Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 960 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

; te . Wes . - oa ote: » g “Ant in me, for this charge is not true Sy + — “ And did she not tell-you what to tell bik “She said she must see ye hersel’, sor.” A letter was at that moment handed in, and with a glance at the postmark, Stroughtenberg tore open the envelope, which he evidently had not intended to do before he looked at the postmark. The letter was from Mount Vernon, and the moment he had read it his face paled. He crushed the letter in his hand, pulling at his mustache, and after pacing up and down the room a couple of times he turned suddenly to Fred, looking at him a moment before speaking, “Tf L thought I could trust you that far, my boy,” he said. “ But it is inpossible— . Collins!” The door had opened and the police de- tective entered the room. Yhe tone of the man’s response was strange, and when a policeman came in close behind him, George Stroughtenberg paled. “George Stroughtenberg, you are my prisoner,” said the detective, in a hoarse tone. ‘* Officer, take him in charge. Let ie Warn you, sir, that the less you say the better. Be eautious.” The arrested man reeled and would have fallen to the floor had not the officer held him up. CHAPTER XV. FRED GETS ON THE SCENT. It wasea thrilling moment. Fred Fly, with fists doubled, looked as if ready to fight. None the less Paddy Gallagher, who was staring as if he could not believe what he saw. . “This is a shame!” cried Fred Fly, un- able to contain himself longer. ‘* You never made a bigger mistake in your life, Mr. Detective!’ _ a oe 3 ‘““Dhat is phwat’s dhe matther!” chimed in Paddy. ‘“ Begorra, av Oi had a bit av a shtick it is tempted to bate ye wanst on dhe head to knock some sinse into ye OF d be!” ‘“ Have a care, or you may get into trou- ble,’ was the warning, — “Upon what charge am I arrested?” George Stroughtenberg manasem to in- quire. | . ‘On the charge of having some knowl- edge as to who killed your father, sir,” the officer answered. “This is no time for you to deny it; take care what you sa qs will say now, and hereafter, that I am innocent of any part or knowledge in that,” George declared, earnestly: “ Let me see my wife for a moment, and I will go with you. I must be the one to break this news to her, or the shoek will kill her.” “Well, I can allow you that, provided you do not leave my sight,” the detec- tive agreed. ‘This is a sad. business, Mr. Stroughtenberg, and I had rather this duty had ‘fallen to any one else than me—’” “Never mind,” said George, regaining his coolness. “Here, boy, I want you to go on an errand for me. I must notify my lawyer.” George sat down at a desk and motioned - Fred Fly to approach, “Pred,” he whispered, “have connec: ake this letter and burn it the very first chance you get. It is 00 ie for the Mount Ver- non business now Fred took the crumpled letter and it im- wy mediately disappeared up his sleeve, the detective not getting so much as a glimpse of it. “TY think you had better go around and tell Mr. Wolraven I must see him, first of ¥ ughtenberg said, in a louder voice. pin fy i. cdlarase. * and he penciled the ere and iti on a scrap of paper. ya al we P : Ty ¢ ) ~ itr iy. a so eg ; Hert ft ~~ iz, a yp Si - U P eke ' Wiss) st poate oe vd ; yas 44> as es, ~ > The Broadway Sport. “TI will let him see to the business of noti- } fying my lawyer.” * Yes, sir,’ said Fred. “That will save time for you, officer,” said George. ‘‘It would waste time need- lessly for me to write a letter to the law- yer. Now, come with Te and I'll say good-by to my wife.” He motioned.Fred to be off, and asked the detective to follow him inte another room. Fred lost no time in obeying. George Streughtenberg had married a wife of his father’ 8 choosing g, and they had all made their home in the one house. George bade a servant sunfmon his wife, and she and his two daughters came down to the parlor in somewhat of surprise to learn What was wanted, for they had gained. an inkling that something was wrong. “ George!” the wife exclaimed, ie? What does this mean?” ‘There is a misunderstanding, that is all, fnd I have got to go with this gentle-— man to the police to straighten it out. not be alarmed; an arrest has been made, you know. If I do not return soon, I will send Mr, W olraven to explain to you.”’ “George, I fear—” “You fear what, wife? There is noth- ing to fear.” “Oh! I do not know; something is go- ing to happen, or ‘has ‘happened. Is it that you are arrested?” “Yes, owing to a misunderstanding of certain circumstances. Do not give it a moment’s concern. There is one other thing of far more importance that I must prepare you for.” * Heavens! what is it?’ : The three were wringing their hands. “You may hear of something to my harm; do not give it credence till you hear what I have to say.” s “*George! George! You must not leave us thus! Tell us all, tell us everything! There is something you are holding back, and that may do you harm if you persist.” “ Trust me,” said the husband, smiling to reassure them. ‘ Look for me gr Wol- raven before noon. Now, sir, we will go.” But the leave-taking was not so abrupt; there were fond embraees and whispers of confidence, and when the husband and fa- ther finally left the house he left his wife and daughters in tears, yet encouraged: Meanwhile, Fred Fly had not been idle. He had set forward immediately upon | the errand that had been intrusted to him, Wopstering what it all meant. € was more puzzled than ever, yet he steadfastly believed in the innocence of Mr. Stroughtenberg. He knew him too well to he deceived in him, he thought; besides, had he not assured him again? And that letter that he had been told to destroy at the very first opportuni ty— What harm if he read it? His curiosity was too great for hy to forego the privilege. — Taking it out of: his: sleeve, he smoothed out the page sufficiently to enable him to master the contents, and read: St: Mount Vernon, N. Y., ** (dated). “ George Stroughtenberg: I have just heard that you are in great trouble. Per- haps danger may be near you, if the truth is discovered. If you will pay me ten thousand dollars quickly, I will release you forever. “ YOUR . LAWFUL WIFE.” “Whew!” the ferret whistled. “Here is a go, sure enough! So this is what took Allen to Mount Vernon,.it is? Then he and Mrs. Lawful Wife stand in together, do they? Bet my money that George is “what is being fleeced by a set of scamps, that is What I bet. | t, if she is his wife— Well, it is too deep for me.”’ 5 ie t ome’ sei Do |] 4 is SoG ~., Having no chance just thes to burn the ) letter, he folded it in small compass and thrust it down into his shoe. Meanwhile, he had been hurrying right along. When he came to his destination. he was. on the side of the street opposite the house he was heading for. He was about to cross over, when a rough-looking man stopped him, a fellow with about as “hard” a visage as Fred had ever beheld in his life, and asked: “ Boy, do you live near here?” “ Yes, I’m livin’ here,” was the prompt answer. The man did not catch the full signifi- cation of Fred’s reply to the question. “Well, can you tell me who lives in that house right over there?’ and he men- tioned the number. “He is a tall man with light whiskers.” The description fitted Samuel Wolraven, and Fred had no Cwoubt but he was the person the fellow meant, but he did not intend to give any information unless he snew more about the man. “Yes, I know.” he said, “but I don’t know that I'll tell you; what do you want to know for? ye It will be remembered that Fred Fly had not got a sight of this man at the time of his rescue of the Broadway Sport, hence he could not be expected to recog- nize him. *’Cause, I have got business with that feller, but hang me if I can think of his name,” said Rummy. “If you will tell me what it is I will be a heap and more obliged to you.” ‘What is your business with him?” “Huh! What’s that to you?’ ‘“Mebby the man is my d4d, for all you } know.” “Jingo! Is he, though? If that is the case, will you say a word to him for me?* “ Sure I will. I am going right in the house now, and if it is anything honest I won't mind giving the message for you. What is it?” Fred had awakened to the possible i portance of the situation. Here was a hard-looking fellow seeking to get an in-— | terview with the store superintendent, and was it not just possible that he possessed. some information that would throw light | upon the mystery and give Mr. Wolraverm something by which to clear George and set the matter strajght? It might possi- sibly lead to the arrest of the real mur-_ derer! a ME CHAPTER XVI. FRED MAKES A SCOOP. 5 Rummy Mike looked at the ferret search- i ingly before he spoke again. He was evidently trying to determine Just what would be best for him to say | under the circumstances. “T'll tell” you what to say to him,’’ he r 1 soon arrived at his decision. “You say to him that a friend of Mr. Gardner’s wants to see hm bad, on p’tic’lar business. See?’ “Oh, yes, I see,” said Fred; clear as mud to me. If that is the case. why didn’t you prance right up to the — door and make known your wants? But. you said you couldn’t think of his name: I savvy. I will tell him.” of “ Nary. a word.” Fred promis He crossed the street and pulled the bell, | ‘and in a few moments the door opened. — “T want to see Mr, Wolraven,” iat a announced, “ What is your name?” was asked. Se » * sé Fred Fly. 99” , 4 e iw « . a s 4 a es —s ; ‘ . baie es vee ae = ‘ — 3% 2.20 . =<eienips Toe es a S gale = e *» “? me P PL ee, ie iS > ‘it is as Well, you wait right here, and 2 ee right, me ‘Son; don’t ferget a pes 4 . a awe ee © g co ° ay wile alll pm = 4 ae vie ie al ea Va ee ao Sg _ st