bad, it seemed, found the man At the head of the stairs he found an at- id think so lightly of a strange boy on the | who had taken possession of the bag of | tic, but this was not in any degree a place of i premises. gold. safety. ‘¢ Who's this Deeny?” wondered the Rush- ‘*Crickey! Iam onter his nibs now, an’ ‘s No show fer restin’ the sole o’ my foot 7 er, as be walked off. ‘‘Kin it be he was | I’ll make him run all through the stretch. | here!” he admitted after a quick glance’ ; sent by Mayo Montgomery? I wouldn’t | Wonder where he has hid the bag?” . around. ‘*I must try it further.” Ls think Chowder Johnny would let him inter It seemed foolish to suppose that the trea- ‘Further,’ meant up another flight of » the game, but Johnny ain’t likely ter know | sure was on Deeny’s person, but Reddy un- | steps, but, this time, it was only a ladder, no sport like Deeny is said ter be. Anyhow, | consciously began to use his cyes to that end, | and_he knew this would take him to the roof, © f I'll jest look in on the hand-ball fellers, I | Then he observed something which impress- He dashed .up the steps; he reached the y - weckon I am interested in the game,” ed him as peculiar. On one side of the | top; he unfastened the hook of the scuttle; It was not far to his destination, He was | sport’s coat there. was a decided protuber- | he shoved up the door and the way was mot at all sure he would be admitted, but | ance. open above. He crawled to the roof. the intended to try. He wanted-to see| On this spot the*boy’s eyes become glued. By that time the pursuers were in the at- Deeny. ; Something was in Mayo’s pocket. What? tic, and he knew he must do something to vi ’ ‘See that hump?” murmured Reddy, ab- | check them. He held the scuttle half-way ; CHAPTER XIII. sently. up and glared down at his foes. | THE BAG OF GOLD AGAIN, If the Rusher had been one of the regular ‘‘Keep away!” he shouted, ‘* or there will ‘, t Reppy reached the point aimed at and | detectives he aimed to equal he would not | be a vacant chair among your angels. Keep 4 A? avas pleased to find nobody on guard. He | have suspected any man under such condi- | away!” . ie entered, and was in the midst of the festivi- | tions of carrying a bag of gold in his pocket, Iie was not obeyed. Mayorushed up the aes Po, a ties. : ‘but Reddy was not a professiona!, steps, and Reddy did the only thing remain- | y _ He saw a kind of bar-room which seemed He believed he bad found the location of | ing for him to do, Just when the sport’s Mie, to be doing a good business, and in front of | the treasure. , head rose above the roof he dropped the it were numerous men who were drink- ‘‘ Orickey! don’t I wish I could swipe that | door, It fell; it caught Mayo on the head, dng, smoking, talking and laughing loudly, | lump?” be muttered. and he dropped down the steps. Among them moved a fat German whom the |__ Mayo’s friends were growing emphatic. ‘‘ Jiminy!” exchaimed Reddy, ‘‘ef I’ve Rusher believed to be the ‘‘ Jakey” who | They were rough-and-ready fellows to whom | done him serious mischief I sball git salted. Medd kept the place. | no joke was too harsh, and they finally grew } Ain't there any way out 0’ this?” . \ Suddenly there was a rush to one side, ac- | tired of his refusals to play » game of hand- Clinging fast to. the coat he ran forward it “ <ompanied by the announcement, * They are | ball for their amusemen to reconnoiter. Disappointment awaited ty going to begin again!” ‘“T say, boys,” cried one, ‘‘ what's to be | him. The club-house building was of brick s Reddy did not know what they were go- | done with a bloke who won’t be social? | and had a flat roof, but those next to it were ay ing to begin, but he went with the crowd, | Deeny won’t play. What shall we do?” old, wooden affairs, and the roofs were slop- and, for the first time, saw a hand-ball court, ‘Make him play!” | ing. | | | Four athletic fellows began to play with vim, ‘‘Carry him to the alley!” — JT might jump,” mused the adventurer, he and the boy was interested for awhile, but ‘‘ He says he’s dressed too stiff, Take off | ‘‘ but.I gucss 1 should land a deceased , he soon gave it up. his gown!” Rusher on the flaggin’. I don't like et, by : mh. “Et ain’t in it with base-ball!” he de-| The last suggestion took well with all, and | gum!” HH] 7 ene 5 pat cided, | they pounced upon the sport with loud He hovered on the edge, coat in hand, un- an Fe wre Then he thought of the players. He in- | laughter but violent hands, While a part of certain whatto do, There was a respite be- Bt a Sit Pw, quired their names, but none of them was | them held him fast the rest stripped off his | hind him, but he knew it would be only brief. * ie a the wanted Deeny. The Rusher did not | overcoat, | He must escape quickly or not at all. tng ty : BPs dare to inquire for him direct, so he began “Here!” he yelled, growing alarmed, it | Again he surveyed the sloping roof be- Bad Ti PBA, to move around, He soon saw another door | scemed, ‘‘none of that. Let me have my | fore him. Dx tt We Fae, than that through which he had entered. | coat!” ‘* Desperate chance. Only an Injy rubber eS. ei Men were going up and down, and he finally For answer, ‘one of his rough friends toss- | man could do et safely. 1 reckon I shall ere . ING mb decided to go too, He did so, and, reaching | ed the garment backward, perhaps thinking | have ter— Hi!” | Res ath Bhs, Bier ot.’ the upper floor, found himself in a region | somebody would catch it. He was right; The scuttle was raised, and a head appear- | Sans tN ae tion where several small rooms opened one out ; somebody did catch it. Reddy made a for- | ed above the roof he was on. His former a4 ress Nea of the other. Tables and chairs were all | ward leap and caught the cont asit flew. work had given his enemies due respect for ea 5 |, around, and men were engaged in card-| A fresh yell of rage escaped Mayo’s lips. | his prowess, and the new investigator was ea i Br bs ‘playing, and having what they regarded as a | He had the best of reasons for not wanting | careful, but when be saw there was no dan- eat ven Lear} general good time. to lose sight of the garment, and he did not | ger, he leaped up fully. : ae Be 7a ‘Regular club-rooms,” murmured Reddy. | intend to, either. Exerting all of his | - ‘* Come on!” he cried. ‘* Here’s the kid!” nis gaa , ae “«T wonder ef Deeny is here? I’m afraid I’m| strength he tore himself loose from his} Several other men followed him. | ee oe a on a no-good trail.” . friends and shot away to secure the coat. | « Ketch the young villain!” ordered one. wit Sh fin? i | a4 The club-rooms were plainly of the free-| Reddy had only one thought when he |. They moved forward. Pee ‘a Ve Z and easy pattern, and nobody accosted | secured hold of it, and that was to get the ‘* Stop!” cried Reddy. i as rs es} ty 6 Reddy, or seemed to notice him, It was in | ‘‘hump” which he had marked down as ‘‘ Stop, is it?” NY a P a RS: a) his favor that three or four youths were | the bag of gold. He might have kept the} . ‘‘ That’s jest wot it is,” Brose | i! hee present, ‘The Rusher surveyed these other | one and dropped the other, but he did not “ How will you stop us?” a Beth. boys. } | think of that. ‘Maybe you think you kin stop me?” oY MIS Aenea ‘‘ Guess I shall have ter ask one o’ them Holding to both he’ scud for the outer ‘‘Wedothat.” | oe | aN oe |e about Deeny. I. hate ter do it, fer— , door. us E ‘* Maybe, too, you want this coat?” — we ae 2 eb, ~~. Yvlot” | 3 If he had possessed a clear road he ‘ Yes.” | P Bee Ti: Bore | Le at aoe y. His musings had been suddenly interrupt- | might have won in a gallop, but the first ‘« Wal, don’t you try tergitit. Don’t you ae li "e ete ps ed. His roving gaze became fixed, and his | thing he did was to run forcibly intoa man | come a_ step nearer. If you, do J will.) < qa hes +4 aye _. yes expanded. Mj who accidentally got in his way. The shock joy off the roof an’ take the coat withme. = = §f * iene be _ *t Mayo Montgomery, by ginger!” _! nearly took him off his feet, and when he | See?” ae es ae 1h fod ‘he AAP te eg eer ' gern . sais Pen SPLIT Soy tt oat my . RP ep tt | ae TY See 02 ee ae * id an he ‘ ¥/ FI Me ED > A % %, h i th: cee cm Th I» eb OY te ee a ey a Phe I Wie , @) 7 Pl ae > . - ad J ‘ i. “ee ee te eS hi na ilies See * oa > Aes ey eis =? : ee a *