Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 907 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

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The sailor was standing inactive, and all this was hopeful for Mayo’s plans. “Get out of here!” he exclaimed to Israel. ‘“ We've got a bit ter say about that,” put in Reddy. ‘‘ Drop on them again, Jackey. You lick them while I go fer a cop.” ‘““T want no part of them,” answered Jack, ‘But we now—” ‘é No.” ‘* Let me call a perleeceman—” ‘‘ Not fer the world, let them go!” hasti- ly responded the sailor, Reddy’s face fell. He had planned on ending the career in crime of the precious pair, and it wasa fall in his desires He was not allowed time subject; Mayo was all awake to the possibili ty of such trouble, and he caught Israel and pulled him out of the alley. The Ulster Countyite went wiilingly, and with a slight lessening of the pain in his stomach, ‘‘ Say, do you see that?” cried Reddy. ‘* What?” asked Jack. ‘* They have skipped.” ae Von” ‘* Yes? kin stop their monkey biz You say it cool.” ‘* 1 don’t know that Iam ambitious to have them stay here an’ hammer me,” Reddy gave up the plan defiantly and came closer to the sailor. ‘‘Say,” he added, earnestly, ‘‘ be you a rascal or an honest man?” Jack’s gaze fell. **T try ter be honest.” ‘““Then bow kin you eat out o’ the same dish with Is. Robbins an’ that waxed-mus- tuche dude?” “If you imagine I am in with them you make a big mistake. Didn't you see them fight me, just now?” ‘** Yes, but you was chummy with Ulster a little while ago.” ‘‘ Never!” declared the sailor, ‘‘ We have been together, but not because 1 wished it. Israel sought my company, though not as a friend He was my bitter enemy.” ‘« John, where is Hugo Westingly?” The sailor started. He made no reply, and the Rusher continued: ‘“‘ John, that kid is bein’ hunted fer by his friends. You brought him over from Aus. tralia, an’ then you deserted him—” ‘¢ No, no!” ‘“«Then how was it?” ‘ That scoundrel, Israel Robbins took him ‘ away from me.” Cro ‘Why did you let him go?” Again Hearty Jack was silent, «*Come, John, speak out!” *‘T can say nothin’.” “‘ John, the taker is as bad as the thief.” ‘* Boy, Tam not the scoundrel you think me. lam unfortunate, and the hand of Is. rae] Robbins is'‘on my throat.” “Put your hand on his throat!” swiftly advised the Rusher. k ‘‘ Wisely said, but I am helpless. nea <? Why?” | ’ pecuuGe vo you.” _ ** Where is Hugo?” . neh. 20 ae cer Poor child! I would ive anything to see him restored to his tiends, Jt is shameful—it is infamous that he is thus used.” ; ** What has Israel against him?’ ‘* Nothing.” — “Then why is all this buckin’ ag?inst _ him?” 5 wae “T cannot explain, Boy, I am a most un- -__. fortunate man, an’ at the mercy of the same owret ; tae to think further on the | | boy says the order. ‘ “* Bully fer you, old man! ch who is abusin’ the child. Mercy!” | such scant testimony, but he Was prepos- bitterly added Jack. ‘‘It is a word of which Israel knows nothin’!” Reddy was silent. He saw the uselessness of seeking to get more out of his companion, and he could not feel hard against Jack. In every way the sailor showed that he was full of regret at the situation. He meditat ed for awhile, and then pursued: ‘* Mister, that kid is ina darned bad fix, an’ if you kin help him I wish you would—” .“*T only wish I could!” cried Jack. ‘‘ But I can’t; IL can’t!” It was the last real effort on Reddy’s part, but he talked with the sailor unti: the latter gave his present address and promised a give his aid if such a thing became possi- ble. ‘Tt may ruin me,” he announced, “ but I will take the chances.” Jack was anxious to get away, and he did not delay longer, Reddy allowed him to de- part, and then hastened to Mrs. Prentice with the latest news. Naturally, she was eager to see the sailor, herself, and she set out for his address. The Rusher did not go with her. The im- pression was strong in his mind that there could be gains made if he was- on the alert, and he started on a gencral trip to try and locate either Israel or Mayo. He did not happen on them, but he did the next best thing—he ran upon Chowder Johnny. The tough was striding along the street, and too much occupied to notice Reddy. | The latter was more observing, and he fell in behind Johnny and followed briskly. * Ef the Dunn gang is still in possession o’ Hugo I’m goin’ ter hev that kid out o’ limbo!” he thought, resolutely, : Several blocks had been made when a coach passed him and drew up in front of a house. Johnny, too, paused, and then ad- dressed some words to the driver that Reddy ‘did not hear, ‘All right,” replied the driver. Johnny entered the house. hm +8 The Rusher acted on an impulse and walked up to the driver. / ‘‘Goin’ ter take somebody away from here?” he asked, sé Yes,” Who?” ‘“Costs money ter know that,” laughed the driver, ‘lam mum,” CHAPTER XVII. REDDY'S FINE STRATEGY. Tue Rusher pulled a dollar out of his pocket. ‘* Here’s the money!” he exclaimed. ‘‘ Now, teli me.” The driver looked first at the dollar, and then at Reddy. ‘“Why, boy, I wouldn’t take your cash,” he answered, good naturedly. ‘If you care to know, it’s a party I am to take. Two horses—see?—big. load. Two men and a Cab wouldn’t do.” Reddy’s eyes brightened. ‘‘Mister Man, be you honest?” Reddy asked. ‘‘T claim to be.” ‘Ef you will drive that load where I say I'll give you ten dollars now, an’ you kin help the law. Isita go?” ‘*Say, what’s up?” 2 magy “That kid is a captured kid, an enemies are hot ter ruin him. It may be they will kill him. Be you willin’ ter be party ter sech a deed?” | | “Not much! I have a kid o’ my own at home, an’ 1 wouldn’t do harm to anybody else’s boy for all of New York.” | ) Now, take that party ter my father’s hotel an’ you will Save one kid from great damage. Is ita The driver was not ready answer on | + bs, ‘ aranee a @ "os LLL, ES sessed by Reddy’s looks and manner, and he asked questions in rapid succession. He received replies to all, and the result was . that an understanding was reached. The > driver knew what was required ot him and why it was asked, This done, Reddy rushed off and went to a telephone office. He asked for his father’s hotel, and soon had communication with that point. He opened up briskly, ‘Hello, hello!” ‘* Hello!” was the faint answer. ‘Is that you, Briggsy?” 4¢é Yes.” ‘‘} am Rush, junior. Say, Briggsy, git two policemen an’ have them wait until I come,” ‘“ What—what’s that?” quoth Briggs, over the wire, evidently rather stunned, ‘‘T hev a scheme ter nab Israel an’ Mayo in their crookedness. I am goin’ ter bring them in a cab, an’ there will be a fight. The hotel will all be wrecked ef you don’t do as Isay. Will you get the cops?” ** Reddy, you are jokin’—” ‘‘ Say, Briggsy, did 1 ever git gay?’ ‘“'No, but—” ‘““Then you mind! cops?” ‘Yes, but I want you to explain—” —Can’t stop. Git them cops or there will be murderdone, Murder, Briggsy; put that in yer pipe! Good-by!” Reddy shut off and hung up the trans- ‘Will you have the mitter. This done, he paid his bill and rushed out of the office. He looked up the street. ‘‘ Jest in time!” he exclaimed. The coach was coming. <A plan had been laid for him to ride, and he did. his part nobly. The driver barely slackened his speed, and the Rusher mounted to the box. ‘‘You’re a cuckoo!” declared the driver. ‘‘Nimble as a goat. I'll bet a dollar my fares ain't the least idee my load has been ~ added to. I pulled my blanket around so as © ter prevent their lookin’ up this way much.” ‘* Boss, is your orders the same?” ~ ‘*Thirty-fourth street ferry? Yes. They think they are on their way ter Long Island, I reckon, but they don’t know we _ have auned ter stop at your hotel on the way. ucky it is right on our line.” Reddy was not inclined to let bis voice be aie much, but he had a few questions to ask. “) ‘* Have you got the kid?” sé Yes.” ‘An’ two men?” ‘* Yes,? ** Describe them!” It was done, and Reddy was sure that Israel, Mayoand Alugo were, in the coach. He could ‘not help being a little nervous, He had played a bold and novel game, but there. was a possibility that it would fail, Thus far the kidnappers were unsuspicious, If they woke up, or Briggs did not keep his contract, they were liable to miss their | dramatic denouement, | The driver kept his horses going briskly, and they finally reached the Bowery. The ‘‘fares” had lowered the window curtains, and all was quiet in their quarter. ‘* Will it work?” was Reddy’s constant in- terrogatory, of himself. ° Aer They neared the hotel. The Rusher looked — eagerly. He could not see any policemen; he could not see Briggs. He seemed to have no friend on the watch. 4! ‘Kin et be that Briggsy has played me false?” muttered Reddy. ; MY ‘Is that the place?” inquired the driver. — “Yes. Pull up at the door.” | The direction was obeyed, and Redd leaped to the sidewalk. ~ y Just then the door of the hotel opened, Briggs and two policemen came out, The Rusher: grew exultant. His face beamed, Hecould hardly repress a yell! of © re Vi +. o2 ‘ ¥, - : <«+ ue ot Oe 4 a. a b - ‘ * ay @ q a < 5 ~ * » 4 5 a * ' oy é Swe 4 4 i 4 ° oe fe Sa ~~ ee ee ee - ~~ = er. be \ . LD arene é ee ae te SS