Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 935 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

The ing away as if his life depended on it, and Bob gave him a thump on the baek. That particular verse was not finished. “What yo doin’?’ cried Pete, looking around with fire in his eyes, but on see- ing who it was he grinned. “I’m trying to knock some of the sing out of you, that is all,” answered Bob, “an’ I'll do it, too, if you worry me much longer with that song of nonsense you are harping on.” “It will nebber get out ob me in any vurmer way, Bobbsey, d’at am sure,’’ was the rejoinder. “ Verses come to me faster d’an I kin sing ’em, d’at am d’e fack, an’ Some ob d’e best ones git away ’fore I kin git fast holt onto ’em. Say, Bob, know what I fink?” ‘No, I don’t; didn’t know you thought at all.” *T think I am born to make a poet—” “Great Gowanus! that is worse than ever. Vl speak for a place for you in the asylum. But, say, what took you to that house?’ “What house?’ ‘‘ Why, the one you just came from, of course.” “What yo’ know ’bout d’at?”’ ‘I’m trying to find out something now. ©Come, no fooling out of you, but answer my question.” ‘“ Beats all how you know eberything, Bob Buckle. I believe you jes spend yo’ whole time watchin’ me, and I bet I knows What yo’ am up to; yo’ can’t fool me a whole lot.” “What do you mean now?” “You am tryin’ to steal my song away from me to—’” “Bother your song! I have got some- thing of more importance on hand than that. Answer my question.” “Well, I took a note d’ar’, d’at was all.” “ Who was it for?’ “ Took heah, Bob, d’is am my game—” “Oh! your head is thicker than your tongue, a good deal. I have been shadow- ing that house, and—” “Ho! Why didn’t yo’ say so in de f'us’ place, d’en? If d’at am d’e case, I be glad ‘nuff to do all I kin to ’lighten yo’ mind on any subjeck what come wid’in d’e wide range ob—” * Oh! shut up! Who was that note for?” ‘*Samuel Kerner.” ‘* And who is the answer directed to?” “Richard Wardhouse, over in —— street. No. 242.” “Let me see it.” “ Oan’t do d’at, Bob.” “Why not?’ “'’Oa’se I was told bery p’tic’lar not to let it go out ob my hands, and I have got a dollar out ob d’e t’ing.”’ “Well, you needn’t let it go out of your hands, but I have got to see it all the same, if I have to throw you down and take it away from you. I mean business, you bet!” “Well, I ‘pine d’at settles it.” “Tt will settle it, if you make me do it.” “ Heah she am, den; but don’ open it, or dey will know it hab’ been tampered with.” He gave the sealed enyelope into Bob's hands, and Bob looked at the address in a very critical manner, turning the letter over and looking at the back as well. “Glossy, it isn’t far out of your way to came with me to the office before you de- liver this letter, and you will have to come aleng. Joe Phillips would give his right hand, almost, to know what’s in this, and he would bounce me oD the spet if he knew I had let it get away, the detective apprentice explained. “Well, you am boss ob d’e situation, I guess, Bobbsey.” CHAPTER XL. PART FOR BOB TO PLAY. Ex-Newsboy Detective’s Chum. -~— + - SE ee ‘ J. Some other things are all wrong. G. eee —_—_ es ‘* Wardhouse—Yes, it is all right, but Don't Glossy Pete could not have helped it if |’ worry me now, but have a little patience, he would; Business Bob was boss of the Situation, and they set forward for deteetive’s office. As Bob forbade Pete’s singing, darky had to content himself with next best thing, which was to whistle the air of his never-ending song, running the verses over in his mind as he did so. Bob carried the letter. When they came to their destination they found Phillips there. He had just come in, and was looking over his mail, this being his first oppor- tunity that day. * Hello!” he exclaimed, on seeing Bob. ‘*Same to you, boss,” was the response. “And you, too, Lampblack!” “Better call him Stove-polish,”’ gested Bob. “What's the difference?” “The shine. But this ain’t no time for foolin’, boss; jest cast your weather eye at this letter.’ He surrendered it as he spoke. “What about it?’ “TI s’pose the insides will tell that.” “Yes, but let me hear about the out- side, first; that is, where did you get it?” * Bobbsey took it off'n me,” spoke up Glossy, “and I done got it off’n d’e man what writ’ it, who was sendin’ it to t’other feller.” * You make it very clear. about it?’ “Well, I followed our man to his desti- nation, whieh was to a house on — street,” giving the number. ‘“ While I was shadowing the house, this deeper shadow came along—” “You ’ludin’ to Glossy. “Yes, I'm alluding to you. Hold your tongue while I tell the boss. Came along’ and stopped there with the note, as I was goiag to say, boss, and he waited for answer, the which same I have gobbled up and brought here to you. Question is, did our man write it?” “Who was the other note for, boy?” to Glossy. 4 “ Wo’ Samuel Kerner.” “That certainly is not bler.”’ “Not by name,” agreed Bob, ‘but it may be in fact, you see.” | “You are right. As there is no stamp on this missive, I will investigate, I think.” “Tf Td thought you wouldn't, I'd a done it myself, sure pop,” declared Bus- iness Bob. ‘The key to the whole mat- ter may be inside that envelope, and I’m more than eager to gee what it is.” The letter was deftly opened, in a man- ner which would defy after detection. “Tf there is nothing in it to concern us. no harm done,” observed the detec- tive, “and nobody will ever be the wiser. If it does concern this case, it may be all that you say of it, Bob. Hold your breath, now, while I take a survey of the inside.” The detective drew forth the sheet as he spoke, and deftly opened it, while Glossy softly whistled his happy tune. It proved a double find. Not only was the answer there, but the original message as well. The reply had been penciled on the same sheet, as is very often done in moments of haste, or when paper is not handy. They rend as f-llows: * Samuel Kerner, Esq. “Dear sir—Is the matter all, right? Why do I not hear from you? When and where am I to meet you to straighten up? Answer. the sug- Bob, what ad me interrupted George Am- “RICHARD WARDHOUSE.” the | the | for I have got to go very slow. Be there to-night at nine. “KERNER.”’ “ What is it, boss, what is it?’ eagerly inquired Bob, as the detective sat mus- ing after he had read it. * * Something we have got to gate,” informed Phillips, and aloud what the sheet contained. “Should think we would have to jin- vestigate!’ cried Bob. “Maybe it is just what I said—the key to the whole crib of mystery. It is certain that these two have been up to some kind of didos, anyvhow.’’ “Well, am yo’ done with it?’ “Yos, I am done with it, my boy, seal it and you can deliver it.” ‘An’ what d’en?” “Why, nothing further, unless another note should be fired back again, in which case bring it here before you deliver it.” “T see, sah.” ‘“ And here you are.” The envelope was and handecéto the darky. | Glossy took it, passed out of the room, and went down the stairs singing: “Ef yo’s readin’ while yo’ ride, Don’ hol’ yo’ paper two yards wide; ; Yo's cuttin’ off de others’ view, An’ d’'ey may rise an’ go fo’ you!’ The detective and his apprentice could not help smiling as they listened, and they smiled more at a part of the next verse. “Well, now asked Bob. “T have an idea.¥ “That's nothing new.” “What, the idea?’ ‘No, that you have got it; you are full of ’em.” . “Well, I will accept the amendment, Bob. I have a notion to play a little game on these two fellows.” * What is it?’ “Why, send a note to each of them, making it appear that it is from the other, and appoint a meeting. Each wouwld go, and I could be on hand to hear what would come of it.’ ‘“Do it, boss, do it!” ‘There is one thing in the way, Bob.” ‘What is it?” “Think for yourself, That is one thing [ am trying to train you in, looking at the other side of every situation.” “Well, let’s see, then. In the first place, it would show them both that a third party was playing a fine Italian hand somewhere, and that would put them on their guard—” ‘You have struck it the first fire! That is just it; I think I had better hold back that card just a little before I play it.” “Mebby you are right; you ‘most al- ways are, boss.”’ “TY think Iam. We will hold that in reserve, anyway, in case it comes into play anywhere. How is your nerve to day?’ * Steady.” . “Do you think you could get into that house where you left Ambler?” “T can make a try for it, anyhow. You know I have a way of getting there when T set out to do a thing.” “That is the reason I want you to un- dertake this. I.don’t clearly see how you are going to do it, for I don’t want you to mention Wardhouse; that would give away the thing.” “As bad as the other card. But Am- bler will know me, boss.’ “You won't go till he has left the house.” investi- he read asked Vil sealed anew | what’s on the docket?”