Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 907 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

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When it was done his duties were explain- ed, and they were simply to remain in the house under good pay and run errands when called upon. ‘This sorter divorces me from Pop Rush an’ the hotel,” mused the Rusher, ‘‘but a detective can’t be too much bound up in home-ties. Iam with ’em!” This decision made he announced it, and he formally enrolled for the duties of his new task. Why he was wanted he did not yet know, but he felt sure he was about to enter upon a striking era, ‘‘Et's the first time I’ve been a_ hired man,” he modestly remarked, ‘‘ but I am Willin’ ter rise in the world, ef I don't get too high fer the good o’ my neck!” This was said to impress his companions, and if succeeded to a charm. Both men laughed loudly, and they felt sure they had @ fine aid in the new recruit. ‘* Now,” added Mayo, presently, ‘‘I will take you into the next room. It will be your Own quarters, Of course there are other persons in the building, but you are to have nothing to do with them. Do not go near them, or let them come near you. In the room next to you igs an old woman, She has rather a quarrelsome husband, when he comes home drunk, and a sharp tongued daughter who will scold some, probably; and then there is a whimpering boy. You willignore all of these people.” ‘* All right, boss.” Reddy answered cheerfully, but he did not putall his thoughts into words., It oc- curred to him that all of the persons men- tioned were myths except the old woman and the boy. ‘‘T am on the track!” he thought, jubi- lantly. ‘‘ Ill hev them out o’ their holes, by crickey !” Mayo rose and opened another door. ‘*Walk inand make yourself at home,” he directed. ‘‘ Johnny andl will stay here and have a smoke.” The Rusher went, and the sport closed _the door and retreated. Reddy was alone, He looked around—he was in a very ordinary-looking room, and he experienced a feeling of disappointment. ‘Is this all I am to strike?” he wonder- ed. ‘‘ Where is the red-hot fun I am longin’ fer?” Suddenly he bent forward, listening, nnd then went closer to one of the walls. He Seat his ear close to the plaster and listen. ed. Voices were audible beyond. ‘“‘T don’t like you, and | won’t sit near you!” It was a boyish tone. ‘“Oh! come, now, deary, don’t be foolish. Come to Mother Moll, an’ I will give you some candy, some time.” . was & Womun’s voice, and Reddy did t 5 nd need the name to enable him to place it, *Crickey!” “he exclaimed. ‘‘ Chowder Johnny’s mother is in there, an’ the mys- terious kid is with her, 1 am onter the trail like a perleeceman after an Eyctalian’s apples!” Again the voices. | ‘You are a mean Old Woman! 1 didn’t know a woman could be so mean, These men have stolen me away and shut me up, and now you go and help them. You are awful mean; you are.” ‘Say, deary, why did they steal you?” They want my money.’ ‘“Money—money? Have you got money ?” and Mother Moll's voice grew eager. ‘Yes. I have, and that is why they do this. Ihave studied it all out. They want to rob me,” | . Sa ‘‘Deary, deary, let me see the money!” quickly requested Moll. ‘‘T haven't got any here; they have taken c e — it back—yes, I will, or I’ll fix them.”’ “Tm dead onter et!’ chuckled Reddy. “The kid is there, an’ I will—”’ He stopped short, ran to the door next to the room where Mayo and Chowder Johnny were, and then grew startled of face, ‘Israel has come!” he added, excitedly. ‘‘Crickey! [ shall be done up, now, The jig is up, ef he sees me!” , CHAPTER VII. THE RUSHEEB’S TIGHT CORNER, THERE was ample ground for this sudden fear, for Israel Robbins was there. Reddy had learned to know his voice well, and he it was who had joined Mayo Montgomery. ¢ ‘* Yes,” added the Rusher, ‘‘ he is right in | the swim with Mayo, and now Mayo has | took ina new boy, Old Ulster will want ter see him. When he doesthere will be a live- (ly time in this section, an’ R. Rugh, Esquire, may git the worst of it.” Reddy's eyes turned toward the third room. ‘* Wonder ef there is any possibility of my bein’ able ter run the kid out, right quick?” It was a bold scheme, but it was rendered | doubtful by the fact that guardians were all around, Dropping thought of Israel for awhile, Reddy went to the door which led to the other room, He tried it softly but found it was locked, “ Got left! Now fer the next!” Above the door was a transom, and the Rusher dragged a chair forward, mounted upon it and explored further. He had no difficulty in tilting the transom a bit, and | then he obtained view of the room. He saw Mother Moll—he saw more. A boy was with the old woman. IIe was small of stature and of a different rank in life than the Bowery boy—that was clear. He had on what had but recently been good clothes, but they were now soiled and rumpled, times, Reddy thought chiefly of the boy, himself, Ile saw a bright face, but not a happy one, just then, The younger boy looked unhappy enough and it was not to be won- dered at, Reddy thought. The young stran. ger, too, was doubtless. less qualified by training to endure such things, than arough- _and-ready boy would have been. Mother Moll was busy, and Reddy let no time go to waste. He put an arm through | the transom and waved it widely. Luck was with him, and the motion was speedily observed by the other boy. He looked; he grew puzzled; he glued his gaze to the arm; he was long in perceiving the face above it. When he did he was even more perplexed. ; , Fearful that he would do something to at- tract attention, Reddy tried to impress the need of silence upon him. He did this by means of facial contortions which were simply marvelous, The Rusher nearly screwed his mouth off his face in doing it, but he judged, finally, that he bad ac- complished his object. He next motioned the boy to come closer. The young stranger looked apprehensively at Mother Moll, but her habit of sinking into nothingness was upon her, and she was ig- gg of the whole affair. He came to the door. Reddy was full of fear, himself, but he framed a question. ‘* Kin you write?” The boy shook his head. ‘* Not much,” he replied. ‘*But you kin whisper?” sé Yes. ”? ty ‘Do et gentle. W’'ot's yer name?” ‘* Hugo Westingly.” _ “ Don’t say it again; you may hurt yer back teeth. Be you a captive?’ ‘“ Yes, Oh! won’t you let me out?” “Gently, my friend, gently. Don’t yell | i y Jf } . ersh is . bs “ 4 » ay Me on ae FT d dt Py 8) . “ _ ——_— , 7. « - ow ae 9 IIe seemed to have seen hard - - jolt “a ¢ _—— ‘ ~ _— . e a . ’ od et Fd “ns er - . a hey : " «# od P aX Hy ss a : \ v wf ae ar .. al q r<."% ‘ ’ 6 ¥ : ¢*» Reddy Rusher, the Bell-boy Detective. it allaway. But when! get clear I will have | so Moll will hear ye. Kin you slide out, anyhow?” INO... | **Ts the door fastened on the other side?” ‘Yes; it is locked.” Reddy shook his head. The room he was in had no door which led to the hall, and he could not pass out by way of that where Mayo and his allies were. He looked sharp- ly at Mother Moll, wondering if he could beat her out in a struggle, ‘‘ Won't you let me out?” repeated Hugo, ‘Is there a key in your room?” ot Ge, ‘* Where?” ‘She has it;” and Hugo pointed to Moth- er Mol, “Oh! ef I was in there!” thought Reddy, “I'd git that key or make Moll sick, by crickey !” “ Hurry up!” “She will ketch us, sure.” “ Kin I get through this transom?” ‘“T don't know,” “Tl find out.” The Rusher was prepared for decisive aec- tion. Gone were all his plans for secrecy and cunning. He decided to risk all in an attempt to secure the key from the old wo- man, ‘The transom was small—so was he, He believed he could wriggle through the opening, and he made the attempt. The table raised him well up, and he swung himself clear, and was in for the venture. He hung in mid-air, half in one room and half in the other, | As he writhed he kept a sharp watch on Mother Moll, and in this hé had company in Hugo. The latter was very much alarmed, it seemed, and he watched the woman with bated breath. Reddy did not find his task an easy one, and even he, knowing Moll as he did, was warned Hugo. surprised that she did not hear his move- ments . . Little by little he wormed on his way, and the task proved not to be too much for him. At last he was more than half through, and it only remained to drop. Here he was at a loss for a moment, but a motion to Hugo led him to bring a chair, Into this the adventurer dropped lightly. Moll was still crooning over something which may have been the five-dollar bill she so worshiped. ie The Rusher considered it little less than wonderful that the previous conversation with Hugo had not been overheard. He wanted to talk more now, but it was risky, Hugo was all eager expectancy, but Reddy was a little at a loss, How was he to get the coveted key? Doubtless Moll had it, but the job of get- ting it away looked bigger now he was on the scene. Hugo’s ear, ‘Be you good on a scrap?” ‘© A—a what?’ ‘‘T—] don’t know.” ‘‘We may hev ter find out. goin’ ter sneak up back o’ the ole dame an” try ter get the key on the dead q. t. Ef she tumbles an’ gits rusty, jest you swing ter her weazen, will ye?” ‘*T don’t understand.”’ ‘* Ef she yelps, swin her neck an’ hold on fer keeps. ‘*Yes;” ‘* Come on, then!” He put his mouth close to Now, I’m yer arms around Bending low and moving with all possi- ble caution Reddy advanced on his prey. Moll continued to bend over the table, and her back was fully toward them, _ Softly, slowly with cat like motion Reddy crawled nearer. . He saw nothing to alarm him, and he planned with his usual free- dom, There was soon chance to do more, He reached the critical point, and then paused, Ann | \ - >” ~ x =i 7 TAR, , “3 : + 7 . , ; / ‘. 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